discussion before breakfast. In this one we talk about the healing power of God's word. The discussions end quickly as the groups are yet drowsy from staying up late the night before; no less is expected though, its camp! This morning breakfast is labna, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, bread, and marmalade. Though the mess hall is subdued, there is an air of cheeriness and joy. These kids love being at camp, it is evident in every bleary smile!
We break from breaking our fast to gather for morning worship and our third Bible study. The worship starts a bit somberly, but then picks up as the rhythms begin to tap the weariness from the campers. Now awake, they attentively listen to Pastor Joseph teach on how God uses our situations to teach us about Himself and to grow our faith. He explains how we are not exempt from problems as Christians, but we have a God that will carry us through. It is a good message and the group listens with typical teenage detachment, though unconcealed attentiveness betrays their interest. I think to myself that today's discussion should be easy and relevent. My problem planted garden of faith may some days be likened to a redwood forest. Thankfully my God is always bigger! And then I remember where I am and think my redwoods may be more like toothpicks when compared to the situations of those around me. Thank you Jesus that my worries are usually only self-induced! The teaching is followed by another song and then we head to our meeting ground for group discussion.
We have chosen a sun-filled porch, built from stone and concrete, upon which to gather. This will be our morning meeting place. In the afternoon when the sun blazes hotter, we will seek the coolness of the shade further up on the mountain beneath the pines. After a review of the previous two sermons we get into the questions. I love these kids. They are always so cheerful. They seem to have strength and optimism welling up from deep within. We talk about the purpose of problems and the fact that God uses them to grow our faith. They understand that problems are not punishments but stepping stones to knowing God in a more intimate way. We close in prayer, thanking God for the attention He pays to our own details and then it is picture time.
After gathering the campers and staff of a group photo it is free time. Some gather and talk, some grab a basketball - which is a very popular sport here in Lebanon, some play soccer - the other popular sport, Peter and Jad seek Jon and I out to play cards. Peter has an infectious smile and Jad is one of the humblest people ever; we love spending time with these two. All too quickly it is time to head to lunch. Another delicious, Lebanese meal; this time the room is more boisterous than before. We share food and stories; they try to teach us Arabic and laugh as we try to pronounce words in their language. The merriment and food fills us before we head to the second bible study of the day, the fourth in the series.
In this lesson we learn how God created us all in his image. How we are all His children and how He loves us all dearly. For this segment of the series, "Through the Eyes of God" we are learning how to see others through His eyes. Pastor Joseph is an excellent teacher and pastor. He speaks not only about seeing others, but the whole world through God's eyes and our responsibilities therein. Afterwards we gather to discuss the lecture, of course seeking our shady respite from the warm afternoon sun. During this discussion period I learn a valuable lesson. Although our group has always answered, they have usually been Sunday school answers. I know some of them do not feel confident in their English and it seems that answering correctly is important - I figure this is why they are sometimes quiet. When Andrea, Jad's sister, asks to see the questions so they can read them in Arabic I finally realize my big mistake. I comprehend the hardship has been in the translation and, while normally eager to share, is the source of their shyness when we meet in our small groups! Reading the questions in their native tongue helps to loosen their own, and they again impress us with their upbeat, buoyant personalities. They are so forgiving and wonderful! We have a good discussion and then break for some free time.
Soon it is time for Maher to once again demonstrate his love for these children by letting them creatively compete - this time with water games! We cautiously watch them soak one another first with a game where one person holds an empty water bottle on their head while their partner uses a sponge to transfer water from a bucket to fill the bottle. Delightful squeals of laughter drench the hot afternoon as cheerful teens drench one another. The second game is a water balloon toss. Starting at arms length away, each pair must toss a water balloon back and forth, each time stepping a bit further apart, until one team spans the greatest distance. They love this! The final round is a sneak attack. Maher has them drag three heavy, water balloon filled tubs into the center of the gaming area. He then has them gather together in a group so he can explain this final game. It is hard for them to focus as their eyes keep glancing dreamily at the colorful tubs of ammunition with eager anticipation. Maher is very solemn as he gathers their attention and a balloon in each hand. He holds both balloons up high as he begins to speak. Telling them to pay attention, he draws both arms back, and before anyone can realize he as laid his trap, he unleashes both balloons into the crowd. It is pandemonium, a wild free for all! As campers run excitedly into the fray, the staff quickly retreats away from the liquidy onslaught and once again the day is pierced with teenage guffaws. Man, this guy is good!
The grounds are scoured and all balloon bits are gathered before the campers hit the showers and gather to leave for dinner. This time, we are walking down to the nearby village to eat at a restaurant called El Yammine. Life is definitely different hear in Lebanon. Did I mention we are in the mountains? The steep mountains? I know that I have not told you about the driving in Lebanon. Imagine a life where cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, pedestrians, and whatever else shared a driving surface where lines are only a form of decoration. Generally, you should travel on the right side, but you do not really have to. There are no enforceable speed limits. The only real rule is avoid being in an accident. If there is room, go; if there is not, go faster. I am not making this up. Even people who are comfortable driving in downtown New Your City would panic behind the wheel in Lebanon! As we begin our journey down the road, we four Americans take solace in the fact that at least there is less traffic up here in the mountains... usually.
El Yammine is an open aired, beautiful, picturesque, delight. We are served Mezze to start. This is middle-eastern hors d'oeuvres. For this meal it consists of plates of hommos, baba ghannouj, and tabbouleh. The meal is chicken kabobs and french fries. We learn from Noelle, a fellow camp leader and an American who met and married Gladys' brother, Wissam, when she came for a missions trip back in 2010, that it is typical to place the dinner order when making reservations for large groups - a very practical idea. The meal is followed by plates of fresh fruit: slices of watermelon and cantaloupe, grapes, apricots, pears, plums, kiwi, and peaches. The meal is completed by a cup of coffee. A fun day, a delicious dinner, great sermons, sunshine, happy teenagers = life in Lebanon is wonderful! We head back up to camp for our final, unbeknownst to us, painful, evening session.
Safely back in camp we all head to the meeting hall for the evening program. Tonight it will be lead by Maher with the help of some of the campers. We have no idea what we are in for. It begins with some worship music and then Maher takes over. When I said painful, I meant because this program, though we do not speak the language, was full of side-splitting, teary eyed, heart wrenching laughter. I cannot remember laughing so hard and merrily as when we did while watching the skits performed by the campers. Maher was both director, and performer. He was joined by Roy, Marianne, Andrea, Stephan, Daniel, and Calvin. I did not understand a word that was said, but true comedy needs no interpreter, and all did an amazing job. It was so much fun!
All too quickly it was over and we were saying our "bon soirs" (french for good night). And there was evening, and there was morning - the second day of camp.
"Precious Father in Heaven. Your glory, grace, and love know no boundaries. You truly are our "abba father." Please watch over these youth as they pursue the good works you have prepared in advance for them to do. Keep them safe as they find their identity in your son Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Allow them great opportunities to love and be loved as they show their neighbors what it means to be a Christian in a world that hates them. They need you to be their guide, their mentor, their protector, and their hope. Thank you, Lord, for the joy they have shared with us and may we continue to spread it as we remember them fondly in our prayers. Amen."
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