 |
|
|
- to increase in each woman a new desire to know God;
- to remind her that she is unique and special to God and in her everyday life;
- to open her eyes to the surrounding world and to help her see that other people need her help;
- to encourage women to take a more active part in social, church and mission activities;
- to help her to renew and refresh her family life, to be a real helper to her hus-band;
- to
lead her to understanding of the importance of learning and sharing her
knowledge with others, - to be creative in all aspects of her life.
Each woman is a treasure in God's eyes. He needs each one of us to use
our gifts and to be His tool in doing His work in this fallen world. We
should bring love, forgiveness, unity, hope, light and joy to the
places of ha-tred, sorrow and darkness.
The camps produced results beyond expec-tation. Women experienced God's
presence as never before in their everyday lives. They spent their time
in prayer, Bible stud-ies, discussions, and open talks (sometimes long
after midnight). Many women prayed for the first time in their lives
and accepted Jesus there.
|
|
|
|
After the camps many women shared their thoughts and impressions. Here are some of them:
"I attended the camp for the first time in my life… I was impressed how
well every-thing was organized – Bible studies, sports, different
contests, handcrafts, cooking and a lot of other things. I learned much
more than during years and years of my routine life. I made many new
friends with whom I enjoyed unity in prayer. The time spent in the camp
will support me for a long time"
Polina, Camp "Favor", Zacarpathye region
"I felt as if I really was in another land, I experienced special love
and care, which I had never seen in my everyday life. I used to have
sleeping problems before. I even had thought my life was coming to its
end. But in the camp I could sleep like a baby, I found a desire to
live."
Tonya, Camp "The Land of Love", Zaporizha region
"Only here I understood that people around me need my help, that I, as
a woman, can have an active part in society. I need just to open my
eyes and help people. Until now I had been busy only with my own family
and I thought that was the only place where I could do something
useful. But during the camp I understood that I can do more. I thank
God and those who had organized the camp for that."
Galina, Camp "Hope", Donetsk region
"I am very grateful for the excellent time. It was a wonderful rest and
time of great learning. I live in a village, so I don't have much time
to read and learn. But in the camp I learned so much through lectures,
discussions and just talking. I needed that for my life so much."
Svitlana, Camp "The Shore of Hope", Kirovograd region
"For the first time in my 55 years of age I had an opportunity to rest.
I could never afford it. I have four children and a disabled husband.
So this camp was like a pre-sent for me. While I am writing these words
I feel a lump in my throat – I can't be-lieve it is happening to me.
Oh, Lord! How good You are for us!"
Miroslava, Camp "Ruth", Odessa region
"It was a great program. We are thankful for the lectures of the
women's doctor, who gave us, young women, so much information, we could
never find anywhere. She answered many of my questions. I would like to
come to the camp again."
Snizhana, Camp "A Flower on a Rock", Khmelnitskiy region
"It was my second camp. I like that it is only for women, it helps me
feel free and comfortable. My faith was strengthened, as if God Himself
was teaching me. Now I am better prepared for any difficulties in my
life."
Helen, Camp "Ruth", Odessa region
"I am so grateful for the Christian camp. My life will be different
from now on. I am grateful to my new sisters, who supported me, helped
to study the Bible and led me to Christ. I am coming home with the Lord
in my heart!"
Nila, Evangelical Camp in Volyn region
It is impossible to tell about all the blessings that the Lord poured
on women in those camps. Each camp is different and unique, its themes
and goals can be differ-ent. But the Lord is the same everywhere, He
does not change. He continues to help us, to give His salvation to
people. Each year He touches the hearts of women through teaching and
preaching, through close fellowship with other sisters in His presence.
Only He can create such a loving atmosphere of mutual help, compassion
and joy. The camps teach us to live closer to God, closer to people, to
preserve unity in churches, communities and families. We need all these
qualities to fulfill our main goal – to proclaim the name of God to
people and to carry the Gospel of Salvation into the fallen world.
We are very grateful to our Lord for the freedom we have in our
country, for His spiritual and material blessings. And our hearts can
only repeat the words of the psalmist: “O God, our Lord! How glorious is Thy name in all the earth!” (Ps. 8:9)
Svetlana Svishchova,
President of the Women's Department of the Ukrainian Baptist Union
|
|
