At the Omaha, Neb., Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, led by Captains Alex and Carolina Yanez, giving of time, talents and resources to missions is a central focus.
In addition to encouraging participation in missions among the staff, congregation and Kroc Center members, one week of day camp each year is dedicated to a vacation Bible school in which campers hear the Gospel and are introduced to the Salvation Army’s international work.
“It’s a good way to connect the overall mission with people,” said Lori Miles, Kroc Center youth development and mission integration specialist and a soldier at the corps who also oversees youth ministry and activities. She said it seemed natural to focus on Brazil since Captains Yanez, in partnership with Brazil Territorial Leaders Colonels Wilson and Nara Strasse, spearheaded a trip to lead a music camp for one of the divisions in that territory last spring.
At the start of the week, a presentation highlighted the need for funds to send kids in Brazil to music camp. Parents also were informed of the fundraising initiative. Lori set the goal at $300, expecting it to be a stretch since many campers come from low-income families.
Little did she know how much one little girl was moved by the stories of Brazilian children selling their hair and even beloved pets so they could attend the music camp last year.
But the next day 9-year-old Evelyn arrived with her mother and asked if she could give her donation to the missions project early.
“It was a $100 bill!” Lori recalled, amazed at the generosity. “I asked if she was sure, and her mother explained that the family had been talking about the importance of giving over the past year.”
Evelyn had taken the money out of her own savings and was adamant it should be given to help ensure children in Brazil would be able to go to camp and have fun, just like she did.
On the final day of camp, Evelyn, accompanied by her mom, gave an additional $300 for Brazil—again all from her own savings.
goal, day campers make Lori into a sundae.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” said Captain Alex. “The girls in Brazil sold their most precious things to go to camp, and a girl here gave much of her savings to send to Brazil.”
Combined with the donations from the other campers, just over $700 was raised. Captain Alex added to the amount so that $1,000 would be given to Brazil. He presented a check to Colonels Strasse who were in the country for a zonal conference and visited during a Chicago Staff Band concert.
“They were floored. When you consider the value of American dollars in Brazil, it’s a lot of money and can stretch far,” said Captain Alex. “Brazil became a big part of us in Omaha. We hope to return for a territorial music camp this spring.”
