Camp Two (Da-va): Top Ten

"Heal my heart and make it clean. 

Open up my eyes to the things unseen. 

Show me how to love like you have loved me. 

Break my heart for what breaks yours. 

Everything I am for your kingdom's cause. 

As I walk from nothing to eternity."

10- Thank you hugs and kisses (and licks..thanks to Max) for saturating me with enough hugs & kisses for the rest of my life. It truly has shown me the importance of tender appropriate physical touch in one's life. And, truthfully- I need/ed it.

9- Thank you many leadership opportunities for pulling me completely out of my comfort zone several times. I have definitely grown as an individual and leader; I now realize that I am so much more capable than I ever thought I was.

8- Thank you 5:30am morning runs. Because of you, my day is 100% better and starts out energized, rejuvanated, and not to mention "with-it" instead of "out-of-it"for morning devotions.

7- Thank you Great Britian Mark for allowing me to see what Americans do differently than what Great Britain does: Everything is "Awesome"; coffee in the morning, ice cream in the afternoon... just to name a few.

6- Thank you.. night out at the sea. The glow-in-the-dark jellyfish, a sky plum full of stars, a peaceful night, a dip in the sea, and laying out on the sand makes a GREAT night for reflection, Avi's sweet singing, and a friendship growth with You, Lord.

5- Thank you... International Team for being vessels for glorifying Christ with your presence, leadership, and friendship in my life this camp. Each one of you have brought sweetness to my soul.

4- Thank you...English word "bittersweet". Because of you, my vulnerability allows myself to invest freely 100%  in the staff & children. There was nothing short in my heart of love for these people, which makes it difficult to say goodbye.

3- Thank you kids of Camp 2. I think you were the first kids that I allowed to love me back fully for who I am.... not because of what I do- but simply loving me just as I am- imperfections and all.

You have helped me accept tenderness, sweetness, peacefulness, hope, love, trust, and immense joy. For this, I humbly thank each of you.

2- Thank you Melody Grace Olson- for not shutting yourself out, shutting down, or being passive. Thank you for opening up, giving 100% of your heart, body, mind, and thank you for being obedient to the Lord despite (what you thought) was bad timing. Because of this, you are able to live more freely, love more sacrificially, and trust more abundantly.  Accepting your flaws, embracing the truth, and  walking in faith.




1- Thank you Jesus Christ for your non-judgmental friendship. Thank you for allowing all this to be possible- from opening my heart, putting people in my life, the tears from good byes, the tears from saying hello, encouragement, eyes to see, heart to know, etc. etc.   I will always praise You.

Camp Two: Good-byes

Max

Another camp bites the dust. Rippin' out my heart once again while they head back to their abandoned, neglected, and angry households. But I do not fear, for I know the Lord is with each child wherever they go, whatever they do, He NEVER leaves them. Thank you Jesus for being a friend to the "least of these" (orphans). Thank you Jesus for being a friend to me.

Alosha  

Ilya

Good-byes are not fun; however, there is still sweetness to my soul. 

Max

Ward One Ladies!

Max- Max-Max-Max :)

Matthew

Polina

Andre (Max's brother)

Photo Booth..there's a first time for everything!

Here are a couple of pictures from some guys them doing photo booth. (Sasha, Vlad, Matthew, & Volva)

Top Ten (de-A-set)

Top Ten "THANK YOU's" to Camp One:

10) THANK YOU...Belly Button finger bops from the mobs of little kids who misinterpreted my non-verbals for "ticklish" when in fact you were stabbing my tummy flab with your pointy little fingers. It's always a good thing getting out of my comfort zone when you pop my personal bubble again, as well as bring out all my insecurity of chub. ;)

9)  THANK YOU... game named "Biffer". Sprinting around as Ronald McDonald's crazy wife hitting little children with socks full of flour really did bring me joy- not to mention a good workout.

8) THANK YOU... to the 50 girls with knee-long hair who wanted their hair done 12 times each. You helped me perfect the french braid, including, 1-30 braids, small, medium, large, diagonal, sideways, circular, etc.

7) THANK YOU... 5 team members to put on the entire camp. Truly have I done things I never thought I would.

6) THANK YOU...game named "telephone" in Russian. Due to you, I was completely hopeless, helpless, and incapable of playing.

5) THANK YOU... daily craft for allowing me to share in the kids' creativity and beautiful creations.

4) THANK YOU....Language Barrier. I now realize how powerful non-verbal communication..and it's genuinely refining me.

3) THANK YOU... family and friends. Because each one of you I continually realize that this investment is far far FAR more worth than I ever could have imagined.

2) THANK YOU... children of Camp One. Because of you, I truly have started to see the refined individual God has created me to be. Selfishness to Selflessness. Pride to Humility. Hopelessness to Hopefulness. Ashes to Beauty. Anger to Joy. Anxiety to Peace. Frustration to continually growth. Tall/Solid Barriers  to vulnerability. Openness to appropriate boundaries. Loneliness to discernment with friends. Control to Freedom.

1) THANK YOU...Jesus Christ for never abandoning an orphan child. Thank you for never abandoning me. I will always praise You.

A Chance of a Lifetime...

'Tis true: It's a fun kid's camp.  Ten straight days of fun, crafts, learning about the Lord, and when the 10 days are up- go home.  The only difference at Hope Center is that all the kids go back to drug addicted, abusive, completely unstable homes, orphanages, or foster homes. 

This is one (of many) busses leaving. No further explanation needed.