We are sincerely grateful to everyone who participated in the day summer outreach camps for school-age children.
At the beginning of the summer, there were held 6 day camps at the school grounds in Rivne and Rivne region, in which we could use the resources that we received. All these Christian day camps were held in the rural schools: village of Kunyn, village of Mizoch, village of Zdovbitca, town of Zdolbunov (in two schools), and in the humanitarian gymnasium in Rivne. Thankfully to God we’ve managed to reach 247 children between the ages of 8 and 15.
The day camps were held at daylight hours. They were held throughout the month at the courtyards of the public schools, in its classrooms, and each one of them lasted for 2 weeks. While in Rivne, we were engaged in the program “Reformation of the Heart,” but in the regional schools, we ran classes on the different topic “Ten Commandments.” During the day camp in Rivne, God has brought 40 children of grades 5-8 and 7 mentors who worked with them. Every day of the camp has its own timetable, from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. During this time, children had the opportunity to play various outdoor games, to make crafts, and most importantly, they all had a corporate time of worship to God. They all sang the songs of praise to God, studied Bible verses and had mutual Bible lessons.
The baton of the summer camps across the region, initially, has been passed to the boarding school of Mizoch. There are orphans and children from disadvantaged families studying here. The time has gone by so fast, but it was fun and joy to be here, to fellowship with God and with each other. The most important thing is that they considered the Ten Commandments of God. The children were happy to be in the camp and they liked everything that happened there. The children remembered the most – master classes, where they were making crafts by their own hands. Also, the highschoolers shared with each other their personal prayer needs within their free time. Teachers and volunteers give thanks to God for His concern, as well as friends for prayer and financial support.
Then, the baton of the day camp was accepted by the elementary school No.5 in Zdolbunov. While studying the fifth God’s commandment “Honor Father and Mother” in the first grade, the children realized that disobedience is a sin. Children in the camp did like everything. They played games together, prayed and sang. Every child received prizes and sweets for their active participation in such activities. We thank everyone who helped us to organize these events.
In Zdolbunov’s school No.3, the playground for children of junior grades lasted for 10 days. There were 40 children who diligently recited the God’s Commandments, they played, received mini-gifts and sweets for winning the quizzes. They learned to step forward and ask forgiveness of each other, to love, to share, to communicate. On the final day, all second-graders came to the campsite, even those who were not in the camp from the very beginning. Many children became friends, and the head teacher on educational work became interested in the event and suggested himself to hold such a camp next year, not only for two grades, but also for all schoolchildren. This is a great blessing, as well as an important prayer need, because one Christian teacher cannot keep up with everything at once, to organize and hold a camp for 250 schoolchildren. This is not just one group of kids, but as many as 10 groups!
We are very happy with the summer Christian Day Camp on the “Ten Commandments.” There were teachers and children from the public school of Kunyn. They are thanking to everyone who made the day camp possible.
Here are a few feedbacks from children who were at this Day Camp:
“We have studied the10 Commandments in the camp and I’ve looked at them in a different light. I learned that God left them for His people. A master class was just awesome. I want to draw more, but I ran out of colors. I received many gifts, sweets, and I made a gift for my friend. Thanks, that there are people who can help to make all that happen.”
(Nadia, 5th grade of Mizoch’s orphanage).
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to be in the camp. It’s very interesting! There were many songs, games, food. It was fun and the time has gone by really quickly. I learned more about God that He gave the Commandments for His own people, but regardless of that they continued to worship the idols. If only, all the people read the Bible, they would not sin.”
(Sofia, 10th grade of Mizoch’s orphanage).
“It’s cool to drink tea with sweets and cookies. I liked to play games in the camp, as well as to fry sausages outdoors. I found the new friends here and learned to pray for them. I want to have the same unforgettable experience again in a camp like that.”
(Solomiya (in a blue T-shirt) 3rd grade, School No. 3 in Zdolbuniv).
“It’s so great to share the tea with friends and talk about God how He gave us His law. I thank everyone who helped to organize and conduct the camp for us. Come and visit us on the next year!”
(Tina, to the right, 3rd grade, School No.3 in Zdolbuniv).
Tatyana Arterchuk
