 | 
hat do a prominent US painter, people from Oregon, California, Texas, Washington, Latvia and a group of 65 children have in common?
This group was the core of a project known as Thomas Kinkade Art Camp which took place at George Barbins Christian School in Lativia, July 2004. God took these strangers and brought them together with one goal--to love and serve with art, Bible stories-gospel, crafts, music, puppetry and recreation.
Before the camp week started there were many preparations and lots of prayer which helped bring people together.
Registration, the first day, showed 65 children were in attendance, 20 who were from a nearby orphanage. Thomas Kinkade made his first visit and shared his testimony as he drew a sketch and the children drew along with him stroke for stroke.
Thomas Kinkade's wife, Nanette and two oldest daughters, Merritt and Chandler, helped at the camp during the week. It was a good opportunity to get to know them.
The children enjoyed not only art lessons, but various expressions of creativity through crafts, pottery, puppets, music, and learning about the Great Creator and artist--God and His Son, Jesus.
This was a special field trip day to Birinu Palace. Touring the palace and grounds, horsecart rides, sketching and eating were all enjoyed by everyone. The highlight of the day was for the students to observe Thomas Kinkade on location actually painting the palace.
The end of the week, Thomas Kinkade visited the school again and presented some special art gifts to some promising art students that were selected during the week.
Another gift was watching a few children respond to the gospel and give their hearts to Jesus. Only our mighty God could take the gifts and talents of so many different people, from different parts of the country and create a beautiful masterpiece to reach out to these children in Latvia. The hugs, tears, exchanging of addresses and e-mails confirmed that God had touched many hearts in this short week.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thomas Kinkade has allowed BBI to use the image of his painting "Monterey Marina" for the Thomas Kinkade art camps. It was part of the design of the official camp t-shirt.
|
