The Kids Summer Bible Day Camps took place again this year and were well received by pastors and parents, but most of all, the children. The camps are very similar to our summer vacation Bible schools here in the United States.
Praise the Lord we were able to conduct camps in 7 villages again this year and reached over 300 children with the Gospel message. Friends of the Gypsy Roma is growing and Roma village leaders and pastors are giving glowing reports about the children's work that is being done.
This ministry is growing quickly by word of mouth because of the children's enthusiasm and because of the Roma pastors who have participated. Leaders from other Roma villages have heard about the day camps and have asked us to come to their villages so their children can attend! Our Romanian missionary is leading program with volunteer assistance from pastors and other Christians. It is very unusual to find a Roma church with a Sunday School or with Bible classes. Our summer children's work is growing to fill that void so that these kids have the wonderful opportunity of hearing the Gospel and coming to know Jesus. The Lord is preparing these Roma children to be the future Christian witnesses in Romania and to the "uttermost parts of the world!" May the name of the Lord Jesus be praised through the dedication of our missionary and the Christian leaders and laymen who help.
Because of the children's enthusiasm and because of the Roma pastors who have participated. Leaders from other Roma villages have heard about the day camps and have asked us to come to their villages so their children can attend! Our Romanian missionary, Titus, is leading this program with volunteer assistance from pastors and other Christians.
The children enjoy games, Scripture memorization, Bible stories, small group activities, and nutritious lunches! Some of the children have never had a sandwich with meat and will often save part of the sandwich to take home to a brother or sister!
There are about 200 children involved in the program in Ciumeghiu (Chew-meg-you), so we expect hundreds of children in the wider area to enjoy the camps this summer! They will hear the Gospel, most of them for the first time! We praise God for the growth He has made possible! It is our desire that these camps will blossom into churches, Bible studies and beacons of light for the villages.
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
PLEASE PRAY:
For our missionary as he leads this ministry, and safety for him as he drives to remote villages in the mountainous area near the border of Ukraine where the roads are narrow and often not properly maintained
Local volunteers to help with small groups of children
Many Roma village leaders and pastors to join us
Plenty of nutritious food
Decisions for Christ that will have a lasting effect in the lives of the children