Project summer camps Serbia

Summer and vacation, the two belong together... for most people at least.

However, not all children will actually have somewhere to go, which is why summer camps are being organized in many countries.

Miki & Suzana Kamberovic provide summer camps in Serbia. It's been a few years since we wrote about them (and supported a project). We always receive their newsletters and follow them on Facebook.

Miki and Suzana live with their children in the Roma Center OAZA in Jagodina. They run a Roma church, a kindergarten, and a children's club and they share the good news with these kids. They have hope for the future of this young generation.

Unfortunately, the summer camps were canceled last year. But this year they had a green light. Miki and Suzana organize summer camps for children aged 7-10, and 11-15 years and also a youth camp for those aged 16 and up.

👉The theme for the children's camps is Spiritual Growth (read your Bible, pray every day!). Great to teach children at a young age that they can grow in their faith and that God loves them and has a plan for their lives, despite existing prejudices (about the Roma culture).

The first camp started this week. The children are overjoyed that something is being organized for them.

If you want to help cover the costs for these camps, please send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: SERBIA OAZA.

You can also 💳 Give by card

THANK YOU!

Sponsoring Teen Challenge summercamp, Ukraine

In Ukraine, the annual summer camp will again be organized, and well from June 28 to July 2, by Teen Challenge and the Jewish Messianic congregation in Berdychiv.

The camp is intended for men and women in Teen Challenge drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs anywhere in Ukraine. Volunteers, workers, children, and family members are also very welcome.

The theme for this year's camp is 'renewed strength' (Isaiah 40:28-31). A very timely theme that will certainly be worked out spiritually and practically during this week.

Last year the camp had to be canceled, but this year everyone is thrilled to go to the camp! No need to explain any further that everyone is looking forward to getting together in the open air, dancing, singing, exercising, eating, talking, praying, and being spiritually built up through the workshops and teachings that will be presented. Usually, there are around 150-200 participants!

Unfortunately, we have to skip this year due to all the travel restrictions that apply 😨

What we can do, is support them financially. 👉It costs about 35 euro/40 dollar per person to participate in the camp. Many will have to travel far to get there. If you would like to sponsor someone in Ukraine so that he/she can participate in the camp, you can:

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: SUMMER CAMP.
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA you can make your tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC UKRAINE Summercamp

Looking back at 2019 summer camp Ukraine

Jan is teaching Bible study class

"From strength to strength" (Psalm 84:6-8), that was the theme during the summer camp in Ukraine that is organized annually in the first week of July by Teen Challenge and the Jewish Messianic congregation in Berdychiv.

The camp is meant for students (and their families) who were previously or are currently in Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers or who should go there. They come from all over the country! After years we were happy to see our friend Andrii Soloviov again, who lives near Sevastopol, in Crimea.

Praying with Andrii

Please, pray with us that Andrii will get his health back. He has been operated on a brain tumor and is currently undergoing treatments.

Grace of Giving

For the third consecutive year, Traveling Light was at the camp all week to encourage, teach, counsel, pray with people for deliverance and healing and of course to just have nice conversations and fellowship with each other.

We were able to sponsor the camp again this year with the nice amount of 3,000 euro. A good part of it came from our southern neighbor Belgium 😀 so in that sense it was an international project. Know that you have invested in human lives. THANK YOU!

The Korovai family

The man in the photo on the left came to us to thank us for the Russian edition of Marja's book 'Grace of Giving' which he received 2 years ago. It has totally changed his life and that of his family!

In previous years, we also prayed with couples to be cured from Hepatitis C and other drug-related illnesses that could stand in the way of healthy pregnancies. How nice to hear and see testimonials of answered prayers. Gena and Dinara Korovai received a healthy son! Back in 2013 we wrote about Gena, how God gave him new life! Now he is married and a good father.

Praying together in unity

It is such an enormous encouragement for us to see how God changes human lives! The stories are sometimes too bizarre for words. Twenty years of addiction, being homeless, long prison sentences, no hope of recovery ... and then there is God 💙

TC men's rehab home

It is and always remains great to see and experience how people get hope for the future, hope for their country and hope for their families. We have sung and danced a great deal (especially early in the morning before breakfast!) And we have seen that there is healing, restoration and deliverance in gratitude and joy.

Of course we visited Sergey Romanenko's men's rehab house, where construction for the new kitchen is in full swing, and also a new women's home (!). But more about that in another blog post.

With 4 of our interpreters

Throughout the week we enjoyed the assistance of a wonderful group of interpreters who tirelessly translated all conversations and prayers and words of the Holy Spirit. Without them we would not be able to do that.

On our video channel (which you can subscribe to!) we have published two videos that we would like to share with you. One from a man who was healed from 25 years of back pain (after an accident) and one from the dancing :)

Donations for all our awesome projects are always welcome at St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.

Sponsoring summer camp Teen Challenge Ukraine

Last year during summer camp

As in previous years, we want to sponsor the annual summer camp in Ukraine which is being organized by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation in Berdychiv.

The camp is a special time for men and women who are (or have been) in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, children and family members are welcome.

They are expecting around 230 participants this year.

A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food, prayer and friendship is a very special time for the participants. For many it will be the first time they go on a summer trip like this, especially if they have lived in the streets or been in prison.

Outdoors class room :)

We (Jan and Marja) have been invited again to participate in the camp, to give Bible studies, encourage and minister to people. The camp will be held from July 1-5, 2019 and it costs about 25 euro per person to attend this summer camp.

If you have it on your heart to help, please send 25 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: SUMMER CAMP.

Sponsoring the summer camp is a very direct and practical way to give heed to the Biblical calling to go and make disciples of all nations. We believe people as well as nations can and will change!

Report Teen Challenge summer camp Ukraine

Our great minisry team

Last week we (Jan and Marja) participated in the annual summer camp in Ukraine organized by Teen Challenge and the Jewish Messianic community in Berdychiv.

We had a great time with about 230 men and women from various drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Talking, singing, dancing, praying, exercising, eating together ... you name it.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to our interpreters Darina, Julia, Olga, Sara, Victoria and Zhenya. We could not have done anything without them.

Jan gives a workshop

The camp was held for the 11th time this year, just outside the village of Raygorodok, about 20 minutes drive from Berdychiv. The camp is being organized for people who are currently in Christian drug and alcohol rehabs or have gone through a program or still need to go.

Traveling Light has been sponsoring the camp since 2012. This year, again, we did receive many donations from you for this purpose. Know that you have invested in human lives. THANK YOU!

Bible in hand :)

The theme for this week came from Psalm 118: 17, "I will live and not die!" A beautiful theme, especially if you've been on the verge of death, literally and/or spiritually. We taught several Bible studies based on this theme.

It is such a privilege to teach at the camp, the students are hungry and curious about God's word, they take notes, ask questions, share their stories and actively participate in all assignments!

New life!

In the afternoons and evenings everyone had the opportunity to come to us for counseling. We have had very special sessions in which many received God's love, mercy, forgiveness and healing. We are so grateful for the Holy Spirit, who is the REAL counselor.

It is also an enormous encouragement for us to see how God keeps changing people's lives! The stories are sometimes too bizarre for words. Twenty years of heavy addiction, homelessness, long prison sentences, no hope of recovery ... and then there is God 💙

Some people we remember from last year

We have celebrated throughout the week that there is NEW LIFE in Jesus Christ.

We were able to encourage and inspire so many people, it was wonderful to be given this opportunity. At the end of the week no one wanted to go home.

Oh yeah, we started every morning (before breakfast) with music and dance :) If you watch the video below, try to imagine in which situation these people were a year ago ... Many of them would no longer be alive, were it not that someone told them about Teen Challenge.

That is reason enough to continue the sponsoring of this kind of work.

Gifts are ALWAYS welcome to IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht.

Sponsoring Teen Challenge summer camp, Ukraine

Morning ritual :)

As in previous years, we want to sponsor the annual summer camp in Ukraine which is being organized by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation in Berdychiv.

The camp is a special time for men and women who are (or have been) in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, leaders, pastors, church members, children and family members are welcome.

They are expecting around 200 participants this year.

A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food, prayer and friendship is a very special time for the participants. For many it will be the first time they go on a summer trip like this, especially if they have lived in the streets or been in prison.

Jan teaches Biblestudy

Last year we (Jan and Marja) participated in the camp, from peeling potatoes to giving Bible studies to praying for and with people.

We had a fantastic time. This year we have been invited again to come and share some Bible studies. The camp will be held from July 9-13, 2018 and it costs about 25 euro per person to attend this summer camp.

Many people do not have the financial means to pay for this camp. So, we promised to help again.  We know and have seen and experienced that this week can be life changing for many people!

If you have it on your heart to help, please send 25 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: SUMMER CAMP.

Enthusiastic students

Sponsoring the summer camp is a very direct and practical way to give heed to the Biblical calling:

Go and make disciples of all nations...

________________________________________

Current projects:

Project Teen Challenge women's home Slievana, Lithuania

Project sponsoring summer camp, Ukraine

Report summer camp Ukraine

Our fabulous and pretty interpreters

We promised to write a short report of our visit to Ukraine earlier this month. We were invited to participate in the annual summer camp organized by Teen Challenge and the Jewish Messianic Congregation Yahad from Berdychiv.

About 250 men and women from various rehab centers were present, a number of foreign guests (including us) and five special ladies: our interpreters.

Lunch time

The camp was held just outside the village of Raygorodok (Zhytomyr region), about 20 minutes drive from Berdychiv. We've had such a great time together, actually it's not possible to describe it, it would be worth a television documentary.

The camp is organized specifically for men and women who are currently in rehab centers, recently finished a program or should be entering a program soon.  They are all so hungry for God's truth, love and mercy.

Enthusiastic students

Every morning we started with peeling potatoes and cutting cabbage, after which there was a time of music and dance and then breakfast. Every morning the guests could choose which teaching/workshop they wanted to attend. We had the opportunity to teach on the following themes during the week: God's will and His plan for your life, relationship with the Holy Spirit, and new life, old habits. We received a lot of grateful and enthusiastic responses to our simple, practical teachings

Ministry time

In the afternoon there was time for sports, playing and creativity. In the evening there was always a variety of programs, but for sure a lot of music and dancing. Throughout the day, until late in the evenings we had the opportunity to pray with people, listen to their stories and questions and minister God's love.

In prayer, we received many words of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy from the Holy Spirit, which was absolutely great! If you see how it encourages and builds up people, you just know: this is what God's  Spirit wants to do through people!

Greetings from the women's home

Our friend Sergey Romanenko took us to see the women's home, which was purchased in 2014 with help of Traveling Light.

We also got a tour of the men's home, where they are currently building an addition (also thanks to your gifts).

We visited a small Jewish museum and the Carmelite Monastery in Berdychiv.

Handing out Russian editions of 'Grace of Giving'

Our friends Henk & Adrie Swijnenburg were also in Ukraine during this time to visit some friends. They drove their car and brought a big box of books (Russian edition of Marja's book Grace of Giving) to the camp.

We were able to give away many books. In the meantime, we have received several thankful messages through FB and email from people we prayed with or who are reading the book.

Celebrating rebirth

The gratitude we experienced throughout the week was truly overwhelming. It is fruit of the investments we all make. Without your gifts and prayers, Traveling Light could not exist.

The man next to Marja (see picture on the left) responded to Jan's invitation to give his life to Jesus. With that decision he turned away from a life of addiction, homelessness, crime and hopelessness. If the whole trip had been for him alone, it was very much worth it!

Dear friends, we are so very happy to share GOOD news from Ukraine. Changed lives, a growing church, people who  have hope for their country. Our encouragement and prayers are vital!

[Click on the pictures to enlarge]

Gifts are ALWAYS welcome to IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht.

PS:

- The thermometer for project expansion women's home Belarus  has risen to 5,000 euro!

- The next project will be for Teen Challenge in Croatia

- In addition, we will soon post about a trip Brian Slater from Israel is planning.

Activities and project news

Photo: Oles Sh

We have just returned from Ukraine after a very special week. About 250 men and women from various rehabilitation centers were present at the annual summer camp organized by Teen Challenge and the Jewish Messianic Congregation in Berdychiv.

Traveling Light has been able to sponsor the whole event with a wonderful donation of 3,000 euro. We will write a bit more about our experiences in the next blog post. We had the opportunity to teach on a few topics. In addition, we prayed with many, many people and shared words of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy. It was amazing! Thank you for your prayers and donations.

Hard working volunteers

The month of June was pretty quiet in our second hand shop Twinkeltje but very valuable because of all the meaningful conversations we had. On the last day of the month some of our faithful volunteers catered at an anniversary party and we received a generous donation for their work.

So, we were able to donate 1,000 euro for the work of Radko & Nevin Kratsov among the Roma in Bulgaria. The shop is closed for the month of July due to vacations.

Bible study during work week

From August 28 to September 4 we will again organize a work week in Tuscany. There is still room for up to 2 people maximum. Please contact us if you want to join.

You can view our agenda for the 2nd half of 2017 HERE and if you have some time on your hands, please take a look at our renewed website and share all that positive news with someone else. The support of all these practical, small scale projects is only possible because of you.

HAPPY SUMMER!

PS: Gifts are always welcome. You can send your gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.

Sponsoring summer camp Teen Challenge, Ukraine

As we announced earlier, the next project we want to ask your attention for is the sponsoring of the summer camp in Ukraine which is being organized each year by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation of Pastor Sergey Romanenko. They are expecting more than two hundred participants in Berdychiv this year.

And hooray, this year we (Jan and Marja) will go to the Ukraine and participate in the summer camp.

The camp will be organized for men and women who are (or have been) in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, leaders, pastors, church members, children and family members are welcome. A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food and friendship.

The camp will be held from July 3-7, 2017 and it costs about 25 euro per person to participate. Many people do not have the financial means to pay for this camp. Due to the war and financial crisis monthly income has dropped below 200 euro. Go figure...

If we want to help again? Yes! Of course we will help. Making people happy by enabling them to go to the camp is something we love to do. We trust you will come alongside and sponsor a brother or sister in Ukraine.

If you have it on your heart to help, please send 25 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: SUMMER CAMP UKRAINE.

Sponsoring the summer camp is a very direct and practical way to support believers in Ukraine from where you are!

Photo's: Victoria Moore

Other current projects:

Project Tagalog Bibles

Project Bibles and cows, Eurasia

News + prayer points

Unfortunately there is a daily abundance of bad news from many countries. We like to share GOOD news of the nations in Europe. Negative news is easy to find, good news we need to purposely search for. Psalm 72:19 says, "Let the earth be filled with His presence Yes, let it be so."

Last week we were guests at the annual Roma conference in Macedonia. Spiritual leaders of Roma communities in different countries (Bulgaria and Serbia for example) were gathered for a time of reflection, fellowship and education. For us it is a unique opportunity to learn more about the Roma culture and the specific issues that arise when they become believers.

Miki & Suzanna

Pastor Radko and Nevin Kratsov shared practical lessons about leadership and marriage. Miki & Suzanna Kamberovic blessed us again with passionate music. This time we stayed at beautiful Ohrid lake in the south of Macedonia, a wonderful relaxed place for good conversations.

It is a huge encouragement for us to see and hear how God works among the Roma people.

God sets people free!

Two weeks ago, it was also time for the annual čuvar brata svoga conference (My Brother's Keeper), this time in Slovenia. We were there for the sixth time in a row on behalf of Traveling Light.

More than 420 men from several Balkan countries (all former Yugoslavia) came together for fellowship, teaching, prayer, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Amazing to see and experience what happens there! Perhaps such things will not appear in the newspapers, but we are convinced that these are major happenings with a huge spiritual impact on the nations.

Teen Challenge Slovenia

After the conference Jan and Jim visited the Teen Challenge rehabilitation center in Nova Vas. The center is always full, and they are currently looking for a larger location.

On September 28, Nick Vujicic will be coming to Slovenia for a major campaign against bullying. The Ministry of Education has given permission to broadcast the event LIVE in all schools! The event will be live on national TV. That is awesome, because Nick brings a clear biblical message.

Pastor Steve Telzerow from Ljubljana pointed out that they started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money needed to organize everything. Make sure to watch this touching video. Investing in the future of Europe from a gospel perspective. Who would not want that? Seeing all those changed lives is the greatest encouragement.

Summer camp Berdychiv

Furthermore, we were able to donate a nice amount of 2,000 euro for the summer camp in Ukraine which will start next week. Thank you for your generous gifts.

And in our own town...
Teus Donk raised more than 800 euro for the benefit of the second hand store we will open after the summer. With his gift we will be able to show shoppers hospitality by serving free coffee, tea and cookies.

Happy summer everyone!

Project sponsoring summer camp Teen Challenge Ukraine

Fun for young and old

Thank you for your generosity, we were able to donate 4,000 euro for project repair Casa Nuova in Italy. We will go there late August with a group for a workweek. Currently we are fundraising for project coffeehouse Teen Challenge Tirana, Albania. Jan is visiting at the moment, so more news as soon as he gets back.

This week we also want to ask your attention for the summer camp in Ukraine that is being organized each year by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation of Pastor Sergey Romanenko. They expect around two hundred participants in Berdychiv.

The camp will be organized for men and women who are in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, leaders, pastors, church members, children and family members are very much welcome. A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food and just plain fun... too much to mention.

We might sometimes forget, but Ukraine is still a country at war. Besides that they are in a severe economic crisis and for many people this midweek will be the only chance for some kind of a vacation.

The camp will be held from July 4-8 and it costs about 20 euro per person to participate. Financial difficulties will stop people from signing up, but for 20 euro you will make it possible for one person to go to this summer camp in Berdychiv. That's awesome, isn't it?

So, if you have it on your heart to help, please send 20 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U stating Summer camp UKRAINE.

As far as we are concerned: shared joy is double joy :)

Project summer activities Saraj, Macedonia

Great group of brothers & sisters

A few weeks ago we (Cora Donk and Marja Verschoor-Meijers) were in Skopje, Macedonia to attend a conference on ministry among Roma people. There were Roma people present from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

Summer camp last year

It was of course a great honor for Traveling Light to be invited for this event. The teaching and preaching of pastor Radko Kratsov was very useful and inspiring. it turns out that many Roma's are coming to faith in Jesus Christ in these nations and churches and home groups are being established everywhere. The problem is that quite often they do not know this is happening on such a scale and they often feel isolated and alone. 

For that reason it is great to come together regularly for fellowship, exchanging news, praying for each other, making new friends and building a network.  

Games during the picnic

The conference was being organized by our dear friends Sokrat & Lena Apostolovski from Skopje. They have been working among the Roma children for years and years and they are the pastors of the Saraj Church in that area. 

During this summer vacation they are organizing several events, such as a 3-day summer camp for the children, a grand picnic for the children and their parents and a project called 'I want to know how to read and write'.

Very proud of their work!

It is fantastic to see how more and more children, as a result of the work of Sokrat & Lena, are deciding to go to school. Children that also realize that God loves them and wants to reach Roma society through them with a message of hope for the future.

If you want to support and bless the work of Sokrat & Lena among the Roma children, please send a gift so they can continue to organize summer activities such as these.

Make your gift payable to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275, BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: ROMA CHILDREN.

Sokrat & Lena are always looking for volunteers. So, if you are seriously looking for mission work in Macedonia, please email us for details. Together we can let our light shine in all corners of Europe and the Mediterranean area. THANK YOU!