In the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia, as throughout Ukraine, the time for winter holidays for children has arrived. Most of them spend their holidays at home. Parents are working, and there is no opportunity to travel anywhere. Entertainment in a city just 45 km from the front lines is very limited and not always financially accessible. That’s why the team at Reimer Center, 80% of whom were students and high school pupils, eagerly chose to sacrifice their rest to organize and run a winter Christian camp for children.
Over five days, the camp welcomed around 50 children aged 6 to 14. These were children living near the Center, children from internally displaced families, and those from low-income backgrounds. But they were united by the desire to be among their peers, to have social interactions, and to spend time in an engaging way. “Will there be games today? Will we sing? Will we listen to a story?” Every morning, the camp started with these questions from a boy named Danylo. Only after receiving a positive answer to all of them would the team begin the day with a prayer. Prayer became an essential part of every program. Living through wartime, even children understand that we can only ask God for protection. On the second day of the camp, when the children were already heading home, Zaporizhzhia once again came under enemy fire. Many people were injured, and some lost their lives. So praying for safety, for the country, and for the end of the war is never in vain.
For these five days, the program was focused on the person of Jesus. The whole world was celebrating His birth, but why not show the children the deeper meaning of this event?! They learned about His life before His ministry began, what He did while living on earth, and what kind of relationships He had with people. Most importantly, they learned what people did to Him and why He allowed it. They also discussed what we can do now as we wait in hope for the day we meet Him and eternity with Him. The children listened to various stories and memorized Bible verses.
Besides the Bible lessons, the children had the chance to play, run, and compete in different games and contests. Their main task throughout the camp was to collect special marks, which they later exchanged for a wonderful gift! This camp brought the children closer to each other and to their leaders. This was especially noticeable in children who had recently joined the club and felt a bit insecure. On the last day, while saying goodbye, they confidently approached their leaders to hug them and assure them they would return next Saturday, just like two brothers, Artur and Artem.
The camp was particularly special for two teenagers: 13-year-old Myroslav and 13-year-old Varvara, who served as camp assistants for the first time. Myroslav eagerly helped with technical matters, while Varvara, who had a talent for caring for younger children, helped organize singing sessions alongside other leaders.
The camp had an impact not only on the children—who heard many biblical truths and witnessed Christian relationships—but also on the team itself. It gradually shaped their worldview and showed them the path Christ offers. The day after the camp ended, the children were invited to the Sunday church service. Fifteen-year-old Kseniia and Varvara dared to organize and lead a lesson for younger children for the first time. They realized they were capable of more than they had thought. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Violeta, who had entered a Christian environment only a year ago, prayed aloud for the first time during the team’s leadership meetings.
For students and pupils, holidays are a time for rest. But when Christians choose to dedicate this time to serving others, God does amazing things—both in children and in young people who decide to devote their time to Him. They are being shaped into leaders, into a future generation of servants who have endured difficult times, lived in the harsh conditions of war, yet remained faithful and worked for the benefit of others.
The camp has ended, and on Monday, the children and team leaders returned to their studies. But the emotions, the time spent together, and the transformations they experienced will leave a lasting mark on their lives.
