WITH LOVE FOR KIDS ORPHANS ADAPTATION CAMP 2008

This year’s camp was a true miracle. We had arranged a camp site, but a week before the camp start we were informed they couldn’t have us because they had been given a fire safety warning. Varya started calling various places. She could only find three camps managed by Christians in the whole of Belarus. They were unavailable. Many of other camps were unavailable as well, at such a short notice. We, as well as many of our teens, took a fast and went to an all-night prayer meeting followed by a prayer in Kolodischi Centre where we were seeking the Lord and felt He’d answered.

While Varya was calling everyone she could think of, she found out a lot regarding the present situation with camp sites and felt that God was speaking to her saying that our problems can become our resources, and it was a chance for her to find a camp site to buy to use for orphans and for others. Indeed, she found one that looks quite promising and could be a nice site for future camps.

Varya managed to find a site that was willing to take us (over 80 people), but only for a week, instead of usual 10 days. We were so happy to get one, we didn’t mind. That just meant, we had to work harder. Two goals for the Camp 2008 were: Getting new kids for Warm Homes, because many kids have started working recently and already too mature for Warm Homes; Building up the team of volunteers in Pinsk.

The CAMP commenced! The staff travelled far away from Minsk to escape unwanted attention and started team building activities. This year they were very important as we had a team from Pinsk who were with us for the first time.

Next day the orphan teens arrived. For most of them, it was the first time in a Christian-run camp, as well as a chance to finally eat till they are full.

From the very first day we made sure the campers were busy. The teens were split in 3 groups, with “parents” (male and female) overseeing, as well as with peer counsellors (campers from previous years).

The programme was very intense, as we were rushing to make sure the teens would benefit the most from 6 actual days of camp. The classes were held every day and were designed to give the teens a better understanding of themselves and their life choices. A unique feature of this camp was the team of Christian trainers, who came from the Ukraine to hold a seminar for our teens. The seminar ‘I am unique’ was very well received.

There were also classes run by our volunteers from Minsk on Love and Sex, Work Ethics, and Anti-Smoking /Alcohol. The teens also made a visual collage of their dream, an important step of faith for them.

There were also a lot of activities and events to let them use their creativity and strengthen interpersonal skills. They were run by a professional trainer who came along as a volunteer leading a team of two from Prague.

Team work exercises were strengthened by various challenging games, and a few football matches between the teams (notice the prayer before game).

To give the teens a variety of things to do, there were also a few electives, like Arts and Crafts, Archery and Photography Lessons.

In order to promote life skills, we introduced money system at camp. Teens were getting a daily salary in ‘talents’, and they also had to pay an income tax and bills. All prizes were given in talents as well, and the teens had a chance to practice their money management skills. Talents could be redeemed in the shop, which was one of the favourite places, or put in the bank. Another life skills simulation game was Bureaucracy, which gave the teens first hand experience of ‘red tape’ and application procedures.

It was during group times when teens were reflecting on their day, and it was a great time for sharing at a bonfire or over a late night snack. This year the ‘parents’ weren’t sharing that much; it was mainly counsellors who were testifying of their faith and why knowing Christ is so important to them.

Because of this witness and from just seeing the difference between what their peers used to be, many of the orphans chose to ask Christ in their hearts on the final night.

It was sad to say good-bye but since many of the teens will be coming to Warm Homes, it helped many not to cry too much. We also arranged to have a get together in September, so the ones that are still in orphanages, won’t be left behind.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for your prayers and for your support. We feel that both of the aims for the camp have been reached, and we now have a new group of teens who will going to Warm Homes. We will also have a special home group for those who are studying in Minsk, during the week! The team from Pinsk was encouraged, and they are getting ready for next year. All of that would not have been possible without your help. Thank you for serving the orphans with us! You ARE changing lives: see, for example, the photo of Luba, who was a first time camper in 2007 and came as a kitchen staff volunteer in Luba in 2007Luba in 2008

Luba is not alone. There are many more orphan teens longing to be changed. Thank you for locking arms with us in making it happen.