July, 2004

“Summer is my favorite time of the year”, — everybody will say. And it is true. We all love summer for its wonderful weather, tasty fruits, gentle sun and soft sea. Even if it’s raining, the sun comes out very soon and makes us happy again. Summer is the season when all IP teams organize camps on the seaside of the Crimea, in the Carpathian or on the Dniper River. It helps to build up the relationship between people in the church, to get to know new people, to have a good rest and enjoy the splendid beauty that God has created for us. Jesus is always the center, the leader and the Head of those camps. He is the One that helps, supports and keeps us safe.

I remember this last night at the fire that we were singing songs of praise to the Lord, praying, talking, then just singing camp songs and enjoying being together. It was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me since last year. There’s nothing in the world that could compare with the silence of the summer night, beauty of the moon and exciting but a little bit sad mystery of the dawn. It is great but at the same time sad because we are to step out of this gentle, soft and safe darkness of the night and start a new day – the last one of the camp. I could see tears in people’s eyes and feel hope in their hearts that we’re going to come back here next year. And next year again – to worship the Lord together for His unique love and irresistible beauty.