This summer, our Moscow Bible Church’s children’s camp celebrated its 25th year. I had served as its director before our move to Norway, and now our family returns every summer to serve there together.
This year was especially meaningful because the camp took place at the same site where our church held some of its first camps, near the river where I was baptized many years ago. Being back in that place reminded me of God’s faithfulness through many seasons of life and ministry.
My part was to support the new director and care for the team through team building, times of reflection, prayer, personal conversations, and encouragement. Caring for the team, especially the counselors, is one of my favorite parts of ministry, because it helps them fulfill their calling and lead children to Christ.
It was also a blessing to see my own children serving and growing. Liza helped train younger teens in the tech group and served in worship. Fyodor served with the teen helpers and acted in the camp play. Danya was in the older boys’ group, and it was deeply encouraging to see him enjoy camp, participate actively, and even become a leader in his group.
We had trouble with electricity and internet connection, but God was clearly at work. We witnessed children asking deep questions, giving their lives to the Lord, and beginning to pray. We also saw healing and reconciliation among adults. Camp reminded us again that God works through the program, but He is never limited to the program. He works in the whole community.
One story from the older girls’ group especially touched me. During cabin group time, those of us who were not counselors would cover specific campers in prayer. Sophia’s cabin was assigned to me several times, and later one of the counselors shared her story with me.
Sophia is 13 and it was her first time at a Christian camp. The counselor wondered whether children’s camp might feel too young for her. But Sophia listened carefully, participated fully, opened her heart in the cabin group, and prayed to receive Christ into her heart during a personal conversation with her counselor. At the end of camp, Sophia sang the final songs with tears in her eyes and said that she wanted to come back for the youth camp next year. Later, her mother and grandmother wrote that they could see a real change in her attitude. We are grateful that she is in His hands, and we continue to pray that the truth she discovered at camp will grow even more personal in her heart.
