LETTERS TESTIMONY TO CAMP'S GOOD

The letters that the Rev. Harry Douma receives from children thanking him for operating Camp Penuel tell a wonderful story.

It is a story of fun, frolic and a chance to walk in the woods.

The majority of children who come to Camp Penuel near Ironton live in neighborhoods filled with shootings, gang activity and high crime. Many have never spent a week outdoors, let alone at a nondenominational camp filled with activity.

The children come from Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Cape Girardeau. For 25 years the camp has been offering children a chance to experience a quieter, safer environment while teaching them about God's love.

The camp is on 650 acres near Lake Killarney in the Arcadia Valley. Another camp operates in the East, and a new camp is slated to open near Hartsburg, Mo., soon.

The camp is free for the children who are sponsored by fund-raising efforts throughout the year.

"These are kids who would never fish or boat or take nature hikes," Douma said. "They are from the asphalt jungle."

But for one week each year, the children -- there were 3,500 this year -- get a chance to go fishing, swimming and hiking. And they get a lesson in Christianity.

"The doors are knocked down," Douma said. The camp atmosphere makes sharing the gospel less intimidating.

Douma contacts social agencies and churches that serve the children who come to Camp Penuel. Many return year after year; others come back to work as camp staff in their teen-age years.

"We have some who help support the camp that grew up with the camp," Douma said. "There are hundreds of success stories."

But Douma has also seen some losses. He's been to funerals of former campers that were shot in gang fights and prayed with children who didn't want to be forced into gangs when they returned home.