Stories

I’m the youngest in my whole family. All my siblings were always better than me in everything. Or at least I thought so. I’d say that it’s really had an impact on my self-confidence, that was never too big. Life went on, and I gradually started finding God and what he’s like and who I am to him. He’s been gradually changing the way I perceive myself. But lately this unresolved thing in me has reopened, and I wanted to start dealing with it. God seemed far away, and I was in unbelievable mishmash and uncertainty. My life was a total mess! I didn’t know who I am? Why am I here and what am I doing here? I felt absolutely invisible and overlooked. And right here starts the story I want to tell you. 

I went to Travná. I was kind of scared that I would feel pushed aside because  I didn’t know many people there, and again that feeling of uncertainty, invisibility and of being overlooked spoke up in my mind. I did probably the only reasonable thing that I could at that moment – I prayed. I asked God to show me how special I am to him, that I am important and not invisible.

As I said before, I didn’t know many people and my “introverted self” didn’t even want to meet new people, let alone talk to them. But what happened? I really had no idea my prayer would have consequences! And certainly not that it would happen that soon. I was in the kitchen cooking (as cooks usually do at camps). Sometimes someone would come and chat with me and then would leave, then someone else would come and it continued like that the whole time. Even people came who I didn’t expect it from at all from, and they often helped me with preparing the food even when they weren’t on kitchen duty. It really surprised me because I don’t know these people much, of course, and they were suddenly hanging out with me?  I mean… really? 

And I was grateful for it! Very grateful! Even my “introverted self” was okay – another shock. What I realized on the second day was that this was all an answer to my prayer. I felt accepted, welcomed and seen! God, through unfamiliar people, showed me that I’m important to him when I sit on my couch watching fairy tales or when I cook at a camp for a whole bunch of people. 

So thank you! Thanks to those who probably don’t even know how God used you for the healing touch of my soul. This soul that was hurt, exhausted and disappointed. I’m grateful to God that he didn’t stay silent and that I could experience all of this. Travná is another place where God acts – sometimes inconspicuously and in seclusion, sometimes very evidently. I’m grateful for that and I’m excited to see more answers to prayers, mine or yours…

– your Eťa

I’ve been coming to Travná for a long time and it has become very close to my heart. At first, I came to Travná as a participant. Then I became a member of Regeneration team (the team that runs the events). Since that time, I cannot even image going to Travná events and not helping with the organization and preparations. What I like about Travná is that so many different people meet there. I’m excited to go every time! Another thing that I like about being involved with Travná are the Regeneration weekends. We not only plan the events but also build friendships with the team members and enjoy fellowship. When I got the offer to be more involved with Travná events, I didn’t hesitate. I knew that I would have more free time that year and that I simply wanted to do it. I didn’t have the feeling of not knowing what to expect because when I moved to Olomouc, I started to spend more time with Ráchel and to help her lead the girl’s Bible study group and other things around Travná. I officially started the internship in September and finished in February.

I’m so glad that the whole internship was adjusted to my preferences, e.g. my schedule or personality. So, what did I actually do? Every Tuesday I met with Ráchel to plan and lead the girl’s group. We took turns in preparing the programs. We also met regularly to plan the Fall Travná camp, because we were the main leaders. Later on, I was also the main leader of New Year’s Travná, together with Jared. Every Thursday we met as a team (Jared, Danka, Ráchel, Zack and Mel) to pray and share about our lives. Another big task was to prepare two training sessions for small group leaders which took place during the two Regeneration weekends. We focused on topics such as giving feedback or how to lead a time of reflection in a group. The preparation for these training sessions stretched me, and I learned a lot! I also realized all that is involved in organizing an event at Travná.

I definitely do not regret my decision to commit to the internship. I had the opportunity to get to know Jared and Ráchel more and to learn new things about myself. I was surprised at how much time we spent together planning events. We didn’t just divide the tasks and work on them alone, but instead we all brainstormed, planned and discussed together. This process has been very meaningful to me. Travná is about encounters, after all. So, I could sum up the whole internships like this: it was a bunch of encounters and meetings. I’m so grateful for this opportunity!

Travná started in the summer of 1968 during the communist regime. (Travná is the name of the camp as well as the name of the village where it’s located) The founder, Adolf Petr, was a pastor from the Evangelical Brethren Church, organized a semi-legal youth camp in the mountains near the Czech/Polish border. The camp has met annually since then despite attempts by the communists to shut it down. Christians from all over the Czech Republic and different denominations come there for teaching, fellowship, and training. Many non-believers have met God in a powerful way, some hearing the Good News for the first time!

Some of the friends we met at Travná shared how their parents and grandparents were persecuted by the communist regime for being Christian, being beaten, never getting promoted, or even loosing their jobs. Travna was a safe place for much needed fellowship and encouragement! We’ve heard that the “spiritual wells” were dug deep at Travná.

When Zack and I were part of “Team Travná,” (a short term global outreach project) we helped with work projects around the camp. We also had the opportunity to meet Adolf Petr’s widow. She told us stories of how they used to bath in the small creek and set up tents before they had the building and showers with warm, running water! (At least it was warm if you were the first one to get in) Currently, there are 5 youth camps help at Travná each year. We are excited to be a part of this impactful ministry!