God Came Through at Summer Camp

Ukraine

It took 78 hours to get there — a van, then a bus, then a ferry, then another bus. Another 78 hours awaited them at the end. But the two weeks in between were worth every hour of the journey.

Awana Leaders Anton and Anita

Anton and Anita are Awana ministry leaders in Cherkasy, Ukraine, where they tend to the needs of families and children who’ve been directly impacted by the war with Russia. This summer, they seized an opportunity to join forces with a summer camp in Sweden to provide Ukrainian children a much-needed respite from the realities of war.

Together, the camp and our Awana Ukraine leaders helped 37 Ukrainian kids ages 8 – 18 enjoy nature, have fun and make much-needed connections as they learned about the Gospel and how they fit into God’s story.

Summer Camp Cabin

When Anton, Anita and their team were invited to lead the camp, they were prepared for the work: organizing and playing games and talking to kids, and teaching them the Gospel. But there’s no way to predict how God is going to speak to His children.

One day, He spoke through the sunshine. “Scandinavian summers are unpredictable — sunny one minute, and then moments later the rain comes,” says Anita. When that unpredictable weather threatened to cancel a farm picnic the boys had been dreaming about all week long, worry and fear of the disappointment they were sure they’d face the next day weighed heavy.

Anton suggested, “Every one of you, pray for good weather for tomorrow.” And they did. With their open hearts and sincere words, kids making their first steps of faith lifted up their prayers to the Father and were richly rewarded. The next day was perfect for a picnic. The rain held off until the minute they came back to the camp. “It meant the world to them to see God come through, and I believe they won’t forget it,” says Anita.

Playing Games on a Sunny Day

The two weeks of summer camp were filled with God moments, and you helped create space for them to happen. Your partnership and support helps servant-hearted leaders like the Awana Ukraine team to be able to say yes when the Lord calls them to minister to the kids who need His love and hope most. Thank you.