Prayer focus

THANK YOU, GOD    

• For the 24 training events held in Ukraine and 14 in five other countries this year, attended by 2,607 camp leaders from 438 camps. These camps served 49,000 campers through the ministry of CCI/Ukraine and our dedicated team of staff and volunteers in Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Country X, and Country Y. Despite the war, constant power outages, and ongoing missile and drone strikes, God is working powerfully through Ukrainian camp leaders and in the other countries as well.
• That during the protests in Georgia, despite violence and the arrest of over 500 protesters, there were no fatalities, and His protection was evident.
• For the generosity of the Armenian church members who provided Christmas gifts for 120 children. For Christmas day camps planned in churches, offering opportunities to connect with children and invite them to Sunday school and future camps.
• For Camp Y in Country X, faithfully serving for 16 years. Through seminars and hands-on experience, they’ve impacted numerous children’s lives and brought blessings to the local church in a predominantly Muslim country.
• That Camp Bridge of Hope, Ukraine, hosted a Christmas day camp for 50 children telling the story of Jesus.

ACTIVITIES

• Preparations for CCI/Ukraine Christmas camps are in full swing. We anticipate 50 camp sessions and programs taking place from December through February. These will range from resident camps in the Carpathian Mountains to day camps in eastern Ukraine near the frontline. We estimate that 4,000 campers will hear the story of Jesus’ birth and its eternal significance for each person.
• The CCI/Armenia team and the CCI/Worldwide team held a virtual meeting on December 16 for prayer, fellowship, and planning discussions.
• In Tbilisi, all outdoor Christmas events, including those planned by CCI/Georgia, were cancelled due to protests and unrest in the country. Despite this, local churches will hold Christmas services and day camps in their buildings. CCI/Georgia volunteers are meeting twice a week to prepare for a five-day winter camp for young adults scheduled for late February.
• Country X’s Camp Y is organizing a Christmas-themed day camp for 60 children, including Bible lessons, gifts, and treats.
• Camp Bridge of Hope is running a day camp for 120 children in a village to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. They are also hosting a Christmas market event this weekend for 100 children, where participants will experience an interactive Christmas story, enjoy sweet treats, and be invited to the local church.

INTERCESSION

• Please pray for the safety of all Christmas camps in Ukraine—that no child or staff member will be harmed. Pray for provision, including finances, food, heating, and electricity, and that bombing will be averted from the camp areas. Ask for God’s blessing on the message of Jesus’ birth and the Good News of hope and salvation to have a life-changing impact on the hearts of the children.
• Pray for peace in Georgia, where the situation is very tense. It seems the government is trying to provoke peaceful protesters into violent actions, potentially leading to civil war. Ask for wisdom for the people to resist these provocations and maintain peace. Pray for the government to heed the protesters' demands, call new elections, and ensure a peaceful Christmas season.
• Pray for the Camp Bridge of Hope team as they travel to a village to run their day camp. Pray for a peaceful and joyful time at the camp. Pray it would be a life-changing time for the campers.

FROM THE MISSION FIELD:

A message from our team in Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Country X:
Thank you for standing with us throughout this year. Thank you for your prayers. God has placed us to serve in countries stricken by war, either currently or within the past 30 years since the Soviet Union collapsed. Thanks to the prayers of people like you, we have been able to carry on the mission God has entrusted to us—sharing Jesus with children and youth through Christian camps.

Please remember us in your prayers as you gather with family and friends for Christmas. Pray for peace to be established in Ukraine and for peace to be guarded in the rest of our countries.