Across Ukraine this summer many children are enjoying the experience of camps sponsored by SGA, while hearing about the hope of the Gospel. The children from Grace Shelter were able to attend one of these camps and we received this letter of thanks.
“Dear brothers and sisters and friends in the Lord!
Because of your prayers and generous support, our children from Odessa were able to spend 18 days at a Christian camp in the Carpathian Mountains, in a safer part of Ukraine.
For 18 nights, they did not wake up to explosions. There were no Shahed drones overhead, no missile attacks, no air-raid sirens sending them out of their beds.
They simply slept through the night.
They breathed fresh mountain air, ate good food, walked through pine forests, swam in a mountain river, played sports, climbed mountains, laughed, and made new friends. For those 18 days, children who have grown accustomed to war were given something very simple and very precious: the chance to feel like children again.
Samuel (14) wrote: “Every day was filled with joy, kindness, and time with God. I met new people, made new friends, and received so many bright memories.”
But the most important changes were happening inside their hearts.
The children studied the Bible every day, worshiped together, asked questions, and talked about what faith meant for their own lives.
“We didn’t just listen — we really discussed what we learned and made conclusions for our own lives.”
"I grew a lot as a person. I believe I also strengthened my relationship with God."
For us, there is an even more precious testimony. Six of our older children first came to this camp in 2024. There, they repented and chose to follow Christ. They continued their journey with God in the church — and in 2026, all six were baptised.
This summer, we watched another group of younger children take their own first steps toward God. And then some of our little ones said something that is difficult for an adult to hear from a child: After repenting and praying, they were not as afraid to go back home to Odessa — back to the Shahed drones and missile attacks.
It hurts that children so young already know this kind of fear. But it is deeply comforting to see them return home carrying something stronger with them: faith, hope, and the knowledge that they are not alone.
Thank you for making these 18 days possible.
Your gift gave them more than a summer camp. It gave them 18 peaceful nights, a piece of childhood, memories filled with joy, and a faith they could carry home.
Thank you! Thank you!