It had been a year since we were able to have camp due to refugees occupying the camps. So needless to say, we were all excited to have a camp anywhere we could find. Our theme was Hunger Games which was an extension of what our weekly meetings have been for the past month. The kids have enjoyed completing group challenges and having biblical discussions within their “districts”.
Camp consisted of group games, sport activities, lessons, and even a fashion show. We had our regulars and even some new faces. One of our new campers this time was Dasha. She’s a sweet, and adorable young woman who grew up in the village, and we’ve gotten to know her a little bit over the years. Our camp this weekend was the first camp she’d ever been to and 
she loved every part of it! On Friday night, Dasha was found sitting alone in a room in the dark at about 2am. In the end, an amazing conversation was had and after listening to her for a while as she shared about her life and how the lesson on perseverance had hit home with her. Dasha didn’t grow up in he orphanage, but she shared how her mother has never really showed her love. After 18 years of living together, she said her mom is more of an acquaintance than a mother. She went on to say how “growing up, I often wished I would have been in the orphanage just so I could have had friends and opportunities to go to camps and learn more about life.” Even with that as her story, she was so excited about being inspired that night. She said she could see how her life is still more blessed than many others, how she’s grateful for what she does have and how she can persevere through it with God’s help.
Dasha wasn’t the only kid impacted as other campers shared after a lesson, “I was listening to pastor Valentyn talk and thinking about my life, and I felt like the lesson was exactly for me.” “I want to do something with my life, I don’t want to just be me, I want to help people and change the world.” It is clear through so many conversations that God moved in huge ways and we are so thankful!
Because of your support Dasha, and many others amazing kids were able to hear God’s truth spoken this weekend. We would love for you to join us in continuing to pray for Dasha and the rest of the group, that God would continue to work in their hearts to receive the truth He spoke and that they would hunger and thirst for Him.
THANK YOU!!!