It is not only the children who are being reached. Alongside the camps, evangelistic services have brought the good news of Jesus Christ to more than 400 adults. The camps provide invaluable opportunities for young leaders to grow spiritually and for volunteers to serve. Additionally, they lead to a more positive view of the supporting evangelical churches in their local communities.

The camps are a powerful tool for evangelism in villages where there are few other activities to engage young people during the long summer months. Through Bible teaching, combined with fun and creative activities, many children are hearing about Jesus Christ and being drawn to saving faith in Him.

Todik is an example. At 15, he is the eldest of five brothers in a very poor family. Already a Christian, his greatest joy this year was witnessing his nine-year-old brother, Marcel, surrender his life to Christ.

Marcel is not alone. Another young camper, five-year-old Domiana, also discovered real hope. After her father abandoned the family, her mother was left alone to raise her and her 11-year-old sister, Evanessa. At camp, the girls heard about a Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake them and, as a result, Domiana placed her life into the safe hands of Jesus.

Another little boy, Mateo, also comes from a broken home. His father is no longer present, and Mateo carried a heavy burden of guilt, believing he was to blame for his father’s absence. At camp he discovered the truth – that he was not responsible, and more wonderfully still, he learned just how precious he himself is to God.

Sasha, a child with a speech disorder, arrived at camp hungry and struggling to communicate.  There he was welcomed with love, provided with nourishing food each day, and fed spiritually with the life-giving Word of God. Many were moved by the joy in his eyes as he sang Christian songs, doing his best in an environment where he felt both loved and accepted.

Finally, there is Misha, who spent the first six years of his life with his alcoholic and neglectful mother. Though he later went to live with his father, his life remained difficult, and his behaviour was often challenging. At camp, however, Misha experienced God’s love and found himself making new friends and happily participating in Bible lessons.

These are just a few of the countless ways in which Moldovan children have been touched by the Gospel this summer. Pray that the good news will continue to change their young lives and that many will be brought to genuine saving faith in Christ.