Here’s the2009 ESL Camp Video

The Ukraine is one of the many places that was “untouched by the reformation, and people there live with no real knowledge of what True Christianity really is. We hope that through our actions, and friendships, we will have opportunities to share the “hope that lies within us”

Sergey and Natasha Bochko lead the Open Hearts Church, and have been doing much of the ground work for us in the Ukraine. We however, have had the “exciting” task of preparing for the week long curriculum!

So, please keep us in prayer, we’ll have a camera, and hope to shoot some footage; but the real goal is sharing the Light of the World!

http://www.youtube.com/GreenPeasProductions

The video tells the story of just what makes Burke County Georgia such a great place to live! Having lived here for the past 7 years, we have experienced this, and have come to love this great little community that has so much to offer.

We heard many stories before arriving; one of the first was about Sveta, who accepted Christ at the ESL camp a couple years ago, and had been transformed by the the Gospel!

Sveta – accepted Christ at a previous ESL Camp (picture by Olga Dovgan)

In the Ukraine, many young people that embrace anything outside the Orthodox (state) Church are looked upon as taking part of a cult. Sveta was one of these students that God was using to reach her family, and many people who didn’t know or understand Biblical Christianity. Later we would meet student after student that had experienced this. It was a joy for all of our team get to know Sveta during our week at camp. She was so eager to serve, and had such a Christ-like demeanor. She was abiding in God’s Word!

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The church in Voronkov, where the camp was hosted.

Voronkov was the village that that the camp was located in, and about 45 minutes southeast of Kiev. The terrain was much like rural Georgia, with field after field, and few mountains. It was green and beautiful. We passed a very long sunflower field on the way in.

Sergey and his wonderfully vibrant wife natasha had really worked hard with the details we knew little about. The had prepared all sorts of activities to get the students excited about the week. There were fun icebreakers led by Niva, wife of Day Wysong, and wonderful praise music mornings and evenings. There were daily excerise times, and the students were even given a short nap time. It was really about building relationships, and showing the love of Christ to those who had never experienced it.

David teaching with Debi Cockerham (picture by Bradley Atkins)

As we worked through the week’s lessons, using the 7 wonders of the world as a precursor to the 8th wonder…. which was each of us, created by a Great God, we had many opportunities to answer questions about our faith.

There were 2 university students named Andrey and Igor that came to what they thought would be a music festival. They found out just before the camp…. that it was a Christian language camp; but came anyway. While they felt a little like outsiders initially, towards the end of the week, they were experiencing something I believe that neither had experienced, the love of Christ. They asked questions, debated, and keep being involved, and having fun.

Igor and Andrey doing some good reggie at the campfire

The last night, Andrey let me wear his “magic hat” and asked me about my views, and let me share my testimony with him. Many seeds were planted, and I believe many of these young people’s faith, as well as many on our team (including myself)

Lorretta and Olya, a young lady who was baptized just a couple months ago, after embracing Christianity

As for Lorretta and I, it was a busy; but beautiful week, and we were both ready to sign up for next year before the end of the week! In the meantime, we will hone in our skills while working with the new hispanic ministry at our church, preparing to do ESL this autumn. There’s also great opportunities to keep in touch and encourage (and be encouraged by) our new dear friends thanks to the internet!

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