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P.O. Box 2007, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3T8

A sure sign that spring is almost here is when we start talking about Summer Camp. Last year we sent more than 3,000 kids to camp and for many, it was the trip of a lifetime for their young lives … a chance to enjoy warm clean beds, hot showers, good food and wonderful companionship for ten full days. Most of all, it was a time to just be kids. To get away from the all too often unrelenting grind of poverty, hunger and abuse which is the norm for many of these children.To us summer camp is no big deal, but for these kids, summer camp is just plain awesome!

Summer Camp in Bulgaria One warm sunny day last October children from three MWB supported orphanages in Bulgaria were very excited. It has become a tradition of MWB staff and volunteers in Bulgaria to visit the orphanages at the beginning of October. They go to spend time with the children deprived of parental love and have fellowship, especially with those that attended the Children’s camp during the summer.The children sang songs, recited verses from the Bible they had learned at the camp, and answered questions on the topics discussed during the lessons. It was a great time for both the adults and the children. That day was like a reunion of old friends –and none wanted to leave. Before parting, one of the students said about the MWB summer camp: “These people brought us light. They are the light in the gloomy world around us.”It was encouraging to hear that our efforts have impact on the lives of our beneficiaries. We realise that this is the result of God’s blessing and provision.

Summer Camp in AlbaniaMany of the children that attend summer camps in Albania very often carry the burden of unhappy family lives. The days in the camp are a great opportunity to enjoy a holiday and to experience some beautiful moments of childhood that are worthy of cherishing for a lifetime. It is also the moment in which they can grow in faith.Last summer Majlinda and Jetmir left their home for the first time to go to camp. Along with their mother, they are victims of domestic violence. The emotional and physical violence from their father has greatly affected their lives. Even though their parents are now divorced and there is hope life will change for the better for them and their mother, she still continues to be a victim of violence. Her ex-husband waits for her to leave her house, and when she does, attacks her physically. But while her children were at summer camp, they weren’t living in fear. “For the first time I saw my children happy and quiet. They are traumatised but the camp helped them to forget and to live normally.” Jetmir says this about his experience: “I am enjoying my stay here very much. I have never been so happy. Here I learned how to swim, and I like swimming in the pool and in the sea. There are many activities and I feel so good here. At home, my father used to beat us with the belt. I feel safe here and the food is so tasty. Here I play games and enjoy everything at the camp. I make drawings, color, I read and sing. We worship God. We see movies. I also made new friends here. But I miss my mom.”Majlinda shares: “I’m feeling very good here. The food is tasteful and nutritious. I like the different activities and I have started learning to swim. Here I feel safer and more decent than at home. Here I am away from family troubles and problems. I enjoy the food, learning new things about our Lord, watching movies and puppet shows. I have new friends now. I want to be here again, next summer. Our mother visited us twice and brought us some clothes. I really feel wonderful here. I feel safe.”

Summer Camp in RomaniaCoordinators at MWB Romania agree that summer camps are the best way to minister to children both spiritually and physically. Along

Food prepared at Community Centre

Time for more Summer DreamsMarch 2015

REMEMBER TO TURN OFF HYPHENATION

Mission Without Borders1-800-494-4454 | www.mwbca.orgemail: dinwood@mwbi.org

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“For the first time I saw my children happy and quiet. They aretraumatised but the camp helped them to forget and to live normally.”

with daily Christian Input meetings, summer camp means 10 full days of fellowship, sun, great food, games and songs. The only negative thing is that once camp is over, the children go back to their lives, deprived of basic things that should not be a luxury: enough food, warmth, love and safety.One of the camps in Romania was held near Victoria. From the arid plains of Victoria, the children were moved to a green forest; from clay huts to spacious wood cabins. They slept in their own bed with clean sheets; they had three meals and treats (fruits and sweets) every day. At camp they received toys, school supplies, clothes, shoes and personal hygiene items to use and to take home to their families.Camp curriculum was inspired by the Book of John. The children learned about a miracle each day - Jesus Changes Water into Wine; the Healing of the Official’s Son; the Healing at the Pool; the Feeding of the 5000; Walking on Water; the Healing of the Man Born Blind and the Resurrection of Lazarus. Each lesson had Bible verses, songs and games adjusted to the respective theme.The bus ride to camp is itself an adventure, as many of these children have never been on a bus before. When they arrived they just stared at what to them was luxury and a dream come true. Friendships started to form: with children and volunteers. It was as if they were no longer poor children. They were just children.Daniela is 10 years old. She lives with her parents and five brothers in a two room house, of which one is also a hallway and a kitchen. They have an outside toilet, no water connection or gas. Camp was a very special experience for her. Due to her involvement, her desire

1-800-494-4454 | www.mwbca.org

to learn and exemplary behavior, she stood out throughout camp. “I learned that Jesus can do miracles even when there is no hope. I liked the Bible stories very much and I made good friends here. I have never seen a puppet show before. It was better than cartoons! I hope I can come back next year if possible. I am sorry I have to leave this beautiful place.”

Mission without Borders has organised summer camps for more than ten years now, most in cooperation with local churches. Children learn basic routines while at camp – how to make their bed in the morning, how to clean and tidy their room, how to care for their personal hygiene and much more. But they also learn how to have fun, how to make friends, and they come to know the love of Jesus. Summer Camp is one of the best things we can do for these children. We want to send at least 3,000 kids to camp this summer but need help from you to do that. Just $150 will send a richly deserving child to camp for the full ten days. Or donate $15 for a day and we will match your gift with other gifts to create a wonderful, Christian summer camp experience for these children.

David InwoodNational Director

SUMMER CAMP

Just a few short months to the big day for so many kids. It’s like

having Christmas for 10 days for a child that has never had a

Christmas.

A $150 donation now will give one child 10 fun filled days.

Please help the kids get to camp this summer.

CHANGING THE WAYYOU CAN CONNECT WITH US

How you can donate toward this month’s project:

• Visit our webpage at www.mwbca.org & click the “DONATE” button

• Call our office at 604-855-9126 or toll free 1-800-494-4454 with your credit card info

• Send a cheque to the address listed below

PO Box 2007, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3T8

Romanian Coordinator Ioan Condurache has this to say about the importance of summer camp: “I find it hard to look these children in the eyes ... I wonder how they see the world. What happens in their minds and in their hearts when they see other children who have better lives? They are condemned to a life without fulfillment and little chance to be different than their parents. They are too mature for their age. They serenely know and accept hard life lessons that they should only confront later on in life – if at all. It was good to see them smiling and be happy, and I pray that this camp and what they learned will remain with them for years to come. Education and Jesus Christ can rescue them – for this life and for eternity. We will continue to nurture the seeds we planted in their hearts and pray that one day they will give their lives to Jesus.

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