Witnessing God’s beauty

Water, sky, sand, rain, sunshine and children – all represent God’s beautiful creation! We are half way done with the camp at the Gulf of Finland. An amazing example of God’s beauty as we witness the outcasts in society embraced by God through His people.

Ten full days of reconciliation in the midst of God’s creation! In its fourth year of partnership, SunErgos has been working with Perspektiva, a Russian based non-profit, to empower the physically and mentally challenged youth of Saint Petersburg.

“We live in tents for 10 days, cook on a bonfire, wash in the sea, play games, and give hugs and smiles. Hard? Yes! But so rewarding!” said one of the volunteers of the camp.

This year, SunErgos brought in seven teens from the Transit Center to participate in the camp. Putting together disabled youth with orphans and street kids. An amazing project that we hope to continue year after year.

One of the Transit Center teens, Lola, already expressed her amazement of seeing so many physically challenged teens. “I don’t know how to react!? When I see them –  do I cry, laugh or feel sorry for them?” she says with a sad smile. “They can’t do anything on their own, yet they laugh and carry on.”  After a week at camp, she became very comfortable around the other teens. “Sometimes I feel that holding their hand is the best thing I can do for them. I just sit next to them and smile.”

It has been wonderful to see Lola blossom at the camp and offer to help the cook in making meals for over 30 participants of the camp!  She is just one example how this camp is teaching the kids of the Transit Center that their life is not so horrible, as they like to dwell on too often. After spending a week with teens that can’t walk, go to the bathroom, eat, or do any other daily task – each one is reevaluating what they have and that things are not that bad after all.

As you have seen in the previous posts, Amanda Collins, our Intern in Russia, is participating in this camp. Here is what she says:
“I was apprehensive in going for 10 days to live in tents and work with the disabled youth. However, after 5 days I have fallen in love with the teens here. Knowing that I can provide for the two that I am working with on a daily basis helps me see why I am here. God’s beauty is everywhere: the sea, the forest and the kids/teens around me. Please continue to pray for the camp and that God would use me for His glory. For health and for lots of sunshine!”

Watch the video from previous camps here.