Senior Basketball Camp

The senior camp (ages 13-18) is always a fun camp. The older campers know a little more English and most are very good basketball players. This year we did not spend as much time on fundamentals (they start working with their team coaches in two-weeks) as we usually do. We allowed them to have more competitive drills and of course, scrimmages.

Most of these kids have been to our past camps so it is easy to get them going in the right direction and they quickly catch on to the new drills, etc. One of the differences over here is that the boys and girls will compete against each other. The girls are very competitive and will get right into the drills and scrimmages and hold their on.

Two of our Cesis girls that have been to the camps for the past four years have been chosen to play for the under-18 Latvian National team. They left on Tuesday for Romania where they will be competing in the European Championships. That is a great honor for them and we are happy their hard work has paid off.

The neatest thing about this age group is that several have made professions of faith and are willing to share that with us. They have become more open about this during the last couple of years. I think it is a combination of trust, their own maturity and that they realize that is our number one concern for them. They have started opening up to us about their church involvement, what they see the teen-agers here need, etc. Several of these students will be the core of what we hope will be a strong youth group and possibly a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

Today (Friday) the men of the group will travel to the Boys' Prison for some basketball and devotional time. Most of our team has been before but it is always an eye-opening experience. Maybe we can bring a little hope for some tough, young men.

Atta,

Mark

Sports Camp Team

Sports Camp -- Day 3

Day 3 of the Cesis Sports Camp was a true delight. We had our largest turnout of campers in each section; we had some real decisions made; our young staffers continue to do a great job; and the temperature was in the high 50s to low 60s the entire day.

I just can't say enough about the camp staff this year. Dashiel, Kyle, Jacob, and Jordan are all veterans of previous trips while newcomers Adri, Hilary, Mattie, BriAnn, Lauren, Jessica and Spencer have adjusted and are now old pros. Jimmy and Debbie Leatherwood as well as Dawn Holmes and Chase Bowers are returning from previous years and we couldn't do any of this without them. Steve Gowan's guitar playing and singing has added a needed element that we have not had for a year or two. The kids here are very musically inclined so there is a good connection. Of course, Steve Akin is the guy that keeps everything moving so well and he also loves to work with kids through music and games. My wife Laura is invaluable from planning the crafts to taking care of any and every thing that needs to be done. Thank you God for sending this group here to minister, they are exactly what was needed. Thank you team for serving with such open hearts and a willingness to be used. You have made an impact this week in many lives.

CESIS SPORTS CAMP -- DAY 2

Tuesday was very good day for the coaches and campers at the Sports Camp. Our numbers increased greatly from Monday (it would be the equivalent of having a sports camp on Jan. 2 in the USA) as Cesis returned to normal after the Janis Day celebrations.

Our team, especially our young people, have done an outstanding job of job of both instructing and just becoming friends with the Latvian youth. Every meal they eat, there are several Latvian young people with them. We feel safe with our kids hanging out and exploring Cesis with the Latvians and the Latvian parents tell me they feel safe when their kids are with the Americans. I don't know who is in charge but it is all working out great.

Chase continued his devotional series as he talked about the types of people in the world (believe in God, believe in God but doesn't live as God wants, doesn't believe in God). He is very good at laying the foundation of Biblical truths. The campers are attentive and really do listen. I have doubt those messages are getting through.

I don't have many pictures of the athletic part of the camps (I'm too busy coaching!) but here are some more from craft time for the younger kids and some of the activities.

Thanks for continued prayers and support!