Last week (week 4), we held two elementary school camps, one in Hsinchu and one in Huwei. It was our first time holding a camp at Buhe Elementary in Hsinchu, but the church we worked with had held camps at that school for the past two summers. About 60 kids attended this year’s camp, and we formed good relationships with them, especially since we had an hour to play with them before each day of camp. There were always about 10 children already at the school when we arrived for every day of camp!
The church members that we worked with were very good at being small group leaders, but the youngest group of children (first- and second-graders) was still very rowdy and held the biggest challenge for us as teachers and small group leaders. Many of the children in that group ran around the classroom during class and talked over the teachers. The other three groups of children were pretty obedient though and very willing to participate in class. The oldest class in particular was extremely cooperative and engaged, which we were incredibly thankful for!
God also blessed us with an amazing surprise of 22 house visits during the week!! All of our members got the chance to go on house visits as a result, many of them acting as the only representatives from Team America alongside local church members. Many of us were shocked at the immense presence of folk religions and superstitions in the students’ lives, but during the house visits and the camp, God blessed us with opportunities to share about the peace and joy that the Lord brings, and how his perfect love casts out all fear. At the closing ceremony, the school principal was even brought to tears after witnessing the impact that this camp had on the kids. Praise the Lord!
