Looking around at the picturesque mountains, dense forests, dashing rivers it is impossible not to admire with the Great Creator, our Lord. By His mercy and grace in the village Polana in Transcarpathia (south-west of Ukraine) has been held the Christian children’s camp for the kids from a foster families and orphanages. Within 8 days, the children had the opportunity to study the Word of God, to experience God and to enjoy a wonderful vacation in the Carpathian mountains.
Many children have been in the camp for the first time. The curriculum of Bible lessons were 10 Commandments. For the most of them it was a novelty to hear such a biblical truths as “I am the Lord your God and you shall have no other gods before Me…”, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” Very memorable lesson was on “Honor your father and your mother…” – children with an interest listened to God’s promises and blessings, as the result of observing the commandments. It was also important to realize that not everything should be taken literally, because this precept applies to grandparents, foster parents or teachers of boarding schools, if they educate you.
A great blessings of the camp became the guests of the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, who came to serve kids. John and Marilyn Whittemore are not the first time actively participating in a similar camps, helping kids from a foster families and boarding schools. For Sam and Leslie Show this camp was the first mutual experience of ministry in Ukraine, although Sam has been here 2 years ago with his younger son, but with his wife he came for the first time. John and Sam everyday were ministering with the Word at the night worships, preaching about the originality of 10 Commandments and about of vital importance of the Gospel in the lives of everyone. In a special way to children rang out the truth on the importance of having a relationship with Jesus now, because life can end at any moment, and after death it will be impossible to change anything. Every day preachers were expounding on what repentance is and why it is such an important step in the life of everyone to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and the Lord. At the end of the camp, 14 children have decided to invite Jesus into their hearts – it was a blessed moment to see how God works and germinates a sown seed.
Every day we have been blessed to visit the extraordinary spots of the Carpathian: whether it was the castle “Palanok”, or museum in the open air in Uzhgorod city, or a mineral waters in the resort so-called “The Flower of Meadows”, but mostly the children enjoyed relaxing on thermal waters in town Berehove. There was also a great opportunity to engage in activity such as handiwork, play soccer, table tennis or just communicate. For many children have appeared a good opportunity to make new friends. For example, this time in the camp participated a group of children from Kharkiv’s Christian school. During the assembly, the children learned to praise God in songs, biblical shows and prayers.
Thanks very much to the Lord for the incredible blessings throughout the camp – for the living Word, by means of which He filled the hearts of both children and adults, for new friends and for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of His creation. Thanks to those who prayed for the camp, for children, thanks for financial participation and the ministry in the camp. Thanks to Bondarchuks family for a permanent contribution of spreading the Good News among orphans and children educated in boarding schools.
Please continue to pray for the children those who were in the camp, so that the Word of God they’ve heard could be developed in them, for their parents that they could not forbid their children to come to Christ. Please also pray for the family of Bondarchuks, in order to God would strengthen them and gave them an extra power to minister in the future. After all, we can do everything through the One, Who gives us strength, Jesus Christ.
Olha Denisuk
