The moment I heard about 11-year-old Che, I wanted to take him to summer camp.

One day Che sadly told his Bible-Club teacher, Manuel, “My brother sold my bike. It was my favorite.”

Che, the youngest of nine kids, is often berated and mocked by his older brothers. Bible Club is the only place he finds solace and feels safe. Che helps Manuel work on his car and passes out papers at Bible Club. When a bike was donated to the ministry, Manuel knew God was answering Che’s prayer. He worked with Manuel to earn money to buy the bike.

Taking Che to summer camp is one more way we can show God’s amazing love to Che. He will laugh, eat and play without looking over his shoulder or wondering what is waiting for him. Che will swim and do flips in the pool. He will experience God’s peace and become equipped to love his family and see them through Christ’s eyes.

Now you know why taking Che to camp is important to me. If anyone deserves a carefree vacation in a loving environment, Che does. Che’s missionary neighbors believe that a whole week of camp will be a turning point for him.

Che is looking forward to having fun with other Christians. He can hardly wait to catch fish, canoe, sing and learn Bible lessons. God will use these experiences to change his life.

Che’s faith will grow, and his relationship with his Bible-Club teacher will deepen. How I want Che to know that Jesus loves him—and that we love him, too!

But Che is only one of the young people I want to take to camp.

I also want to take 13-year-old Shasha to camp.

Shasha’s mother was killed by her boyfriend;