2010 FCC Mission Updates
08/15/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 16)
Well today was probably the hardest days that I have had to deal with in many years! It was the last of what was the most amazing 3 weeks of my life! I couldn't have seen this coming but God has blessed me this year beyond belief with the camps being so successful with the staff, campers, and everyone that I've encountered! I don't know where to go from here. My heart is broken that I am not staying but I know that God has a good work in me still to do with my teams and kids back home. I feel lost. I love these people so much and to leave them yet again has brought me to a very humbling state! I pray that God gives me the strength to prepare to come here next year. I would ask that you would continue to pray for the FCC staff and myself as God is preparing us all for re entry into the United States. It's never easy to come back home even though we do miss everyone so much, but it's even harder leaving people who know not to much about God with a limited connection point. Thank you for continuing to bless myself and my team with your prayers!
Smiley
08/14/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 15)
Fun Day Fun Day Fun day!!!! Again, the international day of fun! HAHA! I really am glad the staff had some time together last night. They have been on point for me today and I'm so glad. Our time here in Cz is coming to an end and I want it to be so memorable for everyone involved! We ran camp as usual teaching and instructing. I was able to sneak off for a few minutes with my friends from the hotel to go order some flowers for B and N (our friends/contacts from the Cz Cheer Association) because we want to really thank them for all they've done for FCC in the last 10 years! This day is never easy for me because I know we only have a few days left to follow and I certainly am not ready to leave! The guys who are from the hotel were great, and were so proud that they could take me around, me of all people! One of them was a younger boy who was fluent in English and the other was one whom I've known for 4 years now from the hotel. They said, "Smiley, come with us we will help you do anything you need. It's an honor for us to have you with us!" I said it's all my honor to be with you. The impact people make on each other just through thoughtful actions, indescribable!!
Tonight as I was preparing the awards for tomorrow's ceremony they celebrated my birthday! It was a surprise to me but so far every year that I tell them to not they do it any way :). They gave us all these hot air type balloons to write a wish on and send it up. It's a Czech tradition to do this to wish someone the best on many occasions and they told me it comes from an Asian tradition. It was as always wonderful to celebrate even a day before with all of my friends overseas! God has so blessed me and I am so thankful to have been able to run these trips this year!!
Smiley
08/13/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 14)
This camp is basically a college co-ed camp! We have around 160 people here and about 35 of them are guys college aged! The popularity of the sport in Czech has grown so much with the males and it's so encouraging to see all these guys here at camp! We aren't able to offer up tumbling like we usually do here because of the amount of guys we have in partner stunts. Unfortunately today I really hurt my thumb and it's kept me kinda held back but it's no big deal. The way I see it I only get one time a year with these people so I'll just wrap up and bite the bullet! I'm so proud of the STAFF! One of my favorite things to do with groups of people is team building. I have guided these guys in such a way that I can totally trust them all to run camp as if I were out there with them. I have really enjoyed these past few weeks but today I could really see what a dynamic group of people I had working for me! Thank you God for provision! The staff really needed some time together tonight so I asked S one of our Cz contacts who knows the Lord and helps translate to help us drive to a McDonald's! It might not sound like much but when you have to drive about 30 minutes to find one, it is a big deal! It was a really special night not only because we were together but because we really got to love on S and help encourage her for the times she's been walking alone in lost country! She means so much to us and sometimes you just can't say enough to someone to let her know, but after tonight I'm pretty sure she gets it! :)
Smiley
08/12/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 13)
Today has been a very packed day. Started off with working with the Czech All Star Team. I'm so impressed with how much the teams have grown in the past few years. We started our regular camp today and it was a pretty outstanding day! I have never been so thankful to have a staff care for the teams as much as this years team has! They seem totally focused and ready to grow with the teams they're around! I have still had a few struggles dealing with things at home but God is so good and I'm so thankful to be here surrounded by such great people!
Smiley
08/11/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 12)
Camp ended today with some very emotional moments. At one point during our awards ceremony I couldn't even speak. All I could do was smile and hold down the tears of Joy that God has given to me. I can't imagine what it would have been like this year for me not to be here. My heart is so drawn to these people and my life is called here! Pray for me please that God will show me His timing and I will be ok with it :) It's hard to believe that FCC has been here in CZ 10 years, and for myself 7 but I thank God and ask that He will continue to the FCC camps here for another 10 years! We have had a lot of fun today as a staff but I have had a very heavy heart. I just found out today that one of my coaching friends was killed in a car accident. I don't really acknowledge grief well and it's something I know I have to deal with. It's been hard for me because there have been times all day where the little things have caused my heart to be heavy for her family, and reminding me constantly that our time here on earth is so very short. We must go and fulfill the great commission! Please as you read this pray for my heart and for my team so they will be understanding as I explain to them tonight what has been going on for me today. If you could also pray as we prepare for our final week of camp here in CZ. The teams we will be working with are older students 20-35 years and it could be a bit intimidating for the staff. Pray God brings a boldness and that He allows us all clear focus as we get ready for our final AMBUSH in the CZ this summer! Thank you all!
Smiley
08/10/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 11)
The INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FUNNNN!!!!! What a great fun day we've had and some really amazing discussions too!!! I have talked with B who is our contact in Czech (also like a sister to me) about the camps and next year. She told me "we are so blessed!" This has been one of her favorite camps and the relationships we've built since our first official FCC camp in 2001 has been so great! As I talked with the staff today they have really expressed to me how great things have been for them, even with some frustrating moments through language barriers. God is so great and today has been simply a blessing to my life! I have built some great relationships with the Cz people over the years and I am so thankful and grateful that I have been able to come back so many times to build and grow them! Remember D? Well tonight I presented him with an award of thanks for being so special to me and the staff, for loving and caring for us, and for being a great example to all the staff and especially to me! Tonight as I gave him a worship cd and a Euro shirt with staff on the back he began to cry...then i did, and as i embraced my brother i could feel the spirit of God come over us! So i began to talk to him and tell him how much he is a good man, a man that God loves and show's his heart the right things to do for people. He responded, "Smiley, do you remember the first time we talked about God and how I did not believe?....I have changed so much because of FCC and I know God is in my life and I believe He is making my life better, especially with you and FCC. I love you Smiley!" I will never forget this moment because through the beating my heart made with his and the tears that flowed from both of our eyes, I know God is in his life and I said D, lets talk more about how God and Jesus can be more personal to you, kinda like how I am with you! Even now as i write this my heart smiles and my eyes are filled and I am so thankful that God has given me the chance to share my heart, life, and soul with these people! God is soo very good! :)
Smiley
08/09/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 10)
Let me just tell you it's been the best day ever! These little babies, my staff, and my friends helping to run camp have been AWESOME! We have had to go back and forth between the filled and gym because of rain. It's been pretty heavy here to and in some ways can be a distraction because some areas are flooding where the teams are from so there's some concern. We have a great group of kids here and we also have another team from Slovenia here, Flip is there name. They have some really great guys and older girls for us to work with and teaching partner stunt classes to them has be amazin' crazy! Their coach is named D and he is such an amazing guy! I really truly can't describe to you all what he means to me! He loves his kids and this staff and FCC to him is an answer to a life he didn't know he could have! We first met about 6 years ago and one of our first discussions about God was about how he knew that one did not exist. I'm looking forward to many talks with him this week because I have seen over the years how God has become real in his life!
Smiley
08/08/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 9)
Camp has gone so great today!!!! It's our younger kids camp and they are so adorable and strong! Over the last few years I have noticed how in the Cz our teams are growing stronger with themselves and their skills, and after the last 7 years I've been here they are growing up!!!! I love seeing my babies getting taller, bigger, stronger, and just growing so much with their skills! The staff has been amazing! We have been able to discuss so many new things they have been experiencing in the last few days, talking about their frustrations and praises has been so great for me. Just hearing the things about culture and coaching that was tough for me, being tough for them gives me great memories! I'm excited to see how God will work in this camp this week!
Smiley
08/07/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 8) pt2
Even though Smiley has already posted for today, I had some thoughts that I really wanted to share. I know that Smiley and I both feel quite strongly about today's events as they were both humbling and frustrating.
Its fairly traditional for us to eat at the hotel on the days prior to camp with our contacts, B and N, as well as some of the coaches of the younger teams, M, S, and a few others whom we've grown to love dearly. Its a great time for us to play catch up and rekindle our friendships, have fun, and eat some great Czech food. However, today had a very sober feel to it. Just as our meals were served and everyone was having a seat, M a dear friend who is also married to our contact B, sat down at the table and dropped a bomb on us. With a mischievous smile on his face, he looked down the table at Smiley and I and asked, "so, when camp is over, you two are staying behind to live here, right?"
You could hear a pin drop in the room. Smiley and I's faces just dropped ... M, B, N, and S were laughing and teasing us as they knew that the reason we weren't able to move to Czech this year was out of our control. But it didn't hit our hearts any softer. God was in those words ... "why aren't we here, Smiley?" is all I could think. Yes, there were many things out of our control that prevented us from moving this year, but we both strongly felt the conviction of God today. Did we really do all that God desired of us this year to make the trip happen? Neither of us were able to honestly answer that question ... we have A LOT to think and pray about tonight as we reflect on His convictions and calling for us this week!
Blake
08/07/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 8) pt1
We traveled to Doksy where we will be holding our next few camps for CZ. This is 10 years we will be with FCC in the CZ and it's very special needless to say! The staff is bonding really well and its very nice to see that God will use them all in very special ways! We ran through our demo practice and everything went really well. It's really exciting that we have some time to spare today so we can just catch up with our friends and see how God has been working in their lives. One of my favorite things to do is bond with teams and the community surrounding our camps. Tonight I was able to speak with "Cz Momma" the lady who owns the hotel whom in the last 4 years I've been blessed with a really meaningful relationship! They are always so willing to help us and in this case we have a need to do laundry and they are so very helpful! IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME HOW GOD TOUCHES OUR LIVES WITH THOSE WHO MAY NOT EVEN KNOW HE EXIST! Humbling, very humbling!
Smiley
08/05/10 - Missions Travel (Day 2)
Today's been quiet a day! I stayed up with two of our staffers who unfortunately had to head back to the states. They had to leave us about 4 am to catch a flight at around 6. The rest of the staff I woke up around 730 am to get ready for our "travel day". We have been on a train since around 9am this morning and because we are staffing camps we have about 14 bags worth of supplies and personal luggage to take with us for our 2 weeks in Czech. Well after we got on our first train our second train decided to leave us haha, but really it did! So we missed that train by about 4 minutes and caught the next one. After 6 successful train switches from one country to another we are finally on our last one of the night taking us to PRAGUE!!!!!! God is so very good and so faithful to us! He has kept us safe all day and throughout has been putting amazing European people in our live's to help us on our way. Even after 7 years of working over here and learning to grow and develop my self as a leader I'm always challenged to learn something new as I travel through Europe. We are so excited to be with our family from the Czech and so sad to leave our family from Slovenia. Hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions are a struggle. So please pray for us as we make these transitions along with traveling safety for our team members flying back to the states! Again, the way I run camps overseas I will not allow the staff much communication to the states so that God may be our first distraction as we AMBUSH our teams in Czech!!
Smiley
08/04/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 4)
Camps ended very well and it never ceases to amaze me how much the teams we work with really seem to care and love us. They inspire me so much to grow and become a better coach each year so I can give back to my kids in the states and even more to them in the years to come! I was really excited when I talked to M (or Slov. contact) about the camp because he embraced me and said, "Smalls, I love you and this has been the best camp ever of the last 5 years." Needless to say I was more than choked up because love's not a word that he often uses and to give me a compliment such as this was more than overwhelming. So I would like to say thank you to all of you for praying for us as a camp and for my FCC team and all who put time into getting us ready to go! If it weren't for all of you who are behind the scenes M would never feel this way! I am so thankful that this FCC staff was so willing to absorb the culture, to make ready their hearts to love and share with there teams, and to bless so many from all over the world with the abilities that God has blessed them with! Thank You ALL!
To end the day we were able to drive into Ljubljana, Slovenia to let the team shop around for a few hours before our last meal together as a staff. I had some really hard hitting emotional thoughts that I could really use prayer for! Please as you remember to pray for my teams and myself please remember to pray for our hearts as we prepare for the next big adventures that God is going to do with us!
Smiley
08/03/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 3)
Camp has been going great, and it's really fun to see how the different cultures from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia view "cowboys". I say that because the theme for funday for our camp this year was "cowboy" and it was really fun to see how much the camp got into it! They had all there gear totally from head to toe!! There were outlaws, sheriffs, and anything that represented the wild west! It's been an amazing day and tonight I was even better! I was able to present the gospel in a subtle yet sufficient way for what we have been doing in Slovenia in the last 5 years! God is so very amazing and He has shown me so much as I was able to come back each year. M presented me with a very touching award the night before and tonight I realized why. It seems with so many conflicts among the Slovenians and communication problems he is not wanting to run a camp next year. This truly breaks my heart and I will do everything in my power to see this doesn't happen! When you pray for this team please remember that though we are ending camp tonight and our last days tomorrow we truly don't want to end the work that's gone into the relationships that have been built over the past 5 years with the camp and especially with the people of Piran who have been apart of my life!
Smiley
08/03/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 3)
Day three was a blast!!! Of course because it was Fun Day!!! We dressed up as cowboys and so did the campers. We taught them the Cupid Shuffle during warm ups and other things. Private coaching was not that bad today even though most of the campers could not understand what we were telling them. They listen diligently and did what we asked. At night we got to hang out with the campers and get to know them better. I learned a lot of interesting things they do different, for instance, they don't cheer at their school. Instead they cheer for clubs. Didn't know that. Unfortunately, tomorrow is last day of camp. Can't wait to see what God has in store for tomorrow. Thank you for all of your prayers!!!!
Lauren
08/02/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 2)
Day two has been yet another amazing day with the campers. It was our first full day of camp and it seems that most of them are very eager to listen and learn. As we are teaching campers who are with different cheer programs (and who speak different languages) it is interesting and fun to observe staff trying to learn and remember words and phrases to make it easier to communicate. We had the opportunity to let our buddy squads know a little bit more about us and we are praying that they are able to see the light and love of Christ shining through us as we interact with them. After dinner, M and T had a ceremony prepared in recognition of 5 years of FCC camps in Slovenia and also recognized Blake and Smiley for their commitment to the camps over the years. It was very nice and also cool to see how FCC has been able to be involved in this country, and we are also looking forward to what the next couple of days will have in store! We appreciate all of your prayers and ask that you continue to keep us in them.
Lauren
08/01/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 1)
So today was day one and it was really great. We started the day off getting to know the campers. The campers were pretty quiet at first but as the day moved along they really opened up to the staff. Getting to know the campers is such a great experience. The more we get to know them the more we want to share the word with them.That being said, the staff also has been really coming out of our shells really trying to get the know the campers. The campers are really great and so willing to teach us their language, which is really fun to learn. Although we have only had a half day it already seems like so much has happened. After today I am really looking forward to this week and continuing to get to know the campers and try to love on them so that they can see God's light through this amazing staff. These campers should definitely prepare their hearts for an ambush this week =] Please keep the camp, campers and staff in your prayers.
Chanka
07/31/10 - Missions Travel (Day 1)
Remember that one time when...we came to Slovenia? Friday afternoon, the Slovenia team officially left the United States to begin our European journey. During a temporary stop in Frankfurt, Germany we met up with friends of Smiley who graciously took us outside the airport and treated us to some sightseeing, shopping, and a traditional German meal!
After our two-day traveling adventure we safely arrived at our final destination. Our experience here in Slovenia has been absolutely incredible already! In just the first day we have enjoyed walking through the gorgeous streets, swimming in the Adriatic Sea, eating several delicious meals (not to mention a lot of gelato), and visiting a castle! Standing on top of the castle, it was neat to think about all of the history it represented and to observe the sense of loyalty and respect of the Slovenian people for their nation. We have enjoyed time with each other, the beauty of this country, and preparing for this exciting week ahead. Please keep us in prayer as we continue to form relationships and love on these campers! Isaiah 61: 1-4
Robyn
Well today was probably the hardest days that I have had to deal with in many years! It was the last of what was the most amazing 3 weeks of my life! I couldn't have seen this coming but God has blessed me this year beyond belief with the camps being so successful with the staff, campers, and everyone that I've encountered! I don't know where to go from here. My heart is broken that I am not staying but I know that God has a good work in me still to do with my teams and kids back home. I feel lost. I love these people so much and to leave them yet again has brought me to a very humbling state! I pray that God gives me the strength to prepare to come here next year. I would ask that you would continue to pray for the FCC staff and myself as God is preparing us all for re entry into the United States. It's never easy to come back home even though we do miss everyone so much, but it's even harder leaving people who know not to much about God with a limited connection point. Thank you for continuing to bless myself and my team with your prayers!
Smiley
08/14/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 15)
Fun Day Fun Day Fun day!!!! Again, the international day of fun! HAHA! I really am glad the staff had some time together last night. They have been on point for me today and I'm so glad. Our time here in Cz is coming to an end and I want it to be so memorable for everyone involved! We ran camp as usual teaching and instructing. I was able to sneak off for a few minutes with my friends from the hotel to go order some flowers for B and N (our friends/contacts from the Cz Cheer Association) because we want to really thank them for all they've done for FCC in the last 10 years! This day is never easy for me because I know we only have a few days left to follow and I certainly am not ready to leave! The guys who are from the hotel were great, and were so proud that they could take me around, me of all people! One of them was a younger boy who was fluent in English and the other was one whom I've known for 4 years now from the hotel. They said, "Smiley, come with us we will help you do anything you need. It's an honor for us to have you with us!" I said it's all my honor to be with you. The impact people make on each other just through thoughtful actions, indescribable!!
Tonight as I was preparing the awards for tomorrow's ceremony they celebrated my birthday! It was a surprise to me but so far every year that I tell them to not they do it any way :). They gave us all these hot air type balloons to write a wish on and send it up. It's a Czech tradition to do this to wish someone the best on many occasions and they told me it comes from an Asian tradition. It was as always wonderful to celebrate even a day before with all of my friends overseas! God has so blessed me and I am so thankful to have been able to run these trips this year!!
Smiley
08/13/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 14)
This camp is basically a college co-ed camp! We have around 160 people here and about 35 of them are guys college aged! The popularity of the sport in Czech has grown so much with the males and it's so encouraging to see all these guys here at camp! We aren't able to offer up tumbling like we usually do here because of the amount of guys we have in partner stunts. Unfortunately today I really hurt my thumb and it's kept me kinda held back but it's no big deal. The way I see it I only get one time a year with these people so I'll just wrap up and bite the bullet! I'm so proud of the STAFF! One of my favorite things to do with groups of people is team building. I have guided these guys in such a way that I can totally trust them all to run camp as if I were out there with them. I have really enjoyed these past few weeks but today I could really see what a dynamic group of people I had working for me! Thank you God for provision! The staff really needed some time together tonight so I asked S one of our Cz contacts who knows the Lord and helps translate to help us drive to a McDonald's! It might not sound like much but when you have to drive about 30 minutes to find one, it is a big deal! It was a really special night not only because we were together but because we really got to love on S and help encourage her for the times she's been walking alone in lost country! She means so much to us and sometimes you just can't say enough to someone to let her know, but after tonight I'm pretty sure she gets it! :)
Smiley
08/12/10 - Czech Camp 2 (Day 13)
Today has been a very packed day. Started off with working with the Czech All Star Team. I'm so impressed with how much the teams have grown in the past few years. We started our regular camp today and it was a pretty outstanding day! I have never been so thankful to have a staff care for the teams as much as this years team has! They seem totally focused and ready to grow with the teams they're around! I have still had a few struggles dealing with things at home but God is so good and I'm so thankful to be here surrounded by such great people!
Smiley
08/11/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 12)
Camp ended today with some very emotional moments. At one point during our awards ceremony I couldn't even speak. All I could do was smile and hold down the tears of Joy that God has given to me. I can't imagine what it would have been like this year for me not to be here. My heart is so drawn to these people and my life is called here! Pray for me please that God will show me His timing and I will be ok with it :) It's hard to believe that FCC has been here in CZ 10 years, and for myself 7 but I thank God and ask that He will continue to the FCC camps here for another 10 years! We have had a lot of fun today as a staff but I have had a very heavy heart. I just found out today that one of my coaching friends was killed in a car accident. I don't really acknowledge grief well and it's something I know I have to deal with. It's been hard for me because there have been times all day where the little things have caused my heart to be heavy for her family, and reminding me constantly that our time here on earth is so very short. We must go and fulfill the great commission! Please as you read this pray for my heart and for my team so they will be understanding as I explain to them tonight what has been going on for me today. If you could also pray as we prepare for our final week of camp here in CZ. The teams we will be working with are older students 20-35 years and it could be a bit intimidating for the staff. Pray God brings a boldness and that He allows us all clear focus as we get ready for our final AMBUSH in the CZ this summer! Thank you all!
Smiley
08/10/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 11)
The INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FUNNNN!!!!! What a great fun day we've had and some really amazing discussions too!!! I have talked with B who is our contact in Czech (also like a sister to me) about the camps and next year. She told me "we are so blessed!" This has been one of her favorite camps and the relationships we've built since our first official FCC camp in 2001 has been so great! As I talked with the staff today they have really expressed to me how great things have been for them, even with some frustrating moments through language barriers. God is so great and today has been simply a blessing to my life! I have built some great relationships with the Cz people over the years and I am so thankful and grateful that I have been able to come back so many times to build and grow them! Remember D? Well tonight I presented him with an award of thanks for being so special to me and the staff, for loving and caring for us, and for being a great example to all the staff and especially to me! Tonight as I gave him a worship cd and a Euro shirt with staff on the back he began to cry...then i did, and as i embraced my brother i could feel the spirit of God come over us! So i began to talk to him and tell him how much he is a good man, a man that God loves and show's his heart the right things to do for people. He responded, "Smiley, do you remember the first time we talked about God and how I did not believe?....I have changed so much because of FCC and I know God is in my life and I believe He is making my life better, especially with you and FCC. I love you Smiley!" I will never forget this moment because through the beating my heart made with his and the tears that flowed from both of our eyes, I know God is in his life and I said D, lets talk more about how God and Jesus can be more personal to you, kinda like how I am with you! Even now as i write this my heart smiles and my eyes are filled and I am so thankful that God has given me the chance to share my heart, life, and soul with these people! God is soo very good! :)
Smiley
08/09/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 10)
Let me just tell you it's been the best day ever! These little babies, my staff, and my friends helping to run camp have been AWESOME! We have had to go back and forth between the filled and gym because of rain. It's been pretty heavy here to and in some ways can be a distraction because some areas are flooding where the teams are from so there's some concern. We have a great group of kids here and we also have another team from Slovenia here, Flip is there name. They have some really great guys and older girls for us to work with and teaching partner stunt classes to them has be amazin' crazy! Their coach is named D and he is such an amazing guy! I really truly can't describe to you all what he means to me! He loves his kids and this staff and FCC to him is an answer to a life he didn't know he could have! We first met about 6 years ago and one of our first discussions about God was about how he knew that one did not exist. I'm looking forward to many talks with him this week because I have seen over the years how God has become real in his life!
Smiley
08/08/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 9)
Camp has gone so great today!!!! It's our younger kids camp and they are so adorable and strong! Over the last few years I have noticed how in the Cz our teams are growing stronger with themselves and their skills, and after the last 7 years I've been here they are growing up!!!! I love seeing my babies getting taller, bigger, stronger, and just growing so much with their skills! The staff has been amazing! We have been able to discuss so many new things they have been experiencing in the last few days, talking about their frustrations and praises has been so great for me. Just hearing the things about culture and coaching that was tough for me, being tough for them gives me great memories! I'm excited to see how God will work in this camp this week!
Smiley
08/07/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 8) pt2
Even though Smiley has already posted for today, I had some thoughts that I really wanted to share. I know that Smiley and I both feel quite strongly about today's events as they were both humbling and frustrating.
Its fairly traditional for us to eat at the hotel on the days prior to camp with our contacts, B and N, as well as some of the coaches of the younger teams, M, S, and a few others whom we've grown to love dearly. Its a great time for us to play catch up and rekindle our friendships, have fun, and eat some great Czech food. However, today had a very sober feel to it. Just as our meals were served and everyone was having a seat, M a dear friend who is also married to our contact B, sat down at the table and dropped a bomb on us. With a mischievous smile on his face, he looked down the table at Smiley and I and asked, "so, when camp is over, you two are staying behind to live here, right?"
You could hear a pin drop in the room. Smiley and I's faces just dropped ... M, B, N, and S were laughing and teasing us as they knew that the reason we weren't able to move to Czech this year was out of our control. But it didn't hit our hearts any softer. God was in those words ... "why aren't we here, Smiley?" is all I could think. Yes, there were many things out of our control that prevented us from moving this year, but we both strongly felt the conviction of God today. Did we really do all that God desired of us this year to make the trip happen? Neither of us were able to honestly answer that question ... we have A LOT to think and pray about tonight as we reflect on His convictions and calling for us this week!
Blake
08/07/10 - Czech Camp 1 (Day 8) pt1
We traveled to Doksy where we will be holding our next few camps for CZ. This is 10 years we will be with FCC in the CZ and it's very special needless to say! The staff is bonding really well and its very nice to see that God will use them all in very special ways! We ran through our demo practice and everything went really well. It's really exciting that we have some time to spare today so we can just catch up with our friends and see how God has been working in their lives. One of my favorite things to do is bond with teams and the community surrounding our camps. Tonight I was able to speak with "Cz Momma" the lady who owns the hotel whom in the last 4 years I've been blessed with a really meaningful relationship! They are always so willing to help us and in this case we have a need to do laundry and they are so very helpful! IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME HOW GOD TOUCHES OUR LIVES WITH THOSE WHO MAY NOT EVEN KNOW HE EXIST! Humbling, very humbling!
Smiley
08/05/10 - Missions Travel (Day 2)
Today's been quiet a day! I stayed up with two of our staffers who unfortunately had to head back to the states. They had to leave us about 4 am to catch a flight at around 6. The rest of the staff I woke up around 730 am to get ready for our "travel day". We have been on a train since around 9am this morning and because we are staffing camps we have about 14 bags worth of supplies and personal luggage to take with us for our 2 weeks in Czech. Well after we got on our first train our second train decided to leave us haha, but really it did! So we missed that train by about 4 minutes and caught the next one. After 6 successful train switches from one country to another we are finally on our last one of the night taking us to PRAGUE!!!!!! God is so very good and so faithful to us! He has kept us safe all day and throughout has been putting amazing European people in our live's to help us on our way. Even after 7 years of working over here and learning to grow and develop my self as a leader I'm always challenged to learn something new as I travel through Europe. We are so excited to be with our family from the Czech and so sad to leave our family from Slovenia. Hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions are a struggle. So please pray for us as we make these transitions along with traveling safety for our team members flying back to the states! Again, the way I run camps overseas I will not allow the staff much communication to the states so that God may be our first distraction as we AMBUSH our teams in Czech!!
Smiley
08/04/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 4)
Camps ended very well and it never ceases to amaze me how much the teams we work with really seem to care and love us. They inspire me so much to grow and become a better coach each year so I can give back to my kids in the states and even more to them in the years to come! I was really excited when I talked to M (or Slov. contact) about the camp because he embraced me and said, "Smalls, I love you and this has been the best camp ever of the last 5 years." Needless to say I was more than choked up because love's not a word that he often uses and to give me a compliment such as this was more than overwhelming. So I would like to say thank you to all of you for praying for us as a camp and for my FCC team and all who put time into getting us ready to go! If it weren't for all of you who are behind the scenes M would never feel this way! I am so thankful that this FCC staff was so willing to absorb the culture, to make ready their hearts to love and share with there teams, and to bless so many from all over the world with the abilities that God has blessed them with! Thank You ALL!
To end the day we were able to drive into Ljubljana, Slovenia to let the team shop around for a few hours before our last meal together as a staff. I had some really hard hitting emotional thoughts that I could really use prayer for! Please as you remember to pray for my teams and myself please remember to pray for our hearts as we prepare for the next big adventures that God is going to do with us!
Smiley
08/03/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 3)
Camp has been going great, and it's really fun to see how the different cultures from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia view "cowboys". I say that because the theme for funday for our camp this year was "cowboy" and it was really fun to see how much the camp got into it! They had all there gear totally from head to toe!! There were outlaws, sheriffs, and anything that represented the wild west! It's been an amazing day and tonight I was even better! I was able to present the gospel in a subtle yet sufficient way for what we have been doing in Slovenia in the last 5 years! God is so very amazing and He has shown me so much as I was able to come back each year. M presented me with a very touching award the night before and tonight I realized why. It seems with so many conflicts among the Slovenians and communication problems he is not wanting to run a camp next year. This truly breaks my heart and I will do everything in my power to see this doesn't happen! When you pray for this team please remember that though we are ending camp tonight and our last days tomorrow we truly don't want to end the work that's gone into the relationships that have been built over the past 5 years with the camp and especially with the people of Piran who have been apart of my life!
Smiley
08/03/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 3)
Day three was a blast!!! Of course because it was Fun Day!!! We dressed up as cowboys and so did the campers. We taught them the Cupid Shuffle during warm ups and other things. Private coaching was not that bad today even though most of the campers could not understand what we were telling them. They listen diligently and did what we asked. At night we got to hang out with the campers and get to know them better. I learned a lot of interesting things they do different, for instance, they don't cheer at their school. Instead they cheer for clubs. Didn't know that. Unfortunately, tomorrow is last day of camp. Can't wait to see what God has in store for tomorrow. Thank you for all of your prayers!!!!
Lauren
08/02/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 2)
Day two has been yet another amazing day with the campers. It was our first full day of camp and it seems that most of them are very eager to listen and learn. As we are teaching campers who are with different cheer programs (and who speak different languages) it is interesting and fun to observe staff trying to learn and remember words and phrases to make it easier to communicate. We had the opportunity to let our buddy squads know a little bit more about us and we are praying that they are able to see the light and love of Christ shining through us as we interact with them. After dinner, M and T had a ceremony prepared in recognition of 5 years of FCC camps in Slovenia and also recognized Blake and Smiley for their commitment to the camps over the years. It was very nice and also cool to see how FCC has been able to be involved in this country, and we are also looking forward to what the next couple of days will have in store! We appreciate all of your prayers and ask that you continue to keep us in them.
Lauren
08/01/10 - Slovenia Camp (Day 1)
So today was day one and it was really great. We started the day off getting to know the campers. The campers were pretty quiet at first but as the day moved along they really opened up to the staff. Getting to know the campers is such a great experience. The more we get to know them the more we want to share the word with them.That being said, the staff also has been really coming out of our shells really trying to get the know the campers. The campers are really great and so willing to teach us their language, which is really fun to learn. Although we have only had a half day it already seems like so much has happened. After today I am really looking forward to this week and continuing to get to know the campers and try to love on them so that they can see God's light through this amazing staff. These campers should definitely prepare their hearts for an ambush this week =] Please keep the camp, campers and staff in your prayers.
Chanka
07/31/10 - Missions Travel (Day 1)
Remember that one time when...we came to Slovenia? Friday afternoon, the Slovenia team officially left the United States to begin our European journey. During a temporary stop in Frankfurt, Germany we met up with friends of Smiley who graciously took us outside the airport and treated us to some sightseeing, shopping, and a traditional German meal!
After our two-day traveling adventure we safely arrived at our final destination. Our experience here in Slovenia has been absolutely incredible already! In just the first day we have enjoyed walking through the gorgeous streets, swimming in the Adriatic Sea, eating several delicious meals (not to mention a lot of gelato), and visiting a castle! Standing on top of the castle, it was neat to think about all of the history it represented and to observe the sense of loyalty and respect of the Slovenian people for their nation. We have enjoyed time with each other, the beauty of this country, and preparing for this exciting week ahead. Please keep us in prayer as we continue to form relationships and love on these campers! Isaiah 61: 1-4
Robyn
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