Camp Joy

Leading songs for Camp Joy in Lomprit

    Okay so I know the all surpassing question everyone really wants to know is: “What are you really doing in Romania???”  So, I’m going to tell you about Camp Joy, the focus of the last three weeks. Originally camp happened at a camp ground up in the hills. However, when Romania joined the European Union, new regulations restricted the number of children allowed in the cabins (although they seem very adequate and much nicer than the homes the kids come from). This however, couldn’t stop the ministry to the gypsy children, so camp is now brought to the kids. We go to a village or two each week and have camp activities. This creates a program very close to what we call VBS in the states. We sing songs, have Bible lessons, make crafts & play games. However, this is a rare event for these kids. Their churches don’t have a big children’s ministry or Sunday school program where they experience these types of activities often like in the States. So, it is a very exciting time for the kids!

   The camp is organized by Jessica, the oldest daughter of one of the missionary families that has been a big part of God’s work among the gypsy people here (she’ll be a senior in high school this fall). We also have what we call our Romanian team. They are college, high school and middle school students who help run camp. They are also all fairly fluent in English. Some of them are very good translators and help translate for the teams who are here from the States, and help me with my broken Romanian. This is a remarkable ministry that the Romanian students are a part of since there are very few Romanian people who think ministering to the gypsy people is worthy of their time & energy. The other part of the team is the youth team that is here from Virginia. They brought about a group of 15 to join with us for 2 weeks. We go to some of the bigger villages while the American team is here and go to the smaller villages before and after. I think we will have Camp Joy in a total of 7 villages in about 5 weeks.

 Camp Joy is an incredible opportunity to share the truth & love of our mighty God & Savior! These kids are loved and blessed in ways they may never be throughout the rest of the year. The families and communities are so thankful for what we do for their children. It is really an incredible opportunity for us AND the kids. The people are always seeking to bless us. They invite us into their homes and offer us the most comfortable seats (often in their one or two room homes this means sitting on the edge of a bed) they always want to feed us or make coffee for us. It is truly incredible to see the love of God at work in the lives of these people. The blessings of Camp Joy surpass all age or race and reach directly into the hearts of those involved. May God be glorified through it all!

Alexandra playing a relay game

 

The Romanian Team & Me

Damaris teaching the kids the songs & actions