Linga-Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Church of the Nazarene in east Jerusalem hosted a summer day camp for children last week, July 12-16 , 2010.
Over 63 children and youth came through the camp last week.   The vast majority of them weren't from evangelical backgrounds.
Each day averaged 50 or more (40 + children and an additional 10 teenagers (young youth)).

Volunteers from CEF (Children's Evangelism Fellowship), three youth from the Nazareth church of the Nazarene and a team of college students from Point Loma Nazarene University
in America worked together along with leaders in Jerusalem to make the camp a success.   The theme of the camp tied into the World Cup and was "The Winning Team" along with the CEF theme this year of  "One Way."

Each day the children sang songs in Arabic and English, learned bible verses, and heard stories of salvation and the Good News of Jesus as well as enjoyed fun puppet shows and skits.  After the spiritual hour, they enjoyed light snacks and broke into small groups for games, crafts and drama.   In addition to the children's program there was a special time for teenagers who had younger brothers and sisters in the camp.    These teens (young youth) had their own separate time to play games, sing songs,and hear stories about God. They then helped with the camp.   For some of these children and youth it was likely their first time in an evangelical church.

On the last day, Friday, July 16, there was a special program in the evening for the children and their parents.    The children sang songs they had learned, quoted memory verses and performed  live skits (drama).  Some also shared their talents such as singing, dancing and playing instruments.  Approximately fifty children and over twenty parents and extended family attended the evening program.  After the program, the families and children enjoyed snacks, games and prizes together.

"We really felt God's blessing on the entire camp.  Considering all the activities in Jerusalem at this time, we were very pleased at the turnout (number of children who came)",  says Philip Rodebush one of the ministers at the Church of the Nazarene.  "It was so awesome to see the dedication of the CEF team, the Nazareth youth, the American volunteers and those from Jerusalem working together to make the camp a success.  It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ working together to achieve a better result than we could have done by ourselves.  Now we are praying that God will help us as we try to follow up on some of these children and families".