In the past, our main program was geared for age 6 to 12 Children. With the leadership and support from our friends in Norway, we have a new program for small children under 6 years old.
We are thankful for all our Norwegian leaders: Ida, Hanne, Hanne, Solveig and Pål. They have prepared a parallel small children program for our 10 small children.
Our small children will join all the main gatherings and singing. But during station session, they will have their own program, craft, games, Cafe station and lessons, etc.
These kids are so very cute.
Be aware of the following pictures: Cute kids may melt your "heart"!
Sunday worship picture with some of our Norwegian Leaders. Left to right from centre: Hanne, Hanne and Ida.
We are thankful for Pål and Solveig to come to help and support the Children Camp.
Yesterday morning we woke up in the Camp quite tired as we missed our Eastern Ukraine children very much that we went to Say goodbye at the train station.
They are living a hard life in Eastern Ukraine where near the conflict between Russia and Ukraine where fighting is still going on every day. People suffered family broken. They face gun battle and bombing in a daily basis.
I wish there were more time for us to be with these children. One more day at Camp means one less day at the war zone: Donetsk area. Even there is a cease fire agreement but the local people are saying the fighting is still going on. Image if you are in such condition, how will you live each day. After the camp, we missed them very much. We along with a group of Ukraine leaders drove to the train station at 430am to say our goodbye to them and gave them a big hug. It was a touching picture. Little kids carrying their backpack, dragging a big luggage compare to their size in one hand, the other hand carrying a 6 litre giant water bottle and their bag of food for their 40 hours journey. Trying to drag their luggage up and down the train stairways (no escalator). This was only the first train station. Then three more trains to go.
We rushed over to help them to carry some of their luggage. They reluctantly to let us to help. To them they expected themselves to do all that anyway. That was the way how they come here.
After much walking distance turns and up and down stairways, we arrived at the platform. Sadly the old train is there already waiting. Next thing is to get everyone up the steep train car ladder. The steps are narrow, steep and quite high. Children had much difficulty getting on the train At the platform we give them more hugs. Some of the children were holding onto their leaders and did not want to let know until their adult supervisor need to hurry them get onto the train before the train move out. Trains do not wait for people. If you are late you will miss the train. After much struggle we got all children along with their luggage onto the train.
Now we must leave the train to avoid we got stuck in the moving train. At the platform, we were all standing waving goodbye to these children (likewise from them). They push their faces towards the fogged up dusty windows to try to get a clearer look at us and they are waving goodbye.
Someone started to sing our Camp songs. Within a few seconds the whole platform is filled with our English and Ukrainian camp songs with actions. Many people stopped and looked at us. "tired, no sleep, some in their PJs, some wrapped themselves in blankets" But we all here to give these children a bit of much needed love. Much needed hope. After the songs, we just kept waving at the children. It was still dark outside. We turned our cell phone and the flashlight to wave at the children. Then children turned on their flashlight they got from the camp and wave at us from the inside of the train car. Then a few tea lights were turn on.
We pray that these children will continue to have hope and love in Jesus. Some of them just received Jesus in the camp. We gave out heart shape with our hands. They returned blowing kisses to us. Before we know it, the train started to move. Our waving intensified and we were running after the train to try to get a few more glimpses of these children.....ran ran ran. We ran hard. We did not out run the train. Standing there near the end of the platform, we can only look at the tail lights of the training went further and smaller until it disappeared.
Then we return to the camp to get some sleep. We woke up yesterday morning quiet at the camp. Then get some breakfast going and much needed coffee and tea. Clean up and tidy up the camp. Returned to House of Mercy children centre for lunch then settle for the night Said goodbye to one couple from Norway. This morning we went to church to hear they said our camp song in Ukrainian. Back to the centre for lunch. Then said a harder goodbye to all the staff and leaders and helpers those who spent 1.5 week full time with us. Then we headed to Budapest with our Team Norway.
May God bless them in Ukraine. Please pray for travel safety.
Please pray for our health.
Please pray for our Team Norway and local leaders and helpers.
After the last day of camp, we have a camp fire to conclude our stay at Mercy Camp.
The camp fire is a nice time to share what we have learned, sing songs, have food, snacks and drinks.
We as a Team sang a song about in Jesus, we are one family.
We missed out 20 Eastern Ukraine children a lot. We went to the train station to say goodbye and gave them a big hug. Very tough to get up at 4am. I almost missed the bus.
With much struggles and effort, we finally managed to get everything up to the train.
We stayed at the platform. Sang Camp songs with actions. And sending our love to these children before their long 40 hours journey.
It was a touching time for all of us. We want to go back to the train to be with the children. The children want to come down from the train to give us a hug but we can not as we don't know when the train will close the doors and depart.
Follow Him
Up and down many flights of stairs to drag their luggage to the platform is not an easy task.
Run run run...but we can not out run a train. Finally, we can only watch the train picked up the speed and fading away in front of us.
After the train left the platform, our noisy big group of people suddenly turned very quiet as we walk back to the mini bus. No one say a word. But I think we were all thinking about these children. What will their lives be in the future as they are returning to the war torn area. We pray that God will take care of them. Every one of them. Jesus gives us Hope and Courage.
Silently we pray for these children. God bless you all.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. James 4:14
Morning is breaking through the clouds...a new ray of Hope.
Camp is quiet without the children
After much clean up, we finally have to say goodbye to this Wonderful Camp. May God bless this place continue to be a blessing for many people. Hope we can come back again. We will treasure all the wondering memories.
Waving a warm greeting to all our friends in Canada. Wish you will come and visit Ukraine.
We sang one of the Camp song Jesus loves me in Ukrainian at the worship service.
Catching up with one of the young men recovered from a very bad accident. Now he is serving a lot in the Roma ministry.
Please continue to pray for all our Roma young leaders.
Each of our leader has a story of their own ....
New kids at HOM
A short coffee break with some of our leaders at a local shop on Sat. after the camp
Very hard to say goodbye to all our friends in Ukraine.
More special sharing to come about our Ukraine trip.....stay tune.
We can not believe it came to the last day of the Children Camp at the Mercy Camp.
We are happy that Children Camp is completed but sad as we need to say goodbye to many children that we get to know in the last five days.
Jesus gives us His Power was the theme for the day.
Weather was great but increasingly hotter each day.
We had a chance to have a special performance for the children to all of us and some guests and teachers, etc.
We then have a big all children Ukrainian tag game followed by a big blast of wonderful amazing food and refreshment prepared by House of Mercy.
It was fun and crazy as we can see children had so much fun especially a group of children from the war torn Eastern Ukraine area.
It is especially sad to say goodbye to them as they were leaving the following early morning for a 5 am train ride back home to the East. Which is a long journey of over 40 hours travel time with total of switching 4 trains along the way.
We pray that the Camp be able to allow these Children to be away from the "war" area and enjoy this one week and learned about Jesus gives them His Power to get through each day back home. One day at a time.
Joint Devotion time with all the leaders and helpers
Devotion time together studying God's Words was one of the highlight in the Camp.
Last day opening session
Children bring their lights to shine for Jesus
Our Children finally completed our cave project: building our very own Stalagmite.
It is finished.
Lantern making to shine for Jesus
Getting ready for the flying lantern as we learn about Jesus goes up to heaven after His resurrection.
Believe or not? We are in the second last day of the Children Camp.
The main topic today was Jesus gives us Love.
It was an important day as the end of day will be an altar call.
Weather is getting hotter and warmer for all of us. This is the First day we need to pull out a lot of sun screen lotions for the Camp.
The sun is quite hot and you can feel your skin is "burning" under the strong sun here.
We are grateful that God provided the clouds in the sky to provide us occasionally relief with the nice cool breeze.
After the series of the 4 stations, singing, lessons and bible verses, we sang Jesus Love us and I have decided to follow Jesus in the closing assembly.
Then Lera presented the effect of sins via a illustration of getting her hands dirty, then washed clean with a bucket of water. We need Jesus to wash away our sins......
Praise the Lord.... There are many Children made decision to accept Jesus at the end of the Camp during altar call with majority of the children of Age 12.
They come out to the front and follow our camp Leader, Lera, to make the confession and acceptance prayer.
Cleaning up after breakfast.
Many children came early to the Camp. We have a full house today.
As usual Clark Caven's performance is great. He really captures the attention of our Children.
Other than singing, we have Bible verse time during the opening session.
Sports and Games station in the football field
Cafe Station
Game
Imagination station
Bible Station
Lisa sitting with a quiet girl watching people playing in the field during free time.
Children are eager to answer questions.
Small children program
Closing session
Getting ready for altar call
Leaders debriefing after camp. We prayed for all those Children accepted Jesus today. Praise the Lord
Last's week July 13, 2016 we have our International Dinner.
It is a traditional for our mission team to cook for one night of dinner in Ukraine House of Mercy. This year is no exception. But we are thankful for our friends from Norway to work together in the full meal deal.
Preparing for the big dinner
Ida, Hanne and Hanne were busy preparing the desserts even the night before.
Lily is mixing the sesame seed dressing.
Our Camp leaders came in and gave us s much bedded helping hands. They are fast with their big knife here.
This year Chinese meal include Cold noodle with sesame seed dressing, Chicken in Korean sauce, roast BBQ pork with Lisa's family secret recipe, Tomson's stir fry Cabbages, etc.
Shrimp chips this year is the ready to eat type. No need to use a big pot of hot oil to make. Roast pork was sold out quickly.
Everyone is eager to taste the Norwegian desserts.
Christmas every day? Dessert that is Perfect for Canadian (red and white color)
Ida explained to us that this white creamy rice with red sauce is the traditional Norwegian Christmas dessert. It is a must to try. So delicious!
Other than day-to-day Children Camp, we spent much time together with the Leaders and Helpersar the Mercy Camp. We have many opportunities to bond together, sharing time, activities time, sports, games and Praise and Worship.
We are thankful for the amazing weather God has provided for us for the Children Camp so that we can start the Camp with a blast.
Over the weekend, it was raining heavily. Mercy Camp was soaked in water. Football flooded with much water and we are all wet.
We prayed for dry weather and asked for our prayer warriors to pray for dry and suitable weather for the Children camp. With 92 children coming, we need outdoor dry space for our activities.
We got up in the morning and checked outside. We were thankful as the rain stopped. But still quite wet and cloudy.
Then all of sudden, We can see Sunlight breaking through the clouds and opening the Sky. We almost could not believe the sky cleared up with warm sun just before the Children to show up for the registration. Praise the Lord.
In a short time, this sky cleared up and turned into sunny blue sky. Praise God.
Children started to show up....
And greet some familiar faces.
In year, we have Children from the House of Mercy orphanage, poor families and nearby villages, Roma children and 20 children from the war torn places of East Ukraine. It was a hard journey for them as they took over 40 hours to travel by different train to the Mercy Camp.
Registration at the Camp with Children lining up by age group and group leaders wIting to greet their children one-by-one.
Then each Crew Leader meet and greet their children and introduce to them the Camp and each other. Plus the name tags
Each crew group will have 5 to 6 children. Each big group will have 4 crew group. We call them A,B,C, D big group. Plus a new parallel program led by our Team Norway with about 12 small Children.
With about 92 Children and 40 leaders and helpers, we packed Hbf meeting hall with lots of energy and children.
Learning some Camp songs in English and Ukrainian (first time with our Camp)
We had a few days of training and leadership development with our leaders and helpers...to get ready for our Camp.
Setting up for the Training day
Team building game
Camp orientation and leadership training.
Decor team at work
Travelling with 9 passengers mini bus is the common mode of transportation. There are times we can squeeze in way more people and children in a mini bus.
Finalizing Camp details with Lera, our Ukraine team leader
We have wonderful food here at the children centre. When we mi e to Mercy Camp, we will need to look after our own setting and clean up. Mercy farm kitchen will supply our breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Decor team at Mercy Camp with full force.
Quick lunch at Camp
Meals will be outside under a big tent.
Dry run for the Camp with all the leaders and helpers.
Often in Life we need to revise and update our life goals.
In the House of Mercy staff retreat, we focus on the second day on devotion time and the renewal of their vision mission since they have operated more than 10 years.
Morning devotion time with all the staff
Lily shared with us the learning from the devotion materials.
A group picture with all the staff at House of Mercy.
Some bonding time with the staff over lunch.
Discussion and sharing on the House of Mercy Vision and Mission statement. Vasya led the team with much intensity to reach a bible based new vision and missions.
Meet our new eager "driver" little Andrew before our market visit.
After a short shopping trip to the market for the much needed supplies and international dinner food, Lisa, Lera and Valery met and review the plan for the Mercy Camp arragement, Etc
We concluded our first full day in Ukraine with these three words.
Mercy, Mercy and Mercy
House of Mercy ministry with one of the Roma camps near the city.
Roma camp at the settlement
We are leaving the Roma camp after a wonderful worship time with the Roma church people.
At the Mercy Camp where we will be hosting our Children Bible Camp
The playing field and football area.
The meeting hall where the main program will be held.
Lisa and Lily are checking out the area for the new small children program. We thank God for our friends from Norway to be taking care of the new program for small children under age 6.
At Mercy farm to check out the latest progress and look at what produces they have for our International dinner this week.
Lots of veggies are being grown all year around in the well established greenhouses.
Mercy farm produces
More....
And more potatoes
I learned that when we waited for the green pepper longer, they will turn into red color. Not sure how we will get yellow or orange color pepper ?
