July sports camp for orphans and students from Rivne region together with the team from Kolomya.

We express our sincere gratitude to God for the fruitful cooperation with the Second Presbyterian Church in the matter of spiritual education of the young generation in Ukraine.

Christian sports camp was held in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. There were children and students from four orphanages, such as Alexandria, Verba, Klevan, Mizoch. The Education Department, together with the representatives from Memphis, served orphans.

Susan from the Second Presbyterian Church prepared the lessons for children and students on how to make choices and decisions on the basis of God’s Word. The example was David and Goliath, how God used David to protect the people from the Philistines, just like sheep from the beasts.

“Susan Ison’s seminar helped me to think of how to set goals in life, how to make the analysis of the past, to look at the purposes of the present and future time” Vova B.

“… This seminar taught me to plan my future time” Vitaly S.

Children and students also watched the seminar “The Foundation of Faith”

“The seminar speaks about relevant and interesting topics for young people. Man is sinful and deserves death, but God sent His Son into the world to save mankind. Young people do not think that their life can end at any moment. This seminar made us think what awaits us after death. The seminar encourages us to make the right choice – to accept the Savior in our hearts “Vova B.

John, Marilyn, Carol and Andrew served to children with great love. They showed their love of our Lord Jesus Christ in different situations. When the children went up to the mountains, they went along with them, no matter what.

In morning and evening worship services they were actively involved: John preached simply and clearly for children. Marilyn, Carol and Andrew shared their testimonies how God supports them in real life through the Word.

During English lessons, the Memphis team was learning Ukrainian words pronunciation, and the children were learning English words pronunciation. Crafts are a special time when children make gifts for themselves, and for their friends. The American team brought a lot of material for the crafts.

“Hutsul Museum of Ethnography and Musical Instruments” impressed us a lot. Roman Kulyk played all the instruments that are in the museum.

For the first time in our lives we saw a man who was doing it professionally. The museum “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” has had a huge impression on us. Many of us tried on Hutsul clothes and took pictures.

In the Christian sports camp, children received many gifts, such as new backpacks, T-shirts, shoes, clothing, socks, sports uniforms, shorts. Many children for the first time in their lives saw the mountains and mountain streams, waterfalls, heard the thunder and saw the clouds that floated over their heads, and the main thing they could analyze their hearts.

“… Every Christian sports camp has something special. Common features in these camps are new friends, new experiences, meeting with old friends. Hiking the mountains was impressive. The camp was fun and educational. I’ll remember everything. For me, this camp was an interesting lesson and rest. Thanks to everyone who took part in the organization and execution “Vova B.

To hear the Gospel and be reconciled with God. A special blessing for us was to see how Vasya Anikienko reconciled with God, he has decided to testify in front of people through baptism to follow Jesus Christ.

“… We hiked the highest mountain, Hoverla, it was not easy. I liked the sports: football, volleyball. My heart was touched by the preaching of John Anatoly. I learned a lot on English language lessons. I became friends with Andrew, he wrote the music for the presentation of our team. I liked the food, presentation of photos every evening, worship and crafts, where I made a lot of gifts for my friends, “Misha P.

Thank you very much for your prayers, in the mountains I could do an analysis of my heart, when I was on the border of the transition to another life. God gave me hope and confidence for further service to Him through the children.

We are grateful and look forward to further cooperation for the glory of God, and also for further sharing of the Gospel for the orphans, socially vulnerable families and teachers of Ukraine through conducting Christian camps, meetings and seminars. All our joint service has one purpose, to help people be reconciled with God and entrusted their lives in His hands.

We thank God for:

• an opportunity to share the Gospel with children, teachers, students and parents through the organization and conducting of Christian camps

• the opportunity to assist children in their practical life

• Partial financial support of the work of the Education Department in the ministry to orphans

• Children who have reconciled to God in Christian camps

• Cooperation with the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis

• The team of the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis

Please pray for:

• Revival of students, children

• Further studying of the Bible in groups with students