Was there a place in your life for a camp? Do you remember the lessons or games from the camp for a lifetime? If you have not been in the Christian camp, then perhaps you have had a question of the purpose and meaning of life. This very serious issue was the main during the Christian children’s camp in Zdolbitsa that, by the grace of God, was held at Zalesie in the last week of August 2015. No secret that any teaching kids perceive better in the game, so lessons “The Power of Words”, “Choice”, “Choice of friendship” were supplemented with playes and games.
Very interesting were the episodes of two games – “Pilgrim’s Travel” and “Life in an hour.” Team play “Pilgrim’s Travel” showed the children the true values – not a bar of gold, which they under orders had to to deliver to the destination “City of Friends”, but the compassion, mercy, self-sacrifice, the knowledge of the Bible, the overcome of temptation. Passing “the way of the Pilgrim” in the woods at the stations children themselves made the choice to exchange the bar for candies (very popular among children), or to give the woman who asks on her knees to donate food for the family. A lot of emotions caused the station “Eternal death.” The children knew that their goal was “City of Friends”, but seeing the word “eternal” (the word death was covered with a cloth)they thought, “Here it is – the goal!”. Many children were not confused with the disgusting stench (the station was near the cage with the pigs). They listened to the fanfare on their honor: “Finally, you have passed such a hard way, here, the easy one is waiting for you!”. Children with pleasure accepted gold crowns on the heads from the “tempter”, and only a few looked with surprise on the cage then on the word “eternal” and apparently haven’t understood the similarity. Many team members were outraged that we “cheated”, but the lesson of wakefulness took everyone.
A very large impact on children made a game “Life in an hour”, which was held on the last day of the camp. For the first time they did not play as a team, everyone chose for himself what he will do for 60 minutes. At their service were stations “Diploma”, “Job”, “Church”, and so on. Most of the people for the bustle of adulthood have not found the time to go to church, but the whole game between the stations walked the preacher, calling for repentance and inviting to church. The highlight of the game was hell and paradise, where children got as a result of their choice.
The theme of the camp, “Let’s talk about life” was to show children the only essential choice in life that has irreparable consequences – a choice that would lead them either to salvation or to death.
Location of the camp – base Zalessie in Zdolbuniv district, Rivne region was very favorable for the main goal – the selection of eternity: the silence of the forest, lonely birches on site. Baptist Church team from Zdolbitsa of 9 people and the youth of 5 persons sowed the truth of God to children. In total 53 people had the opportunity to grow in Christ. The result of the camp is the process of changing the children hearts, which is not always visible from the outside, but you can see the reaction of the children or hear their questions. Some children shared with their mothers about their innermost feelings. At the lesson “changing nature” the children earnestly prayed to change their character traits. Alexander, 9 years old, to his mother question: “What’s bothering you?”, shared: “Mom, I really do not want to go to hell, but I do not know what to do, how to get out of it, because I’m in everything and everywhere sinful!” Now in his heart Jesus is living.
Margarita, 5 years, after the game “Pilgrim’s Travel”: “Mom, can it be that we will not have money to live on, and you will have really to beg?” Margarita is now sure that those who love God will not go with outstretched hand.
The team of Baptist Church, the children, their parents are sincerely grateful to the IPO “Hope to people” for the opportunity to live in the knowledge of God. That time was a blessing, wonderful weather, a positive atmosphere, prayer support – around we felt God’s protection. The big request to pray for the opportunity of small churches to hold summer camps. In our church, half of the church members are children.
The team of Zdolbitsa Baptist Church
Photo
