17. Bulgaria: Winter camp in Velingrad

‘Friends of the Bible’ Bulgaria organised a winter camp from 28 Dec 2007 to 1 Jan 2008 in Velingrad. The camp was a New Year’s Eve celebration, and an opportunity to establish friendships and develop a volunteer team for summer camps. Teenagers who had been involved in many SU camps were invited, ensuring that the investment of time and energy was worthwhile. These young people are valuable for our future work. Most of the camp organisation was done using their ideas and help. The young people were very excited to plan the coming event by themselves. They helped distribute responsibilities, choose themes for the evening discussions, plan meals, games etc.

The schedule was deliberately relaxed, allowing time for conversations, building relationships and games. We even watched films which were then discussed. The evening themes were very challenging, including boy-girl relationships, developing gifts and talents, thoughts about the past year and a look at the coming year.

Indoor games were combined with outdoor games such as a mountain hike, sliding with sledges and playing in the woods. The teenagers had a lot of fun with sledges made from tyres, organised competitions and hiking to the mountain top. They also talked together and with their leaders. The experience was very worthwhile, both for the teenagers and the adults. It was very interesting to watch the struggle between responsibility and teenage behaviour in those little adults during this particular period of their growth. We pray that God will show us how to give a true and enduring life direction to these young people.

Our experiences from the camp help us to know what to stress in our work and in our relationships. With this good foundation we eagerly expect these teenagers to grow into mature and responsible adults with healthy Christian morals, who actively participate in Friends of the Bible activities.

Here are two comments about the camp:

· Jesus is an orphan of gypsy origin. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour two years ago and shows growth and persistence in the faith. It is incredible to see how this boy is accepted and appreciated by the other children. They are real friends in the games, praise and worship, and discussion. Jesus says he very much likes to come to the camps and would like to come as often as he can.

· Michi is a child with art skills who is studying in a wood carving art school. He is very quiet, but very active in his art work. Michi lives with his mother and they are very poor. It was amazing how his friends collected money for him to pay his camp fees. He said that in Velingrad he mostly liked the walks, the music and the fellowship with his friends.