Learning From Children

It's been about two weeks since the English Camp at New City Wien and I am still processing the many things the Lord did through the camp and the things that I learned. I hope to be able to share a taste of that in this post.

Although this camp was called "English Camp", the main goals of it did not include teaching the children English. This might seem odd, but in the Kingdom, there are different priorities. The main goal of the camp was to love these kids. Shortly before the camp started, Brad shared with the adult helpers how these kids are coming from a school system in which shame is used for discipline and teaching correct behavior. The outgrowth of this is children being guilted into doing things and not loved into doing things. The first day there were some children who did not want to leave their parents (this reminded me of myself when I was young), but by the end of the second day, many children did not want to leave when their parents came to pick them up. This is unheard of for a vast majority of children's programs in the city. Parents were shocked that their children received a small prize at the end of the day and even more astounded on the days when they found their children with elaborate face painting and holding balloon animals.

The camp was split into two groups: 5-7 year olds and 8-12 year olds. I worked primarily with the younger group and as a result, one of the challenges was the language barrier (the older group knew a lot more English because kids learn English in school as well). One of the most helpless and defeating moments is to have a child look at you, say a simple four word sentence, and have no idea what they are saying or asking for. The children's responses in these situations, however, was remarkable. They were patient enough to repeat themselves, to ask again and again without getting upset, and beam with acceptance and appreciation when someone finally got their simple little sentence. How patient am I in seeking mutual understanding and learning?

Being around children constantly for a week gave me a new lens to see the adult world through as well. We adults are in many ways just big kids. Watching kids playing/talking in the park and comparing this to adults joking around/talking in the subway has many overlapping components especially in regards to our needs, wants, and desires. I could also go the other way and look at adults, wonder about why they do/think the way they do and then postulate what their formative childhood years were like. No wonder why Jesus wanted the little children to come to him and be blessed - adults are afterall merely children who have grown.

Tobias with his balloon sword

Felix and Sarah inquisitively studying the facepainting

Maxima getting butterflies everywhere

Leonie's a mermaid

Kids getting their prize at the end of the day

Last day group shot with their English children's Bibles

Every Tuesday night is "family night" where us interns, the pastor's family, and the two year intern spend the evening together having dinner, playing games, etc. A night dedicated to this is a testament to the emphasis on community here, which is something I hope to replicate in the future. Tonight we are having dinner at the pastor's home and then watching The Sound of Music - a must since we are in Austria afterall!! Here is my absolute favorite scene from the movie :) I used to dance around singing this as a kid. Enjoy!