Camp Balchyoca

Bethany here, coming to you from camp Balchyoca! It's been a pretty crazy three days here - we got here Sunday evening and it's been go go go ever since. I'm glad that there is a place to get an internet connection so that I can update you all on what's happening here.
 This place is beautiful and reminds me of summer in BC, because there are trees everywhere and green grass and mosquitos. The only thing that brings me back to where I really am is the fact that everyone around me is speaking Russian or Estonian. The first day was a little bit difficult because I am a counselor in my cabin all by myself, and all of my girls are Russian and would mostly only speak to each other because they knew I couldn't speak any Russian. It is a little bit discouraging when you can't communicate very well with the people you are supposed to be leading. But I soon found out that a couple of the older girls actually speak very good English, and we go to talking pretty easily. Everyone here is so nice, and I am very surprised that everyone knows such good English, when at home we don't know our second language nearly as well. Also, hearing everyone speaking in other languages makes me want to learn them, and so I have...a little. I know how to count from 1-10 in Estonian, and 1-10ish in Russian...(I get caught up on 6 and 7), as well as some other random words, except I forget them pretty quickly after learning them. It's just sometimes frustrating not understanding or knowing what's going on so I want to be able to speak in their first language like they can speak in mine. I'm making it a mission to learn the Estonian language sometime in my life, hopefully within the next couple years. I think I can, do you?! :D

Anyways, the camp is very similar to the one I go to on Vancouver Island, Spruston, and I've thought about Spruston many times this week, knowing that it is happening at the same time and this is the first year I can't be there. But at the same time, I know this is where God wants me to be, and i'm having a great time! We sing all the same songs as in Canada, do crafts, play games, and go swimming - except here it's the Baltic Sea! I am getting more and more physically tired as the week goes on, which I think is the same with everyone, but at the same time finding more energy as I become more comfortable with the people and make new friends and all that.

Anyways, i'm late for evening worship time so I should go, but just thought i'd check in with a little post :) I hope everyone at home is doing well - comment if you wish :)