uly 2007

"Mes Esame Vienna!!" We shouted it day after day, and I think that by the end of the week we really felt it, believed it. We were truly one.

Although I'm home now, and it feels good, everything is still echoing in my brain. For instance, when Katie Foster had to sing, "you are my sunshine" on the first day of morning blast it was because she was late, of course. Or that silly cheer that Juozas did with his sports team every time they did anything right during a game. Then there are Scott Jordan's many outfits, the gunk in those boots, Oleg's devotional talk, Brett Murdoch's rock singer imitations. It goes on, y'know. The theme, "we are one" was evident throughout the week in everything we did.

· The daily Bible class themes reinforced the idea: One God, One Hope, One Faith, One Body, One Spirit.

· Our sports were centered around Olympics and each team was given points based not only on their victories, but also on their teamwork, participation, and sportsmanship

· Many of the daily and night activities included games that required groups to work together to achieve a goal.

This year's staff was especially good. Everyone worked very hard and rarely had to be told to do anything. Worship was led by David Pryor and Jonathan Colvin. Both of them led with a spirit that inspired the children and gave them energy. David's book was filled with several new songs, both in English and Lithuanian, the daily schedule, Bible class material, contact info, and lots more. David was also assistant camp director and assigned speakers for devotionals and worship each night.

An Activities team including Scott, Ilia, Katie, Tomas, & Donvina worked diligently to keep the kids involved and provide a fun atmosphere. Some of the games were just plain wild and came straight out of Scott's head and included such notables as Kama Kama Chee Chee, Dizzy Devil Derby, and Blind Pirate Battleship.

Our sports got a twist this year as we introduced sports Olympics to the camp. Our Olympics included dividing the children and some staff up into six teams. Each team was a nation that had to create an original name, a flag, and a motto or cheer. The Olympics began with opening ceremonies on Sunday night and different sports such as basketball, futboll, and steal the bacon were played all week long. A Bible bowl was held daily during class times. Weekly winners from the Bible bowl could add points to their team scores. Teams were also given points based on teamwork, total participation, and game victories. Closing ceremonies were held on Friday night and both teams and individuals were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. Sports were directed by a team of staff members including Chris Jones, Juozas, Christina Walmer, Jonathan, and Indre.

Sveta from Klaipeda was in charge of crafts this year. Sveta always creates imaginative and fun crafts for the children. Brett was our camp doctor and also in charge of putting together rotation for our lifeguards.

Our Bible class teachers were Bud Myer, Scott, Oleg, Stacy Humphries, Daiva, David, Vladimir, Evelina, Jonathan, Ilia, Katie, and Donvina. The teachers provided activities in their classes, encouraged discussion, and taught the word of God in a clear and gentle manner. The kids loved their classes.

As you can see, everyone worked and worked hard. I believe that this was the key to a hugely successful camp. We had very few, if any, problems of note. Even the rainy, cold weather didn't stick around forever. As the week moved on, the temperature steadily climbed and the sun peaked out. God is good all the time!! I want to thank everyone on "Team Ruta" for making camp what it was. My job as director was almost useless, because all of you did so well.

-Ed Humphries

* Making up Gateway's team this year was Ed and Stacy Humphries, Bud Myer, Christina Walmer, Scott Jordan, Chris Jones, Katie Foster and Brett Murdoch.

  How do I begin to describe into words the experiences of Camp Ruta? Camp changed my life this year, and in just five days I learned so much about myself. I also have discovered more of the plans that God has for me. I also speak on behalf of the other kids and counselors that attended.

      We left for camp from the Vilniaus Biblijos Studiju Centras around two, and even before we left, we knew there would be a wonderful week in store for us. Our schedule each day had very few differences from last year, but the way we decided as a group to construct each piece of the day took a lot of organization.
      We began each day with director Edward Lee Humphreys leading the entire camp session in Morning Blast. Morning Blast simply gets everyone's blood flowing, and if anyone was not there by 7:30 a.m., they are in for an embarrassing and hilarious awakening. Afterwards we had wonderfully prepared food followed by some morning worship sometimes led by me and sometimes by David Pryor. David is my step-dad and we work very well together in leading worship. Silly songs usually come first, followed by more worship and praise afterwards.

      Our theme was Mes Esame Viena which means We Are One. After morning worship, it was time for Bible classes. The class topics were "Having One God," "One Hope," "One Faith," "One Body," and "One Spirit." Without the cooperation of American teachers and Lithuanian translators, the classes would not be possible. All of the teachers prepared their lessons to the fullest, and everyone worked together quite nicely.

      Football, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, a relay race, and the infamous game of "steal the bacon," were the sports events that happened over the course of the five days of camp. Chris Jones made wonderful plans for sports this year. He divided the camp into six separate teams, and Camp Ruta was the location of the greatest Olympic competition known to man. Sportlandija, coached by Lithuanian counselor, Donvina Vaitkeviuciute won the gold, and Juozas Puodziukaitis's team Tvermidija won the silver. The kids really enjoyed playing these games, and after the day's sporting activities the American staff played these different events against the Lithuanian staff. Basketball was the only sport that the USA was able to hold their own.

      After sports we had lunch, and after rest time, there was swim time. The weather was not exactly warm, so the water was very cold. Some of the kids swam, but most did not. So, we allowed the campers to have some free time to do things as play sports, sleep, work on their cabin skits or help with afternoon activities. Then after this the kids enjoyed snacks in the worship hall area. While the snacks were being eaten, some of the counselors kept the kids entertained with Bible trivia, Lithuanian and English quizzes, and best animal impersonations. After the snacks, the children were then divided into two groups for arts and crafts and fun and games.

      The crafts were coordinated by Sveta Murashova of Klaipeda, and the kids made beautiful things, such as fish, beads, and string creations. Scott Jordan coordinated the games and afternoon activities. I have never before seen such creativity in preparation for this part of the daily schedule. There were all kinds of fun and crazy games. There were about four games each day that the two groups of kids would rotate.

      Supper came next activity and the food was good thanks to our wonderful Lithuanian cooks. Next came evening worship. Worship was again led by David Pryor and me, and then a message was brought to the camp by someone. The speakers were evangelists Juozas Puodziukites, Ilia Amosov, Harding, Bud Myer, Ed Humphreys, David Pryor and me. We spoke about the theme for each day. Many things were communicated through each of us.

      Once worship ended, the evening activities took place. Monday night was the Recreational Hall. Next, the men were separated from the boys in a game of Capture the Flag on Tuesday. The entire camp took a hike to a place around the lake which is always interesting. Thursday was a marvelous scavenger hunt which consisted of finding a list of twenty-five things and fifty eggs that contained different tasks in each one. This event was also planned by Scott Jordan. Finally, Friday night, there were cabin skits and wonderful smores by a campfire and the marshmallow game called Chubby Bunny which have become camp tradition. There were then late night devos and cabin devotionals each night also. On Friday night around the campfire everyone was given an opportunity to speak about what camp meant to them. One particular boy named Arnas who was around the age of nine spoke from his heart, and it touched a lot of people. He has only been at camp for two years, and he was recognized as the best camper in the camp. Many others also spoke, more so than last year. The teenagers usually speak more, but many children opened their hearts and claimed to want to come back for many years.

      It was very sad to watch everything fly by as fast as it did. Camp Ruta means the world to a lot of people. I know that those who give generously to help fund this camp will be happy to know that this year it was again a tremendous success. Everyone worked very hard to make this camp full of excitement and spiritual experiences. Hopefully this report will assist to continue to open many eyes to the wonderful ministry in Lithuania and its people who need the hope and grace of Jesus Christ. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Go ye means go me. This experience in Lithuania has been very eye-opening and helped me to see God in other places. Camp Ruta 2007, Mes Esame Viena(We Are One), was wonderful.

I'd like to add something to what Jonathan wrote. Here it is.

I'd like to compliment the Gateway group that Ed Humphries led. It was an incredible team that poured their love and energy to Lithuanian kids. In all cases everyone was an example of Christ. Americans and Lithuanians counselors merged together into one in their purpose and endeavors to plant seeds of Christian love. I am sure that the kids experience the true unity, the theme was "We Are One". I was really happy to see some of the kids from last year camp that their attitude and behavior changed into good. Especially it was seen in one kid who caused so many troubles last year and this year he received an award for being one of the best camper. Camp does make impacts on these little kids life!

Many games and activities were designed to act and play as one team. Scott Jordan (Gateway Church of Christ) had an outstanding games' schedule that kept kids busy and in a good state. One motivating factor for kids to participate in games was that every counselor was participating too.
Bible lessons were very good prepared and all teachers were very good at delivering them. Every day we had sermon and spiritual songs that kids love it so much that they continuing singing after the worship time. Singing is an essential part of the camp that let the kids know about true worship in their hearts with profound songs. During one sermon some kids were crying and I could see that "the word of God is sharper than a two sided sword that pierces soul…".

This year camp area was secured by guards who day and night were watching the area. This was very nice because counselors did not have to watch after cabins and check close windows all the time. This year we also had several new counselors from Lithuania who were campers in the past and they did excellent job looking after kids and showing great example of a Christian.

Next year there will be 10^th year anniversary for camp "Ruta" and everybody looking forward to reunite for this great celebration.

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