I have to be honest; it was hard to switch into my final role as camp counselor. Over the course of this internship, I’ve had the chance to occupy the role of houseguest, intern, work group member and dinner guest. Staying with three different French families made me helpless to my own schedule—I didn’t know when I would eat, go out or have time to myself. This was definitely a chance to practice being patient with others and myself, by the third home, I was anxious to have my own room and space at the language school.
At the school, being a part of the work group was easy. We hung out with Thierry and Phillip, and completed light manual labor. Each night we were dinner guests, at either a french family or a missionary home, an awesome opportunity to meet people and hear their stories.
One of the families I loved meeting with were the Kroners. They are at the language school to learn French to head to the country of Chad. I remember sitting in their living room hearing about how God pulled them to consider missions, and then showed them that He wanted them to move to Chad. Listening to Mrs. Kroner I could see how much care they're taking while living out their call to missions. Each step is taken in faith, bathed in prayer and with the utmost attention on the welfare of their boys. I liked listening to them and hearing about their heart for God as a family.
The day we traveled up the road to Champfleuri was full of anticipation. Over the past two years Monica and I have come to see Champfleuri as basically the best place on earth. We've met God here in various ways, and we were excited to see God move again this year.
I thought being a camp counselor would be the easiest of all my roles this internship, because it’s a role I already know how to do, and in some ways I can see that it is easier. Compared with other years, I am not as intimidated by the French kids. Usually the first day when they all arrive fills me with excitement and fear—they are “other” and I am the norm. But for the past four weeks I’ve been the outsider in a foreign land, so when I saw them arrive it was natural—of course there are French kids: I’m in France!
However getting used to the hectic pace of camp life and be a good counselor has taken a toll on me and the other two interns. We’ve been learning to trust each other and get along in a new environment. It has definitely been harder than we imagined.
Let me tell you what it’s like to work at an English learning French Camp.
Mornings include a prayer meeting, breakfast, small groups and a big talk. During mealtimes it’s the counselor’s job to sit amongst the French campers and get them to speak English. Breakfast is definitely the hardest meal to facilitate conversation because the kids are tired and don’t want to speak English. When I woke up today, I wanted to fall right back asleep. Every evening after the kids go to bed the counselors have a meeting called the “Cinqieme” or the fifth meal of the day. During the Cinquieme we debrief about the day, have some food, and prep for the next day. Last night’s meeting was long, so I didn’t get to bed until 12:00. [See what I mean?!]
Monica and I were definitely not disappointed in one way: we met God again, we saw Him really run this camp, and we were awe struck that we could be a part of it all.