Camp Gideon Follow-up Report

The following report was written by my wife Kathryn on our recent trip to Christian Camp Gideon in Estonia.

If you would like to see and feel God at work in the lives of His people you need to come to Christian Camp Gideon in Estonia. From sunup to sundown children and youth are hearing about the joy and promise of the Christian faith and experiencing God’s grace, God’s love, and God’s power. The volunteers (who this year included six Americans) offer opportunities to learn the basics of Christianity, as well as how to live as a Christian disciple in today’s world.

The theme of the two weeks of camp was sports, and the campers were able to play soccer, volleyball, floorball, dodgeball, kickball and baseball. Mixed into their day of sports were sessions in identifying and using their gifts to the glory of God, Bible study, learning about the ministry of Jesus, our Savior, and evening praise and worship.

A couple from Iowa and Russ and I donated a total of $4,000 to Camp Gideon which was sent over prior to our arrival. It is being put toward a heating system which will make Camp Gideon usable year-round. An additional $5,000 was raised, of which you were a part. $4000 paid for a security fence which we saw built, and $1000 was given to the orphanage we support who were very thankful.

For the first time we visited a very moving memorial to the citizens – a total of 39,000 – who were murdered or died because of relocation efforts of Estonians to Siberia during Stalin’s reign of terror after he seized the Baltic states prior to World War II. 250,000 people were displaced during the crisis. Pastor Artur’s parents were a part of that relocation and survived. The memorial highlighted a very dark chapter in Estonian history.

Helping at camp were 40 Ukrainians who fled their country as a result of the war. Some have started a new life in Estonia, some hope to return to Ukraine when the war is over.

The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” One significant thing, among many others, that we do at Camp Gideon is plant seeds. They are seeds of faith. With every prayer uttered, every Bible verse read and discussed, every lesson about who God is, every skit created and performed, a seed is planted. That seed will be watered and fed by others who influence these children and teens in the Christian life along the way. Who knows what the result will be – we cannot be sure of anything, except the promise that God will claim them as His own and use them in bringing about His kingdom.

Thank you for believing in this ministry and for financially supporting it. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for not becoming weary in doing good.

Christian Camp Gideon

Christian Camp Gideon is located in Aa, Estonia. The village is in northern Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The location is beautiful. The camp itself was built prior to World War II by the Soviet Union. At that time, it was a Pioneer Camp, where communism and atheism were taught to the young. The fall of communism in 1991 changed everything. In time, Estonia became an independent country and Camp Gideon found a new purpose.

During the summers of 1993 and 1994, Camp Gideon was used by the Estonian United Methodist Church. On March 15, 1995, Camp Gideon was purchased by the Asbury United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma and given to the United Methodist Churches of Estonia. On that day Artur Põld was named the Director of Camp Gideon. He still holds that position today.

From the very beginning, American friends have supported Camp Gideon – both spiritually and financially. Every summer, several groups of volunteers from the United States arrive at Camp Gideon to organize children’s programs and help repair the time-worn buildings. Over the years, Camp Gideon has become internationally known in Latvia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, Germany and beyond. Thanks to the ministries of Camp Gideon, hundreds of children hear about Jesus each camp season. Together with the guests of Camp Gideon, several mission events have been organized, including family camps, Walks to Emmaus, and the Summer Conference of the UMC in Estonia.

In 2019, my wife Kathryn and I visited Camp Gideon for the first time. We were moved by the work of these people. Since that visit she has been raising money to help with the reconstruction of the buildings. Currently there are fifteen buildings on the 75-acre camp. She is returning to Estonia between July 17 and August 5, and I am returning between July 24 and August 5. We will be helping with English Camp and are looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made at Camp Gideon. It is truly a resurrection story. A camp that once taught communism and atheism is now teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You can help Camp Gideon in two ways. First, pray for Camp Gideon and us. Your prayers are more valuable than you will ever know. Second, prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to Camp Gideon. No amount is too small. It is amazing what God can do with a single dollar. Please make your check out to: PROJECT ORPHAN OUTREACH and mail it to 275 Bradford Drive, Canfield, Ohio, 44406. Some who read my weekly blog have already contributed. You will receive a thank-you note for your contribution as well as a report on what was accomplished after we return.

In advance, I would like to thank you for your generosity.

Examining Missions

We find ourselves in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. It is my favorite parable, so you may remember these opening words. There came a point in Jesus’s earthly ministry when he was no longer welcomed in the synagogues. With no other option, Jesus began to teach in the open air and began to tell parables. Parables are nothing more than illustrations from daily living. They are not analogies, where each character represents a contemporary character. Parables are not that deep; they are only told to teach a single divine truth.

So, what is the truth Jesus is trying to teach in the parable of the sheep and the goats? Jesus expects us to respond to human need. It is our way of expressing appreciation to God for saving our souls. We are not saved by our good works – we are saved by grace. Our only hope of salvation comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. That is why missions are so important to the life of the church. My goal in this blog is to help you appreciate missions. I will do that by making three statements about missions. I hope these statements make you think.

This is statement number one. Missions involve interpersonal relationships. Once you learn the name of the person you help, everything changes. Once you get involved in their story, missions come to life. Missions is not charity – missions is deeper. There is nothing wrong with collecting food, paper products or hats and mittens. There are many people who need them. The problem is, you never get to know the person who will eat that food, use those paper products, or wear the hat. Charity is fine, but the needy always remain at a distance. Missions involve interpersonal relationships. If you want to thank Jesus, get involved in someone else’s story.

My wife has spent much her life helping unadoptable Russian orphans. Through the years, three of these orphans came to the United States to get prosthetics legs and they stayed in our home. One year two of the boys came at the same time. Stas came to get his first prosthetic legs. Kolya came to get his legs repaired and adjusted. Stas was eight years old and stayed away from me. Kolya was sixteen and became my friend. He did what my daughters never did – he stayed up late with me and we watched the NCAA basketball tournament. He opened up during those late nights and we shared our lives. One night Kolya and I were talking. Wanting to give him a hard time about being Russian, I asked him a question just to get a reaction out of him. Knowing the Nazis nearly overran his town of Dmitrov during the war, I said to him, “Kolya, what did you learn about World War II in those rotten Russian schools?” Sixteen-year-olds are great in any country; they are just so unfiltered. Kolya rubbed the top of his head and gave me a smirk. He said, “We learned the American generals weren’t very good and that was why the war lasted so long.” We both laughed and I said, “I’ll tell all my veteran friends we had rotten generals during World War II.” I told a vet that story and he said, “The kid was right! We did have rotten generals”. The best thing about that night was that I got to spend time with Kolya. Another day, Kolya and I were driving in the country, and he asked me if all the houses we passed had electricity. I said, “Yes!” He said, “Wow!” Kolya is a fine young man, and he taught me something. Missions is not charity. In missions, we get involved with the needy. How involved are you with the truly needy? Missions is a great way to thank God for saving your soul. Missions involve interpersonal relationships.

This is statement number two. Missions expose our spiritual maturity. Spiritual babies think it is all about themselves. The spiritually mature understand life is about others. No activity in the life of the local church exposes spiritual maturity more than missions. Your response to missions says a great deal about your spiritual maturity. If it is true of people, then it is true of churches. If you show me a church that is not involved in missions, then I will show you a church that is on the way to extinction.

On the day missions takes a backseat to everything else, your church will start to die.

Listen to what I am about to say: if you want your church to close, then protest every mission opportunity. It is easy to do. You can justify your opposition based on sound business principles. You will get some support from fellow church members because the spiritually immature are always with us. They don’t get it. I heard it many times in the ministry. “We can’t afford it!” “The congregation won’t support it!” “The insurance won’t cover it!” This is the painful truth to the spiritually immature. Churches aren’t businesses. The churches were never meant to be a business. The church is the only organization that exists for the benefit of its nonmembers. The church was meant to be an extension of Christ in the world. When the winds of Pentecost blew, the only thing that mattered to those charter members was Jesus. The only thing that should matter to your church is Jesus. The spiritually mature understand when we care for the needy of this world, we are really caring for Jesus. When we ignore the needy of this world, we are ignoring Jesus. This is not my opinion. That is what the Master said in the parable. If you want to thank God for your salvation, then get involved in missions. Missions expose our spiritual maturity.

This is statement number three. Missions does involve a certain amount of risk. Can I state the obvious? There are many frightened people in the church. Whenever I have gotten involved in a mission project, well-meaning people try to stop me. When I went to the Philippines, people told me, “don’t go!” Their government was unstable. When I went to Mexico people told me, “don’t go!” I would be taken hostage. When I went to Haiti people told me, “don’t go!” I could get a disease. When I got involved in Mill Creek Workcamp, which brought 400 young people to Youngstown, Ohio, to help the residents with basic home repair, people said to me, “Aren’t you afraid to be in the city of Youngstown? Someone seems to be killed every day.” My wife Kathryn and I have gone to Russia several dozen times through the years. Every time well-meaning people tried to frustrate us. They said, “The Russians will arrest you and you will never return home.”

They are not all wrong, there is a certain amount of risk. Yes, the plane may go down. Yes, the food may be bad. Yes, the residents may not like your brand of politics. Yes, you may fall in love with one of the orphans and get your heart broken. However, this is what I have learned: The reward is far greater than the risk. There is a world of needy people out there whom God loves. How can you turn your back on them? If God has not told you to go, then don’t go. But, if God has called someone to do something, then don’t discourage them. Pray for them. They will pack their common sense. Missions involve risk. Missions are the best way to thank God for your salvation.

I read this story years ago. Ernest Henry Shackelton (1874-1922) was born in Ireland on February 15, 1874. His father wanted him to be a doctor, but he wanted to be a sailor. At the age of sixteen, he joined the merchant marines and saw the world. His greatest desire was to travel to the North and South Poles. In December of 1914, he got that opportunity. He was the captain of a ship called Endurance, which had a crew of twenty-seven men. Most of those men were recruited from a simple newspaper advertisement. It read:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.

Some have questioned the authenticity of the story, but it doesn’t seem to matter. The story still resonates in the heart of many. Why? Because, people long for an adventure. No one just wants to live and die. We long for an adventure and an opportunity to make a difference. I believe you long for an adventure and you want to make a difference in this world too. I believe, you are desperate to find a way to thank God for saving your soul. Founder of Saddleback Church Rick Warren (born 1954) wasn’t wrong. He once said, “The Only way to serve God is to serve other people.”

Perfect Balance

We find ourselves today in the ninth chapter of Mark. The previous story is noteworthy. Peter has just identified Jesus for the first time as the Messiah. That was a pivotal moment in Jesus’s earth ministry. In many ways, it was the beginning of the end. To underscore the importance of that identification Jesus takes the inner circle, Peter, Andrew, James, and John on a field trip. Jesus takes them to a mountaintop. Many believe, the mountain was Mount Tabor, which stands 1,800 feet high, others say it was Mount Hermon, which stands over 9,000 feet high. For our purpose, it does not really matter. They must have believed they were going to the mountaintop to rest and pray. They had no clue what was about to happen. Without warning, the Bible says Jesus was transfigured. I am not exactly sure what that means, so I cannot explain it. It will have to suffice to say Jesus’s appearance changed. He became transparent and luminous at the same time. The four disciples were shocked. Then, this strange story gets stranger. Without warning, the two greatest personalities of the Old Testament suddenly appear. There was Moses, the great law giver, and there was Elijah, the greatest of all the prophets according to the Jews. Overwhelmed by the experience, the disciples struggled how to respond. Peter mentioned something about constructing shelters, one for Jesus, one for Moses, one for Elijah. There is no time for Jesus to respond because the story even gets stranger. Without warning, God, Himself, suddenly appears, hidden by a cloud. The Almighty announces to everyone present Jesus is his son. For this reason, they should listen to him. And as fast as the scene began, it was suddenly over. As they traveled down the mountainside Jesus tried to explain his future ministry, but his words must have fallen on deaf ears. It was simply too much for a human mind to comprehend. The only thing that brings them back to reality is a problem waiting for them at the base of the mountain. There is a demon possessed boy who needs help. We know it is true. Mountaintop experiences are great, but they do not last. We need mountaintop memories to keep us going. However, we live in the valley surrounded by problems.

The father of the great Methodist movement was John Wesley (1703-1791). His story is well documented. He was homeschooled in Epworth, England by his mother, Susanna. He went to Christ College at Oxford University. It was while he was there, he formed a small group called the Holy Club. They gathered for three reasons: Bible study, prayer, and debate. At some point, the group decided those sacred acts were not enough. They had to help the needy in their community, so they went to the poorest people in that community and sacrificed for their benefit. Wesley even forwent a haircut and gave that money to the poor. The Holy Club had perfect balance. They balanced worship and missions. I appreciate the United Methodist Church because of that balance. That balance of worship and missions is in our DNA. I pray we never lose our balance, for if we do, we will surely fall. John Wesley did not discover that balance between worship and missions. It is found in the story of the transfiguration. Let us look at both sides in more detail.

First, Peter emphasized worship. If you want to exist as a church, then you must worship. It is the one thing the church must do and still be considered a church. Peter understood the importance of worship. Look at the story with me. Peter is at the top of the mountain with Andrew, James, and John. They thought they were going to be alone with Jesus to pray. They experienced so much more. They experienced God! It must have been great. Peter appreciated the moment so much he did not want to leave. He wanted to stray. What did it say in verse 5? Peter said, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter emphasized worship.

I appreciate this church because worship is a priority. Prior to the pandemic, we worshipped three times every Sunday morning. We worshipped at various times and in various ways. We worshipped three times on Christmas Eve and four times on Easter morning. We worshipped on Wednesday evenings during Lent. Once the pandemic hit, we found ourselves worshipping in the parking lot using a FM transmitter. Then, we came inside and worshipped virtually. True worship has nothing to do with hymnals, projection systems and organs. True worship has everything to do with experiencing God. Peter emphasized worship and so do we! Because Peter, and us, want to experience God. If you want this church to be what God intended, then we must worship. Peter emphasized worship! However, in the life of the church, there must be more.

Second, the other eight disciples emphasized missions. In the reading beyond our reading, Jesus descends the mountain with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. The four must have been on a spiritual high, but the reality of this world was waiting for them. The other eight disciples are debating with a crowd. In the eye of a debate was a demon-possessed boy. Jesus exorcised the demons because the disciples were unable to do the miraculous. Do not be critical of the eight because they were doing their best to respond to human need. Responding to human need is important because it shows the world our faith is sincere. Churches and individual Christians who do not respond to human are shallow and hypocritical. That is what we found in the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37) You know the story.

It all begins with a question. “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus was being tested. That question was answered with a story. A man was traveling down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The man must have been a fool because only a fool would travel that dangerous road alone. That road was notorious. The expected happened. The man is robbed and stripped of his possessions, including his clothes. Laying there in his birthday suit, he is left to die. The good news is people saw him at his time of need. People who should have helped him. There was a Priest and a Levite. The Priest was from the line of Aaron and a leader in the Jewish faith. The Levite was from the line of Levi and had various religious duties. Both spent their lives worshipping, but they never heard a single word. They did not respond to the man in need. Both walked on the other side of the road and refused to help. The unlikely hero in the story is a half breed. The Samaritans were a mixed raced people. They were a combination of Jew and Gentiles. That was shocking to the Jews of Jesus’s time. No one expected much from him, but he comes to the aid of his fellow man. The Bible says he had pity on him. I think he had compassion for him. He bandaged his wounds, he got him help, and he gave generosity to his relief. So, you answer the question, who is my neighbor? The answer is not the religious people, who sat on every committee at the synagogue and knew every line of liturgy. The answer is the Samaritan because he showed compassion. Christians who do not respond to human need are shallow and hypocritical. That is why missions is so important.

I appreciate this church because missions are a priority. Have you ever taken an inventory of all the mission outreaches that come out of this church? The list is impressive. Several years ago, Kathryn and I took sun dresses to Haiti made by the sewing ladies of this church. Since the pandemic, they have made countless face masks to keep people safe. The Helping Hand Closet has raised a small fortune to help a variety of local people who have found themselves in need. Prior to the pandemic, the prison ministry, Kairos strived to save the souls of the incarcerated. I miss seeing that mountain of chocolate cookies. Out in the narthex sits our wooded cow, Bill Johnson. He was purchased by a Christian woman with a good heart. The money placed in the bucket in his mouth goes to the Heifer Project. They buy animals to help those living in the Third World. Thousands of dollars have been raised and countless animals have been purchased that to the generosity of this church. Annually, our youth go on a mission trip to help the poot somewhere else. We have been doing this for twenty years. They have gone has far south and east as Wilmington, North Carolina and as far west and north as Madison, Wisconsin. The Giving Tree makes sure everyone gets a Christmas present. The Warm Weather Tree helps the locals of this area stay warm during the winter months. Did you know this church gave away $13,000 last year to missions, $10,000 went to Christian Camp Gideon in Estonia so boys and girls can learn about Jesus? We have never had a special offering that was a failure. If there has been a natural disaster, we have responded. Your generosity is extremely humbling. I could go on, but I will not. The other eight disciples were involved with human needs. In other words, they were involved in missions. If you want this church to be what God intended, then we must be involved in missions. Peter emphasized worship! The eight other disciples emphasized missions! Do you see the balance?

The story of the transfiguration and the story of the demon possessed boy cannot be separated. Those two stories model for us the perfect balance that should exist within the life of the church. The transfiguration on the mountain represent worship. In worship, we want to experience God. The Almighty is not just pleased with worship, He expects worship. The demon possessed boy represents missions. Our world, locally, nationally, and internationally are filled with problems. God expects the church to respond to human need. In the life of the church both worship and missions are important. It is impossible to be the church God intended and not worship. It is impossible to be the church God intended and not be involved in missions. It is imperative worship and mission stay in perfect balance. For if that balance is lost, we will fall.

Nik Wallenda (born 1979) is a seventh-generation family member of the Flying Wallendas. He is a true American daredevil. He has done some amazing things to display his courage. On June 16, 2012, he walked over Niagara Falls. Tens of thousands of people gathered around the falls on that Friday night to watch him do it, and millions more watched on television.I was one of the millions. He walked on a two-inch wire that was suspended 200 feet in the air over the Horseshoe Falls. It took him less than twenty-five minutes. It really was amazing! I have a difficult time walking on ice on my driveway. Can I state the obvious? It was vital he kept his balance.

It is vital for us to keep our balance too. To be the church God intended us to be we need both worship and missions. We need to keep worshipping and we need to continue to respond to human need. It is not just what I expect from us. It is what God expects from us.