We couldn’t wait for the children to sign up. We couldn’t wait for the camps to begin. Waiting, it turned out, was the lesson.

Patience Was the Test

Hebrews 10:36 says we need patience to do God’s will, and Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run the race set before us with patience. This summer in Bulgaria, both verses met us where we stood.

Being patient is hard. For our team, and for the children we met, patience was tested again and again. We waited for sign-ups and for camps to start. Running the “Hope for the Children of Bulgaria” project needed patience too — in the games, in the lessons, with the Bible verses, with the crafts, and simply to give their full attention.

We are not complaining. Patience is a character trait that has to be built, and building takes effort. But don’t we all lack so much of it? In those moments of waiting, it was hard to see that this was precious time — time we could have spent praying more and relying more on God’s plan.

Mercy and Love in Action

The Lord showed us His mercy and love again and again. Three camps, two holiday Bible weeks and a youth gathering. Over 160 children and teenagers. That was the fruit of a whole summer of hard work.

What the Children and Volunteers Said

One volunteer told us: “These were probably the most meaningful two weeks in my short 46 years of life. I experienced complete immersion, in which you forget everything and everyone and focus on what you are doing. I could see the enormous potential embedded from the Creator into each camper, and the need of acceptance and love that children and adolescents show.”

Another volunteer said: “It was an incredible week. I am impressed by the flexibility, experience and dedication with which you serve the children.”

A girl said: “I liked that at the camp we were all like one family. There was no division between Roma and Bulgarians.”

A boy told us: “This camp was my greatest gift so far! I really liked the quiet time when we read from the Bible.”

Another boy said: “I liked that the day began and ended with spiritual things. God is the most important. I invited a friend of mine, and I prayed for him. He said that at first it was strange for him, but the camp exceeded his expectations. He really liked the lessons.”

One camper put it simply: “We were all very united at camp. For God, there are no differences between us campers.”

A teenage girl, in her last year as a camper, said: “I had only missed one year, because that year the camp was booked out. I’m blessed that both my mother and I accepted Jesus as our Saviour at these camps.”

Patience Builds More Than We Can See

We are blessed by this past summer too. There were worries, uncertainties, tension and long journeys. Still we tell ourselves: all of this had to happen exactly like this, so that we could see God’s power, care and love in action again.

They say that the foundation of all wisdom is patience. The Bible says that a patient person is prudent.

Keep Praying With Us

We wish you the courage to ask God for great things, and the patience to wait for His answer.

-Testimony from a worker in CEF of Bulgaria (Yordanka )