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In July, 2009, a group of 16 went from Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Fair Oaks, CA to Bratel, Romania, a Christian Camp. They ran the camp for 60 teenagers. They also went into a village and put on a Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS)for about 45 children. Below are some of the responses from the participants.
"Being in this camp for me was like an oasis after an entire year of being in a bad environment in my school with nonchristian classmates. It was a time of joy and a time of learning many things about God and the fruits of His Spirit." Andrea
"For me, the camp of last year and this camp have been the best time from my life because I have never seen the fun that we can have as Christians and the games that we can play. I always thought that Christianity is boring and is for the old people, but those camps totally changed my view. " Raluca
"My mom and dad are separated and our life is a living hell. This camp has been the best time from my life. It was the only time when I experienced happiness for a week! Thank you and may God bless you!" Anonymous
" I want to say that all the time spent with you was something, I can not describe in words, but will remain forever in my heart. Next year I want to see you again with this team. You will always remain for me a family. I love you all! God bless you. Keep close to Him to strengthen you in your work. See you next year." Luci
Below are some comments from team members.
" I am eternally grateful for this opportunity that was placed in my hands. My team members are amazing people, and the kids I had the pleasure of meeting will always remain in my heart." Dana
" The little ones (at the DVBS) were so precious, and it warmed our hearts to see them absorb God's word and have such a good time." Charlotte
" What a wonderful experience! The Romanian kids are so warm and loving. They anxiously await our arrival with open arms and hearts. They have so little based on our materialistic scale, yet they are so rich in love and life." Melissa
At the end of July and the beginning of August , 2009, Arcade Church in Sacramento, CA sent a short-term mission team to Romania. They had three areas of ministry; a conference for pastors and their wives, a construction team, and a dental-medical team that went into villages. Below are some responses about their ministry.
" This was the only pastoral conference when I felt realy free to confess all of my troubles before the Lord and my brothers, sitting on the mercy seat and talking with the Lord about my need for an inner revival and about my deep thirst for His power! I am praising the Lord for a graceful opportunity and I am also very thankful to the church that made all this possible for us." Pastor David Pinte
"In the beginning, I didn't understand clearly the concept of a prayer encounter and I was skeptical thinking if this conference will be attractive at all for any of us, but while Pastor Dann was speaking, I felt something great. Someone else came in the same room with us and He was so close that I could almost touch Him. I had this special experience several times before in my devotional time with the Lord, but never in a group. From that moment we forgot about time, about worries and we just delighted in the presence of our blessed Redeemer! That is why I consider this conference to be the best I ever attended in my life." Pastor Marius Lucan, ECP Area Director in Romania
" I spent a wonderful time with my wife Venera at the pastoral conference at Geoagiu Bai. The time that we spent with Pastor Dann Bryant was the most encouraging time that I have ever experienced in my life. We stayed in the refreshing presence of the Lord for three days and it was awesome! I am praying for the opportunity to have a conference like that again." Pastor Dede Bertalan
Pastor Marius reported that a lady who was ministereed to by the medical team said that it was the first time she had seen the face of real Christianity. Another lady in a village had four teeth pulled. She said, "God bless those 'repenters' who came into our village to help us for free." A dentist from a nearby city had quoted her a price of $140, but she did not have the money to get her teeth pulled.
Another team from Arcade Church went to Ukraine in June, 2009, for a DVBS time in a village and a raft trip down a river. Board members Al and Georgine Yeatts and Peter and Irina Tkachuk joined a team of Ukrainian young people for this ministry. They had a similar trip in the summer of 2008, and the following reports are of that trip. These are the stories of three young men changed by God.
Sasha was a 15 year old boy who did not want anything to do with spiritual things. His father tried to get him to go to church and other Christian activities, but he was not interested and refused to go. Last summer, his father invited him to go on one of the evangelistic raft trips conducted by the Ukrainian team called the "Pilgrim Team." On this trip Sasha became a different person. He saw his need for Christ and made a decision to become a Christian. After returning home, he attended the weekly Bible study with the Pilgrim Team and showed the potential of becoming a leader. This summer, 2009, he worked with the team as an assistant leader. His faither says at home he is much more cooperative and is a good role model for his younger brother.
Ivan, a 17 year old boy had been in Irina Tkachuck's Sunday School class when he was in the first through the sixth grades. His mother had become a Christian and wanted him to go to church, but he did not always go. As a teen, he became more resistant and refused to attend church or Sunday School. He was invited to come on a raft trip in 2008, and there he made a decision to become a Christian. This past year, he attended one of the weekly Bible Studies. This summer he helped with the children's camp as a helper. Every morning during camp, he was the first one up, reading his Bible and praying.
Victor, a 17 year old boy, was raised in a Christian home. His parents have been part of the Pilgirm Team for a number of years. Victor was made to assist in their summer ministry. His attitude was not good even though he was a wonderful interpreter for the Americans. He helped in many ways, but became more rebellious, and finally in the last few years, he refused to help. After participating last year on a raft trip, his attitude changed completely and he became a helper to Dr. Shasa, one of the Bible Study teachers. When the American part of the team arrived this summer, 2009, he greeted them all very warmly and stated that he was so glad they were there and he was looking forward to working with them. Victor was put in charge of the sports module for the DVBS.
