With my ever-increasing involvement with both personal mentoring and the projects of “mentorees”, the Camp Hope Project was birthed.  Cassandra Smith is a young missionary here in Arad.  Her primary involvement is with orphans with disabilities.  A year ago she voiced an idea to have a summer camp for around twenty of the children she worked with at a state facility.  I encouraged her to solidify her idea and proceed.  In August of 2006, Camp Hope, the first camp of its kind, took place.  RCR was able to help fund Cassandra’s vision.  In the fall of 2006, I came up with what I thought might be a God Idea: build a playground at an existing camp and trade it for yearly use of the camp by Cassandra’s kids at no charge.  I had the funds to start the playground construction, Cassandra has partnered with a Romanian foundation  and the playground will be completed July 29, 2007. I use this date because Camp Hope 2007 begins July 30!  We will make do this year with tents to house the children, one swing-set, a sandbox and a above-ground swimming pool. There are many toys however to fill up the newly fenced enclosure. By next year we hope to have the play-center installed which includes slides, and lots of things for the children to climb, as well as other play equipment.

 The additional benefit is that the camp, located in Minis 25Km outside of Arad, will also benefit from a play-ground in place. This camp was constructed to help fund the orphanage run by this foundation to provide for the children in their care. This orphanage is one that RCR helps sponsor.

Just today we installed the above ground splash pool for the children as well as put together a small play-house. After the work I looked over, and although incomplete, I realized - this IS a playground. I went over to Cassandra and said "we did it kid, we built a playground!"  It is awesome to see a realization of what God has planted in a heart! We had a lot of help, without the team that came from Corona CA. it might not of happened this year.

New pictures will be posted here soon and you can see what has been done already.

July 2007