Yes, “we loved because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)

On Monday morning, as the buses spilled out their precious cargo of children from the region, our hearts stirred with anticipation as we heard their chatter and observed their initial reserve.

At first glance, they looked like any regular bunch of kids, We then recalled what Henryk had told us, that the children we were funding and hosting for the week on camp, were a mix from single mother shelters, orphanages, the city shelter, some from church groups and most from impoverished homes. We realised that behind each face were untold stories of hardship, suffering, neglect, poverty, even abuse and indeed, that second glance revealed too many were painfully undernourished and underweight.

As a team of 34 from Northern Ireland, the majority of whom had never embarked on a short-term mission trip before we couldn’t help but wonder what the week was to unfold for us. What were the Lord’s plans for us in that place?

No-one could have anticipated the fun, the laughter, the real sharing and connecting (achieved even without a common language), the unconditional love, the sheer joy and the fellowship we were to enjoy with these children (aged 4 to 14/15).

My heart thrilled to watch the children readily accept us. Our team ranged in age between 14 and 64, but regardless of age, inexperience or gender, in response to our love, our smiles and our giving, the barriers dissolved and for that one week, united in the love of Christ, we became a family. A family of 100 children, with all of us as mums and dads, even grannies and granddads, for a time!

What joy beyond compare! What blessings for all! I have come to realise that in God’s economy, there’s no such thing as givers and receivers, only participants. Yes, our lives are surely the richer for having had this opportunity to share in God’s ministry among the children in Radosc (which in Polish means joy!), but we delighted in watching the children be blessed also.

The memories are etched on our hearts and will not be forgotten. God answered our every prayer. He met our every need. He truly enlarged our vision of Him, as His Spirit filled that place. He expanded our hearts to love the children unreservedly and unconditionally. And we trust that the mark we left on the hearts of every child at Camp Radosc this July was something precious and positive. Something of Jesus. Something of His love, His joy, His acceptance, which we freely gave away because He so freely gave to us.

Yes, “we loved because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Our time was brief, just 8 days. However, together with running the camp’s 10 workshops, participating in the worship programme (morning and evening), as well as helping supervise the children at the swimming pool and playground (in the afternoons), we also got to help Henryk with his monthly food drops.

We were privileged to glimpse the homes some of the children at camp came from, meet their parents and distribute the blankets, shoes and baby changing mats we had brought with us.

Part of our team endured the hot sun as they enthusiastically engaged in painting one of the seminary buildings (which accommodates the camp throughout the year) and its seemingly ‘eternal’ boundary fence (the length of which has to be seen to be believed). Eternity alone will reveal the good, the treasures that came of our service in Poland.

Our heartfelt thanks to Henryk, Jim, Dan, Dorota, together with all the Polish leaders and translators, without whom the camp simply couldn’t have happened, never mind functioned. We only wish we had brushed up on our Polish before going! But maybe that’s for next time, please God?!

Team Leader Amanda Cooper - Deaconess

New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, N.I.

Comments from team members as they evaluated their short-term mission experience:

“We knew every day in Poland would be a challenge and a privilege to be able to serve alongside other people from all walks of life, bringing lots of different gifts. It turned out to be a great success and has been an excellent opportunity to show the kids, that there are people out there that do care for them and will not hurt them.”

“After an hour and a half of games (one of ten parallel workshops in the morning) in the sun (around 32°C), and watching the kids laugh, smile and even cheer and clap, it was time for lunch. Over lunch that first day, some of us were reflecting on our morning and how after only a few hours we knew that no matter what we did with the kids, it was making a difference to their lives.”

“I would recommend anyone who gets the opportunity to take part in a mission trip to share the Lord’s message, to grab it with both hands. Yes, it can be challenging, but the reward you get in return certainly makes up for it.” (Nicola Gray)

“I am in the pool with the children who can swim but are afraid to put their faces in the water (afternoons at camp involve taking the children to the pool and park in the city). Eventually I persuade them to dive under the surface and blow bubbles at each other, no fear, not a care, precious moments.”

“Face-painting with the older teenage boys turns into a tranquil time when they ask for ‘tattoos’ on their arms and I concentrate quietly until I paint it exactly the way they want it.”

“During a busy, noisy game, a quiet, shy child returns my smile directly - one of those lovely genuine smiles that reaches their eyes and melts your heart.”

“At the end of a very busy, full on day a child falls asleep on my knee. What is God’s plan for that little chap? I pray he will avail of all the opportunities presented to him. What a privilege to share a week in the lives of these intelligent, active children/orphans.” (Heather Burns)