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One of the hardest thing for me about being home is how much I miss the girls I worked with. The girls I worked with were a group of nine and ten year-olds that, other than my team, were the biggest encouragement to me and always had a way of keeping my spirits up. They were a group of sweet girls that were always coming up to me with big hugs and smiles. Several of them tried hard to teach me Russian but it mostly turned in to many rounds of “repeat after me” and I’m still left with knowing very little Russian.

It was so amazing to watch this group of girls grow over the two weeks I was with them. The first evening fellowship the Russian group leaders asked me to tell the girls my testimony, which was kind of nerve wrecking since this was the first time that I had formally given my testimony. But the girls were eager to hear more and ask so many questions about me and my family which I was happy to share. I wish I could have gotten to know them more and their stories, which was difficult because of the language barrier. But I was so amazed at how engaged the girls were to everything that was going on whether it was a Bible story, music, games or our time of sharing.

About midway through the camp I asked the Russian group leaders if I could talk to the girls during the evening fellowship with the group. One of the challenges I faced because of the language barrier was that I was left wondering if the girls were understanding what they were being taught through the Bible Lessons and the Skits. Having been a Sunday School teacher in the Children’s Ministry at CV First, there were many times that I felt like I could have done more, specifically in the role as a teacher. But that wasn’t where God wanted me, which turned out to be a humbling experience for me. As I sat with my girls wondering where their faith lie, I asked them questions like “what has been your favorite part of the camp,” “what has been your favorite Bible Lesson,” and ”what do you like most and what do you like least about the camp.” The answers I got astounded me. I got answers like “My favorite part of this camp is that we can talk about Jesus here and learn about him.” “It’s hard for me to pick a favorite because this is the first camp I’ve been to where we can talk and learn about Jesus…I really like it here.” ” I really like it here, we can talk about Jesus and the councilors here are so nice.” “My favorite Bible Lesson is about Jesus.” “What I like most about the camp is that everyone here is so nice and we learn more about Jesus.” And “what I like least about the camp is the bugs…they like to bite me.” And I have to agree with the girls on that one, as the bugs being my least favorite part of the camp too! They soon went back to asking me questions about whether or not I liked the camp, to which I responded that I loved it there. And questions about the team and my family back in America. But the two questions that they asked that stick out in my mind the most are “Do you love us?” and “Will you come back next year?” Both of these questions were asked numerous times. I told the girls that I loved them very much and that I wish that I could take them home with me and that if we can come back next year we will. What shocked me was that every time they asked these questions I gave the same answer and then they would ask the same question again. “Do you love us?” “Will you come back next year?” We asked and answered each other more questions till it was bedtime.

Later that evening at our team meeting we were talking about our relationship with the kids as we were starting to see the impact that we were having on the lives of these children. And I kept thinking how many times that my girls asked me “do you love us” and wondering if anyone else has ever told them that they are loved. Like don’t they already know how much they are loved and wanted by their Heavenly Father? It’s clear that between the question from my girls and the stories behind several other kids that we worked with that this is a new concept. That someone or a group of people would come so far to show these kids love consistently even when they had their moments of being difficult. But the kids ate it all up, starving for true love and affection. My girls we’re a constant reminder of how much all of us need to be acknowledged and encouraged. For as much I was there for them, they we’re there for me.