Testimonies of Ray Pope
Ray and Sharon Pope
Ray Pope and Sharon Anderson were alike in many ways. Both were born in 1940, twenty-four days apart. Both grew up in So. Minnesota: Ray in Fairmont; Sharon in Mapleton, near Mankato. Both played instruments in their high school bands: Ray, the trombone; Sharon, the clarinet. Both realized their need for God's forgiveness in their pre-teen years. Sharon was 7 when she received Jesus as her personal Savior, and Ray was eleven. Life and the Bible took on new meaning for them. As teenagers, summer Bible Camp was a highlight. At 14, Ray attended Camp Shetek in S.W. Minnesota. That same summer, Sharon attended Camp Patterson near Mankato. A veteran missionary from Japan named Frank Holecek, the missionary speaker at both camps, challenged the young people to be willing to be a missionary if God continued to so lead in their lives. Ray and Sharon both made that decision that Summer to be willing. God continued to confirm that decision during their teen years.
Upon high school graduation, they both felt led to attend Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Mn. They met and talked for the first time at a College Weekend Camp where they discovered they had similar callings. As Freshman at Pillsbury, they both "shared" another Freshman named Steve. He was Ray's room-mate, and he dated Sharon the entire first year. After they stopped dating, Ray took his turn with this "cute, sweet blond" over the next three years. As college graduation neared, they had peace and unity about "tying the knot."
As Ray continued his education at Central Seminary in Minneapolis, the Lord opened the door to plant a new church in St. Peter, Mn. This became their home through Seminary, ordination, and the births of their first two daughters, Rebecca and Deborah. After four and a half years, the Lord showed them it was time to move on to the foreign field. Baptist World Mission became their sending agency, and after one year of deputation, they were off to Uruguay in February of 1968.
They learned Spanish and began the work of planting churches. The family grew to 7 as the Lord blessed them with another girl, Patricia, and two boys, Timothy and Stephen. Two churches were planted during the first four-year term along with the efforts of a missionary couple and two single ladies. Other local church related endeavors through the years have been Bible Institute classes, Christian schools, a camping program, evangelistic tent meetings, street meeting, flea market ministry, and Vacation Bible Schools.
Ray and Sharon served together for 35 years before leaving the field in 2003 to care for Ray's parents. After 50 wonderful years of serving together, the Lord called Sharon home to Heaven in 2012. Ray continues to visit Uruguay almost yearly, serve the Lord in his local church in Farmington, Mn., and nurture his 13 grandchildren.
December 2015 Visit to Uruguay
"That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed." - Romans 15:32
That was my prayer as I left Bibleville on Dec. 9 to visit my Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Uruguay, So. America. The next day I met my Delta flight attendant daughter and her three young children in Atlanta. We all flew out that evening with Deborah and her twins in Economy and 7-yr. old Joshua, with me in Business Class!
Cristian, an Argentine missionary who has labored in Uruguay for several years, joyously met us at the airport to take us and our many suitcases to the Camp property about 40 minutes away. Luis and Nelly have lived in my house on the Camp property for the past 20 years or so. After hugs and kisses (Uruguayan style), we settled into the two bedrooms they had prepared for us. Their 20-year old daughter plays on the Uruguayan National Women's Soccer team and gives a good testimony for Christ.
My first weekend was spent in fellowship with the El Dorado Church family where I spoke at a Saturday picnic and then their Sunday morning service. Sunday evening I attended the Christmas programs in two area churches where I met new believers and long-time friends. Again hugs and kisses of joy!!
Tuesday I was invited to join in and speak to the entire staff of the Christian School which meets in the El Dorado Church facilities. There are 23 on staff today, with a School of 184 children from 3 years old through 6th grade. This was my wife, Sharon's vision and burden back some 36 years ago. Glory to God for what He has done through these dedicated Uruguayan believers! Friday of that week was the closing program and graduation for the School. Several hundred parents and family came to see 23 Kindergartners and 14 Sixth-graders graduate.
I was privileged to preach the Gospel to them through "magic".. The School also dedicated a new Mini-Gymnasium in memory of Sharon, which was built mostly with her memorial gifts. My daughter and my two sons and their families were also able to be present. What an emotional and humbling time for us all.
Then Sunday I was asked to preach at the local church that meets on the Camp property. More hugs and kisses!! We also welcomed the beginning of Summer!
During Christmas week, I was blessed to visit a number of families I have known in past years. There was always opportunity to read Scripture and pray for them. I laughed and cried with my language teacher from 48 years ago. A Bible Institute graduate who has been pastoring 20 years in Argentina came to visit family...and me! A short visit, but sweet! Also a visit to a restored brother in Christ, a recovering alcoholic, a couple with a humble, church-house, a soccer commentator who wants to visit the US in June, a missionary lady who has labored faithfully for 50 years, a teacher in our Christian School who is battling a deadly cancer. . . . and on and on. Tired, yes, but at the same time, refreshed!
The last weekend I preached in San Jose, the last church I pastored before leaving Uruguay in 2003. All of the churches I have mentioned have Uruguayan pastors, but my last 3 days in Uruguay, I visited some church- planting missionary friends in the interior of the country. I even got to play a trombone and have an :informal jam" with a sax and piano in one of the missionary's homes. There were lots of hugs and "holy" kisses and expressions of "hasta el ano que viene, Dios mediante."
Translation: "until next year, Lord willing."
Camp Ebenezer Founded
"For a great and effectual door has opened to me (us) ... I Cor. 16:9.
One of the main purposes for four of my five children joining me in Uruguay during December was to obtain and begin to resurrect a 3-acre Camp that had been a part of our lives and ministry during the 35 years we were there. Our first home was at the Camp. Our three youngest children were born when we lived there. Our kids raised their pets there, climbed the eucalyptus trees, worked in the garden, and participated in camp activities during the 25 years we lived on the Camp property.
When the Mission purchased the Camp property 50 years ago, it had been a race horse stable with 24 stable rooms. These were converted into dorm rooms, classrooms, chapel, dining hall, kitchen and canteen. Outside, among the towering eucalyptus trees were marked off areas for basketball, volleyball, tether ball, swings, teter-totters, soccer, obstacle course, and campfires. About 20 years ago the kitchen, dining hall and bathrooms were expanded to triple their capacity.
In addition to having several weeks of summer camp for various ages, it was used during the year for Bible Institute classes, weekend youth activities, men's and ladies' retreats, Christian School, and fellowship for the churches on holidays. Glory to God that many have received Christ and made decisions of surrender and service to Him through the years. Camp holds many memories of friendships and spiritual victories.
Four years ago the Mission decided to sell the Camp for lack of a resident missionary overseer, and the distance from where the present missionaries were laboring. Since it did not sell, the price came down to where my five children could pool their funds to purchase it. God gave them peace to move ahead with legal papers and plans to reopen it for Christian ministry. Paper work has been completed to form a 501-C3 non-profit corporation called the "Pope Children Foundation". Paper work is also underway in Uruguay to get the necessary permissions and inspections. The name of the Camp has been changed to Camp Ebenezer from I Samuel 7:12, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Amen.....and we continue to trust Him to help us.
An administrative Board has been set up stateside with two of my children, our local church Pastor, and two others. There is also a team of 6 nationals in place in Uruguay that will oversee the spiritual ministry, maintenance, security, and finances for the Camp.
During the past four years, the Camp was pretty much abandoned, so when the kids got to Uruguay in December, they set to work, trimming the trees and cutting the weeds that had mostly taken over. Neighbors and friends were pleased to see the improvements and activity. We are all excited about the possibilities and vision for the future with His help. Much is yet to be done in the way of repairing, remodeling, furniture, painting, etc. An anonymous donner has made available a matching gift up to $10,000 by the 31st of March. As the Lord leads, checks can be made out to "Pope Children Foundation" and placed in P.O. Box 100 or given to the "Bibleville" Pope. Your prayers and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated!
