This year, just as in previous ones, the summer camp Challenge 8 for people with physical impairments was held. It took place from June 26 to July 3 at Boarding School located in Spares.
The camp was organised by Youth Wih A Mission – Riga ministry Wings for Wheels. This ministry was started in 2007 with a purpose to reach handicapped people and to offer them an opportunity to hear the message of the Gospel and to get to know Jesus Christ on a personal level. Hosting summer camps is one of the branches undertaken by Wings for Wheels; it provides an opportunity for people with physical disabilities to experience things which are not available to them on a daily basis, helps them to discover new talents, as well as provides them with spiritual strength and encouragement.
As suggested by the name of the camp, this was already the eighth Challenge; 20 participants from Latvia and Estonia, as well as their assistants and staff were gathered for it. Several participants had been in these camps before, and they looked forward to this week for a whole year. For many it is the only opportunity to be in a different environment, meet new friends, and learn something new and exciting.
Every year new participants join the camp, and for them this oftentimes is a place where they take their first steps towards Christ, where they receive support and encouragement in their walk with God and everyday life.
Conversations with people reveal an opinion that Challenge camps differ from others by being special and unforgettable. These camps are made thus by the sense of belonging and safety, ensuring that no one would be rejected due to their physical limitations or considered inferior and as a nuisance. Exactly the contrary is true; everything is done to encourage people to discover their abilities, believe that they can achieve something, so that participants could encourage others by their example.
Programme of the camp was filled to capacity and varied. Every morning began with making music together to praise God, a word of encouragement prepared by the participants of the camp themselves, as well as mandatory morning exercises not only to get the bodies moving in preparation for the activities of the day but also to receive expert suggestions of how to care for your physical wellbeing on a daily basis.
Other activities included various lectures, stories about life in Armenia and Togo (represented in person by Mensa Agbeme Kodzo), workshops teaching the participants to prepare delicious dessert either by themselves or with the help of an assistant.
The men of the camp spent an exciting evening at the workshop titled Computer Neurosurgery, but the ladies were made even more beautiful than they were. Beauty experts from the salon Estra presented them with an opportunity to be prepared in such a way as if they were to participate in a beauty pageant. These changes were afterwards captured in photography and, to their surprise, in the last evening presented to the participants as a reminder of beautiful memories.
Orienteering was a necessary part of the camp, including very exciting tasks and sports games for participants to join in as much as they could. The main goal was to be a part of the team, to support and encourage each other.
One of the evenings was made unique by the performance of Cesis Bell Ensemble, which did not leave anyone indifferent. And the greatest challenge for many turned out to be the dance night. Before this many had been thinking: how can I dance 
when I can barely walk or am sitting in a wheelchair? Now we know that it is possible and is a great source of joy! Thank you, dance teachers!
Included in the schedule of every camp is the Extreme Day. Every year people who spend their days mostly at home and often in monotony are challenged to experience something special, unusual and often rather impossible for them. This year the challenge was presented by a 40-minute ride in a jeep along the forest roads and off the roads, over meadows, steep hills and even steeper descent. If anyone thought this was insufficient, they could have a ride on a quad bike, enjoying the wind, speed and extreme sensations!
Unforgettable memories were also forged by spending an evening by a bonfire, enjoying plentiful food, as well as stories of what God had done in people’s lives. The camp was brought to conclusion by Love Feast and conversations that lasted well into the night. The importance and value of a chance to spend time with new and old friends can be highly evaluated only by those for whom this is not a part of a daily life.
Praise be to God for these and many other amazing things experienced in the course of this unique week! Thank you to everyone who contributed towards a possibility of providing these unforgettable moments to people who have often felt forgotten and useless! Thank you for your prayers, financial and material support, invested time and energy, for your kind hearts and cooperation! Every participant of this camp could confirm that these contributions were very well invested.
More photos you can see here
Participants made video newspapers are here.
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May God bless you,
“Wings for Wheels” team
Youth with a Mission – Riga