Special Needs Camps
We share the Gospel with campers and their families, helping them understand that they are made in God's image and they are precious.
The numbers are staggering. It is estimated that in South Asia, over 90 million people live with disabilities, yet support services common in other countries are lacking. Historically, physical and spiritual assistance has been scarce for children with special needs. To address this heart-breaking situation, God called LCMI to minister to those with special needs through Special Needs Camps and "Hole in the Church" seminars, which help to challenge pastors to include people with special needs into the life of the church.
LCMI's first Special Needs Camp was in 2009 and has expanded in various areas of two Asian countries. These camps, seen as an oasis from daily hardships, have had a profound impact. The 3-day camps in remote areas teach a Biblical understanding of disability, share hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, and help to start support groups in local churches. Each camp includes a doctor, dentist, and/or physical therapist to attend to the physical needs of the campers and teach guardians how they can better care for their children with special needs. Mobility aids are given on a case by case basis.
Our heart is for each camp to achieve these goals:
- Share the Gospel and Christ's hope with children with special needs and their families
- Show Christ's love and care, affirming their worth and uniqueness
- Provide encouragement and physical and emotional respite for parents and guardians
- Raise awareness of available government resources
- Educate parents and guardians on caring for their special needs children
For many, this is their first experience hearing they are precious in the sight of the Lord. Parents and guardians are touched by the love they receive in a society that often treats them as outcasts.
