Summer Camp is an amazing time for connection. As trade schools shut down, the kids become nomads with no real place to call home. Our time together offered a place of safety, refuge, and fun to help them process, make plans, and experience God’s love.
HIGHLIGHT: BONFIRE
Our final night was accompanied by a bonfire; an Open Arms tradition
that proved extra special this year. Vova, our speaker for the duration
of camp, hammered in on the reality of eternal life and God’s desire for
us to join Him in heaven – “change doesn’t happen overnight, it is a
journey with Christ, but a journey well worth it.” Following his
message, Vova laid a large stick on the ground as a line and said that a
relationship with God is a decision, much like crossing from one side
of this line to the other. As the kids made decisions, we all huddled
together for a time of prayer with them.
What ensued was a beautiful movement among the kids and leaders. If the kids desired, they were welcome to step into the middle of our circle and we would pray for them. Each kid made their way as we laid hands and prayed for their futures, their hearts, their healing, and their process with Christ. The conversations that followed these prayers were transformational! For some the battle wages of “I hear so much about God, but I just don’t know that I believe.” For others they were full of the emotional excitement of the night and desire more connection to church and to believers. But for those few who were deeply moved, their tones remained serious and their questions deep. We can’t wait to see how the conversations continue after a beautiful night like this!
WHAT DOES A DAY AT CAMP LOOK LIKE?
- MORNING: Wake up, clean up, and breakfast! We follow breakfast with a time of worship and a lesson based on camp’s specific theme. This Summer, camp was centered on the theme of “Everlasting Life” - John 3:16; such a core, basic truth of God’s love that these kids have never had a chance to learn and accept in their lives.
- MID-DAY: After morning meeting, we have craft time and then some free time until lunch. Meals are such a gift at camp and we love offering a plate-full of “seconds” for these kids who have had to steal food at times in their lives to survive. Once they are full from lunch, the kids enjoy a time of recreation and swimming. They seem to have endless energy, and we usually have to bring the soccer playing, volleyball games, and swimming to a halt as evening approaches.
- EVENING: The kids’ energy is refreshed with a big dinner, and then they head to our night meeting – a time of singing and another lesson/discussion.
- NIGHT: Games are played well into the night after all is said and done and this year’s bonfire, movie night, and ice cream night were perfect ways to top off amazing days.
Throughout it all, God seemed to use every detail to bring us all closer
together and allowed us abundant opportunities to share His love all
the way down to checking each other for ticks after each adventure
outdoors. Ticks were found, movies were watched, popcorn eaten, and ice
cream devoured; all in all good times were had and God moved through it
all!
SPOTLIGHT: SASHA TRETYAKOV
Sasha Tretyakov graduated just last May from the Pravdinska orphanage, so this is his first summer with no set place for him to be. He has no family to turn to and has been in the orphanage for most of his life. In light of these realities, this summer is extra difficult as he wanders from friend to friend; with no real “home” or family to return to. Camp was a time of relief and joy for Sasha and the bonfire brought about a special moment in his journey specifically. Following the times of prayer, Sasha was clearly hit by what had taken place and spent the time after discussing Christianity and his desire to live a better life with some of our leaders. At the end of the conversation, Sasha felt a deep conviction to be baptized and the seriousness in his demeanor showed how much this night had impacted him. We look forward to continue to encourage Sasha in his journey; he plans on spending his weekend here at the Open Arms Home and can’t wait for church on Sunday. We hope his connections only get furthered with our Ukrainian team and their church here in Sumy as he plans to transfer trade schools this fall to our very city! God is moving and we are blessed to be a part of it!
THANK YOU
We were overwhelmed by the support that poured in to make this Summer Camp possible! The words of encouragement and financial donations played such a huge role and we can’t thank you all enough. Due to the fact that these kids are scattered throughout the region facing various circumstances, some kids that were sponsored were unable to attend at the last minute (court dates, sibling issues, etc.). Though their spots were paid for (and hygiene packs are waiting) we look forward to using the rest of their sponsorship to get them to Sumy and connected to church more before the summer ends. Summer camp brings about so much momentum in ministry with these kids and the swim floaties, sports equipment, and projector screen are already proving long-lasting tools to reach this kids and bring joy to their summer months. Thank you again!
WHAT YOU PROVIDED:
- Camp Scholarships
- Hygiene Packages
- Extra-special activities (an ice cream party, a bonfire, and a picnic by the river)
- New recreation equipment
- Projector screen for Open Arms’ use in ongoing ministry
- Funding for graduate ministry activity throughout the rest of the summer
