CREATIVE FAMILY PROJECT

 

            Ray and Sharon Pope dedicated their lives to mission work in Uruguay. A portion of the work included a camp, begun in 1967. When Popes retired it became too hard for other missionaries to provide upkeep and manage the property. For several years it sat unused and vandalized until the Pope Children Foundation purchased it in 2016.  Clean up and maintenance took a couple more years. In the first year camping resumed, Ray named the camp Ebenezer, meaning, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (I Samuel 7:12).

            The Pope Children Foundation has a board consisting of members of Farmington Baptist Church in Minnesota as well as a board of local pastors in Uruguay. Before his death in 2022, Ray helped raise thousands of dollars for the project. The Pope children continue to be involved in both fundraising and hands-on physical labor. Steve and his family have been in Uruguay this December. Deborah and Patty, along with several of their children will be traveling there in January. All of their travel is at their own expense, not paid out of the Foundation money.

            Camp Ebenezer has been used for five seasons of youth camp as well as retreats for men and women. A local church uses the property for services weekly.  Camping season for 2023 begins on January 10.

            For those who would like to support this work monetarily or plan a church mission trip to help with repairs and groundskeeping, the Pope Children Foundation address is 22740 Olivine Street NW, Nowthen, MN 55330.

            I can’t think of a better way to help a family which desires to honor the memory of their parents and serve God even after those parents have moved on to glory.