I had to score! My bat cracked, the ball soared over the center fielder’s head. We were playing a hybrid version of baseball. I was the last batter, our team would go to the field whether I was safe on base, tagged out, or scored, so, I was going to score! As my fleet feet rounded third, the ball bounced in from center, and Cindy, the catcher stood in my path, waiting for what she assumed would be an easy tag out at home. At the last instant, I dived. Headfirst, I slid safely across home plate. I rose to the cheers of our Russian campers. “Now that, boys, is how you play baseball!”

Staff and kids spelling out "iCamp".

“Love of Christ” church holds a Christian sports camp for youths every summer. This year it was called “iCamp”.  Yes, it was a shout out to everything “i” these days. Every year we teach baseball, football, ultimate Frisbee, and several other sports. This year we also had boxing, taekwondo, and rock climbing and repelling. We kept very busy! When we weren’t playing sports, we were escaping the sun under cold Baikal waters. Morning and evening we gather to praise God, hear testimonies, watch dramas and learn about who Jesus is, why he came to live among us, and his mind bending love and sacrifice for us. This year ten young men and women asked him into their hearts!

I was this year’s emcee, and let me tell you, speaking Russian after a full day of sports and a beat-down by the sun made for some funny language mistakes. We all came back three shades darker, God was praised, and new eternities founded.

The girls of summer, showing their baseball spirit.

Sasha, or local boxing expert (in red) giving Stas some instruction.

Outdoor kitchen at the camp.

Putting taekwondo lessens to use!

Our itsy-bitsy cabin.

Getting our Russian baseball on.

One of Baikal's many changing moods.

We learned rock climbing and repelling while at iCamp. All with a smile!

Learning a little taekwondo.

Make the catch, Misha! (One of my boys.)

Building friendship.

Games at our evening gathering.

Our first day we hiked into the mountains on the west coast of lake Baikal.

Anya's got game. Nice pass!

Mountain top view from west coast of lake Baikal.

Letting go.

Stepping out.

Hanging on for dear life.

The boys, takin their Ultimate Frisbee seriously.

Girls just havin' fun! (No animals or insects were injured in this photo session!)

Stas, our worship leader, kneeling, and some of our kids under the bright Baikal sun.

Vera, Anya, and Alex batting coaches extraodinaire!

Marina and Alex, in the first of many impromtu planning meetings. Marina is a "can-do" girl. She gets 'er done!