When I’m writing this, there are exactly 4.9 days left until Acamps starts. Some 114 hours until the first people arrive at the registration. 6840 minutes to arrange everything, to make the necessary phone calls and have the last meetings with the different groups. It’s enough, naturally. But if you count in the sleep you need, your job, the time for prayer, unforeseen complications etc., it seems as if even a double time would not be enough.
And with an almost crazed expression on my face I turn to the One with all the answers: “Why am I doing this, Lord?”
And it’s almost as if I can see that He’s smiling that patient, paternal smile of His, and indulgently shakes His head at me. Sigh…
6835 minutes. What did I do in the last five minutes?? Hmm, right, I know, there’s still time…
So let’s see what what needs to be done:
Checklist:
- Some people are already arriving from every part of the world, helping to prepare for the event. People from Italy, Spain, Izrael, Brasil, France, Poland, Germany and other parts of the world are waiting to make new friends and get a glimpse into Hungarian culture.
- The menu is ready (and the food is going to be delicious). Some Hungarian dishes; I hope everyone likes trying new things. Szilvásgombóc and bundáskenyér: they don’t even have English names, so how to describe them? Simply, they are so yummy.
- The games are good to go: bungee trampoline, water balls, water trampoline, slackline, volleyball and other sporting possibilities; and a lot of board games as well, with some video games mixed in. If you like playing cards or competing with others in wii, you will really like this corner set up for games.
- The bands will be there and the singers and musicians leading the worships have been hard at practice for some time. Beautiful songs, and good music to party some!
- etc. etc. etc.
And as I’m sitting here mentally checking everything that I know about Acamps I remember all the conversations I had yesterday and today with the other organizers. Phone calls, instant messaging: it feels as if I spent my whole afternoon chatting with others, my phone is surely relieved that I’m using my computer now.
I’ve talked to so many people, missionaries from the Life Community, some others from the Work, some from the Covenant Community, and while my mind is in this direction, it suddenly stops and a thought is basically blaring at me.
Why am I doing this indeed?
Because God is so good He lets us see the fruits of this work. Because now I remember that one of the people I talked with once told me that her first real experience with God happened at Acamps a few years ago. And then I remember someone else I talked to telling me something similar, and if I really concentrate, I can recall others saying this also. And now this person who first met God truly at Acamps is helping organize the same event.
Acamps is an incredible event with almost uncountable things to do: sport competitions, concerts and plays to enjoy, a talent show you can take part in, a place where you can make a lot of new friends, chill in the lake and go crazy (khm, temperance) with some of the games. And if you’re open to it, you might witness miracles happening, lives being changed, vocations being born… or be the one whose life is changed by Him.
So when in the rush I forget for a moment the reason why I go crazy with the organizing, I just have to remember these moments, these people, these new lives.
6790 minutes. The clock’s still ticking, but the panic is over.
And I’m almost pretty sure that God is still shaking His head, chuckling at my epiphany. But I’m also sure that He’s looking forward to the next week as excitedly as I do.