As shown above 143 campers and counselors enjoyed Camp Ruta and the opportunity to know Christ and each other better. The various colors of the tee shirts are Lithuania’s colors and certainly brighten the picture. Campers came from several cities in Lithuania including Vilnius, Klaipeda, Alytus, and Panevezys and from Minsk, Belarus. The campers revived old acquaintances and made new ones. Ten counselors went from Gateway congregation in Pensacola, Florida, four from Lake Charles, Louisiana, four from Texas, and one each from Arkansas and Mississippi. Many of the counselors had participated in earlier camps.

Danny Dodd expressed the children’s reaction as, “The kids were cooperative and excited to be back. During our Friday night final devotional session the words just came pouring out of them about their love for the camp, their appreciation of those who make the camp happen and how much learning about God in such a setting means to them. For most of these kids camp has been the first time they have ever had the occasion to study in detail about God and his will for their lives. Camp is truly a seed planting ministry and only God knows where and when these seeds will mature, but mature they will.

“I could tell you many more stories about Evelina from Klaipeda crying huge tears and not wanting to come back as a counselor (she is 18) but continue to return as a camper. Or about Gintare from Panevzys who all week expressed how glad she was to be back at Ruta and how she did not want it to end. Or about Donvina and Indre from Alytus and how much they want someone to come to their city more often (Jouzas goes once a month) to teach them more about Jesus.)

“This session at Ruta makes me an even stronger believer in this camp ministry. I am convinced that God is using this to spread his word all across Lithuania and beyond. Since the camp’s beginning in 1998 literally hundreds of children have heard the gospel through the camp ministry. Some who have heard have already heeded and others will. The local churches such as Vilnius will continually follow up this year with the campers. Only God knows the scope of this work and the fruit it will continue to bear. I thank all of you who support the camp ministry through prayers, encouragement, gifts and commitment. God bless you for allowing some of us to be blessed by spreading Christ through this ministry.”

Several other camp photos are available on the Vilnius congregation web site. Just go to www.vkb.lt and click on “foto albumas” and then on “stovykla” to view them. An individual picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Lois Goodin served as camp nurse as well as counselor. She wrote, “I taught one of the afternoon huddle groups with 15-16 year old girls. We had very good discussions and they asked excellent questions. I took hygiene kits for all the campers that included shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes (donated by Dr. Louis Grigsby), toothpaste and a bracelet. My fund raising went so well and I used the extra funds to buy the items for the hygiene kits. I was the camp nurse and thankfully there were not any significant injuries. Just upset stomachs, sore throats and minor scrapes, etc. A doctor at the Gateway congregation supplied that first aid supplies. The supplies not used at camp were left with Scott and Virga to be donated as needed.”

God uses many influences in our lives to bring us close to him. The pictures below show how Christian Relief Fund, Bible classes, camp, and Christian association have united two physical brothers into Christ. The pictures show left to right Igor Popok preparing to baptize his younger brother Oleg, immediately after the baptism when two physical brothers rejoice at being spiritual brothers, and Oleg’s happiness as he comes out of the water.

The story began several years ago when Oleg was enrolled as a CRF child in Vilnius, Lithuania. His parents assigned his older brother to bring him to class and church although Igor was hardly willing. As he sat through class and participated in summer camp and other activities, God’s message began to prick Igor’s heart. After he put on his Lord in baptism, he continued to work to serve his Lord and His church. Then he began full time training to become an evangelist. This summer when Oleg became fifteen, he decided it was time to be baptized. He had faithfully attended class and worship and had studied with several people, most lately Juozas. Igor came to camp from Klaipeda, where he trains and serves as intern, to baptize his brother. And it all began when Oleg became a CRF child. Who knows the finish?

Danny Dodd on the left and Buddy Myer first proposed a summer camp for Lithuania after serving as short term workers in Vilnius in 1996. They followed up with legwork on possible locations the following year and the first camp was held in 1998. This is the first year Bud has been able to return for a few years and everyone was glad to see the two good friends together again. Thanks to both for what they have done through the years.

Kestutis wrote, “Today, July 18, 2005, Sabina was baptized into Christ. All the night and early in the morning strong rain was going, but at the proper time it stopped raining and we could go to the sea. And just after coming out of the water God sent a piece of sunshine, showing that heaven rejoices together with us. We want to share our joy with you. Sabina has been studying from January 2004, and she is a very good student. She's married and has three wonderful children. Pray for her new Christian life.”

The pictures below show Sabina and Kestutis wading out into the Baltic Sea, Sabina putting on Christ as her savior, and posing on the beach after the baptism.

On the Saturday before camp, while adjusting to the eight-hour time differential, former missionary Danny Dodd treated the counselors to a tour of the ancient castle Trakai. It is a beautiful and popular tourist attraction. This is another of the benefits of volunteering to be a counselor. The most important and the life-changing benefits come from interacting with the wonderful, loving children and introducing several to Christ for the first time.