In this fine month of Thanksgiving, we here at Open Arms are already overflowing with so many things to give thanks for. God is doing amazing things through ministry in Ukraine and we are blessed to be a part of it!
To all of you who prayed, gave, and supported fall camp - THANK YOU! You have played such key roles in what took place last weekend in the lives of orphanage graduates.
We wanted to take some time to share some highlights and give thanks for the overflow of joy taking place in Sumy!
HIGHLIGHT REEL
This was our 8th (!) graduate camp as Open Arms Ukraine and we might dare to call it our best for so many reasons. God moved in mighty ways from the get-go to make this camp exactly what He desired.
Originally, it didn't look like we were going to be able to use our camp location of choice, but God opened the doors for us to return to this amazing camp location at the last minute and we are so thankful!
We were so excited to extend our reach to graduates from the Romney Orphanage (also located in the Sumy region) at this graduate camp. Three beautiful ladies joined us and we can not wait to see where this connection takes us!
The Romney girls weren't the only addition. For quite a few kids, this was the first Open Arms Grad Camp they were able to attend and their excitement was absolutely infectious!
Group discussions offered a new realm of freedom among the kids. Over the years, leaders have risen up among them who are ready to take their spiritual lives seriously. These leaders helped bring the group discussions following Bible lessons to a new depth and we were blessed to sit back, listen, and bring in God's Word as direction throughout it all.
We can not express the joy that surrounded this camp: from the kids, volunteers, our team and the overall atmosphere, it was clear that every person there had a heart to be there, participate, and receive.
Hygiene packs (filled with toothpaste, underwear, soap and more), goodie bags (filled with pens, gum, coffee and more), cookies, snacks, popcorn, desserts, s'mores, crafts - we were blessed to pour out God's love tangibly with abundance thanks to all of your support from home!
Secret Friend Day was a beautiful time of making crafts, cards, and special gifts to shower love on one other person at camp. It was amazing to watch the kids take hold of the idea and work hard to bless someone else in secret.
A GLIMPSE
The beauty of running a smaller camp based on our own schedule, is that there is a great amount of freedom to respond to the kids' needs and enjoyment. Our days started later, meals were extra filling, and "American football" movies were watched. Mornings consisted of breakfast, a morning meeting, and small group discussions. At midday, the campers received a big lunch, the boys headed out to play sports, and crafts covered the tables as everyone enjoyed free time. Daylight savings meant that our daylight hours were few - so this portion of the day was our big opportunity to spend time outside. Once twilight turned to dark, we would hold our evening meeting and begin the nightly activities.
The kids so enjoy our pre-meeting games! It's always a fun time for them to cheer on their friends and to just laugh freely. Once the games were done and the laughter had died down, Bogdan (one of our incredible Ukrainian workers) would begin the Bible lesson. We are so thankful that Bogdan could come be our camp speaker. His influence among the graduates is such a beautiful thing!
Once our night meeting had concluded, dinner was served. Once everyone was full, we'd take part in a camp-wide night game. One of these games proved extra special (and hilarious) as the kids broke into groups and were given 20 minutes to choreograph a dance to provided music. So much fun and laughter!
As the hours passed farther and farther into night, the campers enjoyed bonfires, movies, wii competitions and so much more.
Throughout all of this, a special theme of camp became very evident: freedom. There was an absolute tone of joy in the kids faces and spirits as they soaked up all the goodness that this camp had to offer.
ALISA
Alisa joined us for her first-ever Open Arms camp and we couldn't be more excited to have met this beautiful young lady! She grew up at the Romney orphanage, just an hour outside of our city. Last year, one of our volunteers worked part time as an English teacher in that orphanage and thus the connection was made. Although Alisa barely knew the rest of our team she joined us for the 4 days of camp and had a joy that lit up every room she entered. Her piercing blue eyes, sweet smile, and kind nature made her an amazing addition to our ministry and we feel privileged to have this new connection. Alisa's heart was incredibly open and honest as she asked questions concerning the daily lessons. She hasn't received as many opportunities to hear about God's Word in her life and was honest in the fact that she isn't sure, at this point, what she believes.
Since camp, Alisa has been present at our weekly graduate meetings here in Sumy as well as the church youth meeting on Sunday night. She is eager to learn more and build relationships which is an amazing chance for our team to shower God's love and grace on this beautiful girl's life. We are so thankful that God brought her to us, for her open, loving heart, and that she lives here in Sumy, providing us all the more opportunity to see her bright smile on a regular basis!
A LAST-MINUTE BLESSING
We are so utterly thankful for Bogdan and his wife Natasha's willingness to lead at the last minute. Bogdan's heart for the Lord and bringing people to know His saving grace is an example and a blessing to all of us.
Due to circumstances outside our control, we were looking for someone to lead the Bible lessons in the week leading up to camp. Without hesitation, this young couple from a church here in Sumy stepped up to the plate. They brought their 5-month-old daughter along for the weekend and she became an instant celebrity among all the children.
Bogdan led each meeting with extreme passion and was continually present to answer questions throughout the course of the weekend. Natasha has a beautiful energy and love that the girls in attendance were able to connect with and look up to. We loved watching how God brought all of this together and look forward to how God is going to continue to work through this amazing couple.
We just can't say enough how thankful we are for your prayers, your support, and your encouragement during our Fall Grad Camp. The ministry of Open Arms would not be what it is without your love and faithfulness!
So encouraged to hear all about camp and how God is so at work among you in Sumy!!! I hope to make it there some day soon (maybe with Mary Beth Goodwin) to meet you and encourage you that you are doing a great thing!!!! The smiles on the faces of your retreat participants is evidence of God's presence in your lives being poured out on these great young people! God bless you....praying for Alisa to surrender and fall deeply in love with her Saviour!!!
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