For the first time in Embrace history, Kenyan Embrace staff, in partnership with a team of volunteers from Canada, organized and ran a reunion camp for boys at home and their parents or guardians.
The vision for this camp, summarized in its name, was to create a space for children and their parents or guardians to “Re-connect” while being exposed to the gospel, which many parents heard for the first time.
Over the course of the 3-day camp, boys and adults participated in Bible lessons and discussions, as well as a variety of activities and sports.
Adults had the unique opportunity to take part in workshops such as soapmaking, sewing, construction, and welding. These workshops taught useful, transferable skills that can help them run a small business.
Boys participated in a variety of play-and-skill-based activities that encouraged teamwork, cooperation, and a fun time with friends they had made at Embrace and had not seen for a while.
Of course, the camp would not have been complete without team-building games for the boys and adults, which were a highlight for everyone. It was beautiful to see parents and boys laughing and playing together. When asked later, several parents admitted that it was their first time playing with their child. On the final evening, after goodbye speeches and thank-yous, adults and boys were invited to embrace and pray over each other. What followed was a powerful time of prayer, intercession, and worship.
It is our hope and prayer that this camp was the beginning of the growth and development of healthier, stronger, Christ-centred relationships between otherwise fractured families.
It is through God’s faithful guidance and provision, and the dedication of several individuals coming together with a unified desire, that this camp was made possible. We look forward to running this camp on an annual basis and reaching more Embrace families with the gospel and the opportunity to re-connect.
Find out more here about the Embrace a Street Child ministry, what we do, and how you can get involved!