Locked In

Henry Ogoe has been coming to the basketball camp in Zakosciele for more than 10 years. He was 18 the first time he came, and like a lot of long-time participants, his reasons for coming back have changed.

“The first few times, it was all about basketball,” Ogoe said. “The last few times, it’s all about relationships. My perspective has changed a lot over time. Basketball is not as high on the priority scale as it once was. It’s a common bond we have, but it’s just an introduction.”

Ogoe couldn’t get enough of the positive attitude of the people at the camp.

“The Christians in Kyiv made up a basketball tournament, which we won, and they invited us to come to this camp,” said the 29-year-old IT programmer and basketball coach from the Ukrainian capital. “It was a fresh experience for me.

“There was such a big difference in everyone with the impact of Christianity.”

Even though Ogoe was a Christian at the time, he was impressed how the Christian focus made things better for everybody, even those who don’t have a relationship with the Lord. And it has helped him to better understand how to use his faith to reach others.

“During the stretch of being in this camp almost every year, there were times in my life that were full of doubt,”  he said. “I questioned myself about a lot of things, and I didn’t have all the answers. Coming here has definitely built the foundation of who I am now. It’s been a process.

“At this camp, they help us put it all together. It’s so inspiring. It has motivated me to do a better job of living out my faith.”