Camp Hope

When you jump into the adoption world, it's amazing the people you meet ... I describe it as a big small world.  BIG because my world is now much bigger than it was.  I'm currently in a country who's name I'm sure I never uttered before December of last year.  BIG because as we connect with others who are adopting here in Latvia and all over the world our eyes have been opened to the orphan crisis world wide.  SMALL because it's rare that we meet someone who doesn't know someone we know.  SMALL because we are just one family, bringing one child into our family, home and lives forever.  BIG because we will be forever changed because of it.

While I have a love - hate relationship with facebook, I've been thankful for it while here in Latvia as we've made some meaningful connections.  One of those connections was with a group of people from the US who have spent time with Irena here in Latvia, running a camp, at her orphanage!  How cool is that!  What's also exciting is that when we had our first court hearing with Irena's orphanage director, he stated that summer camp was a very significant time for Irena.  Because our conversation was facilitated by a translator, we didn't get too many details other than the fact that after two summers of camp he could really see a difference in Irena .. that she was much happier than when he first met her in 2010.

So, as we've connected with the dear ones who were part of this camp, I've asked them to share with me more about the camp.  This is what they shared...

 Camp Hope started because an orphan from Latvia who came to our area in Pottstown, PA. (Near Philadelphia) He became a Christian and when he did he shared that now he finally knew the love of a Father. He then felt like he had to share that knowledge with other orphans in Latvia that they have a Father who loves them. So in 2010, Camp Hope began. Likumi and 3 other orphanages were part of that first year. This year we had about the same number of kids maybe a few more but 6 orphanages were represented. This was also the first year that we did a second camp at Likumi because the director asked us to. He had seen such a change in the orphans that had come from his orphanage that he wanted them all to have that kind of experience. We work with a church in Riga that follows up with the orphanages during the year. The members there are starting to play a bigger role now as far as the camp goes. If you or anyone that you know of that would be interested in being a part of the team to go over and do this work that would be great!

Perhaps like you, I've done 'service projects' like this, VBS, camp counseling, etc.  Now as the new parent of a former orphan who had the privilege to be part of this ministry, I am so grateful for these ministries.  As I have opportunity in the future for such ministry, I will see these children differently.  Each one so significant, each week so significant in the life of each child, each act of love and kindness so meaningful and life changing.

Irena was delighted to share with us her video from Camp Hope from this summer.  It's long, but a blessing to see these dear ones.  She appears a few times, see if you can find her.

Click here to view Camp Hope video