September 24, 2019
Fine Arts Students Minister in Estonia
During the long hot days of summer when many students were attending summer camps or were on vacation with their families, a small group of Prince high school Fine Arts students committed 10 days to travel together to the European country of Estonia to work at Camp Gideon. At this Christian camp, the group used their talents in Fine Arts to share the love of Jesus while teaching English to campers.
Junior Hendley Jones and seniors Emilie David, Jack Johnston, and Riley Wilson began each day at 7:30 a.m. and did not conclude their work until 10:30 p.m. The basics of their routine included teaching English class, arts and crafts, games, and recreation. In the evenings, the group lead worship that included improvisational games, worship songs, the dramatization of a Gospel lesson, sharing by a PACS student, and times of prayer.
Fine Arts Director LaMurl Morris explained the amount of responsibility the Prince students had during their work at Camp Gideon. “Our Prince students led about 90% of the camp. Each student created one lesson to teach through an interpreter. The lesson had to be at least one hour in length, contain biblical integration, teach English vocabulary on a particular topic, and include some type of game or movement activity as well as a song or art activity.”
Mrs. Morris described her team of students as spiritually mature willing to give of themselves both to campers and camp staff. “This was the largest English camp at Camp Gideon with 70 campers. Many campers are not Christians, and they experience genuine love for the first time in their lives. Other campers are Christians and attend the camp not only to learn English but to be around Christian teenagers.”
The experience of worshipping with Christians from other parts of the world was eye-opening for team member Emilie David. “The kids worshipped without shame. I realized that we, as Christians, should not worry about everyone around us and what they think of us when we worship. We should worry more about our own personal relationship with God and what He thinks of us.”
To conclude the trip, the group enjoyed three days relaxing and touring Tallin and Helsinki before returning to the United States. They enjoyed eastern European culture and had the opportunity to worship at a Russian speaking church.
