My father-in-law Dean, my son James, and I spent 11 days roughing in the plumbing and electrical for two restrooms and a laundry room at Camp Hope in Rusnov, Romania. Camp Hope is currently being used to house Ukrainian Refugees. 

When I became the Missions Pastor for Lonoke, one of the first things I did was contact our missionaries Josh Edwards and Bryan Risner to see what support they needed. We were able to meet some immediate and long term needs for the Edwards. Bryan wanted to do a Zoom call to discuss what's going on with them. Deana and I talked with Bryan and his wife, Pam, and they told us about the refugee camp they were working with that had previously been condemned. 

After we got off the call with them, Deana said, “You're going aren't you?”

I said, "Yep and I'm bringing your dad.”

(Deana's dad and I worked together doing plumbing and electrical for 10 years before he retired and I went into full-time ministry).

Our first night at the camp we ate dinner with the Ukrainian women in a meal they prepared. It was surreal to suddenly be face to face with these beautiful women and children who just days before were numbers in a news story. 

My heart ached for them. The thought of my wife and children leaving to be in the care of strangers at a church camp in another country was unimaginable for me. Yet here were these strong brave women happily serving me three delicious meals a day. Some of these women walked days for their families security and had to give up everything they knew as home. 

Dean and I spent an entire day rounding up parts and figuring out the plumbing and electrical practices of Romania. We had to frame up the bathroom stalls before we could know where the plumbing and lighting needed to go. We spent a few days creating stalls from the rough sawn lumber around the camp. 

The three of us had the privilege to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with the Risners, our Ukrainian friends, and the rest of the church family at Hope Church in Rusnov. They are the church running the camp. 

After service, we shared a traditional Easter meal with our new friends at the camp. It was such an amazing experience. Pastor Apollo, from Hope Church, led a beautiful Easter Evening service at camp and I had the privilege of sharing a brief children's message. Bryan and Dean were also each able to share a Gospel message. 

We were slowed by a stomach bug for a few days but still managed to get the plumbing and electrical roughed in and ready for sheetrock. There will be another team coming in the second week of May to pick up where we left off. 

Thank you to everyone at Lonoke Baptist Church as your tithes and offerings made this trip possible. We were able to directly help people in need on the other side of the world because of your faithful support. You will hear more about the Risners and this ministry in the future and I am already thinking of going back.