Wesley Camp trip wrap up

A few final observations from our trip to Latvia and Lithuania.

Camp Wesley is a holy place. It was an honor to be among those who have camped in the apple orchard, which I am sure will become part of the lore of the Camp even after other more modern camping facilities are completed. At this point I should apologize to our plentiful camping companions, the storks. I referred to them originally as nocturnal eye pluckers. To my knowledge they never plucked any eyes. But I'm telling you, they could if they wanted to, which makes them even more special. North Alabama United Methodists have contributed mightily to the beginnings of Camp Wesley, partially, I think, because of the tradition of spiritual growth thousands of us have experienced at our own Camp Sumatanga. The main assembly hall is in the Alabama Building. So the Spirit is familiar at Camp Wesley. If you have a chance to offer your support, financially or on a work team, do it.

I was laying on my back on the ramp that leads from the assembly hall to the ground. It was late Saturday afternoon, as far as I could tell. The day had been great. In the morning devotional and discussion session we talked about "performance or praise". Then we ate lunch. Then we had band practice. By the time we finished, everyone was a part of the band. It was a wonderful thing. Then we took a break. Mitchell gave a mini-concert on the keyboards and offered a rare vocal concert, bringing the soul to the Camp. Then he played keyboards for Kristine to sing. That is when I reclined outside the door on the ramp. A cool breeze was blowing, the sun was warming, and the Spirit was descending. At some point Mitchell quit playing. Kristine kept singing. For 30 or 40 minutes she sang, while the rest of us rested, lying on the floor, the pews, or as in my case, on the stone ramp outside. It was a transcendent moment that defies description.

The Baltic Sea is extremely cold. And it has stones that will brutalize your insteps if you choose to step hard and dive into the ice-cold water. But it is beautiful and only a ten to fifteen minute walk from the Alabama Building.

There is no peace like holding a new-born baby. Many thanks to Dan, Courtney and sweet Ceara for letting us be a part of her first few days. Dan and Courtney Randall are United Methodist missionaries to Latvia. Ceara was born three or four days before we arrived. Dan's blog is listed below.

There is nothing cooler than a big Renault Trafic van with a large green Europocar Rental sticker on the side. Just screams hipness to all who see. I can't believe we didn't make a photo.

Children are children. We visited an orphanage in Siualiai for a little while, playing some music and playing with the children. The laughter of children is universal. You don't have to go to Siauliai. Visit an orphanage near you soon. But if you are in Siauliai . . .

At the Hill of Crosses Mitchell placed a cross from The Bridge of First UMC Tuscaloosa alongside the millions of other crosses that are there. We prayed at that place. Just as the millions of others who have placed crosses there have done. The power of the place and of the moment sneaks up on you in the quiet countryside. If you are ever there, the Bridge Cross is on the back right side. It is a light purple ceramic cross hanging on a larger wooden cross. It is only a few yards from the Chrysalis cross.

God is good. The trip was far more than I anticipated. Mitchell, Anna, James, Rachel, and J. C. were perfect travelling companions. There is so much more to tell, but not enough space.

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