Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
Beslan
Summer Camp
This past summer, Open Heavens Ministry funded the third annual summer camp in Beslan, North Ossetia. Initially we had 30 children who registered for the camp, but when the team of 11 camp counselors arrived in Beslan, there were 43 children waiting to attend the camp. After much prayer the team decided to accept the extra 13 children, although it meant the cost of the camp would increase as well as work the camp leaders had committed to. Thankfully, the Lord provided financially and gave the leaders the strength they needed to care for all the children. The camp program consisted of Biblically-based fellowship, games, sports, and crafts. The children were very drawn to the times of fellowship, posing very perplexing questions about the Christian faith. One child in particular, who is a Muslim (as are many of the children who attend), was very distant at first, not participating in any of the faith-based activities, however, towards the end of the camp she was singing Christian songs and asking questions about Jesus Christ. This is what brings us back to Beslan year after year. It is evident that the Lord is working in the children as many of them have come to faith.
The summer camps were started to teach the children, who were part of the school hostage attack in Beslan on September 1, 2004, which left 344 dead and 728 injured, about Jesus Christ. The camps have been very successful and many children have described the highlight of their year to be the camp. The ministry plans to expand the camp to include all children in Beslan, not just those who were in the school hostage attack. To support the camps, Pastor Vladimir Minyakov gathers a group of missionaries from all over the world to act as leaders. As funds become available, Open Heavens is looking to launch an additional summer camp as well as a winter camp. Please pray for us to be able to do this, and if God puts it on your heart, please donate to the ministry to help us reach our goal. We thank you for your prayers and financial support.
