How does one define success in missions?  Do we focus on the right thing?  Have we evaluated what we are doing, how we are doing it and look for ways to improve?  Do you have a neutral, third-party evaluate your organization and field work?  A lot of questions.  I’d love to see your answers.

I wanted to share with you some information about this topic for two reasons.  Often times, the children that have a parent incarcerated for a prolonged period not only have trouble with separation but also dealing with the circumstances of the incarceration and need some life-guidance.  Secondly, not only can you do mission work around the world, but often there are additional opportunities right in the area in which you live.

I had the recent opportunity to work with one of the participants from this program and asked her to briefly describe her experience.  These are her own words and have not been edited in any way.

Hi , my name is Kyana and i am 16 years old . Ever since i was three months old , my father has been incarcerated . My father always calls and sends letters , but the father figure i needed there , never was.  7 years ago , i experienced the most wonderful , life changing   thing a 9 year old could experience . My father sent me a letter and along with that letter were some sign up papers for a summer camp called Camp Hope by a group named Kidz2leaders . Carelessly i threw the papers aside paying no attention to them . My mother grabbed them and read them . “ONE WEEK” !, she screamed . My mother was unsure because I’ve never been gone away from home that long with strangers . She thought it over and finally made the decision that i could go .

I was so terrified to go not knowing that this will be the best thing that ever happened to me . By the time Wednesday came , i was in love with Camp Hope . They made me feel so comfortable around them , they were like my family . All my worries and burdens disappeared & i felt loved . All in that short week i accepted Jesus in my life, met alot of new friends , and my confidence level went up conglomerately . Friday when i arrived back at home , i though the life changing experience was over , that’s where i was wrong . Throughout the year they had luncheons , trips, and also the yearly Christmas party.

In 2010 , my my 6th year of Camp Hope , i was accepted into the interns4tomorrow program. The interns4tomorrow program gives us the chance to experience life in the business world & gives us work experience .  I’m currently interning at Jackson Healthcare located in Alpharetta , Georgia . This is something that not every teen can experience . This is a privilege , and I’m really blessed .