Then [Jesus] took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and he blessed them. (Mark 10:16 TLB)
June 15, 2024
Mariana and our team at The Village of Hope are eagerly preparing for our annual Summer Camp. This year, 200 children (five groups of 40) will experience seven fun-filled days with arts and crafts, field trips, t-shirt painting, sports competitions, visits to local museums, swimming, personal tutoring, and Bible stories around the campfire in the evening.
These activities offer fun, friendship, and love, and for many of the children it will be a life-changing experience. We also encourage older campers to return and volunteer as helpers, teaching them the value of giving back.
During the camp, psychology professors from the University of Timisoara will volunteer, providing one-on-one sessions where children can share their experiences and talk about their family life.
Many of these children have endured physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, or have been abandoned and left to survive on the streets. Our hope is that this camp will be a source of healing and hope, helping to mend their wounded hearts.
Older children will keep journals during their stay, documenting their experiences. This practice allows our counselors to work closely with them, fostering healing, self-worth, and the understanding that they are special and loved by God. It also allows us to follow up with any child we believe needs additional counseling and support.
In our last letter, we shared the tragic story of the J family. C, the mother, suffered extreme abuse from her husband, who eventually took his own life. We are pleased to share that some of her children, including her eldest son D, who witnessed the traumatic event, will be attending our camp. We pray that this experience will help David and his siblings begin their healing journey.
Here are Three Ways You Can Help Us
• Summer Camp: Your gift of $40.00 will send a child to Summer Camp for one day. It will cost . . . $280.00 to send a child to Summer Camp for one week.
• Summer Clothes for Children: Your gift of $70.00 will provide t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and bathing suit for a child.
• Essential needs: Your gift of $55.00 will enable us to continue to provide a package of essential items for a child/family containing food, medicine, and hygiene items.
Your gift – large or small, will make a lasting difference in the life of a child this summer.
Changing lives together,
P.S. The Scripture at the top of the this page tells us how much Jesus loved children. And your faithful support each month speaks volumes about your love for them too.
THANK YOU!
