For those that do not know, the first week of the German summer break is the week that we do baseball camp. It makes deciding when camp is going to be easy. Really it is because we know that people are going to be going on vacations and other things throughout the rest of summer break and so the best time to catch as many people as possible is the first week. However, now that camp is over and BIJ on Tour is over, summer break really begins. A lot of people will be on vacation, but many others will not. My hope is that we can take advantage of this time and provide opportunities for students to play baseball and stay connected to the church.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to go visit the pastor and many of the students of the camp in Bramsche. It was a great weekend! At the sametime an old college buddy of the Pastor (Holger) had come to visit from the states for the first time in 17 yrs. We were all able to spend some time together talking and visiting some German history around the northwest part of the country.
Friday I joined a baseball game with the youth in Bramsche. This is their fourth year to complete baseball camp, starting just one year before us here in Siegburg. They have some very talented players. One of the students that I met, had the opportunity to go to Michigan as an exchange student. Being at a small northern school he was able to play all the available sports. Saturday we had the baseball reunion service which invited all the campers back to the church for a small worship and connection time. I am hoping that with my time there this weekend and the connections that were made the Lord will open up other opportunities to expand this sports ministry here.
One thing that I would ask that you be praying about, I found out this weekend that for a church to have a youth pastor here in Germany is not very common. "Most churches only have one pastor". There are certainly churches that have youth pastors and desire to have youth pastors. This to me sounds a lot like the US in the late 80's early 90's. At this time there was a huge movement building up the idea of how important ministry specific for students is within the health of a church. I would love to see youth ministry grow and develop here as it has in the states. Of course, once this has hit my brain juices have been flowing on how that might get jump started.
Following His Call
Nick
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
It is Finished
Camp is Over.
Ralf was quick to say that on Saturday. I think he was looking forward to it. : ) haha Camp was Great! Now everyone has arrived back in Houston and gone their separate ways. All except Maribeth and myself. Today we relaxed and took the train to Aachen walked around took many pictures, got Amereno (Cherry based) instead of Amaretto Eis, which was perfect because she doesn't like tart, fruity things. It was beautiful and a nice day.
Sunday we had a great meeting talk about this years baseball camp, what we liked what we wanted to improve as well as about next year. As long as the Lord still has it in His plans all parties are rearing and ready to go. It was also a great time of fellowship with both the church and other campers families. This lunch took place at the church which is great because it physically connected those who had never been to the church before to the church and hopefully we will some of those faces again.
Saturday was an awesome final day of camp! Closing cermonies included awards by coaches, to the winning teams and "The Bigs" rapping a couple of their songs including E3 (possibly not the title). Saturday of Camp there is always a tournament and a cookout. The church always does a fabulous job cook a large variety of meats, steaks, sausages, chicken, this year ... eggs. The tournament is always a toss up and anybodies game. There were a lot of great plays made as the weeks talent peaked at the end. The Sand Gnats and the Blue Claws ended up taking the cake in the end.
Thursday and Friday were both days of recovery. Thursday was recovery from the craziest hail storm I have ever seen in my entire life. Many Germans said the same. The track looked like it was covered in snow and the winds were hurricane like. I was helping holding down a large tent and the wind picked me up and bent the corner of the tent to pieces. Friday was recovery from playing the Nightmares on Thursday night. We almost won!! I think it was a victory that we made them try a little toward the end of the game. Final score 8-10.
I can't believe that camp is over and that the team has already been and gone. The rest of the week we have to relax and prepare for BIJ on Tour, the youth retreat. This weekend will be a lot of fun!! We are headed to Berlin to see Sarah Grossart get married and then head back on Sunday! It is going to be a great week and I am looking forward to the rest of the Summer. 4 more weeks!
Following His Call!
Ralf was quick to say that on Saturday. I think he was looking forward to it. : ) haha Camp was Great! Now everyone has arrived back in Houston and gone their separate ways. All except Maribeth and myself. Today we relaxed and took the train to Aachen walked around took many pictures, got Amereno (Cherry based) instead of Amaretto Eis, which was perfect because she doesn't like tart, fruity things. It was beautiful and a nice day.
Sunday we had a great meeting talk about this years baseball camp, what we liked what we wanted to improve as well as about next year. As long as the Lord still has it in His plans all parties are rearing and ready to go. It was also a great time of fellowship with both the church and other campers families. This lunch took place at the church which is great because it physically connected those who had never been to the church before to the church and hopefully we will some of those faces again.
Saturday was an awesome final day of camp! Closing cermonies included awards by coaches, to the winning teams and "The Bigs" rapping a couple of their songs including E3 (possibly not the title). Saturday of Camp there is always a tournament and a cookout. The church always does a fabulous job cook a large variety of meats, steaks, sausages, chicken, this year ... eggs. The tournament is always a toss up and anybodies game. There were a lot of great plays made as the weeks talent peaked at the end. The Sand Gnats and the Blue Claws ended up taking the cake in the end.
Thursday and Friday were both days of recovery. Thursday was recovery from the craziest hail storm I have ever seen in my entire life. Many Germans said the same. The track looked like it was covered in snow and the winds were hurricane like. I was helping holding down a large tent and the wind picked me up and bent the corner of the tent to pieces. Friday was recovery from playing the Nightmares on Thursday night. We almost won!! I think it was a victory that we made them try a little toward the end of the game. Final score 8-10.
I can't believe that camp is over and that the team has already been and gone. The rest of the week we have to relax and prepare for BIJ on Tour, the youth retreat. This weekend will be a lot of fun!! We are headed to Berlin to see Sarah Grossart get married and then head back on Sunday! It is going to be a great week and I am looking forward to the rest of the Summer. 4 more weeks!
Following His Call!
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