During the last week of June, eight girls ages 6-10 who are members at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church participated in a week-long service camp. Instead of choosing to go to zoo camp or girl scout camp, these girls spent their week participating in service projects and experiencing the joy of serving! Their primary project was filling gently used purses with personal care products for women, as well as some fun items such as nail polish, manicure kits and colorful scarves.

As an end of camp celebration, the girls planned a party for the New Americans who are served by Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA). The afternoon started with a devotion at the Peace Center and campers singing, "They'll Know We are Christians by our Love". Afterwards we went upstairs for refreshments and getting to know each other.

Through the generosity of the Webster Gardens Women's Greenhouse Bible Study and the children attending their VBS, over 75 purses for adult women and 17 purses for children were filled. These were carefully spread out over the tables in the fellowship room so that the women and children could choose their own purses! The smiles of happiness on the faces of the New Americans is a memory that will stay with all of us for the rest of our lives.

Our theme for the week was, “JOY - Jesus, Others, You”, and using that as a model for prayer and service. Our time at the Peace Center was a great start in living with J-O-Y every day. The girls are looking forward to partnering with the CFNA for other serving opportunities in the future!

By Judy Ruf The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens

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Purse Party