Final Reflections

As you have read Cami's updates and seen the photos, we hope you got a taste of our experiences this summer. Our family will leave Oregon Monday with a great appreciation for this beautiful place and the gracious God who brought us here. When I first called Cami with the idea of spending six weeks in a pop up camper in the forest of Oregon, I thought she would either laugh hysterically or have a good, long cry. She did neither - she said, "let's do it!" Man, I sure do love her.

I have seen many wondrous things in my short 40 years, but nothing has left me breathless like what I have seen here. We have seen snow covered mountains, the sunset on the Pacific, rumbling waterfalls, and so many other spectacular sights. I can truly call Oregon God's country. Unfortunately, so many who live here would not. Oregon is the third least churched state in the country. We understood this as we began having deeper conversations with staff members about spiritual things. The common belief we encountered is that all religions are good and basically point in the same directions. I ask you to go back and look at the staff photos and pray for them. Pray that God will bring back to their hearts and minds the things they heard in chapel service or devotional time. Pray that other believers will come along side them and reinforce what Cami and I shared with them about Christ. This is truly a burden on our hearts. We desire that when they see the beauty that surrounds them, they will know that a holy God made it all. That same God poured out Himself for them so that they might truly live.

This bumper sticker sums up the religious beliefs of so many in Oregon.

In reality Cami and I weren't just employees of the Boy Scouts of America, we were missionaries to around 40 staff members - most under 2o years of age. We have loved them and shared ourselves with them these past six weeks. Through chapel services and other opportunities, I shared God's Word with 1,645 campers and adult leaders. This has truly been a summer well spent! Many of the staff keep asking if we are coming back next summer - we shall see what God has in store for us.

We thank you for your many prayers for us - especially Jarod and Anne. They have loved being a part of all this. They have had so much fun, neither want to leave. Pray that we will adjust back to our lives in Florida. I go back to school the day after we return - pray for energy and focus to get things done in a short amount of time.

We appreciate you and hope God has used our experiences to bless and encourage you.

Still on the Path,

Russell