"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."
After 26 hours of flying and maybe an hour of sleep, most of which was in the Moscow airport because I don't sleep very well in planes.
I went with my Grandparents to visit the Church they had helped when they were there.
We left the US in the morning of Sept. 28 and got to Arkhangelsk, Russia on the 29th (which was a Wednesday).
We had a Bible Study in the Pastor's flat on, I believe, Thursday (we stayed with the Pastor and his sister). That is when I met Alexey. He was like a big brother to me, taking me to different places I would not have been able to go to otherwise, teaching me things about money and history (most of which I have forgotten). I still can't believe my grandpa let me go with Alexey and his friends to Malye Karely 2 days after we met, but then, Pastor Andrew said it would be fine. :)
Malye Karely is an outdoor museum with old wooden buildings from different parts of Russia.
The Northern Dvina River
Tatyana and Arina!
The view from our flat.
Grandpa and Grandma walking home after talking to some classes at a school one of their friends teaches at. I got to go once all by myself while they were at the dentist. That was really fun!
The Pastor and his (legal) wife after they came back from the wedding palace. They didn't consider themselves married until a week and a half later when they had their Christian wedding.
Alexey and his girlfriend took Grandpa, Grandma, and I to the entry into Arkhangelsk.
And they were married!
We missed the wedding because of a mix up on who was supposed to pick us up, but we had fun at the reception. :)
The day after the wedding, Andrew officially became a pastor!
I am very thankful to have been able to take this trip. It definitely helped me in my relationship with God and my grandparents.
Please be praying for these dear brothers and sisters in Christ as Russia is closing to the Gospel.
Here are some pictures and videos from the last couple weeks of camp...
(Some pictures are courtesy of the camp photographer)
Teen 2 Pit Crew
Teen 2 was easier than the previous couple week because we were feeding 30-40 less people.
Making sun-dried tomato basil pesto sauce to serve over chicken and noodles.
It is so yummy!
My friend and I went kayaking one day, then it started raining and chased us back in. ☺
Sarah was Mr V. for her cabin's skit.
And here is Mr V. He has a lot of fun with the kids!
Sarah and her best friend.
Slaughter in the water!!
Evening Chapel
I love Friday night campfire!
Sarah and I got to Skype Esther! We really miss her, but it hasn't really set in that she will be gone for a while.
When I get home, it will hit me because she won't be sharing a room with me for the next year or so.
We were able to do a group Skype, so we got to talk to everyone at home at the same time!
Junior 2 was the easiest camp this year because our highest number was 70. I kept thinking that I didn't have enough food because I cooked for double that number the first Junior camp.
Some of the operational staff played instruments in chapel during the singing.
Slip 'N' Slide time!! You have to get wet first, or you won't go very fast. The water always feels cold, but also good after being in the kitchen.
Soap in the face!
This is what happens when the camp photographer leaves her camera in the kitchen. 😂
One of the best nights for the kids! Food trucks showed up to deliver them food.
Staff special.
Sarah, Alana, and I while we were shopping with my best friend. I am going to really miss seeing her everyday, but at least she doesn't live 26 hours away anymore!
Here are some videos from this summer...
Most people didn't know who this was until they told everyone Saturday morning. There was one cabin that thought it was me.
Oh, Ichabod...
I am really thankful for all the messages this summer. It was really cool how a lot of the speakers mentioned the same things, or the pastor of one of the churches I attended this summer mentioned something that was taught during the week, or my personal devotions would have a verse about one of the subjects from Chapel, or when we cooks would have our devotions together every morning, a verse would remind us of a message from that week.
I am looking forward to being home soon!
I have really missed my family!
The one week I did go home to tell Esther goodbye, I cried a lot on the way back to camp, both tears of joy because God was leading my sister on an adventure, and tears of sorrow because I am not going to be able to see her for a while. That week was extremely difficult because I was physically and emotionally exhausted.
I am very thankful for the strength God has supplied, and for all who have helped and encouraged me this summer.
I am looking forward to next year!!
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.
For the past 7 years, I have spent at least a week and a half here. For the past 5 years, I have spent 6 weeks here. For the past 2 years, I have been the head cook here. Now I am working on my 8th summer here.
Peniel Bible Camp has a special place in my heart. I have made many friends, some of them my best friends now. I have met people that I never would have never met otherwise. I get to listen to chapel messages every weeknight. The cooks have devotions and pray together almost every morning. I get to interact with kids of many different ages. I have seen couples meet and marry. I have seen children grow from Junior campers to being able to cook and counsel for Junior camps.
I have so many memories here, so many inside jokes.
Riding plasma cars around at 11 or 12 at night (in the dark) singing songs from Sound of Music
Eating cheese cake at midnight
Oh, remember the BBQ in the cheesecake pan?
Reenacting a scene from Anne of Green Gables (without the Gilbert)
All the campers. (Esther and Anna are the first 2 counselors on the right side)
Singing Happy Birthday to Esther!
The staff introducing a new song in Chapel.
Anna's cabin
Esther's cabin
Sarah and I grilled burgers last night. We did about 200. I think we were both coated with grease and we lost a ton of liquid doing this. I am thankful for Sarah and her willingness to help me with this very warm job!
And one of my favorite parts of camp...
Slip and slide!!!
I get to do it after all the kids get done. It feels really good after cooking in the kitchen for a lot of the day, especially when it is 98 degrees in the kitchen like was yesterday.
I also love when the nurse or other cooks do it with me!!
This is actually probably the cleanest slip and slide I have ever done. I am usually covered with soap, grass, and dirt.
So, if you are ever looking for a good Bible camp to attend, come join us! 😊
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
