Thanks to the support of SGA-UK, 19 churches received finances to organise children’s summer camps. Most of the camps are scheduled for this month, while some were held in July. The purpose of the children’s camps is to restore and strengthen the physical and mental health of children, share the Gospel, build good relationships with the children and their parents and continue the work with them after the camp is over.
In Lviv city in western Ukraine, 80 children attended camp, including those from local churches, internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as children from large families and low-income households.
One mother who travelled many miles from Chernihiv region and stayed in Lviv for the week shares her impressions of the camp.
We were told about the camp in Lviv by my dear friends who are members of the Lviv Central Baptist Church. They were the ones who suggested that I bring my children over to get some positive emotions and, most importantly, introduce them to God. Every morning, my children were excited for the programme to start, and every evening they would be sad that there were now fewer days left. When they came back to their room from a day spent in a warm and friendly atmosphere, full of love for God and one another, their eyes sparkled with joy. Through the Bible lessons, my children understood that God is waiting for us to confess our wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness – and that He loves each of us endlessly. So much so that He gave His only Son to save us. And when I feel like giving up, my children remind me that no matter how hard things get, the Lord will make sure everything turns out well – because He is in control of our lives. I’m so happy that my children know God now, and I’m confident they will want to get to know Him even more. On the last day of camp, they made me promise that we’d come back again next year.
I believe that during the difficult times our country is facing now, these camps are necessary. Children should have bright and joyful memories of their childhood – not sounds of sirens and explosions. I’m deeply grateful to everyone for the work they have done with our children. May the Lord bless you all.
We praise God for the Holy Spirit’s work during the camps that have already taken place in July. While the camp environment creates an atmosphere for fun and relaxation, which these children need so much, we pray that the current camps will influence many young lives to follow Jesus Christ.