So What Did You Do This Summer?

Five teams of 80 Americans and Ukrainians touched over 2,000 lives this summer in secular camps of Ukraine! What an amazing impact on the lives of children and adults in Ukraine.

I could spend time writing about the raw stats: the thousands of Bibles distributed, the exact numbers of kids taught, and camp staff served. There is a place for that and soon we will post the annual camp report.

For now, I’d like for you to see what the people are saying. These voices represent interpreters, American team members, and even campers.

First, a statement from The Government Courier a newspaper in Ostroh, Ukraine. Correspondent Inna Omelyanchuk spent time in one of the camps observing one of the teams. This is what she wrote.

And even I came home with a gift: a set of Bibles in Ukrainian. And I thought that these smiling Americans came to our country at a right time and with the right purpose and how much they were able to accomplish for two weeks: they discovered Western Ukraine for themselves and for their interpreters from the East of our country, they strengthened faith in goodness in hundreds of little hearts! Humanity and compassion determine everything in this world! “Summer with the American Volunteers,” The Government Courier, August 19, 2015

Here are some observations from campers, former campers, interpreters and American Team members.

…thank you guys for this important part of my life and thank you for your teaching (I mean not teaching a lessons in Camp, I mean teaching of life’s lessons). I’m [a] really lucky person that …all of you were my teachers.

-Sasha, former camper

 

I was astonished by friendly, kind and patient attitude of American team… I admire these people as they all had to pass through the serious hardships, through pain and doubts, through the things that break other people, but they survived. Moreover they saved the light of love inside them and gladly shared it with others. I’m not a very sentimental person but when somebody tells you “I love you just because you are” it touches the thinnest chords of your soul. And this is amazing.

These days spent together with kids  – I’ll remember them for all my life. Now I know that love and attention transform an impudent teenager into a nice and open guy ready to help you…

 This camp opened a new and unknown side of the life for me. I’ve met amazing people there.  I’ve found wonderful kids and we’re still in touch with some of them. I can definitely tell that I’ve learned a lot about love this summer.”

-Anna, interpreter

 

You taught our class, remember? …Thank you so much for the books. You know, I always wanted to read the Bible, but somehow hands did not reach. And now, I do not know [how], but I pretty much changed my worldview. Just thanks!

–Ukrainian teenage camper

 

It’s actually extremely difficult for me to even put into words how visiting and making friends in Ukraine has changed my life, but it has immensely. I get messages every other day from one of the kids in camp or a counselor or one of our Ukrainian team members… It’s amazing to have so much love for people who are so far away… I was not expecting it to be so emotionally intense, but I’m glad it was. I made real friends and I left a part of my heart out there. I cannot wait for next year.

-Marissa, American team member

 

The teams of missionaries that come to Ukraine are a huge example of bravery and devotion to the ministry and people of Ukraine; especially considering the current situation in Ukraine…It all matters. There is nothing meaningless at camp. Whether it is helping a child with the beads for a bracelet…or distributing the Bibles, it all matters in the eyes of the Lord. And it is a great honor and pleasure to be a part of it.

-Nastya, interpreter

 

I told you last year that I viewed your coming to our country in such a difficult time as a heroic deed. I know that many people in America are amazed and surprised that you are coming to our country with such a great and needed mission in bringing up children. Children are the future of your country and our country. They are most important. The future will depend on the way we bring them up.

–Alexander Pishcheyko, President, Ukrainian Association of Workers of Children’s Health Resort Establishments

So, what did you do this summer? What about next summer? You could make a lasting impact on Ukraine! Think about it. The Summer of 2016 is waiting!