Camp - Day 3 - July 20

Hello Everybody!

Now that we've gone through our third day of camp, the team has gotten into a rhythm and is becoming an english teaching, gospel preaching machine. It is already evident that we are beginning to make an impact on some campers as they arrive to the beginning of camp a little bit earlier and eager to spend time with us. One thing I particularly enjoyed is how the team has been able to change certain campers' attitudes about the camp. A particular instance involves a younger boy, probably around 13 or 14, named Gabor. Yesterday, while Arne, Kyle, and I were setting up the tables for lunch, we noticed that Gabor was wandering around, standing in corners, and quietly crying every now and then while everyone else had begun worship in the auditorium. After a few of us and some translators had talked to him, it became evident that he was feeling slightly lonely during camp. After word got around to the rest of the team that we needed to support him, pretty much everyone went out of their way to talk with him and check up on him periodically. This morning, Gabor arrived a few minutes before camp started and gave me a rather strong yet welcoming high five upon entering Kegy. As the morning game picked up, so did Gabor's smile and I could tell that he was starting to loosen up and have some fun.

While this may not seem like much, we can never really tell how some simplistic, little act of kindness will affect someone. In any case, seeing him smile brought a smile to my face as well.

In other news, the campers were treated to a personal concert by two concert pianists (who happen to be the parents of one of the campers) - which I as a musician particularly enjoyed- and then the team divided and went to four different campers' houses tonight for dinner. This was truly an amazing experience. And by amazing, I mean FILLING. Tom, Ben, Jared, Emily, and I found comfort in a type of meat that we've never had before - Hungarian pig. Specifically, mangalica (which sounds like mangorizca). The meat was served in a stew with lots of paprika (one of Hungary's favorite spices) and tomatoes and doughy noodle-type things. Without getting into any more specifics, let me just say that the food was amazing, I probably ate more of it than I really should have, and I still feel incredible full an hour and a half after eating. And the car ride to the house was pretty exciting, to say the least.

Please pray that the team will continue to productively teach classes, that we will be able to make meaningful relationships with the students, that God will open the hearts of non-believing students as they listen to different Christian speakers throughout the week, and that the members of this mission trip team will continue to bond with each other and with God.

God Bless!


Dan Quinn (or as Brad Johnson would have it, Quaniel Dinn)