CZECH REPUBLIC MISSION TRIP 26 JULY – 12 AUGUST

‘LIVE IT LOUD’ Is the motto of our Youth Work; because we believe belief was never meant to be boring! This summer a group of young people from Coleraine have been ‘Living It Loud’ in the Czech Republic.
The Mission Team; under the leadership of Paul & Val Bowman (Youth Pastor in Ballysally Pres Church) travelled to Prague and led an English Camp with Dejvice Church. The camp was located in the mountains of Northern Moravia; about 5 hours train journey east from Prague. Over 70 young people attended the week long English Camp – The theme of the camp was ‘Live It Loud’
The team coached conversational English each morning from 9:00am – 12:00pm, afternoons were packed with sports, arts and crafts, and each evening the team presented a programme of music, games, drama and mime. During the evening programme students heard the Good News of God’s love for them. For some it was the first time they’d ever heard or even thought about God, as the Czech Republic is one of the most atheistic countries in the world. Throughout the week team members shared about the hope they have in Christ. Many deep friendships were formed. And many young Czech’s heard about and saw the reality of Christ’s words “I give life and I give it to its fullest”
Team members also had the opportunity to spend several days in Prague after the camp, staying with Czech families, experiencing a different culture, sharing their faith and deepening relationships with Czech young people. Life was indeed lived…. LOUD!

The Team - Jamie Doey, Charisse McDowell. Carla Clyde, Kylie McVicker, Kelvin Nicholl, Mark O’Rourke, Jonathan Fillis, Deborah Neill , Paul, Val & Erin Bowman

Mission Memories by Kylie McVicker
An amazing trip God has done so much in the lives of the young people of the CR. He is so amazing. He can work through any situation, He worked through me a little this summer despite all my faults. one of the most difficult, challenging, rewarding, exciting times of my life .I have come to know some pretty awesome people because of this trip. God is so faithful and He has placed so many little treasures in my path. I am so grateful for that. one of these treasures is a girl called jaja who my friend lead to Christ last summer. she is an amazing girl, who has taught me more than she ll ever know. I knew her a little last year but bearly.i was so blessed this year that we were able to take our friendship to a deeper level. I was so encouraged by her heart for Christ, she only came to faith last summer and already she is at a deep place with Jesus(i find this so encouraging.)i was able to spend some time with her one to one and this time was blessed in abundance. we were able to talk and share on a deep spiritual level, which inspired me on to so much more with my faith. i love her, she has a special place in my heart.
so on the joys of camp itself...where do i start?! camp was amazing! not only camp itself but the time we shared with other teams preparing before hand. this year our team had the great joy of being able to be a part of the training with the organisation that take care of the English camps in Czech (Josiah venture or KAM) there we were able to share and prepare together, the sense of togetherness was immense.
Camp was such a blast. i had much fun there. but more importantly camp was a place where Gods Holy Spirit moved in miraculous ways. God hemmed us in at that camp, nothing could deter us away from the task at hand because of Gods protection over us. we shared our lives at this camp and tried are best to be transparent before these people. God moved. The change in lives was absolutely amazing. To some it doesn’t seem like much at first glance but many loud steps were taken. to see students who at the start of the week were certain that there couldn’t EVER possibly be a God , that life was life and death was final, to see them turn around, with a softened heart and say surely there’s more.
Camp has been and gone but it is certainly not forgotten. let us be encouraged that this is not the end that God at this moment is writing the rest of the story, I have been glad that i have had a small role in this season of it!!!