Hello from Ukraine!
So, I just finished my first full week of missions! As you know it was at a camp. The week at the camp was rainy, cold, and wet, but amazing! It was my first time sleeping in a tent(which I loved!), took cold showers, and pretty much used the bathroom in a hole that leads to the ground! But it was great all around!
^The name is the Camp
^back of the house at the camp
^the shower
^the toilet
^the schedule
^my tent
We arrived on Saturday and a woman named Christina was one of the first ones i met at the camp, and she automatically welcomed me with open arms. she was so sweet and the whole week she was like a mom to me, and gave me so much advice. ![]()
That night, we just had a little devotion and some worship time with the staff. I was so amazed because even though I didn't understand the songs, it was still worshipping and glorifying God! How amazing is it that no matter what language you speak, you can all come together and worship one God!?!? Pretty awesome I must say!
^Christina and I
^the preacher and I! He's rockin those Gucci pants! Haha
^the worship leader/teacher, Vova and I
Sunday, we were helping setting up the camp and preparing for the kids to come on Monday. A group of World Racers came to help out for part of the week at camp. I didn't know that I would grow so close to them. There were 5 of them and their names were Natalie Miles, Sharon Tharakan, Hannah McNair, Tyler Schipper, and Tyler Hunt(Twoggle). They were defiantly awesome with the kids at the camp, and it was good to talk to someone at the camp in English. That night, we had a time of worship and prayer before the kids arrived the next day. And the amazing thing was even though they didn't know us, they came up and hugged us and just prayed for us. One lady came up to us and started rubbing our legs from our knees to our feet saying "how beautiful are the feet the bring the good news!" Referring to Romans 10:15. It was so amazing.
^"And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”" Romans 10:15
Time with the world racers was amazing. I heard their testimonies, and they heard mine, and I had shared something with them that I had never shared with anyone before, and I didn't know why I did because I only knew them for a couple of days. But it turns out that 2 of the girls had experienced the same thing that I had experienced. It was such a God thing to have let me talk about that with them because he had people there to help me know that I wasn't alone in my struggle! We talked about team time, feedback, sibling conflict, relationships, parents, and theology. I enjoyed getting to know them and I will be praying for them as they compete the world race.
^the World Racers (from left to right) Tyler, Natalie, me, Hannah, Sharon, and Twoggle!
^me and Natalie
^me and the world race girls
I had such a great time at the camp. It was small and we only had 20 kids! But each and every one of those kids were so amazing in there own ways. Whether it was in dancing, singing, or playing football(soccer). One night, we had a time of prayer for the kids, and they asked me, Clinton, and the world racers to just go and pray over each kid. We literally went and took turns praying over each and every child and some was emotionally. That was the first time I had ever don't something like that before, but I loved it. During worship, these kids would freely sing and raise their hands, and I thought that was so amazing because they are so young! And it gives me hope that kids do listen to God's word and they do want to worship Him.
^the kids, world racers, staff, and lunch ladies!
^Anna (said like Onya) and I.
^kids me and Clinton had for English class!
^dancing with the kids
^me and Anna won Twister!
^helping lead morning warm ups
^the staff!!
The night before the last night of camp, I had to share my testimony and talk about how God has been a father to me. Clinton preached that night about how God is a father also. For some reason, that entire day I had such a fear and was just full of nerves about talking that night, and I didn't know why because I had shared my life plenty of times before. Clinton then told me that sometimes satan gives us that fear so that we won't share God's word. Fear is not from God. So I prayed and Christina prayed for me. I was not nervous after that! God is so good!
^giving my testimony and another girl named Christina translating for me.
^Clinton preaching.
Camp was so amazing! I didn't want to leave these kids! A few will be back at the next camp but most left. They were all so special to me! I have defiantly enjoyed it! I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me these next 2 weeks!
Thanks for prayers and please continue to pray!
Give Love, Be Love.
Tonya!
