Since I was a teenager I took part in many camps as a group leader and a translator. Most of them were organized by the Christian Joy Foundation. I loved being with the kids and every single hug and smile made all the effort worthwhile! I got to know many kids very well and every time we met was very special both for me and for them. I was happy to see them grow but especially happy to see how they grow in their faith after they dedicated their lives to God.

However, after graduating from my studies, getting married and moving to Northern Ireland to start a new life there with my husband, work and be involved in our church, I didn’t have such opportunities any more. But this winter another opportunity arose. A couple years have passed and there I was at a camp again, together with my ‘simply the best’ husband Lucas and of course my parents- Henryk and Grazyna. It was a whole new experience.

The children were great as always! So eager to take part in all the activities and so loving – they would hold your hand while you were going for a walk in Wisla, sit on your lap during the fellowships, and play with you in the free time. They craved to be special for someone at last. In the orphanages or in the difficult family backgrounds they come from, they don’t get this kind of attention, these one-on-one chats, this knowing that they are important for someone. Most of the time they feel they are only a part of a group or a nuisance. And finally they had Polish and Northern Irish leaders with whom they could be themselves, play, talk and enjoy the simple joys of life.

The workshops were very varied and interesting – Dancing, Crafts, First Aid, Bible, Surprise – just to name a few of them. During the morning and evening fellowships a Polish team led us in worshipping our Lord in songs and prayers and there was always an interesting program prepared by the Northern Irish team lead by Colin Tinsley. The Bible teaching was presented in a very attractive way, geared toward the age groups of the children, always with a challenge. The children were invited to the stage to be the actors and in this way for example in the Christmas story they played the roles of Mary and Joseph, the donkey, the wise men or the shepherds. Thanks to this, the stories about Adam and Eve, Ruth, Esther and Jesus had this real-life meaning and children could identify with them and understand how to apply their message in their lives.

All in all, it was great to be a part of such a camp again! I am glad that the ministry of reaching out toward these kids is growing. All glory be to God!

Kamila Nowicka