Here is an interview from a former 13 year old camper who is now living in the States with her forever family! If you have ever wondered what the kids are thinking about as they come to camp for the first time, how they feel as they leave camp, and what it is like coming to the States after being adopted- please take time to read this sweet interview! We are seriously so blessed to be a part of these children’s lives.
Interview with a post-camper:

BMH: Can I ask you what your thoughts were when you were told you were coming to camp?

Camper: (Laughing) At first I was so nervous because I never went anywhere before. Plus that time I don’t really trust anyone in my life except myself. So it was hard.

But when the bus drove us to the camp and we saw y’all and you welcomed us, then I was little bit ok…but still nervous.

But when I got to know y’all then I said to myself that I am happy to come. It was the best time of my life, all of my 13 years while I was in China.

BMH: Thanks for being so honest. If I were you, I would be really scared going somewhere new and meeting new people too!

Camper: I am so thankful that I choose to go and met y’all. If I didn’t go, I don’t know what I would have missed. Y’all have changed my life in so many ways. I don’t even know how to put the words.

BMH: You have changed our lives too!

Sometimes people ask what the campers feel and are thinking when camp is over. It’s really hard for both the volunteers and the campers to go back to their homes. What were your thoughts when you left?

Camper: Well to be honest, I really didn’t want to go back. The night when we drew, wrote letters to each other, danced, played games, I said to myself that I wish the time would stop at this place with these people.

I knew that we would leave in the morning so I was so disappointed because I absolutely like what we did and everything in that week. And I wish we could stay like that forever. I really wish the time would go back or slower sometimes.

BMH: I know that feeling. We wish it didn’t have to end either. And we’re sad when you leave.

Some people have questioned if it’s worth running the camps just to ultimately send campers back to their orphanages, as if we were abandoning you again. What do you think?

Camper: I believe if you ask everyone who was at camp, their answer would be Yes. It’s still worth running the camps even though y’all have to send campers back.

Because like us who were abandoned from families, went to a big orphanage, and stayed there for many years, we don’t get the privilege like other kids who have parents with them and go on vacation every summer.

So we would die to go some place different and see different things and meet different people.

So I believe that even though we were sad to leave, we also go to see what the other side of the world looks like. And also know there are a lot of people who care and love us who don’t have parents.

I really wish everyone in America would get involved with this, no matter if they’re teenagers or adults, because some people don’t really see the differences between each country.

Bring Me Hope changes a lot of people’s lives. So I would love to see Bring Me Hope available forever and always…24/7 , 365 days a year!

BMH: What’s it like for you to live in America after living in China for so long?

Camper: (Laughing) I like America…I like seeing different sides of the world, having my own stuff so I don’t have to fight over what stuff I want and also getting to meet new people.

Also here I have a chance to go to college and have my own family and a future. And I can get involved with sports and make many new friends who care about me. In China I don’t really get this stuff, no matter what. And also I would not learn about or believe in God.

BMH: God sure knows what you need and has provided so much for you. But China will always be a huge part of you.

Camper: I think I am the luckiest person in the world. I have family, friends, you all, and God in my life. I am so happy.

BMH: If you were able to go back to China, what would you like to do?

Camper: If I got to go back to China, I would like to go where I was from and see the changes. Also I would like to take all the orphans out and take them somewhere different, like y’all did. Also, I would like to go shopping (laughing). I would like to spend all the time with the orphans and play with them…and also find my real parents.

BMH: Those are beautiful dreams. I hope they all come true. We love you!