Prayer focus

THANK YOU, GOD

• For all invited speakers who responded and confirmed their participation in the CCI/Ukraine regional conference in Lviv on February 7. For protection, health, and strength for our team in Kyiv, which has worked for the past ten days with no more than 2-4 hours of electricity per day, no central heating in offices or homes, and temperatures of −17°C (+1°F) outside, with limited way to cook or have hot water for tea or coffee.
• For seven CCI/Georgia volunteers who are preparing a five-day residential winter camp for 50 young men from across Georgia, scheduled for February (dates are finalized with the facility).
• For two Christmas outreach programs held by CCI/Armenia last week for a total of 40 children, where Christmas gifts were distributed and the children heard a clear Gospel message.
• For a three-day Christmas day camp for 30 campers in Country X, where the team prepared Bible lessons and quizzes, crafts, games, and candies for the children.
• For three seven-day residential OxyCamp winter sessions held in the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine, with 148 campers. The program included skiing, winter hikes in the snow, Bible study sessions, sports activities, and crafts. 

ACTIVITIES

• CCI/Ukraine is completing preparations and has opened registration for its regional conference in Lviv on February 7, which is expected to gather up to 200 participants. Four similar conferences remain planned in different regions this spring. Four trauma-informed training courses have been prepared, for program leaders, camp program design, camp ministry through sport, and camp counselors.
• CCI/Georgia is working on venue arrangements for the February camp. Two more residential winter camps are planned for February, with CCI/Georgia volunteers involved in the planning and coordination, expecting at least 50 campers in total.
• CCI/Armenia is hosting a Christmas outreach for 20 children in a village, reaching their hearts with the Good News and ministering to their parents as well. At the same time, CCI/Armenia is working on financial year planning and holding steering committee meetings.
• CCI/Country X served today, on January 20, for Samaritan’s Purse’s The Greatest Journey project for children’s ministers from 52 churches.
• The OxyCamp team is running a follow-up meeting for 39 campers in a local church, inviting campers to join their teenage club and continue building relationships formed at camp.

INTERCESSION

• Please, pray for the quick restoration of energy networks in Kyiv, where many families remain without electricity and heat after Russian attacks. Pray for God’s help, endurance, and strength for CCI/Ukraine staff families, Covenant Group members, and all who continue to serve faithfully in these difficult conditions across Ukraine.
• Please pray for peace in the Transcaucasus region (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan). The situation in neighboring countryies remains very difficult, with ongoing political instability that could have wider effects.
• Please intercede for OxyCamp, that new campers would experience the camp as a place to meet God and that their camps would become truly life-changing experiences for campers.
• With the sharp increase in Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and many homes destroyed, please pray, as God reminds you, for God’s protection over our Kyiv staff Oksana and Pavlo, their families and homes, and the CCI/Ukraine office located in a residential area.
• Thank God for protecting Oleg, Andriy, and Maxim—the husbands of our staff Oksana, Dasha, and Jenya—this past week as they serve near the war’s front line. Pray for their continued health and safety. 

FROM THE MISSION FIELD

Misha, 13 Years Old, Camper from Ukraine: A Counselor’s Story

As a camp counselor, I met Misha, a 13-year-old boy from western Ukraine who was an orphan and now lives with a foster family. Like many children with this background, he felt unsure and careful in relationships. It was his first time at a Christian camp, and at the beginning I could see that he was curious, yet unsure whether he could truly trust what he heard about faith and trust his cabin mates and me as a counselor.

During his week at our camp, Misha was active in camp life. He interacted with others, joined games and activities, and took part in daily Bible studies. In the safe camp setting, Misha asked Jesus to forgive his sins and be his Friend.

By the end of the camp, Misha talked about his new friends and his wish to return. As a camp, we look forward to having Misha with us at our summer camp, and we are praying that God will guide his life and help him grow into a young man who knows Him and walks with Him.