Camp days are the BEST days!
What does it mean to gather together at your VERY FIRST camp? In a place so beautiful it feels like a dream. You have a mattress of your very own on which you sleep, you get the experience of taking a shower, and you have three FULL meals a day. You are served meat for lunch and get to not only drink a soda, but get to choose which flavor you want! You get to play, you get to learn, you get to share your story to someone who listens. You sing, you dance, and you experience a campfire for the very first time.
TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO sponsored Ugandan children attended camp in the summer of 2024. To us, many of the things above are a part of our everyday. But to them, it was lavish…and it was nothing like anything they have ever experienced before.
This was their first camp. But it won’t be their last. We are all filled with SO MUCH JOY. And we are all thankful for the new hope God has given all of us while at camp on the beautiful grounds near Lake Victoria.
A new day is here. They know it, and so do we.
Teaching
Sharing the hope of the gospel was a central component of our time together at camp. From the big picture of God’s Kingdom through practical life details about relationships and health, the kids at camp learned from several gifted teachers and preachers. We met together in large groups, and we also broke out into smaller groups to learn from God’s word and each other. There’s something incredible learning about God in a camp environment!
Fun!
There couldn’t be a more beautiful location to play and dance and do ALL things fun and active than right next to the shores of Lake Victoria! We played games, we made crafts, and we broke out into spontaneous dance parties as the sun was setting over the glistening lake waters. Joy filled the air, as you could hear the love and laughter from every direction.
Worship
Someone has rightly said that the greatest sound in worship is not the voices, but surrendered hearts. And there is nothing more incredible than being in the middle of children worshiping God. In a world where many are unaware of their need, our sponsored kids have a more acute awareness of how much they lack. Camp was full of moments where hands were raised and hearts were surrendered.
Baptisms
SEVENTY souls baptized in Lake Victoria this summer, professing Jesus as their Savior and Lord. SEVENTY lives transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. SEVENTY reasons the angels are rejoicing in heaven…and so are we.
SEVENTY.
Student Leaders
Part of raising up the next generation is giving students the opportunity to lead. From leading worship to leading games, from a student preacher to just some fabulous comic relief–our student leaders showed up in a big way and the whole camp was blessed.
Connections
Our current leadership was intentional at camp about making it CLEAR that we embrace authenticity and truth. We embrace family. And we embrace their story. We wanted to create a safe space where everyone could be honest about the joys and the struggles they were facing. We gave time for conversations and prayer. We have a Savior who knows and sees us in who we really are, and we are passionate about extending that same gift to those around us.
Friends
“I think many of us wander off to find our people, who we are, what we believe, and if anyone believes in us. We’re not looking to go rogue; we’re looking to be heard, validated, and understood…You never know who needs you along their journey and that you probably need them too.” –Natalie Runion
Camp is such a great way to grow in friendship–both old and new! Some of these children had attended school together before Covid, but hadn’t seen each other since then. Oh, what a fun reunion! And everyone had an opportunity to make new friends–around the soccer game, around the dinner table, and around the campfire. Going home with amazing memories of strengthened faith paired with good friendships is exactly how camp should be!
Celebrations
Boy, did we ever celebrate! We celebrated the new Hands of Love, we celebrated birthdays forgotten, we celebrated God, and we celebrated being together! Balloons, cake, and singing with over 200 children is one FANTASTIC party!
Camp 2025
“Can we do it again?” was the number ONE question kids asked as they were loading up the buses to leave. As most had never attended anything like this before, all were more than eager to look forward to next year. And of course, our answer was, “ABSOLUTELY!!” Not only did the children leave on a camp high, but each one of us adults did, too! We can’t wait for next summer! This very first Hands of Love summer camp felt like a slice of heaven, and we’re excited to do it again!
We’ll say it again…this was their first time. But it won’t be their last. Stay tuned for Summer Camp 2025!
