ECC NCCC Summer Camp Short Term Mission Team

By Chris  It's been some time since we've last posted, and so much has happened! Between the sessions, small groups, workshops, fellowship, meals, baptisms, and worship, our team has been greatly encouraged and blessed by all the Lord is doing here. It's so clear that the Spirit is present, active, and moving here in the NCCC.  We were so caught up in everything that we failed to update you all. Pastor Bin, James, and I are currently at the airport heading back to the U.S., so be on the lookout for retroactive recaps once we turn to the States!

Written by Pastor Bin Opening session on Tues 7/15 We started the first full day of camp today after two meaningful days of pre-camp, where the team gathered to prepare our hearts and build unity before serving. I really appreciate this intentional approach which helped ground us in prayer and reminded us that this is God’s work, not ours. Everyone in our team serves as a group leader. I’m co-leading a family group with young children, and while I’m grateful for the opportunity, I’m also feeling a bit nervous. Leading in English still stretches me, and to be honest, it was hard not to feel a little like an outsider, especially when some campers already know each other well and share inside jokes. This morning, I sat down in the breakfast room at an open table, hoping to join others and maybe start a casual conversation. But as soon as I sat, everyone at the table got up, not out of rudeness, they just went to wash dishes or clean up. Still, it left me sitting there alone with my plate ...

Written by James From the setting to the rising sun, for us was about 3-4 hours. Ethan, Chris and I fell asleep with the light, and we awoke to a bright and vibrant day until we looked at the clock and this bright sun soaked morning was actually 4 am. This was 4 and a half hours before our first scheduled activity of the day breakfast. After falling back asleep in the very early full sunlight, we headed out for breakfast and had bread with various meats, cheeses and vegetables.   Coming into our first full day, we started out with a devotion focused on Psalm 78: 4 - 7 and Deuteronomy 6: 5 - 9; to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might, and to tell the next generation this and God's glorious deeds. Morning devotionals Our first leaders' session with Pastor Joe from the Lord's Grace Christian Church was on sharing the Gospel in relationship. He reminded us that the Gospel is the most important thing, and that we need to get b...

Written by Chris We made it safely to Sweden! The flight was 9 hours from SeaTac to Copenhagen. We were blessed with a smooth and relatively empty flight which made it easy for James to sleep while Ethan and I slogged through. We landed early so had plenty of time for our layover en route to Stockholm. We landed in Stockholm at 1 PM local time and booked train tickets for 4 PM because we were concerned we wouldn't make it in time for the 2 PM train (blessed by European travel efficiency), so we had a light lunch in the airport and waited for our train. The train station at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Sweden is known for art installations in its metro system. Even this simple painted cavern was cool! The train made what would have been a 2 hr drive into a 1 hr 15 min ride (can the US invest more in rails, please?), and we were picked up by fellow Swedish co-workers. We arrived just in time for dinner and met folks from London, San Francisco, Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Gothenburg....

Written by Chris W e're writing this from SeaTac as James, Ethan, and I prepare to head out to Sweden. Praise God that Raymond, Bonnie, and Pastor Bin all made it safely earlier this week! We're looking forward to all that God has in store for the camp and our team this week and ready to be used by Him. Here are our prayers requests (stolen from Ethan's email) as we take off: Sensitivity to the Spirit : pray that we would be attuned to where God is leading us, and obey in that regard. Pray that as we interact with others, we will listen humbly and follow the Holy Spirit to support them meaningfully. Camp attendees and serving team : pray that all who attend, especially those who are hearing the Gospel for the first time, would come to know Jesus more fully. Pray for small group leaders to work well together and engage effectively. Pray that the organizing team and worship/PA teams would have wisdom, unity, and peace. Travel : pray that our journey goes smoothly.  The next...

Thank you for checking out our blog! This will be a space for our team to share what's happening during the NCCC Summer Camp, how we're doing, and how you can be praying. We appreciate all of those who are supporting and praying for us, and we're excited to see what the Lord will do!