And so it was. The snow line is only about 100 ft. or so above where we camped during our big hike, meaning a cold front is moving through the mountains. As such, events we were planning on doing at a nearby lake tomorrow--events like canoeing, kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking--have been canceled. We simply couldn't envision a worse time than 50 degree rainy weather on a river. So, we're heading to a nearby town called Chambery to play a round robin tournament of laser tag! Not bad!!

Today's weather forced us inside for a huge game of bunco. I won the bunco hat and tied for first with the most wins (free soda and a candy bar as prizes--that's better than the rabbit liver we had the other day--I'm being serious). After bunco, Blain had some high energy games that kept everyone hopping and laughing for two hours. Thierry followed with an evening activity that was an absolute hit. Four teams had to play "Name That Tune" before being assigned a song to which they had to choreograph a 1 minute and 45 second dance for judges. My group, comprised of all the leaders, had to dance to Eye of the Tiger (of Rocky fame). We brought the house down (and a few creaky bones, too), coming in second (tied with another group) for our dancing and third overall when you factored in our scores from "Name That Tune."

These activities are fun, but they are simply tools for building redemptive relationships. God has allowed some relationships to develop very quickly this year. I am having deep spiritual discussions with several students. This morning in chapel, I spoke on Christ's Excellence and Inherent Worth, based on Rev. 5:1-14. Well, that sparked a several hour conversation tonight with some students on the topics of Hell, Darwinism, universalism, and the need to personally accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Please pray for Tobit (pronounced Toebee) and Francois. Tobit said he would think about accepting Jesus and talk to me again. Pray for Becky, Kristin, and other Christian students as they also are having these types of conversations.

My family in Christ, thank you for your prayers. God is very much at work at Champfleuri, and He suses people like you in the building of His Kingdom, one soul at a time. Tomorrow is the last full day of camp, so I'll try to write again asoon.

So that He may be made known--Dana

That passage in John 4 kept coming to mind last night during a 2 1/2 hour talk I had with a young woman struggling with Christianity. Every night we have evening activities. Usually they are more game-oriented, but since we were all wiped out after the hike, the group of Americans that came from California led a non-musical night of worship, where we had different stations set up for prayer, reflection, etc. One of the campers quickly and quietly slipped out, and I soon went to look for her. I found her crying under a tree, asked if I could sit with her, and we talked for awhile about her struggles, her anger towards the Bible, her questions about salvation, etc.

Her struggles aren't the same as those that the woman had in John 4, but like the woman, she tried to push Jesus away by throwing up theological smokescreens. That is, she brought up several hot topics (homosexuality, abortion, gender issues), and said that if God gets to set the rules since He is God, and if she thinks the rules are wrong, then she has no problem telling God He is wrong. Brash? Yup. Honest? Yup. But try to see through her anger to her need. She is a sinner in need of a Savior, and like the woman at the well, she is an outcast. Pray for her. What's funny is that she asked for a sign from God to show that He is real. Now I am not the biggest fan of people asking for signs, but I had to chuckle this morning during the worship service. The two student testimonies, as well as the talk on Acts 17 by one of the missionaries (John), touched on several specific sticky points she had. I am sure she thought I told the speakers what she was struggling with, but I didn't. God knew, though :-)

Anyway, about my friend Thierry. Youth pastors, it seems, are non-existent for the most part in France. Churches ask what he'll do everyday if he is a youth pastor (maybe some of you ask that of me--just kidding). He said that a lot of churches, even evangelical ones, don't think of the youth as a vital part of the church until they are adults, and so youth groups--or pastors for teens--tend to be a non issue. He wants to change that thought, but the workers to help him are few, as is the support money for the task. Please lift up Thierry--my good, good friend--in prayer.

Well, I should go and judge some photos from a photo scavenger hunt.

In Jesus--Dana

Yup, we're back from our two-day, very hot hike. We are exhausted, to say the least. A hot shower never felt so good. Lasagna awaits us for dinner, which is much better than the tomato taboule (kind of a tomatoey/vinegary cous-cous meal) that we had on the hike :-)

The views were spectacular, and the conversations plentiful. Overall, it was a great time, and I think we'll all sleep well tonight. Good thing, too, because I can't seem to shake a headache I've had for the past couple of days. In between jet lag (it takes me awhile to adjust when I travel) and our busy schedule, I'm a bit sleep deprived.

Anyway, about the title. We had plenty of blisters and a couple rolled ankles (never pleasant). Perhaps the highlight of highlights, however, was when I had the honor of conducting my first baptism for my friend Chad. Chad had asked me to baptize him in France, and after making sure it was ok with Thierry and Blain, we were able to do it in Lac Pleama, a glacial lake about 5,500 ft. up surrounded by mountains, with a river (created by snow that melted about a month ago) flowing down one of the mountains towards us. What a breathtaking, God-honoring time. After I explained what baptism is and read a bit of Scripture, Chad gave his testimony, followed by the baptism itself. God is good, and I believe the Gospel was evident in the entire event. Please pray that the believers would be encouraged and that the non-believers, including one of our mountain guides (Damien) would be convicted and brought to saving faith in Christ. Damien came and told Chad that this was the first Protestant baptism he had ever seen, and he thought it was beautiful!

I know I told you I'd write about Thierry and the reaction he gets when he tells French Christians he will be a youth pastor, but if you wouldn't mind, I'll have to do that tomorrow. Dinner is about to begin, and time will slip away tonight.

With love in Christ to you all--Dana

That's what awaits many of us in just a matter of hours. We head out for a fairly intense two day hike in the Alps (the Belle Donne chain), so please pray for safety and effective conversations with the campers. The hike traditionally is one of the best times to get to know the students on a deeper level, because what else is there to do besides talk and gaze at God's majestic hand in Creation?!

Speaking of students opening up, we've had two chapel talks so far, one on making much of God's glory by making much of Jesus in our lives, and one on making much of Jesus' divinity. After one of the talks, I had a student ask how we know Christianity is the one true religion. Great question! Soon the entire lunch table was engaged in a pleasant series of conversations on a variety of spiritual topics. I trust the Holy Spirit used His Word and the principles therein to touch the hearts of these young men and women. Continue to pray for them to grow in their faith, or to come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior (especially in the case of Francois and Melissa).

Well, the breakfast bell is about to ring, so I'd better get some coffee in me to get me going :-) I wish you all were here with us to see this magnificent work of God, with the "work of God" referring both to the beatiful natural setting and the faithful evangelical witness of Champfleuri in France.

One more thing before I sign off. Years ago while she was a missionary in Paris, Kristen prayed for the day when the French would come to know Christ and mature enough in their faith that they would start to send missionaries to other countries. God lays His burden on our hearts (as He did then to Kristen's heart) and brings us to pray for them. Now, Thierry, the Director of this camp, is leaving his role here to be a part-time local church youth pastor and a part-time national youth director for France Mission (www.france-mission.org). In his new role, he will lead young French students to Nepal next year to witness to the Nepalise, and he invited me to bring the First Baptist youth group with him! We'll see if we go or not, but what an honor to be a part of this new day in France!!!

In a couple days (after the hike), I'll write again and tell you the reaction Thierry gets from French Christians when he tries to raise support to be, of all things, a youth pastor. Finally, my apologies for not writing sooner. We had some time to sit and fix the internet last night after it was down for two days or so.

In Christ--Dana

Day one of camp begins today! I apologize for not blogging earlier; the internet was down and we've barely had a break along the way. Our flight from Boston to London was early, but British Airways didn't have a crew for our flight to Lyon, which then threw our bus ride to Grenoble off, which then affected our car ride to Champfleuri. We were all absolutely exhausted and loopy after so much travel, but we're here and quite happy about it :-) Praise God for His faithfulness and provision.

After arriving, we immediately began leaders'meetings, and as I type this, campers are trickling in here and there. Tonight is the start of camp, so pray for a good beginning and for genuine relationships to form quickly. Having been here a number of years (this is my fourth trip and fifth year of working with the camp), I know so many campers already, and good conversations have taken place right away. Perhaps the best conversation so far, though, has been with an American who is here but who, as far as we can tell, is not a believer. Pray for her as she has brought Christ and Christianity up twice so far (and camp hasn't even begun!!!). I believe she is searching and my prayer is that the Lord would open her eyes to the wonder of His love in Christ.

It's exciting to see God at work here. I continue to be impressed with the work going on at Champfleuri. Lives are transformed as the Gospel is preached in word and deed. Along those lines, pray for our chapel times. Our overall theme is "Making Much of Jesus." Many of these students call themselves Christian but live a lifestyle that tells a different story. Our goal for them (and all of us as we struggle in our walks with the Lord) is to present Christ as the unique Lord and Savior of all humanity, the One who demands and deserves first place in our lives. We trust that the Holy Spirit will draw these young men and women closer to Christ, convincing them that their lives should be used for His glory and not their own. Will you please pray that God would do just that?!

Thanks for your prayers. God uses them and provides for His people.

A bientot (see you soon)--Dana

Greetings in Jesus' Name! Thanks for logging on to my blog of my time at Camp STEVE at Champfleuri. I leave Tuesday, July 31, arriving at the camp on Aug. 1. The campers arrive on Aug. 2, with the camp running until Aug. 10. After that, it's one day of sightseeing on Aug. 11, before coming home Aug. 12. Busy time, to be sure, but so much fun. It is amazing year after year to see how the Lord provides strength and joy for the task(s) to which He calls us, and I trust full well that He'll do so again this year.

One of the most rewarding experiences I've had in ministry over the years is serving at Champfleuri. I have watched young men and women come to faith in Christ and begin the process of growing in Him (sanctification), while watching others who already know Him come to know Him more. This year, we are starting a camp for French students aged 18-23 years called camp STEVE. It is an English-speaking camp designed to improve English-speaking skills, while also providing an avenue for building intentionally redemptive relationships. That is, we (the leaders and campers who are already believers) want to model Christ with our deeds and our words, trusting the Holy Spirit to bring others to Christ through the intentional witness of His body.

So sit back, grab some coffee, and serve alongside of us everyday by reading the blog and praying us through the camp. God will be at work whether we work or not, but what a joy it is to serve Him by going and by praying. Thanks for your faithfulness in praying for us. Attached is a picture of the view from the camp. Isn't God amazing?

Posted by Dana at 7:19 AM