Blog | Christian Snowsports Ministry

Camp des Cimes, April 2010

Wed, 05 May 2010 16:09:48 -0700

Sometimes words are inadequate to describe our experiences! So enjoy a few of our photo collection taken by several of our campers and staff. While we had few people at the camp this year, our lack of numbers was more than made up for by our enthusiasm for God and the great friendships we created and renewed. It was great to see several familiar faces from previous years. We also enjoyed some in-depth discussions about God's Word and asked ourselves some difficult questions. As camp came to a close, we will always remember the volcano in Iceland and how it affected quite a few of our campers and staff! God graciously provided for everyone as travel plans were put on hold indefinitely when all of Europe was at a standstill and new concerns offered another chance to trust God in His infinite wisdom. As we scattered to try to find our way home, His hand was upon each of us and as we look back at those extra days we spent in France, we know that it was God's Will and another opportunity to reach out to people we may not have met otherwise.

Champfleuri, February 2010

Wed, 05 May 2010 15:29:34 -0700

Summer 2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:22:23 -0700

This summer we had two college students attend the Champfleuri summer camp "TED" (Totally English Days) as leaders. Their enthusiasm is contagious as one shares her experiences from the trip.

"There's a French proverb that says, "Les voyages forment la jeunesse." Meaning that traveling shapes a young person. Traveling oversees, communicating through a language barrier and engaging another culture, is hard, rewarding and fulfilling. Camp TED this summer was memorable. Bryn and I, two students from Seattle Pacific University had the opportunity to work with 70 French and American campers. For two weeks, we enjoyed the sunny foothills of the Alps to the extreme! We swam in a crystal blue lake, hiked, camped in the mountains, kayaked, played a ton of sports, sang tons of songs, laughed and had a good time. In the mornings, we dispersed into smallgroups. I led an amazing smallgroup. My group had a Moroccan boy, German, Swedish, British, and American girls and last but not least, a French boy. The group brought all sorts of interesting biblical perspectives. It's amazing how much we can grow in Christ by our differences. This is why I love going on missions especially with French youth. French people are very intellectual and not afraid to ask questions. Then at night, the campers went to their rooms, and together with the counselors, we would chat about life. I really got to know the campers and I miss them so much, it hurts!"

submitted by Natalie

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We are eagerly looking forward to the 2010 camping season and have begun thinking of fundraising ideas to help American teens and leaders afford the cost of this short-term missions outreach program.

If you are interested in supporting a short-term missionary or becoming one yourself, contact us for more information.

Camp des Cimes, April 2009

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:10:49 -0700

Christian Snowsports Ministry

April 2009 Camp

Camp des Cimes, France

One of the effects of the economic downturn this year, was a smaller than normal camp at the annual "French/American Ski Camp" in France. We had only 8 French teens in attendance and no American teens from the states. But with a bunch of American leaders and a couple of American missionary kids who live in France, we were able to create the bi-lingual atmosphere we have had in the past.

Although the April 2009 camp was small in numbers, God was mighty in His power! He worked through the leaders each day, allowing us to present our unique message, yet working it all together as if we'd planned it that way! When the camp was over and we all met to talk about what they liked best, one of the things mentioned was this cohesiveness and how the messages all worked together so well. Truly God was working because none of us knew we were teaching before arriving at the camp and we were told we could teach on anything we wanted. So in His infinite wisdom, He led us each down the same path.

Several of the frequent campers, said that this was the best camp yet. Because of the small size, they really felt they got to know everyone quite well and were able to strengthen their faith by their associations with each other. One exciting element was to hear the French teens give their testimonies to the group. In several instances, they sounded just like their American counterparts, however, several of the teens talked about the destructiveness of having the wrong friends and involvement in drugs, alcohol abuse, depression, mental health issues and the beginnings of hope and a new life with new faith in God. We continue to pray for these kids and so many more like them in France.

Serving Him,

Carrie Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

Champfleuri, February 2009

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:57:47 -0800

Camp des Cimes, April 2008

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:34:40 -0700

Christian Snowsports Ministry

April 2008

Camp des Cimes, France

It’s hard to believe another April camp in France has come and gone. We want to thank each one of you who have participated, contributed and prayed for us as we serve the Lord!

The Greater Europe Mission camp at Camp des Cimes was once again the site of our French/American ski camp in late April. It was a fairly small camp, as there were 13 French kids and 3 Americans, plus the leaders. Lorenzo Monge, from Paris, was there to lead the camp bible lessons. He asked the group “What is love?”, “What is truth?” and “If you love someone, do you always have to tell the truth?”. It was amazing to hear some of the rationale for lying!! In France, appearances are very important and it was very apparent that this discussion really hit home. Growing up in France with a post-Christian worldview, they really struggled with those concepts. Many of them heard for the first time, what the bible says about love and truth and about God’s love for them.

During our last day together, we discussed the fact that bad things happen sometimes and what would the world be like if there were no bad things. Many of them are going through difficult times in their lives and are really hurting. But the teens believed that they needed bad things to appreciate the good things. Lorenzo tried to put their ideas into perspective and gave some real life examples from things the kids were going through to illustrate just how crazy that belief is. Bringing out the extremes of this line of thinking really challenged them to re-evaluate their own beliefs and to take another look at God’s plan for salvation.

Our last night at camp, we all made clay abstract art that represented our experiences at the camp that week. We then went around the room and told about our creations. I learned that I have no clue how to make abstract art and am a very concrete thinker! It was very cool to see what everyone else made and to hear their explanations. Most of the teens were surprisingly very transparent about their feelings and how God was working in their lives.

One young man arrived at camp living very far from God. We could see the struggle on his face each day…he was not a happy camper! Near the end of the camp, he explained, that he finally allowed God back into his life. We pray for him as he has so many outside influences in his life that pull him away from God. That is true for all the teens at the camp as well.

Several guys at the camp expressed a desire to know God and said they were still seeking to know Him. One young man was full of questions all week. Another just flat out said that he wanted to know God, but wasn’t sure he’d found Him yet. Please join us in prayer for these precious French people.

Thank you again, to all the staff at Camp des Cimes, for inviting us to participate in your ministry to reach those you care so much about in France. We count it as a privilege to serve our great God along side you. Thank you too, for all who have supported us in any form and continue to give us your support as we look forward to the 2009 camps!

In His service,

Carrie Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

Champfleuri, February 2008

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:40:17 -0800

Christian Snowsports Ministry

February 2008

Champfleuri, France

What an amazing camp we just had! Seven American leaders with Christian Snowsports Ministry traveled to the camp at Champfleuri to minister to 24 French youth for a week! We helped the missionaries from Champfleuri lead groups of kids as we skied and snowboarded on the mountain, we led game times, shared testimonies, tried to speak French!, made friends, shared memories, helped the camp with transportation needs, helped with the clean up crew, shared the gospel, and prayed and sang Christian songs in both languages. Because it was a bilingual camp, many French parents sent their high school age kids for the purpose of learning English from Americans. As a result, there were several unchurched French youth there who heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ for perhaps the first time. There were also many high school age students there who are from Christian families, but their faith is not solid or is not yet their own. We were there to strengthen their faith and to help them all to believe too.

During one evening session, we split into small groups and asked the youth what their thoughts about the camp and message were. Most of them said the really enjoyed the Christian songs in both languages. The process of evangelization in France is much different than in the United States and we have to tread lightly. So we were encouraged that they liked singing the songs about Jesus so well. The next evening the gospel was clearly presented by a Frenchman and he also prayed with the group. At this writing, we do not know if anyone committed their life to the Lord that night. But we pray that their lives have been touched and that the Living Word of God is even now working in their hearts and changing their lives. We pray the seeds that have been planted will spring forth in a great harvest some day soon!

Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry. We couldn't do it without you!

In His service,

Carrie Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

Camp des Cimes, April 2007

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:39:31 -0700

Christian Snowsports Ministry

April 2007 Camp

Camp des Cimes, France

It was our privilege to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ in France again this April. God has provided a picturesque Christian retreat center in the French Alps, where his children can come be refreshed and renewed and others who do not yet know Him, can begin a relationship with Him. Such was the setting of our Franco-American Camp du Ski at Camp des Cimes (Camp of the Peaks) this year.

Our American team consisted of three leaders and six campers. It has been our experience that God uses these camps to strengthen the faith of the leaders every bit as much as the youth! There were many challenges we faced before we ever left American this year. But God is faithful and He increased our faith as we trusted in Him to provide answers and solutions to the things that could have distracted us from His purpose.

We were very blessed to have such Godly young people as our team members. They really reached out and got to know the French kids who came to the camp. Several French kids said on the last day that this camp was the best camp they had ever attended. I am told that these particular Christian kids attend many camps a year, just to be around other Christians. We felt that was a great testimony to the level of friendships and spiritual growth that occurred at this camp.

Several French teens were in attendance who have not committed their lives to the Lord yet. These kids really opened up and spent several hours asking questions about God. We counted it as a great privilege that our team was able to answer their questions and to share their own faith with them and explain why we believe in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Since we have maintained email contact with these kids, one in particular has emailed and asked us to pray for certain situations. It is very encouraging that he recognizes God’s power through prayer and we feel that he is very close to accepting Christ’s gift of salvation.

Part of every camp includes time for teaching from God’s Word. This year, the missionary from France Mission in Paris, Lorenzo Monge, shared about the power of the spoken word…both our own words and the words of God…how they have the power to build up or destroy. Lorenzo’s teaching touched many people at the camp, some of whom struggle with that very thing. It was truly a teaching inspired by God, as that was not the focus that Lorenzo had intended to teach on just before he got up to speak on the first night. God is full of surprises and knows just what we need!

With the French youth out numbering the Americans, it was a really good mix. The missionaries prefer a camp where the Americans don’t overwhelm the French in numbers. In attendance was one French teen who has suffered from depression in the past, but through his faith in Christ, has been lifted up and is much healthier today as a result. He shared that he has begun to enjoy the challenge of speaking English at this camp and found that it is okay to risk making mistakes when everyone is so accepting. In French culture, taking risks is a very difficult thing to do. Those of us who try to speak French can totally relate to that. One of the great ways everyone has to relate to each other is to try to teach each other things to say in our respective native languages. As you can imagine, it can be hilarious. Our team came home with a written list of French phrases that I’m sure are not to be found in any French language text book, or dictionary, for that matter! The kid’s favorites are the pick-up lines…”Je vue la lune dans tes yeux.” (I see the moon in your eyes!)…or “Je te kiffe!” (I dig you!)…that sort of thing.

Since our last camp in February 2006 at Champfleuri, three of the French teens have visited us here in the Mill Creek/Mukilteo, Washington area. These teens were able to come to our church, visit our youth group and in one case, go to our youth group summer camp at Lake Shasta, California. It is always eye opening for them to see so many Christian young people in American. Seeing them again at camp in France was like seeing old friends again. These relationships have become so important for both the French and the Americans and each year we go, we create more friendships. It is equally important for the leaders to maintain friendships with each other. As leaders, we are discovering that our friendships with the French missionaries are both enriching and full of blessings. Each year we look forward to spending time with these faithful people who work so hard all year long to reach this society that has fallen into darkness.

Maintaining our friendships with the parents of the kids who have visited us in America has also become an outreach in itself. One family has asked how they can make a donation to Camp des Cimes, a camp owned and run by Greater Europe Mission…an American organization. It is virtually unheard of in France for a French person to support an American mission organization! The father has seen such wonderful changes in his two children who have been to the camp, that he is extremely interested in giving back to this organization. In fact, we recently learned that he gave 1,000 Euros to the Camp. (about $1,340 in US funds) We continue to marvel at the ways God is working through this ministry and we give Him the glory!

Once again, we want to thank you for your support of our team and our ministry. We cannot operate without your generous financial gifts and your many prayers before the Lord. You are all members of our team as well and we consider each of you a blessing!

Thank you for all you do for us to make this ministry a reality,

Humbly and faithfully yours,

Carrie and Larry Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

Champfleuri, February 2006

Thu, 31 Dec 1903 16:00:00 -0800

Christian Snowsports Ministry

February 2006

Champfleuri, France

Thanks to the hard working efforts of all the leaders and youth missionaries, we had a wonderful camp in France in February. There were 10 French youth and 3 American youth at the camp along with 4 American leaders and 4 French leaders. Several of the French kids were non-Christians, but were very open and curious about what they were hearing every day at the message time. They asked questions and shared very openly about their thoughts on God and heaven. We pray for them, that the Word they heard at camp will penetrate their hearts and souls and turn them toward faith in God.

All of the other French teens who came have very few Christian friends. One young man told me he had no Christian friends at all. The Americans tried very hard to connect with these kids and make friends so they can continue to have relationships even after the Americans return home. They did a fabulous job of communicating in broken French and English! I think they really enjoyed the challenge.

As a testimony to how hard they worked, several of the French kids are making plans to come stay with the American families here this summer. We have found this to be a common occurrence after camp! It is our belief that one of the benefits of these camps is to establish life long friendships across physical, cultural and language barriers. While France may not seem all that different than the US, in reality it is a world apart. There are so few Christian teens in France, that it is difficult to live a life of faith. It is a society that scorns a belief in God. So, what a wonderful opportunity we have to share our faith with these lonely Christians by inviting them here to be embraced by many more brothers and sisters.

We continue to be in contact with several French families whose teens we have made friends with at past camps and have subsequently come to the US to stay with us during the summer break. It has been a privilege to become friends with these families and they are as much a blessing to us as we are to them. It was with great joy that Larry and Carrie stayed on a few extra days after camp to fellowship with these families and to renew their friendships in person.

Not only are we encouraging the teenagers who come to the camps and their families, but we also have an impact on the missionaries who work there. They are thrilled that we would take the time and spend the money to come to help them in their work with God. Sometimes they feel so alone and isolated, working in a very unreceptive society. The prayers and financial gifts that have been given by all of you, that have been given to help so many of us attend these camps are invaluable and we thank you for your participation in encouraging these missionaries in France and helping them with their work.

We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve God and to be used by him.

In His service,

Carrie and Larry Calvin