Encouragement and Appreciation

Hi there, Liz here J (sorry- I started writing this on Tues but was finally able to get it on the blog ) 

     This has been an amazing week so far! Yesterday the kids arrived; as I told you then we all dressed up in silly costumes and gave them a big welcome! For lunch every day about three of us Americans sit with the Polish groups. Alexis, Elizabeth and I sit with Zuzia table. Yesterday all the girls were very shy, however today there is so much laughter and everyone is making friends! Today I went tubing with three of the girls from her group, it was so much fun. The teens here are so full of life, and so welcoming.

 Lately I have been very frustrated with my hearing here, and some people on the team have helping out so much! I think I am going to adopt Sean Hardy as my big brother! (Mrs. Hardy I hope you’re okay with me stealing him) Sean has signed for me so much, even though he only knows a little. Today we had a Water Olympics with the whole camp, and I was put on the red team. However since it was water…I could not have my hearing aid in =( which makes understanding Polish accents impossible! I was worried that I wouldn’t know what I would have to do so I asked Sean to help. So for the whole Olympics Sean was helping me and telling me what they were saying. Then even the Polish teens, and Zuzia started to help me, everyone became so aware! Charlie, who some of you may know, even asked me how to say “Good Job” in Sign Language and then clapped in sign for me. They made me feel so welcomed and good. It made me just think how can people from a different country who don’t even know me be so much better than even the people around me in America. Never once has any of them gotten irritated with me when I ask them to repeat, which may be because they are also having a Language barrier.  The people around me are surrounded with such amazing hearts!

                Anyways I guess my point is, that being in a different country and having to rely on the people that are here with us, has made me realize all the different traits we bring to the table. That even though we may have our differences we all have special things about us. Alison keeps us all laughing and when I am around her I am instantly full of energy! Megan helps keep things in order and keep us in line.  David is doing so amazing at explaining things to the Polish teens. Elizabeth, Alexis and Lynn are my family I go home to (the cabin) who relax, help and pray for me. Honna is my buddy I go to and chill with when I need to relax and talk. I think you get my point though; we make such a good team, even with our major differences.

  So I guess I leave you guys back home with a challenge, go and tell people what you appreciate about them! They always need to hear it and have someone to encourage them!

Liz