In July, one of the central events of the year took place in the Christian floorball club “SKY,” namely the children’s camp SKY Camp. It was preceded by long preparation, and from July 14 to 18 we gathered at the base in the village of Oleksandria, Rivne region, to spend this time together with the children.
This year, there were a little more than 50 children, the majority of whom are playing floorball with us, but there were also some children we did not know so well. This time the camp was called “Lost Route,” because we studied the book of Jonah, how Jonah disobeyed God and went the opposite way from the one that God told him.
The time at the camp was very rich, with exciting wake-up calls in the morning to different music, exercises, games, contests, a campfire… We tried to do all this to back up the truths that we talked about in Bible lessons during the day and sermons in the evening. We talked a lot with the children about our disobedience, first of all to God, and most of all about the obedience and love of Jesus, and that thanks to His sacrifice, just as the sins of the Ninevites were forgiven, our sins will also be forgiven if we confess them, repent of them, and believe that Jesus died for them on the cross. We pray that this seed of the Gospel, sown during training and abundantly during the camp, will sprout in due time and bear the fruit of repentance. It is joyful that with most of the children, friendship and service will continue in training, where they will be able to hear the Gospel.
And after the camp ended, we stayed at the campsite with the team of camp organizers, roasted sausages, and evaluated the camp. What was good in each area of the camp, and what needs to be improved in these areas in such a camp next year.
In general, such camps are an opportunity not only to serve children, but also to get those boys and girls who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior, but who are close to us, involved. Therefore, preparation for the camp, during the camp itself, and after it is an opportunity to build relationships with them even more and influence them with your example and the Word of God.
We thank God for the opportunity to hold this camp and ask you to pray for our growth in Christlikeness, for the repentance of the children who heard the Gospel in the camp, so that it may change their hearts in due time, and for the spiritual birth of those boys and girls who are close to Jesus, but still do not know Him as their Savior.
Vitaly Bakunets
