now i see myself differently

- a girl finds what she was always looking for at Summer Camp

 

Donate to Summer Camps today

Sasha's Story

Every day, funerals take place in town squares across Ukraine and, with war never far away, our Summer Camps there are more important than ever. They are a chance for children to be carefree and joyful, to play and have friends, and maybe for a little while, to forget the horrors of war.

For young people like Sasha, whose childhood home was destroyed in the war and who cannot face watching the news anymore, it gives an opportunity to hear about a loving God who is close to the broken-hearted – who will always be with them, even when Summer Camp is over; even when the war goes on.

 

We believe in Miracles

Liliya, the leader of the teenage girls’ group at our Ukraine summer camp, told us about Sasha’s time at Summer Camp:

“She cried and told us she's finally found what she's been looking for: this peace, inner joy, and relationship with God."

 

Sasha then explained that she used to pray to God occasionally when she was stressed, but that, since Summer Camp, her relationship with God has grown.

"I was touched by the sense that God’s Word is addressed to me personally. I never knew about that. At camp, I started to understand the Bible and apply it to my life."

“I feel that the Bible tells the truth and I can trust it. I never imagined that I could ever have a better relationship with God. I used to pray to God once in a while, when I was in a stressful or difficult situation. Now I want to open myself up to Him, to communicate, to ask for advice, and to build my life based on His Word.”

Mission Without Borders Summer Camps only last a few short days, but they have an enormous impact on the young people and children who are able to attend them.

In the words of one of our staff in Ukraine: “We cannot see children’s hearts, but we try to provide kids with the atmosphere of true friendship, trust, and acceptance.

"We realise that when the summer camp is over, they will be back to their usual lives. But we believe that summer camp makes changes. And yes, we believe in miracles too.”

Every child is unique, and many pour out their problems at Summer Camp. They see their own broken families and realise they want something else, something more than this. We talk about how to God's values and how to practice them - how to build a family in the right way and how to forgive people who hurt you.

Please do help us make the summer of 2024 a life-changing one for children if you are able to. 

A gift of $25 could cover all the costs of a day’s camp for one child. 

It would be wonderful if you would consider a kind gift to cover one or more days to pay for a vulnerable child like Sasha to attend camp.

Donate to Summer Camp

EXPLORE OUR STORIES

Follow us and spread the word

Join thousands of Kiwis and stay in touch with us. Hear about our news, appeals and updates.

Help transform lives and bring hope for the future

To donate via internet banking, our ANZ account number is 06-0185-0122206-12 or call us on 0800 469 269, THANK YOU!