The team, all members of the Christian Union at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, arrived in Warsaw on Tuesday 30th March and left on Friday 9th April. This was the fifth time in a row that a camp has been hosted by Christian Union members.

The Northern Irish team, led by Stephen Kennedy and Emma Thompson, brought many ideas with them, and held workshops every day. Workshops included sports, cookery, arts and crafts, surprise, dance, music and English. A Bible workshop was organised by the Polish leaders and a jump rope workshop was ran by American missionaries.

The Northern Irish team also helped with morning and evening worship each day of the camp. This included singing, dancing and sharing individual testimonies. The team also had two stories – the Easter Story and the Pencil Case Gospel. The Easter Story detailed the last days of Jesus’ life and was chosen by the team to open the eyes of the children to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

The Pencil Case Gospel was chosen as the children would be able to relate to something they use every day in school. Four items from the pencil case used – the pencil case itself, the pen, a ruler and an eraser. The all related back to major themes in the Gospel.

The Northern Irish group also spoke to the children through the medium of cardboard testimonies. Ten team members went on stage and held up a Polish translation of how the Lord has changed their life.

Furthermore, the Northern Irish team used several familiar dances, including “Tell the World” and “Free”. These dances were taught to the children in the dance workshop all well as during the meetings.

On Sunday night, the penultimate night of camp, a guest speaker was brought to evening worship. He was an American who spoke on John 3:16 and moved many children’s hearts. There was an appeal and many children came forward in what was possibly the most moving part of the camp.

On another positive note, an 18-year-old who lives in the Seminary flats came to know the Lord as his personal saviour. This came about after hearing one of the Northern Irish team members’ testimonies – which led to questions about faith and religion.

The Northern Irish team also helped Henryk and Jim with food drops after the camp had ended. The team split into two groups – some helped with food drops and some went into a Polish school to help students with their English. Dorota works in this particular school, and it is hoped that the team will have been a positive influence on the students they met.

Overall, the camp was a fantastic success and it is hoped that the UUC Christian Union will continue its association with the Easter Camp in the future.

- Emma Thompson