Baltic Family Camp 2023

God certainly blessed our camp sesson this summer in numerous ways. Over 120 folks–missionaries, Christians, families–all came together in Moletai, Lithuania to enjoy a week together of praise, fellowship, study and encouragement. Countires represented at our camp included Lithuania, USA, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and even India and Brazil.

Our theme was Redeemed. Each day adults, teens and children had opportunties to study together in classes designed just for them. Each night we gathered to worship together. It was a beautiful representation of God at work through our different cultures to bring us together as one. This was made even more meaningful considering the ever present war in that region that directly affected some of our campers. One sister from Kiev, Ukraine shared heart-wrenching stories about what she has witnessed and the consequences of this conflict for her, the church and families in that country. For her and others, the BFC served as a refuge from that ever-present tension. She is in the middle in the photo below.

One of the purposes of the BFC is to offer missionaries and Christian families the opportunity to enjoy a week of rest and retreat, while also providing them in-depth study and resources to help them navigate their local ministries. This year we were blessed to have Harding University professors, Drs. Tim and Anessa Westbrook as our guest Bible teachers and Mitch Anderson from the Czech Republic who, along with he wife, Monika, offer missonary care through their Caretakers ministry. Each brought to us their giftedness–blessing us through their teaching.

The BFC also brings back several adults who grew up attending youth camps in the area. It is always a sweet reunion. Many of these adults are now parents who bring their children. For instance, I first met Viktorija when she was around 13 yrs. old. She never missed a session of youth camp in Lithuania. This session at the BFC, her son, Adomis, who is now 13 was baptized into Christ! We all rejoiced with her, her family, the camp and the angels in heaven!

Of course, the BFC could not happen without the fantastic team who travel over from the states to teach; to serve; and to make sure everything is in place for those attending. It also could not take place without the support of my home congregation, the Levy Church of Christ or without the good work of my Lithuanian colleage, Ilia Amosov. God has blessed us with an exceptional team.

The above picture is of the five of us who were at the very first youth camp in Lithuania in 1998 including on the left–David Pryor, who along with his wife, Louriella come from Clinton, MS each year. He leads worship and she leads one of our kid’s classes. Also pictured with me from left are Zivile Puodziukaitiene, Viktorija Dapšienė and Vladimir Rancev.

We are already planning for next year, God willing. We are excited to share that Drs. Evertt and Ileene Huffard will return to be our guest Bible teachers. Please join us in praying for God to continue to work through our session this year and for his blessings as we plan for next year.

Here is the team from Levy who worked so hard to make the camp a success.

“Why Do We Have All This Stuff?”

In a recent conversation with friend Rob, he told of cleaning out a packed room at his house. In the process he spoke out loud the words of the title—something to which most of us can easily relate.

Several years ago, my family returned from the mission field after a few seasons living in Vilnius, Lithuania. While there we lived in a small, rented, furnished apartment. The little amount of stuff we accumulated was mostly given away before we left. All of our furniture and other belongings had been in storage back in the Mississippi during this time. Once we settled into our new job and location in Florida upon our return, we were reunited with all of that by way of a moving company. Standing overwhelmed among all of the boxes and furniture, my wife and I (no longer accustomed to such) just looked at each other. Neither of us had to say it. We just had that, “Why do we have all this stuff?” expression.

Full transparency here: we have all that stuff and even more now—like most everyone else. We eventually reacclimated to stuff. We just seem to be stuff-oriented. We become proud of stuff. We identify with stuff. Whether it is a costly treasure or an item found in the bargain bin (there is a kind of pride found in both). We are glad to talk about our stuff. We surround ourselves with it. We display it. We value it and value being associated with it. Certain stuff can add status. Others admire it, which we enjoy.

Stuff can be sentimental—nostalgically taking us back to people and places of our past. Perhaps some of our stuff is family heirlooms or a cherished gift given by someone special. Some stuff we declare as priceless and irreplicable, which we would never, ever actually refer to as “stuff.” Our emotional connection to stuff can be strong. Stuff can be comforting like that.

Our economy runs on stuff. Commercials sell it. Amazon delivers it. And we want it. It is a “must-have!” It is “on sale!” It is the “latest style!” It will make us happy! It has more bells and whistles! It saves us money! Our old stuff—even if still usable—fades. So, we buy more stuff.  

And we keep buying it, without actually getting rid of much old stuff. Storage unit rental companies count on that—stuff is their business too (Is this a version of getting bigger barns? See Luke 12:16-21). Then one day, we pause, look around at our clutter and say to ourselves, “Why do we have all of this stuff?”

That is where folks like me come in. My hobby/side hustle is stuff. Once you have reached stuff saturation, I come to your yard sale and buy your old stuff only to re-sell it. It is repackaged as “vintage” and then becomes someone else’s “must have.” Our stuff just keeps recirculating. After all, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”  

Doing this hobby has evolved my perspective on stuff. I’ve learned a few things along the way. Tons of stuff has been produced over the decades. Old does not always mean rare and/or valuable. Stuff is a commodity which fluctuates in value according to the marketplace. Tons of stuff has been produced (did I mention that). And we really, really like stuff.

But seriously, here are some lessons learned:

• Stuff is just stuff. Even if it is pricey; rare; investment level commodities; it remains just stuff. As the old cliché goes—none of us can take it with us. Wars have started over stuff. Lawyers get rich arguing about stuff. Families fracture over stuff. Lives are lost over stuff. But in the end, it remains stuff—lifeless objects incapable of returning our love or devotion.
• Stuff is not irreplicable. Sure, there is some unique, one-of-a-kind stuff that once lost cannot be duplicated. Yes, there is rare and extremely valuable stuff, that if lost would create huge financial losses. But even that level of stuff cannot replace relationships, family, contentment, lasting joy, peace, hope and God’s love—all are infinitely more precious and valuable. Stuff should never supersede them. Stuff really is replaceable, they are not.
• Stuff should not define our life. Admittedly, someone much wiser than me, made this point a long time ago. Jesus put it like this: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). This statement looms large over our piles of stuff. It can punch us in the gut. I am not greedy—just a collector, right? Life is simply about more than stuff—the life that Jesus calls us to, anyway. Some amount of stuff is necessary. All of us will own stuff, but does it own us? Maybe that’s the question Jesus wants us to ask.

Stuff can be fun. Some stuff–food, housing, clothing–is essential (all of which God promises to provide—Matthew 6:25-34). But stuff will always be just stuff and therefore perishable. We should never put our trust in it nor should we elevate it over the imperishable. Stuff may capture our heart, but it can never truly satisfy it (which is why we keep going back for more).

Let’s once more consider what Jesus said about stuff:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

So, as we buy stuff, keep stuff, sell stuff or give it away—remember to never treasure it. That has a diminishing return. Instead, let Jesus define our life. Treasure him above all else. Use our stuff to glorify him and further the kingdom. And trust ever in him. His grace, mercy and love, that is what truly is irreplaceable.

“Why do we have all of this stuff?” That IS a good question.

Baltic Family Camp 2022

What a joy it was to share a week with brothers, sisters, missionaires and friends from eleven European countries last week at the Baltic Family Camp (BFC) in Lithuania. Ten years ago this camp began with the goal of providing rest and spiritual renewal for missionaries and Christians in Central Europe along with creating a network among the mostly small, distant churches on that continent. Thanks to the blessings of the Father, those goals have been accomplished. Ten years later the BFC brings together family in the Lord!

After a two-year absence due to COVID, we (113 campers) gathered at a wonderful new campground (Camp Bebriukas, which means “Beaver:) near Moletai, Lithuania and focused on our theme of “Nobody But Jesus.” Dr. Daniel Napier (who along with his wife, Karly, serve on the mission field in Greece) was our guest teacher. He offered us fresh insight on the privilege of prayer by unpacking Christ’s prayer in Luke 11. Thanks to other gifted teachers from the states, the children and teens enjoyed interactive classes, crafts and activities. It was a tremendous week of growth, fellowship, worship, and family. One young lady, Victoria, put Christ on in baptism.

We also heard stories from refugess from both Ukraine and Belarus. In spite of the conflict raging near this part of the world, God is at work bringing relief, rescue and hope to those affected. The camp confirmed once more that our connection in Jesus goes beyond any nationality or borders.

The need for the BFC just grows greater. God continues to use it to build up his kingdom.

Baltic Family Camp 2016

The Baltic Family Camp (BFC) takes place each year in an old Soviet Pioneer Camp now called, Camp Ruta, near Moletai, Lithuania. It grew out of the youth camps held annually at the same site since 1998.

It began in 2012 with two main purposes–to provide rest and renewal for missionaries and their families along with other Christians in the Baltic region and to help foster a connection and network among the small scattered churches in those countries. Those goals have been wonderfully realized, but as with most of our plans, God has gone well beyond what we could “ask or imagine” to create a truly special week of learning, fellowship, reunion, renewal, joy and family.

Since its beginning people from fourteen different countries have attended the BFC. This year twelve nationalities were represented among the 118 participants. The BFC brings us all together, works through our language and cultural barriers to form one body worshipping God with one spirit, heart and voice. It is an incredible God-defined, Spirit-led experience.

The BFC really is about the people who attend. This year I was reunited with Ugne. Ugne now lives in the Netherlands with her husband and son. Back in the late 1990s she was one of my students in Vilnius, Lithuania and attended some of the youth camps at Ruta. She has never forgotten the time she spent in study and at camp. Through social media we were able to reconnect and as a result she attended the BFC for the first time this year with her son. She is not a part of a church of our fellowship since none exist where she lives. She expressed how meaningful the Bible classes at the BFC were to her and her son and how she yearned for such study opportunities in her area.

Ugne is representative of how God has used the BFC to reconnect with friends, former students and campers, who now return to Camp Ruta with their families to enjoy the week of study, praise, and fellowship.

Then there are wonderful people like Sansom and Monica Karumanchi from India. India is not quite in the original geographical footprint imagined with the BFC. Sansom, through friends in Tallinn, Estonia first attended the BFC a few years ago and is now an integral part of our week. This summer he brought his new, beautiful and courageous bride, Monica. The Karumanchis along with a new participant this year, Seth Amofah of Ghana, demonstrate just one way God has expanded the BFC more than we could have ever dreamed.

Our teachers are a huge part of our camp. Dr. Alan and Sherry Pogue, who have a Christian counseling center and ministry in North Little Rock, AR are a regular part of our sessions. They provide Christ-based teaching and counseling during the week on family, marriage and parenting. While most of us in the states take these kinds of opportunities for granted, they do not exist in the Baltics.

This year Dr. Earl Lavender of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN and Dr. Joy Rousseau, a retired educator from Tyler, TX served as our primary class teachers for our men and women. Both brought a wealth of mission experience along with their rich teaching expertise to the camp. Digging deeply into God’s Word is at the core of the BFC. We work to provide a richer and fuller learning experience to assist in renewal.

Kids also are a large part of the session. This year we had more babies and toddlers than ever and as someone noted, our own youth group–kids who have grown up attending the camp. We have a great team who lead the kid’s day camp.

The BFC was just a dream for several years, but through God working in hearts and through the generosity of my home church, Levy, along with the commitment of an incredible American and Lithuanian team, this dream has been realized in amazing ways.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

 

 

 

 

 

10,000 Reasons– 2014 BFC

Every year as we begin planning for the next Baltic Family Camp (BFC), I always have a moment or two of doubts. These doubts are not God-centered; they are self-centered. Is it worth all of the effort? Can we bring it all together again? Will families and individuals in the Baltic region of Europe still want to attend and participate? These moments are fleeting, but still real. Then we arrive at Camp Ruta in Molatai, Lithuania and enjoy a grand reunion with old friends and welcome new ones. I just silently say to myself–O ye of little faith!

The 2014 edition of the BFC gave me 10,000 reasons why this ministry effort is indeed worth every investment into it. It was a pure joy to be there together with brothers and sisters in Christ from the countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Germany, Sweden, England, and yes, this year–India (for a total of 96 people). The BFC truly illustrates that God’s kingdom knows no boundaries and that our bond in Christ Jesus is stronger than any nationality.

One of the main purposes of the BFC is to offer missionary families in that part of Europe the chance for rest and refreshment. We welcomed Mark and Karen Abercrombie (Liepzig, Germany); Ilia and Daiva Amosov and Juozas and Zivile Puodziukatis and family (Vilnius, Lithuania); Kestutis Puodziunas (Klaipeda, Lithuania); Joel and Yana Petty and family and Oleg and Natasha Yakimenko and family (St. Petersburg, Russia); George and Gabreille Opoku and family (Stockholm, Sweden); Jerry and Trina Ross and family (Tartu, Estonia); and Victor Barviks (Riga, Latvia) to the camp this session.

In addition we welcomed Christian families and individuals from across this region as we studied, fellowshipped, played, and worshipped together. Thirteen year old, Atile, who is one of the daughters of a faithful family from Kaunas, Lithuania was baptized into Christ by her dad. The church in this city–the second largest in Lithuania–meets in the home of her parents, Gediminus and Indre Ileviciene.

Did I mention we had a brother from India this year? His name is Chorlian Samsom Karumanchi. He came via the church in Tallinn, Estonia. Sansom’s father is a preacher in India and his family operates the Sathupally Children’s Home. The small church in Tallinn has partnered with them and made this orphanage a mission point for their church.

We had an incredible American team (most being from the Levy church in North Little Rock, AR but also this year from Clinton, MS, Plano, TX, Gueydan, LA and Leoma, TN) who served in various ways throughout the week including Richard and Jeanna Lynn May. They took their What God Has Joined marriage ministry on the road to Camp Ruta. This type of Christian-based ministry to married couples is greatly needed in the Baltics.

Our theme this year was inspired by the song, 10,000 Reasons. We did discover  through our time together many reasons to bless the Lord and many more reasons why God is doing an amazing work with the Baltic Family Camp.

No doubt about it.