Hello everyone,

I guess it is about time for me to give you another update.

First of all the first camp (for 8-12s). We were told we needed to arrive at the campsite early to set up mosquito nets, and help clear up. When we arrived it was chaos: the workers were still setting up lights in the chapel, and the eating area was not accessible. Some people on the team were also not feeling well. However, when the children arrived a couple of hours later, everyone was feeling much better. OK the work wasn´t finished (we ate in the chapel for the whole camp!), but it was OK. The usual plan for a day was;
7 AM: Wake up with music and someone screaming into a mike (Ola Gallega, Accordaaaaarrr!!!!)
7,30: Breakfast (usually couscous)
8,30: Service run by the STEP team (AKA, the team of Gringas =us)
After that and until 12: games, swimming pool...
12,30: Lunch
Then more games, swimming...
6,30: Evening meal
7,30: Service and then lost properties (complete with song and dance!)
Then a themed evening (Ridiculous night, Western, Talent)
10PM: bed time
As I mentioned before, our team was in charge of the morning services: we tried to make them interactive and creative, so we included dramas, Memory verses, Dramatic Bible readings, testimonies and games. The themes were Creation, the Fall, Redemption and Restauration.
We also quite often sung in the evening services, as we were taught a song to the tune of the Macarena.
During the free time for games, we were involved with playing around in the swimming pool, playing Uno (with slightly different rules) and other card games. I also ended up playing chess with some of the Brazilian leaders ( and remain unbeaten!)
All in all the camp was very succesful, we managed to bond with the kids, and language was not a barrier to us all having fun.

After that camp we came back to Recife itself and had a day off, with a nice lie in. Then we started preparations for the second camp.
We were all quite worried about this camp as we knew that it was mostly boys aged from 13 to 18 and from rival communities. We were told to expect violence between them.
One good thing is that 2 guys who had come over with Latin Link a few years ago, came over to visit and helped out as well.

For the second camp we left at the same time as the teenagers, though rather later than planned due to lack of space in the bus. But we all got there safely. The layout for the day was pretty much the same. However the step team was only in charge of one service on salvation and 1 themed night ( as well, as some games during the day!)
On the Thursday, we played football against the Brazillians. At first the teenagers wouldn´t let us foreign girls play, but in the end they accepted to play a match Brazil against UK. We started off with the 2 national anthems and the game was on. And the UK (with the help of a few Brazillians who decided to become British) won, much to the disgust of the Brazillians. Thankfully this did not stop friendships from being built!
Also on Thursday, one person from our team was sent home with chicken pox.
On Friday evening, we organised a cultural night, with a trip around the world to all the countries represented in the camp: England, Scotland, Brazil, France, Poland and Peru. This involved lots of different activities including a cailigh (I don´t know how to spell it), building the Eiffel tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows, llama races, and having some tea and biscuits.
ON Saturday we had a MASSIVE water fight: not one person in the camp was dry by the end of it. I think just about all the camp ended up in the swimming pool at the same time, but great fun was had by all.
One wonderful thing about this camp is that the presence of God could really be felt throughout the whole time: the times of worship were amazing and everyone was moved. I am pretty sure that no one who came to the camp left without having learnt something more about God.

ON Sunday, the step team left early as we were invited to a pool party. So we were able to relax in the pool and eat some very good food before heading back to church and see some of the teenagers again.

Prayer and Praise points:

- Thank God for his help at both camps and the wonderful relationships that were built
- Pray for Gods healing for those who are still ill.
- Pray that the people who came to the camps would be able to learn to live life with God, knowing that only with Him they can be truly free.

Right, I had better stop there for now. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

Até Logo

Anne-Marie