Aller-Retour

With most of the team back home safe in Boston* our blogging here will come to an end. Thank you to all who kept up with our adventures! We look forward to sharing more photos and stories with you via Facebook and at the missions night at Immanuel. Here are a few more photos!

Liz giving a great talk on Jacob wrestling with God. Marie translating. Thanks Marie! Well done ladies!

Some hand art

From our Red Carpet Night. We might post the videos they created--they were pretty stellar!

A few more shots of everyone all dolled up!

Here's our wall of campers -- shout out to Hannah who took all the photos and arranged them! Please continue to pray for all of these lovely people. It was hard to say goodbye, but we know that God goes with them even as they leave camp. We can pray that He will continue to draw them closer, and that we will be able to continue our relationship through the marvelous wonders of the internet. We live in the future!! And we look forward to spending forever with them one day as well : )

*Jared is staying with Sylouan for a week visiting his family and Paris, Micah is staying on at Champfleuri on staff and then going on a missions trip with Thierry Mirone, and I am staying in London visiting Mary Cote for a few days.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. We love talking about this trip and this place, so if you get the chance, please ask any of us about it! And then prepare yourself for a few hours of stories, laughter, and tears.


A bientôt.

--Monica

We're already crying. :(

Today is the last full day of camp TED. It's been an amazing couple of weeks here, and we are not ready for it to end. One of my favorite parts of camp has been the daily devotionals every morning because we take time to pray for every camper, counselor, and staff member. We split up into groups and each pray for 4 or 5 people. I don't particularly like to pray out loud, but it amazes me that God can listen to multiple prayers, in multiple languages at the same time and that he cares and wants to spend time with all of us. 

Yesterday we were able to watch the Camp Made Movie Trailers. We had a red carpet entrance, complete with a live feed to the theater. Everyone dressed up fancily and it was a very nice evening. After the movie trailers, we had a very powerful worship session. The songs picked had everyone in the room jumping around and dancing for God. After that we heard a testimony/short talk from Joel B about living life as a Christian outside of the whole "church" bubble. 

Today Monica talked about how God wants you to come home to him, and how He will come back for you. She used examples of teens who run away from home, believing that they are not wanted, when in reality the biggest thing their parents want is just for them to come home and be safe. This is the same for God, no matter how much we think we might disappoint Him, He never turns his back on us and will always welcome us back like nothing has happened. 

Tonight we have TED's Got Talent, and afterwards the dance partayyyyyyyyyyy. Let's hope for a great final day at camp! Woooooooooooooooooooo

-Amber and Max

Nearing the End!

Hey everyone!

     
     Today is our 9th day of camp and so far its been my personal best year yet! I've been maturing relationships I made in past years as well as making many new ones along the way. Looking back, its hard to realize that we only have 3 or so days of camp left. Last I checked, it was only our 5 day of camp! Time flies when you're having fun. Yesterday we got back from our big hike. There were 3 groups for the hike; the first group would be hiking for 5 hours, the second for 3, and the third for 2. I thought I would go on the second one because it would be pretty easy. Thomas, one of the staff at camp told us we would only be ascending the mountain for 45 minutes. What we didn't know was that Thomas is military crazy, and that 45 minutes to him is like 2 hours for us. Basically we spent the day hiking upwards at a 45 degree angle having to climb with our hands because the ground was too slippery. It was rewarding however, because we got a great view from the top.

   
      Today was a pretty low key day, everyone was exhausted and just took it easy. Tonight is our night of non musical worship. The staff set up all sorts of stations where you can read Bible verses or reflect on the beauty of god in pictures. I'm preparing myself for lots of tears, because they always flow like a river. Pray that God will work in the hearts of the campers tonight. I know He is doing His work here.

--Jared

Overnight camping TED stylee

Yesterday we began the day with a message about Moses and the 10 commandments from Juliette, one of the French counselors. She passionately reminded us that God desires to have a personal relationship with us. She also went through the commandments, looking at how each one is an opportunity to thank God for what He has done for us. They are a set of rules for a freed people so they can return their love to the one who freed them! How beautiful!

After that we loaded up the buses and went to the high ropes course. We were able to explore the different levels (green, blue, red, and black). Many were challenging--and a lot of fun!

We then had dinner and a campfire where we sang some songs and Yannick, one of the French counselors, gave his testimony. He shared with us how he became a Christian at TED when he was 17. Now he is living for the Lord, participating in a Christian group on his university campus (similar to Cru or Intervaristy) and is a counselor at TED. As someone who has known Yannick since he was a teenager, it was incredibly moving to hear about how God has been at work in his life!

Here are some photos of our time around the fire:

Now we are back at camp and ready to jump back in to all the excitement of life at TED.

Pray for energy and time away with the Lord for all of our team. It's a busy push to the end, but we want to make sure we enjoy it--and have God at the center!

--Monica

Hi-hi-hike!

We are going to a high ropes course today, sleeping out overnight, and then hiking tomorrow. Pray for us, for safety and for relationships to be built! This is a big opportunity for us to get to know new people and continue to know people more.

Look forward to some updates from campers upon our return tomorrow!

--Monica

Update

Thank you all for your prayers.

One of our team members spent the night at the hospital getting some tests done. She is resting now and back at camp. With new medicine we are hoping and praying for the best!

Please continue to lift us up as we go on our overnight tomorrow night. Also for continued health and safety, as a few others among us are feeling under the weather.

Love to you all! More photos and updates to come later today.

--Monica

Cool Days are Here Again

Hello Everyone!

Today was the first day it wasn't burning hot (I actually put a sweater on). I think everyone is relieved that it is starting to cool down and we are all praying that it stays that way. In our big group game this morning we played a game where people had to grab streamers off of other people. It was a lot of fun, but it was very dangerous and a lot of people went to see Nurse Donna afterward. Lizzy did a fantastic job preaching on Jacob wrestling with God and how God invites us all to wrestle with Him.

I think we are all enjoying our time here and am seeing God work in the camp. My favorite part of the day is when we start our big group meeting in worship. I love it because we sing in both English and French and it is a good reminder of how God speaks all languages and how even with the language barrier between us, we can still all worship together.

We are starting to get to the point where everyone starts to get tired so pray that we will energy and stay positive. Please pray that we have the courage to go outside of our comfort zones to talk to new people.

Love you all!
Sarah

Photos from yesterday/today

We did some water games yesterday, here are some highlights!

Mackenna shared her testimony also, here's a photo! She did a wonderful job, and the story of God working in her life is one that is very applicable to many campers here. She was translated by Marie, one of the French counselors.

After the lake today, we all put our wet clothes and towels out to dry. It was a great day!

Here is Kurtis and Jonathan Douib, hanging out before dinner.

Please be in prayer for 2 French girls who have decided to quit smoking during camp. They are finding it more difficult than they had hoped. Pray for the difficulties in their life which make them feel like they need to smoke, and that they would turn to God to heal them!

Thank you for your prayers and support. Tomorrow we will be playing a game that the French ICers have put together. We will also hear Sarah's testimony, and Liz will give the talk on Jacob wrestling with God. 

--Monica

Lake day!

Hey everyone! 

Today was our 3rd full day of camp, and we went off-site for an adventure! We visited a local lake  and spent most of the day there. For the first hour, we rented paddleboats and took them out to the middle of the lake where we swam, jumped off the boats, slid down the slides on the boats, threw frisbees, and had a grand old time. Then, we spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the water, relaxing on the private beach, and getting to know each other better. It was a great way to build and strengthen relationships, in addition to getting to cool off from the heat! Please continue to pray for our endurance in the heat, since it hit close to 105 degrees today! Many of us are sunburnt and struggling with dehydration (but all still safe, don't worry!), so your prayers are really appreciated. Please pray especially that we would still be able to reach out to the French campers, which isn't easy with how tiring the heat is. 

Now we are getting ready for our large-group meeting, which was moved to tonight since our adventure took up most of the day. As I'm writing this, I'm listening to the worship team practicing songs in both French and English. The bilingual worship has been one of my favorite parts of camp, and I love getting to see so many people from different cultures praising God together. 

Please keep praying for the health of our team and the campers, that relationships would continue forming and growing, that God would be working in both the hearts of the French campers and our own hearts, and that each and every camper would feel welcome and accepted here at camp.

We love you all!

Victoria

Hi!

Today is our second full day at camp TED with the campers here. Already we are tired and slightly dehydrated, but still having an amazing time. This is my third year here at Champflueri and every time it is better than I remember it. If you have looked at the weather forecast for Lyon France recently you will see that is it very war. VERY WARM*. Yesterday I believe it reached easily 100 degrees. Because of this we could really use prayers for us al to stay healthy and energetic. My favorite part of camp so far is getting to know all of the new Frenchies (French kids) and any time I get to stand by a fan. A couple Boston girls have gotten sick the past couple days, most likely due to dehydration, so pray they become better. Every year the thing I like the most about coming to Champflueri is the atmosphere of love and friendship and just genuine happiness for everyone to be together. I can feel that starting to form, and I can't wait. 

Some final prayers: 

-Health

-rest!

-HEAT RELATED PRAYERS 

-that every French kid can have someone to talk to and love them. That connections could be made with everyone. 

Loving it here and everyone I'm with.

-Mady 

Photos and an update

Today was our third day here at Champfleuri, but the first real full day of camp!

It has been a blast.

This morning for our big activity we did station games where groups of campers had to work together in "ice breaker/team building" type activities--but with a competitive edge! For example, two teams competed head to head in who could untangle their 'human knot' first. After that they played 2 larger group games. The sun was not too hot in the morning, and we made sure to all drink plenty of water!

The message today was from Damien the camp director. He talked about Genesis 1 -3, Creation, Adam and Eve, and temptation. We especially looked at the fact that after the fall, God asks "where are you?" to Adam and Eve. Damien asked the camp, "where are you?" in relation to God? We talked about that more in our small group time.

Dominique from our team gave her testimony today. I'll try to upload a version of it to the blog later this week.

After small groups we had workshops! Amy and Max did one with group games, Minnie joined in a dancing workshop, Mackenna and Hannah did one with bracelets, and Micah and Josh played card games. Here are some photos from the fun!

At night we played Bunco--it was my first time playing, and it was a blast!

After that, as the campers winded down, we had cabin time. This is the time of the day where counselors are in the rooms with the campers, getting to know them on a deeper level. A number of counselors noted that their rooms were pondering the question Damien had asked in his talk "where are you with God?" Pray that they would answer that question and seek Him this week!

Also, we know of at least 3 campers who have little to no Christian influence at home. This might be the week that God chooses to open their eyes to His love for them. Please pray that it is!

Hey all!

This is our third full day here at Champfleuri and we've already done so much!  Now that the campers have arrived, we are in full ICer mode and trying our best to understand their French, and them our
English.  Seeing old friends has been amazing for all of us and meeting new ones is just as exciting.

 Prayer for endurance and for us to overcome the language barrier would be very helpful and welcomed as we continue throughout the camp.

Thanks for reading, and God Bless

Kurtis

Happy Independence Day, y'all!!!

Day two (three? Jet lag is a real thing, guys. . .) of the Boston’s team stay in France, and today is the big day: ARRIVAL DAY!!!! All the campers have arrived, and we're off to a great start. Kids from all over France, some from Germany, Britain, and even Sweden!!! It’s been so exciting see both returning and new faces!!! It’s also been incredibly hot - 90+ degree weather daily here, so we’ve been drinking lots of water and praying for a cold front. 

It’s been so good to be back. I was telling a friend the other day back via email, that my heart is so full being here right now. The mountains, the people, the food, THE COFFEE, the list can go on. I cannot wait to see what God will be doing here over the next few weeks!  

If you can be praying for all the camper’s who have arrived today, for open hearts! 

A Bientot! 
-Liz

Champfleuri video

Hey everyone! As we prepare for Camp TED 2015, here's a clip of some things we did last year. The campers officially arrive tomorrow - and a few arrived just a few minutes ago! - and the whole team can't wait for camp to start. Please pray for our team to be unified, enthusiastic, and prepared to share Christ's love with the French teens.
À bienôt!
-Hannah

Team Photo/Prayer Requests/Travel Update

Our Team!

Team Prayer Requests:

Sarah – Pray for my energy level and that I would not get too tired over the course of the camp.

Mady – Pray that I would have good health on the trip, and that I don’t get sick.

Amber – It’s my first year being there, so please pray that it would go well!

Hannah – Please pray that I would do well as a leader. This is my third time on the trip, but my first time being a counselor at the camp instead of a camper.

Liz – Pray that we would have safe travels and peace of mind during the trip.

Tori – There is a heat wave in France! Please pray that we have energy in the heat, and that we find a balance between deepening relationships with people we know and new relationships this year.

Tonisha – That I would be able to come out of my shell and get to know people.

Joshua – Please pray that I would be able to understand the other campers and also that I would have endurance for the duration of camp.

Kurtis – Pray that I would be able to work though the language barrier as I try to get to know the French campers.

Jared – That I will be able to sleep enough and maintain my emotions so I can stay positive.

Max – Please pray that I will not be overly stressed with all of the time around people and that I will build good relationships.

Mackenna – Pray that I will not be overwhelmed with the language difference, and that I will still be able to serve God on the trip.

Minnie – You can pray that I will be able to make valuable friendships with the French teenagers while at the camp.

Monica – Please pray for the French teenagers to have their hearts and eyes opened to hear about God’s love for them! trip.

Micah – Please pray that I don’t run out of energy.

Amy - You can pray for my health. I have been very sick as of recent and seem to be getting better right in time for this trip. Health, along with safe travels and wisdom to talk to other French teenagers about God's love.

We safely arrived in London and are boarding our flight to Lyon in an hour. Thank you for praying for us for the next two weeks! Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook on Hannah Courtemanche's profile, and on instagram @campted2015.