For many of us summer camps bring back wonderful memories of blessed times when huge impressions were made on our lives.
They are an opportunity to encourage and strengthen young Christians through fellowship and teaching. Camps also provide a context where the Gospel is introduced in a natural way through the example of godly leaders and hearing the Gospel presented.
SGA’s translator in Moldova, Liudmila Bantea, shares about day camp ministry which is sponsored by the Mission. She summed this ministry up in the following way: “This year’s day camp ministry has proven that a good camp can be a big blessing for any church.”
Some camps were held in large city churches while others were in small villages. Liudmila shared about a city church where around 200 children gathered, two thirds from unbelieving families.
Thanks to the help of SGA the church was able to provide the day camp experience to the children from low-income families and large families. For the first time we were able to invite kids from refugee families, all of whom were unbelievers.
During the month of July three day camps were held in Ukraine. In one location they decided to invite children from displaced families. Liudmila explains more about this camp:
They expected around 70-80 children but over 100 attended. Though many young people left the church due to the war, God miraculously provided more leaders for the children’s ministry from refugees from Melitopol city. A lady called Olga, the wife of a pastor from there was willing to help. After Russians destroyed her home and took away their church, she found out that she has breast cancer. But she still came to serve the Lord in the camp. She was a great example of faith.
Another village called Borivka had 80 children attending the camp with only 3 of them from Christian homes. The youngest child in the camp was a 5-year-old girl named Masha. This little girl completely changed her grandmother’s view of Christians. She was suspicious and afraid of them at first but after her granddaughter came back from the camp and shared all the stories about the people and Bible lessons, her attitude changed completely.
During August camps took place in some new church plants. Mission school graduate, Pastor Sasha Polischuk, serving in Lincauti, is excited that around 100 children attended.
Last year’s day camp in Funduri Vechi became a starting point for the Sunday school ministry where brother Michael, a current mission school student, with his wife, started regular meetings once a week. The team returned there for a 5-day camp this year.
Liudmila is very thankful for SGA’s support. Praise God for those who responded to the Gospel. Pray that others who heard the Gospel will come to faith.
We are thankful to the Lord that many children and youth attended SGA-sponsored camps in Mongolia and Central Asia.
