Magyar Református Egyház

“God’s Peculiar People” – Society mocks them, but God molds them – and mighty things happen!

1 Peter 2:9 teaches us “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” and from Titus 2:1 we learn “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

Hungarian Reformed Youth Church Camp 2008 began with a bit of chaos due to some fairly intense summer storms. And the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed for a time which caused some of our attendees to arrive quite late, but thankfully safe and sound. Camp this year was attended by youth from our various churches as well as three children who came all the way from Hungary, with a Minister, Rev. Daniel Puski.

At the beginning of the Camp Program, to help the children focus on the lessons of the week that were to follow, we discussed how the term peculiar also means chosen. God chooses us – not by how great or powerful we are – but for our weaknesses, so He can show the world His power and that we are His. After breakfast, each camp day began with Praise and Worship, followed by Morning Devotions, then Bible Character Studies. Every day during the week we studied the lives and characters of various important Bible figures, such as Noah, Joshua, Ruth and the Apostle Paul. In addition to the daily Bible Character Studies, throughout the week we also had four Bible Studies where the children would rotate through classes on Deborah, John the Baptist, Judas and Peter, and Gideon. Daily group Bible activities included a “Team Challenge”, where each afternoon, the children would meet in their groups, and complete activities related to the Bible, including scavenger hunts, Bible quizzes, and so on. This way, not only did the children learn in-depth about the Bible, but they also learned to work together as a group, all friends in Christ. Additionally, every afternoon after a wholesome lunch, the children participated in structured arts and crafts workshops such as knitting, tie-dye, Hungarian-style whip making, and various movement-activities such as formal (ballroom) dance. Evening structured workshops included What’s Right and What’s Left (a topical study on today’s issues and what God says about them), and also a workshop titled Acting for the Christian Soul. Additional evening workshops included the study of Hungarian cooking, culture and language.

Mid-week, after a Bible-focused music session with the children of the Walker Family Band (they range in age from 12-17) we boarded buses for Bethlen Home, where the campers visited with the residents. The Bethlen Home also treated us to a Lunch Feast, in true Bethlen Home style. Thursday afternoon’s Team Challenge was outdoor relays and a water fight. On this day we also had our final collection of “encouragement notes” – little notes that the campers and counselors wrote to one another to be taken out and read during the year to encourage each other’s hearts. This year we asked everyone to put a favorite Scripture verse on the notes also. Thursday night, there was a Talent Show which showcased the many God-given talents of our peculiar (chosen) little group.

Friday came too quickly upon us, and that day’s main speaker was Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, who conducted a very special and in-depth class for the campers on Jesus – the Servant King. Afterwards, we attended the last of our Bible Studies. Then the daily Team Challenge – which on Friday was an elimination game of Bible trivia questions. Afterwards, we all walked down to the creek near camp as a group, and watched as the “crazy crafts” (small hand-crafted boats) that we built on Monday were put in the water headed for the waterfall – so we would see which one, if any, would survive.

The Friday Evening Consecration Service was, as it is every year, the spiritual high-light of the week. After the Worship and Communion, there were lots of tears and hugs, as we knew Saturday morning would take us all our separate ways – at least until next year. Then it was time for Friday night quiet, reflection and packing.

Saturday morning before our departure, we sang together once more and then left with knowledge that God calls us down from the mountain top to the valley to share what we have seen and heard. End of camp came too quickly – many campers came up to the leaders saying they would love camp to last two weeks!

In closing, I would to express a heartfelt and gracious THANK YOU! to each and every one of the many individuals and organizations – who prayed for, worked at and participated in any way – to help make Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp 2008 successful. May we all continue to serve God to his Glory!

In His Service,
Kathleen Smith, Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp 2008 Activities Director

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Related posts:

1. Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp Documents
2. Vacation Bible School – West Side Hungarian Reformed Church Cleveland OH
3. West Side Hungarian Reformed Church Welcomes Faithful & Welcoming Churches
4. Hungarian Reformed Church Calendar 2008 – 2009
5. 62nd Annual Conference of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyter’s Association – Sunday, Aug. 31 – Mon. Sept. 1

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