Cotton Eye Joe

'What a week it has been! This week I had the summer camp in Eglisau and it was a lot of first experiences. I slept in a tent for the week, ate some good swiss-ish food, and was able to be disconnected from technology and more connected with God. I started off on Sunday not knowing what I was doing in the camp. I knew that I was one of the leaders, but I didn't know what my specific job was. On Monday, I was able to find out that the camp needed a photographer. That is what I became for the week. After 370+ photos, I have now documented the week. The theme was the Wild West and was more of a country theme than anything. Majority of the songs that were played on the Bluetooth speakers were country, and me being from the Nashville area, I knew the majority of the songs. Another leader and I were able to teach some of the other leaders and some of the kids the Cotton Eye Joe dance as that was the theme song for when it was time for the Milk Bar.

One of the greatest moments for me was when the kids accepted me as one of them. I spent the first three days as an outsider who the kids (and some leaders) were wary of. I completely understood this and did not blame them as I was wary of them as well. On Wednesday, I was able to break through the barrier of fondness. While helping wash dishes, we all got on the subject of those who sing while they work. One of the kids asked why was that a thing. We talked and talked and it came to the point where we started naming all the places in media and such that we have seen people sing while they work. Naturally, I brought up almost all the Disney Princesses who sing while they work. When I did this, a couple of the kids got excited to talk about Disney and other things like Broadway and such. Later on that afternoon, I was surrounded by kids who were just asking questions like what music I like, what my favorite movie is, etc. I had a wonderful time answering their questions and they seemed to enjoy it as well.

On the last day, the kids wanted to put on a Talent Show, so we let them and they asked some of the leaders to perform in it as well. They asked me if I would do something for it as well. So, I decided to sign a song. I chose to sign "Heathens" by Twenty-One Pilots. I have been working on this song for a couple of years now due to its fast pace and my limited time. Finally, I was able to perform it. When the show was all said and done, the judges tallied up the points and the crowd favorite points and awarded first, second, and third place. I won first place. I went from being the person no one knew to winning the talent show. It was a great time to spend with the kids and to have this experience.

The greatest lesson I had was when God told me to be still and be silent. The entire week was in Swiss-German. I had no clue what was going on, I only knew to take pictures throughout the week. I had no WiFi, so I was out of communication from everyone except for those around me (and yes, a majority of them knew English). I was able to be alone a couple of times when they would go swimming in the Rhine. One of those times, they went up river about 30 minutes and then floated down to the area we normally enter. I decided to stay back and meet them where they would leave the river. During this time, I was able to be at the river and read the Bible and talk with God. He lead me to Isaiah 6. This is the call of Isaiah; the "here am I, send me" passage. I heard God through this passage in a way that I have not heard him before in the same passage. Yes, this is most commonly used as a missions verse, but this time it wasn't about the actual verse, but the context around the verse. Isaiah was crying and bowing and saying how dirty he was before the Lord and how he is not worthy. Then God asks, "Who is here that I can send?" That is when Isaiah, even though he knows of his dirtiness begs God to send him. We should all be like this. We all think that we are too dirty to serve God and yet he still wants us to do his work. Isn't that wonderful? It was good to be away from technology for a while and to be with God in his glorious nature.

Tomorrow, I head to Geneva for my last travel day in Switzerland. I only have just over 2 days until I leave for Italy. So, until tomorrow, y'all have a good Sunday.