This is our final year to focus on the Roma people of central and eastern Europe and Canada.
The Roma people, or the Romani, are one of the largest people groups in the world without a specific country to call their home. They are severely discriminated against, and if a census was taken in the countries they live in, they would not even be counted. They were the second-largest persecuted group in the Holocaust, second only to Jews. Because of this time in the Holocaust, Roma people have a strictly verbal language (not written) so that during this time they could communicate with each other. There is a misconception that all Roma people are theives, beggars, and nomads. They have very little opportunity to gain an education. The money that has been given over the last few years at camp has gone to support missionaries for the Roma people and has allowed them to provide education opportunities, camps for entire families of Roma people, and more. Because of CentriKid Camps and FUGE Camps giving a missions offering for the Roma people, many Romani have heard about Jesus and many have believed. If you came to camp and gave to the offering, know that you have made a difference in the lives of the Romani in central and eastern Europe.
Canada is considered the United States’ “hat”, as they are our northern neighbors. Canada looks very similar to most towns and cities in America. They may not have lots of needs for food or education, but they still have just as great a need to know about Jesus. There are lots of large universities that students from all over the world attend, creating a huge gateway to reach lots of different religious backgrounds and areas of the world. Many students have heard the Gospel and taken it back to their home countries as a result of the missions offering. Canada has a huge Islamic population, and many of these people have had the opportunity to participate in coffee shop ministries that have ultimately led them to ask Jesus to be the Lord of their lives.
God is doing great things in the Roma people and in Canada, and He has allowed CentriKid Camps and YOU to be a partner in that effort. Continue to pray for these people, as God uses missionaries and the offering to further His Kingdom and bring glory to His Name. Pray that hearts will be open to the Gospel. Pray for the missions offering that is taken at dozens of camps around the country every week for these people and that the money will be used to best carry the story of Jesus to hearts that know something is missing in their lives.