The title of this weeks blog comes from the time I spent at the youth camp getting to know a bunch of the teens better and some for the first time. The main reason I went on this trip was to go to the Tora camp and be able to make a stronger connection with my church and the church in Strumica through the youth group. Now for our last week...
Sunday, we went to both of the church services and then we went over to Filip's house for another wonderful lunch. Other than the people I've become so close to here, I'm really gonna miss the food! We went back home after lunch to do laundry, pack, and rest a bit.
Monday, we left home at 6:30am to meet everyone so we could all go together on a charter bus to Bulgaria for the camp. We had some problems at the border (one guy's passport was expired and the minors had to have a certain paper) but other than that, it was an easy drive. After we got to the hotel, we dropped our bags off in our room and went down for lunch. Then we had free time, dinner, and the opening program.
Every day after that until Saturday, we would have breakfast, devotional time, the morning program and small group, lunch, a "mission", free time, dinner, a team game, and the night program. My small group was Bethany, Lindsey, and the girls from the church in Skopje. Our leaders were Gloria and Stephanie. They were so sweet and welcoming from the moment we met them all. I can definitely say that it was God's plan to put us together. They always included us three girls and we got to know them really well. Again, I love that everyone I met there has already become so important to me and I know we'll stay great friends!
Tuesday night, Bethany shared and sang a song with Stephanie. Wednesday night, it was my turn to share and then Stephanie and I sang the song "Brokenness Aside" together. The youth were so sweet with their comments afterwords! Thursday night, one of the leaders shared about his trip to Africa and then we had lots of worship. It was a very emotional and moving night because we had been praying to feel the Holy Spirit. Friday night, Lindsey shared and 5 of us girls sang Amazing Grace. Saturday, we left the hotel around noon and traveled back to Macedonia. Before we left though, the leaders announced which team won and our all girls group did! We were so surprised and excited! Later that night, we met some of our friends in the center of Strumica for the Open Festival. Anastasia from Skopje was in a dance battle so we watched her and hung out for a while.
Sunday, we went to both church services and they prayed over us girls. After church , we went to lunch with our little family (Bethany, Lindsey, Stephanie, Zivko, Dorotea, Hana, and I) and then he youth group threw a going away party for us that night. It was a great night, but saying goodbye was really hard. I know that won't be the last time I'll see them! Right now, I'm sitting at home typing the rest of this post and I already miss being there so much! Of course I missed my family and friends here and some of the comforts of America, but I got so used to every day life and being with some of the best people I've ever met! It was an experience that I will remember forever and I want to thank everyone who prayed, gave money, and supported me throughout this whole journey. Also, thank you to everyone in Macedonia who made this trip so amazing! God changed my heart through all of you!
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