CAMP "CODE SIGN"
CCI/Russia president Alexander Kharitonov recently returned from Camp Code Sign in southern Russia. Following are some highlights from his time there as camp chaplain:Camp Code Sign was a wilderness tent camp (boys only, age 13-17), situated in a clearing amidst thick deciduous woods. Campers were completely responsible for their own wellbeing: they had to fetch water, collect wood, prepare a fire, cook their meals, etc. Success was only possible if the entire team worked together. It took some teams several days of self-induced fasting to recognize that truth!
The camp had a challenging program for young men. All the activities were tied into a sequence that led a camper to a celebration of achievement. The first half of the camp was dedicated to team effort; the second half was more about individual skills and persistence.
This camp had targeted Bible teaching. Focus was placed on Scriptures that reveal God's purpose for men and showed specific masculine challenges and shortcomings. God was clear right from creation about His plan for men, about our role and character. Still, century after century, we failed to "cultivate and keep" what God entrusted to us. The Bible is full of examples of misery Israel found itself in because its men fell short of their calling as God's messengers, priests, husbands and fathers. The same holds true about today's Russia. Yet there was (and is!) the second Adam, our Lord Jesus, who was able to fulfill God's high calling for men and reconcile manhood with its Creator. It was a joy to reveal to the boys the opportunities for personal fulfillment and the victorious life that every young man has in Jesus!
Most campers were non-believers, even though majority of them came from Christian homes. This is a dilemma our churches face: at "teen" age many kids abandon churches and choose other pursuits. This disease first afflicts boys–and as a result, our churches are men-desolate. Changing this destructive pattern was one of our major goals when we planned this camp as a group of ministry leaders from various cities of Russia.Many of the young men present heard God's voice and obeyed it. Every fourth camper was reconciled with God, praying for God's forgiveness and direction in front of the group. Likely many more made serious decisions in their hearts. Most importantly, none left without being exposed to a better way in life. A life of victory, life with a purpose, life with God.
Praise be to Him! Please join us in lifting up the hearts and minds of the 100+ Camp Code Sign community as they returned to their homes and try to put into practice what they learned and resolved at camp.- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena
COMING TO CANADA
One hundred days and counting....may be all the time we have left before we must leave our present home and move to (a yet-to-be-determined) home in Canada. One apparent blessing of the visa-processing delay is that local property values continue to climb. Every week our home is climbing in (book) value, which does bode well for the likely sale of our apartment. Regardless of whether we have to sell our home or are able to rent it out, please pray that the timing for our decision will be wise.
BLESSINGS
Praise God for the camping ministry! Thousands of children and youth are being confronted by the life-changing news that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.
Families from Lakeview Community Church in Killarney have been faithfully taking turns sending us personal letters each month. It has been so encouraging to "meet" new friends and to hear how God is blessing them in their place of ministry.
Nina has been doing very well since her time in Finland. Praise God for her improved health—she has even been able to resume helping us with the girls (even if only for short periods at a time).
PETITIONS
Nina was told today that she may have contracted Hepatitis A. She is now awaiting the results of additional tests to determine if this is the case or not. Please pray that results will be negative!
Hundreds of camps are still operating (or yet to begin) in the former Soviet Union. Please pray for the health and safety of campers and staff, and for the unhindered work of the Holy Spirit.
DID YOU KNOW...
...that people visiting parks and tourist attractions in St. Petersburg are now being serviced by "toilet buses"? These mobile washrooms have several "stalls" in each bus, each labelled with the following warning: "Stalls are very small. If you cannot fit inside, leave the door open."
ESSENTIAL INFO
Kevin & Lena Hamm are missionaries with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International, serving with Christian Camping International/Russia in St. Petersburg, Russia.
A printable version in Adobe Acrobat format is always available for download.
Visit www.krhamm.com/pray for links to print versions, archives and more.
For more on our ministry in Russia, please visit www.krhamm.com.
You can help! Please visit www.krhamm.com/support for ways you can help our family & ministry.
Hundreds of our recent photos can be viewed at Flickr.com. (And now Sonia's pictures too!)
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