ElderlyMesh.JPGJuly 19, 2008 – Christian Camp of the Church on the Rock “Father’s Heart”

As the bus pulled up to the camp site, the mission participants saw children lining the walkway to the old dormitory building.  The director of the camp, Verevkina Olga Pavlovna had prepared the highest welcome for the team – baked bread and salt.  As the team walked through the lines, they were showered with flowers by the children.

After a brief presentation by the children, the mission team presented a program and later divided into small groups to share more one to one time with the children.  It was a fun-filled day which involved a ‘pilgrim’s progress’ game and a football match between the USA and Russia.  This was the day that football lovers on the mission team had anticipated since the beginning of the week.  The friendly match ended in USA- 4; Russia-3.  The MVP for the USA would definitely go to Kristie K., chief goal keeper for the team.

The fellowship enjoyed by each member of the mission team, children and camp counselors was great!  At the end of the day smiles radiated from the faces of the children and members of the team, as they said their goodbyes.

The team also made an unscheduled stop at an outdoor camp by a river, for children with disability being hosted by Church on the Rock.  Matthew O. shared a powerful testimony of God’s goodness and how God has made all of us special and Charles D. presented the gospel using the bead bracelet.  Each child received a CarePack and the campers expressed their appreciation by giving members of the team necklaces made from sticks – a craft they had prepared during their camp.