It is so difficult to try and put a few words on two weeks of blurred memories. I journaled as much as I could remember and yet emotionally I’m a little overwhelmed with it all, with the team gone now too, but I’ll try to give some highlights so that you have something for the blog. The team is headed back now and will be arriving tonight. I am missing them already and we are all missing the children that God let us love for two weeks.

There was much difficulty throughout the camp with sickness, relational struggles, disobedient children and some harsh living conditions, but as we left there was sadness that something so wonderful was about to end, something we loved to hate at times. You know, Americans have camp for a week in the most beautiful of places with amazing weather and no bugs and extra things like paintball and rock climbing walls, etc., with “Church kids.”

For Russian summer camp, everything opposite is true: It smells, it rains frequently, the bugs are the ruling race, its filled with disobedient children, there is no electricity or running water, and there are no frills or extras, and yet I loved this camp more than all others I’ve been to. Something about just spending time with children who are desperate for love and affection and giving them the love of God through the gospel repetitiously is what makes it worth while. I’ve got hundreds of pictures and hopefully these can suffice for now.

I’ll try to get more details in and hopefully the other team members can contribute to this as well.

Sorry for the shortness of the letter. I’m off to Sterlitamak to visit Sergei Loshak for a while. I don’t know how long it will be.
I’m feeling like I’m coming down with a little cold. Pray for God’s healing. Otherwise everything is good. I’ll keep you up to speed in the next few days.

God’s grace to you all,
Jake