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Children's & Teen's Summer Bible Camps
CAMP CLOSURE AVERTED in 2011 . . .
BUT MORE HELP NEEDED ******* Hunger for the Lord is so great among street kids, orphans and kids
from non-believing homes that about 90% of the children who attend come to repentance & salvation
- just under 5,000 to date. ******* \ Despite
the camp's success, the government threatened to close the camp doors.
******* Each
summer, in the mountains of central Ukraine near the city of Vinnitsa, around 500 children & teens - such as those
pictured here - have been able to attend up to seven, one-week Bible camps where many will learn about the Lord Jesus
for the first time. ******* At one
camp, 120 out of 130 came forward to repent and receive the Lord. For many years now, 9 out of 10 children consistently
get saved at each camp. ******* Back-breaking government demands ******* As
reported in the Winter, 2010 and Summer, 2011 Newsletters, the government threatened to close the camp unless their
demands were met. The camp was ordered to pay an extraordinarily large sum for a 49 year "lease" (for
property already legally purchased with generous donations from the US and Europe). ******* ******* **************
Because of huge
cash requirements to meet government demands, only two camps could be scheduled last summer...and money was in short
supply for even these ******* To meet the government's second demand, Ukraine church members took
time off from their jobs (since the snow melted in the spring of 2011) to volunteer their labor. For many
months they worked feverishly six days a week - often until midnight - to tear down and re-build the out-of-date rest room
and shower facility and update the kitchen in another building. They asked the Lord for money to purchase the necessary building
supplies as these poor churches didn't have any where near the amount of money needed. ******* All of this extra work and expense has meant that only two camps (vs. the usual
up-to-seven) could be scheduled last summer. Camp director Pastor Peter told GNS there wasn't enough money
for food and operating expenses for even these two camps. With help from our loyal supporters, we were able to give
enough to "keep the doors open." However, because so many camps were cancelled, hundreds of kids were not
able to attend and learn about the Lord, many for the first time. ******* The camp has been a priority for GNS
for many years because it is a pure work of God where many thousands of kids have come to know the love of
the Lord Jesus. In order to help the camp stay open, GNS chairman Brother John said he felt led to contribute to the
expenses for the "lease," the building supplies, and food for the two remaining camps last summer. However,
to do so, he had to use un-designated , "where needed most" funds he had originally hoped to use for Bibles.
Please join us in praying that the Lord would replenish these funds so more Bibles can be purchased. **************
******* Many campers have never heard about our Savior ******* These girls, like so many who come to the camps from
non-believing homes, may never have heard about the Lord Jesus until they hear the old, old story told in a
way they can understand. The kids also see a living testimony of the Lord's love for them in the smiles and tender
words of the camp counselors. (In the ghetto's where some of them live, tender, loving words are not heard
very often...nor is the Gospel.) ******* More girls & boys would like to come next summer (2012) - if the balance
of the funds needed are received ******* Please
ask the Lord to provide the remainder of the funds needed to keep the camp open so many more boys and girls can
be saved. The more support received...the sooner the government's demands can be met ...the more kids can come
to camp...and the more kids you, GNS volunteers, and the camp team will spend eternity with!
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