Summer Highlights of 2020

Although this year’s summer looked and was very different from past summers, God blessed us with the opportunity to become creative with ministry. At the beginning of COVID-19, regular after school (KIC) and youth programming was moved online. Since the situation continued to be unclear in the summer months, Sonshine Day Camp was cancelled, but that did not stop outreach in our Flemingdon Park or in Kingston-Galloway communities. Ministry became innovative and various ways to keep the children, youth and families connected continued. Relationships in the community continued to develop regardless of the current circumstances. Through the generosity of many, activities, educational materials, food, hand-made masks and more filled numerous care packages for the families we minister to. As summer went on, in person activities and hangouts (with proper physical distancing and PPE) were planned. 

During this period, ‘30 Days of Sonshine’ was launched. The purpose of the campaign was to share various content that was or would have been done during Sonshine Day Camp. Content such as: crafts and food activities, bible stories, field trips, praise and worship, and camp memories were shared. With the overwhelming response and submissions from volunteers, staff, mission teams and friends, we held an encore week after the 30 days!

TLC’s (Teens Leading Communities) are a vital part of our ministry, as they are a great help during after school programming but especially during Sonshine Day Camp. These youth are leaders in their communities and that is why equipping them with the word of God is crucial, especially at this time. Through discipleship training and youth nights, staff and youth were able to go through devotionals and series that concerned the character of God, their identities in Christ and how to speak to God. TLCs and youth explored what it meant to put their identity in Christ Jesus, rather than what others label us as. Even though COVID changed the way they do fellowship with one another, it did not stop them from wanting to learn more about God and who He is.

One TLC mentioned that she learned that Christ strengthens her through all things and that He cared and loved her, even through the difficult moments in life.

A youth mentioned that there are many ways to learn about God, whether it's through discipleship time, leaders and even friends! You can trust God through everything!

Another TLC said that she learned that COVID-19 is very dangerous but that it should not stop us from teaching the children who their Lord and Saviour is.

Praise God for all that He has done during this summer!