Summer/Fall 2014 Saskatchewan Edition Issue 2
CANADA's
HOPE GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE.
Conversations Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
COLOSSI A NS 4:6
A PUBLICATION OF allas alley Ranch Camp
The Taylors See
The Taylors live in concert on the
one hope canada
Fundraising Tour 2015 April 9-20, 2015 | Manitoba & Saskatchewan More information will be available in the next edition of Canada’s Hope. For up-to-date concert information: www.onehopecanada.ca/upcoming events/
CANADA's
HOPE Summer/Fall 2014 Saskatchewan Edition Issue Two
GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE. Canada’s Hope is the bi-annual publication of One Hope Canada. Letters, articles and photos are welcomed. Names of many of the children mentioned in articles have been changed. EDITORS Melanie Mushaluk Nic Mundey
Inside this issue NATIONAL
SASKATCHEWAN
3
Executive Director’s Message
4
Provincial Director’s Message
5
Harold’s Humour
6
Madge Lake Bible Camp
12
The price has been paid
8
No Longer Broken
20
Encounter
10
Dallas Valley Bible Camp
28
Devotional
14
Estevan Bible Camp
28
Kids Corner
16
Kenosee Lake Bible Camp
32
What happens at camp
18
Summer 2014 Photos
34
24
Luseland Bible Camp
Cooking with Kathy
26
Ranger Lake Bible Camp
36
Quote Wall
30
Stoney Lake Bible Camp
CIRCULATION & ADDRESS CORRECTION Sylvia Froese SPONSORSHIPS Harold Giesbrecht DESIGN Iced Tea Designs COPY EDITOR Jacquie Bolen Menno Hamm Gloria Pederson PRINTING Derksen Printers Steinbach, MB Publications agreement number 40019747 Undelivered copies, change of address and new requests should be addressed to: ONE HOPE CANADA 200-189 Henderson Hwy Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7 Telephone: 1-204-668-2776 Fax: 1-204-663-0246 Email: info@onehopecanada.ca www.onehopecanada.ca
Please note that in order to save printing and postage costs, one magazine will be mailed out per household. If you would like to receive additional copies, please contact us at info@onehopecanada.ca. Cover Image taken at Ranger Lake Bible Camp
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE BY BILL & BEV McCASKELL
Questions make conversation interesting THINK ABOUT IT. If you never asked a question in a conversation what would you ever learn? Would you know the person’s name? What he likes doing on the weekend? What her favorite foods are? How many are in their family? Kids love asking questions. That is why they are so much fun to be around. And with being around 20,000 children and youth this summer, the One Hope Canada mission team heard lots of questions: “How do you shoot that arrow so straight?”, “Why are there so many mosquitoes?”, “Why did they kill Jesus?”, “Can God really love me?” Questions are great because they make us ponder and they show someone is interested in us. Jesus loved asking questions too. “What do you want me to do for you?”, “Who do you say I am?”, “Do you love me?” As you flip the pages of this edition of Canada’s Hope, we know you will enjoy reading some of the many conversations from this past summer. And by the way, would you like to have a conversation about the awesome news of what Jesus has done for you with someone who doesn’t yet know who Jesus is? Start by asking, not telling. It’s a great way to get the conversation going. Together with you in serving Him!
Canada’s Hope
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FIELD DIRECTOR EDITORIAL BY TERRY KERR, SASKATCHEWAN FIELD DIRECTOR
Part of the Harvest As this year’s harvest season swings into full gear for the farmers, another harvest season is slowly coming to a close, the summer camp season for our ten camps in Saskatchewan. This past summer, just over 6,800 children and youth attended our week-long summer camps. In addition to this, many more were on site as part of the ministry, working as summer staff, volunteering, or just visiting. Each individual quickly became part of the harvest as they were able to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The theme of this edition is Conversations. In the pages ahead you will read a variety of articles about conversations that took place this past summer at some of our camps. We are thankful for your part in the camp ministry, and trust you will enjoy reading about some of the conversations that took place at this summer’s camps.
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
We are thankful for your part in the camp ministry.
HAROLD’S HUMOUR BY HAROLD GIESBRECHT, DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Bulletin Blo opers My collection of bulletin bloopers started years ago when I read the following under Future Events: “April 4 Fundraising Supper for (name of missionary couple, last name misspelled). It is to raise funds for ministry that is lacking.” I couldn’t help ponder, “What’s lacking? Their ministry? Funds? Perhaps someone to proof-read the bulletin? And so, my collection began. Here are some of my favourites: • At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be, “What is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice. • Don’t let worry kill you off—let the church help. • For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs. • Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary. • The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
• The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals. • Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow. One reason I go to church is to read the bulletin. There’s some really interesting stuff in there! If you happen to find bloopers in your church’s bulletin, please send them my way: haroldg@onehopecanada.ca. HAROLD GIESBRECHT has worked with One Hope Canada in Manitoba for over 15 years. You may also have heard him as host of “Heart of the South” on Golden West Radio stations across western Canada. Harold’s passion for camping ministry, evangelism and Southern Gospel music, along with his easy going personality make him a great ambassador for the Gospel for young and old alike!
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Canada’s Hope
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Staying
BY NAOMI TENSEN, FOLLOW-UP & DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR
“
He said that camp
had been his highlight and that his way of
thinking had changed.� 6
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
connected This past summer one of the youth from my church spent three weeks at Madge Lake Bible Camp. He was on staff as an LIT (Leader in Training) for a week and then a camper for two weeks. He had been attending church and youth group so I was able to get to know him, and noticed he had become more distant and negative throughout the year. But he had an awesome summer at camp where God really moved in his heart! I could see a difference in him from the first week he was there to the last. One night at youth group we were talking about our summer and what our highlights had been. He said that camp had been his highlight and that his way of thinking had changed. He said that God had changed his life at camp.
“
I know the importance
of staying connected with the staff and campers
encouraging them in their
relationship with the Lord.” Camp is such an important place to see lives changed. My own life was changed at Whitney Lake Bible Camp where I made the decision to make my relationship with Christ my own. I have just started as the Follow-Up / Discipleship Coordinator at Madge Lake Bible Camp. I’m really excited to see God work in the lives of the campers and staff members throughout the year. Part of my position will involve writing and posting weekly devotionals for the junior staff from the summer. I will also be going into the different communities and meeting with the campers and staff from those areas. We are also trying to meet with the different youth leaders in the area to connect as youth leaders and provide help and services to support them in their ministries. We’ll also plan different events over the year where campers and staff can get together to allow amazing discipleship to happen. I have had the privilege of working at the camp for seven summers, and as a youth leader in the area for the same amount of time. I know the importance of staying connected with the staff and campers from the summer and encouraging them in their relationship with the Lord. MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
www.madgelakebiblecamp.ca 204-937-3646
Ph: (306) 752-2783
Fax: (306) 752-9144
Toll Free: 1-866-424-3936 • cheyennegm@sasktel.net
CHEYENNE MOTOR PRODUCTS
Canada’s Hope
7
by terry kerr, sk field director
“You could hear the pages of Scripture being turned as they pored over God’s Word together, others wept, while others just sat silently reflecting on what the speaker said.” 8
No longer
broken
As a Field Director, I have the privilege of travelling to the different camps, and am able to have many great conversations throughout the summer months. Bonnie and I have often agreed that the best part of our role is the many conversations we have each summer with the staff, volunteers and supporters at each camp. In early July, while at Manitou Lake Bible Camp, many of the staff were sharing stories of campers in their cabins who were from another denomination. As the week of camp progressed, these campers started to question many of the cabin leaders about their faith. They could not get over how, on numerous occasions, no matter what the circumstances were, the leaders would just stop to pray and encourage others to lead out in prayer. This observation of prayer allowed the staff to engage into deeper conversations, teaching the campers how prayer is a personal conversation with Jesus anytime and anywhere. One morning later in August, while attending Kenosee Lake Bible Camp, Brad Weber, Camp Director, and I were engaged in a conversation about some of
the troubled youth who attend a week of summer camp. The conversation was a good reminder for both us that we really do minister to a broken world. Later that night in chapel the speaker did an awesome job of presenting the message of salvation. Once chapel was over and dismissed, sixteen youth stayed behind in the chapel with the speaker and cabin leaders to learn more about Christ. This article will never do justice to what was observed that night – seeing these youth with their heads bowed praying with staff. You could hear the pages of Scripture being turned as they pored over God’s Word together, others wept, while others just sat silently reflecting on what the speaker said. After about an hour of sitting there silently, Brad leaned over to me and, referring to our early morning conversation, he stated, “These youth do not have to be broken anymore; they have Jesus.” For me it was one of the most profound statements of the entire summer and a great reminder of why we do what we do all year long behind the scenes.
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
A passion for the Gospel A burden for Canada We have a new name! A name that reflects why we do what we do. A name that shares our vision and passion.
allas alley Ranch Camp
BY CLAYTON WIENS, CLIMBING WALL INSTRUCTOR
Achieving our
main goal
Recently I’ve been watching the TV show “Lost.” In it, a plane crashes on an island and the surviving passengers try to escape from their unfamiliar surroundings. It seems everyone has their own plan to get off the island, and many conflicts are caused when they don’t work together or communicate. People wander off, go missing in the jungle, or end up fighting with each other for days, all because they didn’t sit down and have a conversation. In camp ministry the situation is much the same, but without the whole desert-island scenario. There’s a whole bunch of people in a wilderness setting with a common goal – sharing the gospel. However, we all have
“
If we don’t
communicate
with each other,
our ministry will
be nowhere near as effective.”
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
“
allas alley Ranch Camp
How we live out our faith and relationships with
other Christians can speak volumes to the youth.” different ideas of how this should be accomplished. If we don’t communicate with each other, our ministry will be nowhere near as effective. This summer I was working as the climbing-wall instructor, and before lunch one day an LIT (leader-in-training) came up to me and asked to talk. We went off and discussed an incident that had occurred a couple of days earlier, when I had corrected a mistake he had made. Since then, he had thought that I had been holding a grudge against him for making a mistake. I had actually been quite impressed with how he responded to my criticism and had taken the necessary steps to prevent making the same mistake again. Clearly, we were not on the same page. The misunderstanding could have been ignored and potentially turned into something that soured our relationship, and thus our ministry. Instead, we talked and resolved the issue: I gained a new respect for this young man who was willing to approach me about the situation, and he realized I wasn’t angry with him. It wasn’t a big issue, and it didn’t directly connect to presenting the gospel, but it was part of our lives at camp. How we live out our faith and relationships with other Christians can speak volumes to the youth. It’s important to have those conversations and resolve each conflict before it becomes something major. If we don’t, we probably won’t end up wandering off into the jungle, but we may not be able to effectively achieve our goal – sharing the gospel. DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP
www.dallasvalley.com 306-731-3348
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
NATIONAL DIREC TOR OF DEVELOPMEN T
L
ast summer, I had an opportunity to observe what I would call a “God moment” at one of our One Hope Canada camps. It was a typical prairie day in August, hot and dusty, the trees were lush and the flowers in full bloom. A young boy, about six years old, who was attending a single mom and kids’ camp, was off by himself, fully enraptured by a beautiful flower box. As I approached, he was clearly sniffing the flowers, repeatedly breathing in deeply then sitting back on his haunches with a look of wonderment on his face. As I passed him, I commented that the flowers must smell good. His reply? “Mister, I ain’t never smelled nothin’ like that before”. As I walked on, I wondered what he meant; he’d never smelled that kind of flower…or had he never smelled any kind of flower? After some reflection and prayer I came to the conclusion that I had been witness to our Creator connecting with this boy through His creation.
He would go on to hear a message about Jesus later that night at chapel that would affirm the amazing love that God had for him. A seed had been planted that day; a seed of hope for a boy that came from a flowerless world. At One Hope Canada, our goal is to present the Gospel to those with the least chance to hear, especially children and youth. If not for camp, this boy, his mom and older brother may never have had that chance. They couldn’t afford to come though, but through an inner city outreach, someone paid the price for this family to attend. In an effort to ensure that every child across Canada has an opportunity to come to camp, One Hope Canada is creating the “Price Has Been Paid Fund”. The fund will be utilized by camps to make sure that otherwise unsponsored kids will be able to afford to come, and to help pay for the additional staff required to encourage kids at camp and afterward.
For more information on how you can partner with One Hope Canada through the Price Has Been Paid fund contact Nic Mundey via email at nmundey@onehopecanada.ca or call 1-888-960-2580.
Donations can also be made through our website www.onehopecanada.ca, click “Donate Now” and follow the links.
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13
Unexpected
questions
It was the first night of camp, and devotions were just winding down in Abraham cabin, until the cabin leader asked if any of the campers had questions. Then it began, the questions came fast and furious. They were deep questions, good questions, questions that the cabin leaders felt immense pressure to answer clearly and concisely. They covered every detail of salvation, how Jesus had accomplished it on the cross, and how you could be saved by accepting His free
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
gift. Then other questions came like, “Does the Devil rule hell?”, “Did Jesus go to hell?” and “How do I know I am going to heaven?” Each camper had their own answer to these questions, and the discussions went on as the leaders prayerfully answered the questions
“
BY LADAN MACKENZIE, CAMP DIRECTOR
and guided the campers to the right conclusions. The cabin leaders were incredibly amazed by the depth of the questions, and the understanding of their very young campers. Each question came almost by surprise as they were not
They were deep questions, good
questions, that the cabin leaders felt
pressure to answer clearly and concisely.”
expecting such questions from this age group. Looking outside the cabin one leader noticed another leader walking by. Hopping outside he called, “Uh…Hey, could you come help us for a second?” “Sure,” was the response. “What’s up?” he asked, fully expecting there to be trouble with one or more campers. “They are asking really good questions and we could use some help,” was the answer to his surprise. Entering in he soon realized this was no joke. Rallying together they
answered each question carefully and as clearly as possible. Finally the questions slowed as most campers showed their understanding by nodding. A feeling almost of relief set in as the leaders felt they had fully answered all the questions. Then, “I just have one more question,” said a camper. The leaders braced themselves for another deep question. “Are mosquitos poisonous?” ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP
www.estevan.cssm.ca 306-634-TENT (8368)
“
A feeling almost of relief set in as the leaders felt they had fully answered all the questions.”
Canada’s Hope
15
The One that
matters
“
Little else
compares to
hearing a child have that first
conversation with the One who has given them life.” 16
Conversations are all around us. Often they are short greetings, followed by a general synopsis of each person’s current state of being and a passing statement about the weather. Let’s face it, we Canadians love talking about the weather. But conversations can lead to something much more than weather. Discussions that go deeper can offer much needed encouragement, a challenge to live or think differently, or an invitation to experience something new.
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
BY BRAD WEBER, CAMP DIRECTOR
Life at camp is no different, except for the fact that kids don’t talk about weather, because for some beautiful reason they love a listening ear when someone inquires about them. They often open their lives up without much hesitation, and that creates so many open doors into their lives. Again this summer at camp, staff were given countless opportunities to hear children and youth share their stories. There were great stories, stories that seemed to go on forever, stories that made you wonder about their
validity, and stories that broke your heart. But like Jesus—sitting at the well with the Samaritan woman (John 4), talking in the middle of the street with the centurion (Matthew 8), or being questioned by the rich young ruler (Matthew 19)— our staff had opportunities to express God’s love by answering questions, telling stories from their lives, and engaging children in conversation. These times gave opportunity to encourage campers and help them explore and think more deeply about who God created them to be. While conversations between staff and campers are greatly desired, our mission is to direct campers to
the One who is always present, the One who shares the excitement of their good stories and the sorrow of their bad ones. Little else compares to hearing a child have that first conversation with the
One who has given them life. KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
www.kenoseelakebiblecamp.ca 306-577-4623
Canada’s Hope
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RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP
STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP
RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP
LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP
LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP
KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP
ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP
DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP
DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP
MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP
MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP
STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP
ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP
7 provinces 8 camps
250
HOURS
12 students
4 staff
of classroom instruction
BY THE NUMBERS
Countless
125
mission and serving opportunities
HOURS
of assignments, reading and group work
100%
of our graduates served at One Hope Canada camps this summer
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
ďƒ¨
3 students
entering full-time, year-round camp ministry roles this fall with One Hope Canada
Conversations of Change Barry and Lerissa Buhler, Directors of Encounter School of Discipleship A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
There are many things I appreciated about my job as director of Encounter. If you walk into my living room, you’ll see many photos that my wife and I have taken of the beautiful country of Canada during our travels already. However, while those photos are beautiful and tell a lot of stories, they don’t compare remotely to the stories that we get to hear from the way God has engaged our students during the course of Encounter and how God used that time to prepare them for the road ahead. Here’s a few conversations that I’d like to share with you from some people significantly changed by Encounter this past year:
CHANGE GROW LEAD
Partnering with One Hope Canada to build into the lives of Canadian children, youth and their families. As a family business well into its third generation the Penner family has more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry.
www.tlpenner.ca (204) 748 -1400
Canada’s Hope
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Conversations of Change: Marianne Describe a little bit about your life before coming to Encounter:
MARIANNE: I had just graduated from trade school in computer graphics and knew that I didn’t want to work full-time in that job. During my third summer at camp, the summer before Encounter, God put a desire in my heart to work as a missionary in my home province, but mostly, to be able to encourage and support people through camp ministry. What did you appreciate most about Encounter?
MARIANNE: I really appreciated the fact that we worked all together in a small group. We learned to be open and vulnerable/transparent before each other, supporting one another in prayer and keeping each other accountable. We learned to work together as the body of Christ and that was something very, if not totally, new to me. I also loved travelling across the country and see how every single place we stopped was different from the next. It helped me to better understand how to reach out with the Gospel to the people surrounding me back home. What was one of the biggest lessons that you learned during the trip?
MARIANNE: I learned that there really was freedom in Christ and that even though we don’t often act like it is true, God is absolutely everything He says He is. Before, my relationship with God was based mostly on my efforts to do well enough so He would be pleased with me. I knew my salvation didn’t depend on me, but I thought that somehow, if I worked hard enough, I would be able to gain more of His love or feel closer to Him. When He looks at me, God sees Christ in me... Christ resisting the devil, healing the sick, obeying even to His death on the cross. How could I even think of doing more than that?! I learned that God wasn’t asking me to do more for Him, but to trust Him to be everything He is. And then, since He is who He is (Provider, Savior, Loving Father…) how could I not want others to know about Him too? How could I not want to follow Him with everything that I am and follow His example? All this time, it wasn’t about how much I did, but about how much I trusted in Him and surrendered to Him.
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
You spent this past summer back at your home camp, Camp Livingstone in Quebec, how did the Encounter experience equip you for your role this summer?
MARIANNE: Through Encounter, I have learned not to trust in myself but to trust in God. I have also learned that being a leader didn’t necessarily mean to lead from up front. That and so many other things that God had worked in my life through Encounter really changed the way I viewed and reacted to people and situations. I was able to be more of an encouragement to the team I worked with. The way God has been healing hurts from my past also made me more aware of the hurts in other people’s lives, whether campers or staff. In the past, I had started my summer dreading that I wasn’t ready for the task ahead. This summer, I started it ready, knowing that God had it all in His hands and that He was able to work despite my weaknesses. What are your plans for the next stage in life now that Encounter is finished?
MARIANNE: On September 1st, I started working for One Hope Canada, with the resource and finance teams. I also help out my field director and my home camp (Livingstone), by working on their website and other graphics jobs (newsletters, brochures, etc.). Throughout the year, I plan on following up with some of the female staff from this past summer; to be able to encourage them in their walk with God as well as to challenge them to abide in Him in all aspects of our lives. I’m happy to be where God leads me and looking forward to see how He’s going to work in and through me in the next few years.
As we prepared for our second year of Encounter, we realized that we would not have enough students to operate the program. While this was disappointing for us, we know that God’s hand is steadfast through it all. Though this summer was difficult to find enough students, there seems to be much interest for next fall, so we press on, diligently working to put into place the building blocks necessary to make Encounter a sustainable avenue for discipleship, year after year.
Encounter Teacher Profile: Colin Bell COLIN BELL lives in Austin, Manitoba, where he has served for the past eight years as pastor of Austin Evangelical Fellowship. He is married to his wife, Dawn, and they have two beautiful girls. He is an avid sports fan and cheers for the Winnipeg Jets. During this past year with Encounter, you spoke on one of your passions, “The Church”, and really challenged our students in the way they viewed and participated in Christ’s Church. Why is this such a passion of yours?
COLIN: Well first of all, being a pastor, “church” is a pretty big part of my life! However, I feel that there are so many misconceptions about the church these days - it’s falling apart, it has so many problems - but I am passionate to see the church for what God intended it to be. He wants us to be real, to have community, and to spend our lives worshipping him. It’s important that this generation knows the importance of the church, and while it can be changed, it cannot be thrown out! Despite the fact that there are problems and failings, Christ is still continuing to build His Church.
You mentioned to me your week with Encounter was one of the highlights of your year so far. What made the experience so unique?
COLIN: I absolutely loved my week with Encounter. While I preach and teach to my congregation year after year, it was the first time that I had the privilege of teaching in this type of setting. The size of the group was perfect for class interaction. I loved being able to get to know the students, hear where they are at, and also be challenged by them as well! Based on your response, what would be your encouragement to a young person considering Encounter?
COLIN: What I really appreciate most about Encounter is that it is very biblically based, and secondly, it’s across Canada. If this program had been around when I graduated high school, I would have very seriously considered it. It’s perfect for the time of life where you leave your home, and wrestle through your faith and make it your own. It’s a place where you can get your biblical foundation while seeing this incredible country.
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23
BY NYLA DITSON, CABIN LEADER
“
God certainly
the face of fear
has a sense of
humour when He placed me as the cabin leader of a girl who says
earthworms are her favourite animal.” 24
Learning to laugh in
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
An eight-year-old helped me conquer a fear at Luseland Bible Camp this year. Not of flying, clowns or spiders, but earthworms. Seriously, they use to terrify me! But God certainly has a sense of humour when He placed me as the cabin leader of a girl who says earthworms are her favourite animal. When she spotted one on the ground, she’d stop and gaze lovingly down at it.
“They make the best pets,” she told me. “Because they are squishy and can’t run away. And if you accidently cut them in half, you get two worms!” I’m thankful we both agreed pet worms belong outside. When I told her about my fear, she gave me a sympathetic look. “I know how to help you. I could find you a worm and then hold
it around you, until you get used to them. And just remember they are slow and don’t have legs. So you can run away if you get scared.” Another day during the camp week, this precious child told me, “Worms can be miracles. I was playing with my pet worm and lost it. I was so sad. So I prayed, ‘Lord, help me find my worm. I love him.’ When I turned around, my worm was there again! God answered my prayer with a big yes!”
“
Each time I
see a worm, fear is not so strong,
but the memory
of this eight-yearold’s delight in them is vivid.”
Oh, how I love her childlike heart and aged wisdom! Just seeing my fear through the perspective of a child, lessened the power of the fear. Each time I see a worm, fear is not so strong, but the memory of this eight-year-old’s delight in them is vivid. Dare I say I now look forward to spotting worms on rainy days? Because they trigger memories of wonderful moments with this child at Luseland Bible Camp? Always remember that God places specific people in your life for a reason. That He nudges you to go places, like LBC, at specific times to cross their paths. So they can help you laugh in the face of your fears! LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP
www.luseland.cssm.ca 306-372-4544
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BY MICHAEL STREILEIN, SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR
Impressionable
moment
Whenever campers start missing home, I remind them that they get to be home fifty-one weeks of the year, but get only one week at Ranger Lake Bible Camp! Timothy didn’t seem to care. He wasn’t engaged in chapel or cabin discussion and did his best to ignore his cabin leaders and peers. Even on the third day of camp, there was a heaviness about him as he trudged about, consistently late for all activities. And that’s how he ended up on the bench in front of my office. As we spoke, Timothy told me how disappointed he was
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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
in himself and how the world would be better without him. It was a hard conversation and, after I offered a quick prayer, he sauntered to the dining hall to eat supper with his cabin. That evening as I approached the chapel, I saw Timothy standing outside, covering his face and crying. When I offered to pray for him, he responded by shrugging his shoulders, so I assumed he meant yes. I left him for a moment to check what was going on in chapel. When I returned, Timothy was reading the Bible his cabin
“
As I shared with him about
creation, Israel, Jesus, salvation, and what it meant for us, Timothy stopped crying.” leader had given him earlier that week. I asked if he understood what he was reading, and he answered, “No.” I asked if I could explain some of it to him. Again he shrugged his shoulders, and again I assumed he meant yes. As I shared with him about creation, Israel, Jesus, salvation, and what it meant for us, Timothy stopped crying. Our conversation finished as chapel ended. He gave me a big smile and, for the first time that week,
ran off to his cabin. This marked change stayed for the remainder of the week. I don’t know the end of his story, but I pray that Timothy will know he is loved and come to know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Moments like this are why we do camp ministry, and that day I was honoured to be a part of God reaching out to show his love to children. RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP
www.rlbc.ca 888-406-1733
204-
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KIDS CORNER
I want jesus to shine through me each day.
R
God Is...
I
ead Mark 4:21-32. A candle that can’t be seen is no use. If you love Jesus, He wants his light to shine through you each day!
n the Bible, we read about God’s numerous attributes. An attribute is a word that we use to describe a person or an object. It is a characteristic specific to them.
Draw a candle in the holder beside each picture that shows who is shining for Jesus.
Look up the following verses in your Bible to help you fill in the missing letters and discover some of God’s attributes. Psalm 147:5 God is M _ _ _ _ Y (God is strong and powerful, and He has authority over the whole universe.)
fighting
helping mom
Revelation 1:8 God is E _ _ RN _ _ (God has no beginning or end. He was, He is, and will forever be.) 2 Timothy 2:13 God is F _ _ TH _ _ _ (God will never let you down, He will accomplish His promises.)
telling about Jesus
When you shine for Jesus, people will see that you are different. Then Jesus will use you to bring your friends to Christ.
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ANSWERS MIGHTY, ETERNAL, FAITHFUL, MERCIFUL
being friendly
Psalm 86:5 God is M _ _ CI _ _ _ (Although we deserve to be punished for our sin, He forgives those who ask for forgiveness and makes them clean in His sight.)
Canadians need God’s Word more than ever. Participate in this year’s Bible Week challenge. Register as a church or individual for free at biblesociety.ca/bible-week
Thank you to for donating 10,000 Bibles to One Hope Canada camps all across the country. This Bible was specifically developed for camp ministry and the kids loved receiving their very own copy!
BY MYRA SCHMIDT, CAMP SECRETARY
“
I often talk to
first-time parents who are more
nervous about
their child coming than the camper themselves!” 30
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
A worthwhile
ministry
As the secretary at Stoney Lake Bible Camp, I have the opportunity to have many conversations with many people, or witness conversations taking place around the camp. Many of the conversations I have are by phone and are very surface level – “What time is pick-up on Friday?”, “Can my child be in the same cabin as so and so?”, or “What should I pack?” Sometimes it would be easier and faster to
just have an automated message for these questions, but I know that it’s the personal conversation that often sets the parent’s mind at ease about sending their child to camp. I often talk to first-time parents who are more nervous about their child coming than the camper themselves! I always take extra time for these parents because I know that I might be the first impression they have of the camp. If I am not friendly and inviting on
the phone, the parents will be even more hesitant to send their children to the camp, possibly preventing them from hearing about Christ. It is a privilege for me to hear cabin leaders sharing the Gospel with the campers and having the opportunity to pray for them as they have this critical conversation. Every Friday after lunch, our staff directors meet with the campers who have made first time commitments, sharing with them how to continue growing in their faith when they are back at home. Sometimes the campers volunteer to pray at the end of these meetings. It brings joy to my heart to see these new brothers and sisters in the Lord. Hearing the simple faith of these children is a reminder to me of how I am called to approach our heavenly Father – with child-like faith. My favorite conversations are from parents who say that their kids had the best time at camp and can’t wait until next summer! One parent shared that they found their teenage son hiding in his room, reading his Bible because of the influence of his cabin leader – praise God. Hearing campers, staff and parents say that camp made a huge impact on their or their child’s walk with God is what makes working at Stoney a worthwhile ministry! STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP
www.stoneycamp.ca 306-873-5537
“
One parent shared that they found their teenage
son hiding in his room, reading his Bible because of the influence of his cabin leader – praise God.”
Canada’s Hope
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by Bill McCaskell, co-executive director
What happens at camp doesn’t stay at camp While working at camp, they were able to work through and live out their faith— praying regularly for campers, trusting God in many situations, and seeking others for help and encouragement. 32
C
ampers go home with lots of stories—their first horseback ride, a new swimming level achieved, and a list of new friends. But what about the lingering effect camp has within local churches connected with the camp? Garnet and Tracey Hodges, youth pastor couple of BAM Youth (joint youth ministry of Bagot Community Chapel and MacGregor EMC, just outside Portage la Prairie, MB), talk often of the impact their local One Hope Canada Bible Camp (Valley View) has on their youth group and the entire church family. “People of all ages are involved in the camp—serving on the camp board, showing up for work projects, volunteering in the kitchen, and more and more adults even cabin leading,” explains Garnet Hodges.
Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca
“But camp life especially impacts the youth,” Hodges continues. “When youth share their testimonies before baptism, many recall taking the Leadership Development Program at Valley View. It really helped them focus on God and what He has done for them. While working at camp, they were able to work through and live out their faith—praying regularly for campers, trusting God in many situations, and seeking others for help and encouragement.” Youth raised in the church need to make the Christian faith personal. A study conducted by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada in 2011 identified one out of every two children raised in an evangelical church stopped attending church after moving away from home, most often leaving any Christian affiliation behind.
What’s really exciting is seeing the pastor intentionally connect with families who don’t have a home church so they feel welcome to return the following sunday. “Camp helps youth develop strong group bonds,” Hodges explains, “and many of those relationships continue after summer and even after high school graduation. There is a desire to keep in touch and encourage one another in their faith. It’s really good to see.” But church kids are not the only ones impacted by camp ministry. Churches who are involved in camp ministry are reminded of that each summer. One highlight for Nathaniel Harder, Co-Director of Manitoba’s Adventure Day Camp, was seeing the beginning of a relationship between campers, their parents, and the pastor of the church who hosted a week of Adventure Day Camp.
“We invite the parents of campers to attend our closing program on the last day of each week,” explains Harder. “It’s great because parents see their kids acting in skits, view a power point from the week, and see what we learned. What’s really exciting though is seeing the pastor intentionally connect with families who don’t have a home church, so they feel welcome to return the following Sunday.” It’s stories like these which show that the conversations that start at camp, so often carry on from camp gate to church door. “That really is our desire,” explains Bev McCaskell, Co-Executive Director. “One Hope Canada exists
to serve the local church, and we do this by helping local churches partner together to proclaim and live out the gospel to their communities. At the same time we provide opportunities for local believers of all ages and with all sorts of skills to grow deep in their faith as they serve at camp. It’s pretty great to see God working as we all serve together.” BILL & BEV MCCASKELL serve as the Executive Director team of One Hope Canada and have seen firsthand how God uses camp ministry. It happened in their two sons’ lives long after the summer ended.
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Enter coupon code Apply250 at www.prbi.edu to receive a $250 bursary if you apply by December 31, 2014. www.prbi.edu / Sexsmith, AB / 780-568-3962
Canada’s Hope
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COOKING WITH KATHY BY KATHY WEIR
Assumptions! A CO U N T L E S S N U M B E R O F P E O P L E H AV E E AT E N I N M Y K I TC H E N A N D G O N E O N TO L E A D N O R M A L L I V E S
ASSUMPTIONS! We all make them, but often the results aren’t what we expected. Like my first date with Howard when I provided hot chocolate made with cocoa (as we were out of the little packets). Who knew you were to use less cocoa and add milk and sugar? Also, assuming the cookies I offered him were okay, when in reality they were stale “rejects” that nearly resulted in him losing a tooth! During a staff lunch, I inadvertently filled my bowl with what I thought was tomato soup. Not wanting to be “critical” by saying it didn’t taste right, I silently forced myself to consume the contents, only to be informed I had just eaten a bowl of gravy. Ugh!
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While making a large coffee mocha cake for my daughter’s birthday, I assumed when the recipe asked for two cups of coffee, that it meant sifted, instant coffee. When the cake didn’t rise or turn out anything like the ones our cooks made at camp, I discovered it meant “liquid coffee.” Another time I made a double batch of potato soup for a church potluck, in which the recipe called for two cloves of garlic. I assumed each of the round balls was called a clove, so proceeded to add two! One could likely tell for weeks who ate my soup, but they never complained of getting a cold! I’ve always believed that God never wastes experiences in our lives. Perhaps some of these
cooking lessons were actually lessons to remind me of the importance of asking instead of assuming something. How often have we hurt people unintentionally when we have assumed something about their motives, attitude or actions, only to discover we were totally wrong. As we anticipate the needed new facility at camp, I need to be mindful that nothing is too big for God. Matthew 19:26 says, “With GOD ALL THINGS are possible.” Now that’s something I can be certain about! ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Howard and Kathy Weir have been serving as Camp Directors at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp (Manitoba) since 2002, but previously served at Galilean Bible Camp (Ontario) for many years before that
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Midland Manufacturing congratulates One Hope Canada on this edition of Canada’s Hope
Summer 2014 Quote Wall Camper: Is it spelled Mrs. “God sent a plague and n’t married? turned the water into blood” Isaifiah:theNopy are e, it’s Miss. M-I-S-S Different Camper: It’s M-I-S-S-S-S-S “Who’s blood was it?” if they’re married to a snake!
I’m so glad Jesus
A kid after only 10 minutes of being there declared, “You know, I think I want to live here.”
did the dying for me. there are so many memories that keep me coming back! Camp has literally changed my life
Cabin leader: “Time for devos”. Camper: “What are evils?” From 7 year old camper after first song at first chapel “This is my favorite song!”; after second song; “This is my favorite song!!!”; after 3rd song; “This is my favorite song!!!!!” bother me, Bullies used to m all up! then I beat the
Whe re do I find Samsung in the Bible?
No, I don't want to hurt you, I have Jesus in me
Camper trying to get dead flashlight to work: “It worked yesterday...Maybe it only works with the lights off!” (goes and turns off cabin lights to check)
A dress shirt goes really well with
sweat pants sometimes, doesn’t it! W ill the hot chocol ate melt my teeth [dentures]?
If you sit on a noodle and pretend it’s a horse, does that count as horseplay?
Publications Mail Agreement #: 40019747 Canada’s Hope One Hope Canada – Manitoba 200-189 Henderson Hwy Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7
God is 100% love. This has been my best summer ever. “Then Eve went to the tree and saw...” “An eagle!” “No, she saw a snake” “I know that snake!”
After only being here an hour or two, a little guy came up to a staff member and said, when I leave,
“I’m really gonna miss you guys!”
God’s got my back, I learned that in devo tions