One morning, while refilling my cup during coffee break, I stared out the huge windows of the lodge at Big River Bible Camp.  The camp is situated on the beautiful Delaronde Lake, and when we all arrived for our candidate training a week earlier, the lake was still covered with ice.  But that morning, I couldn't believe my eyes - the ice had completely disappeared and liquid flowed in its place!

Another day, when the temperatures had risen to +28 degrees Celsius, you could almost see and hear the leaves of the aspens literally popping as they burst forth in the spring sunshine!  We took a drive in the countryside and marveled at the handiwork of God.  Seeing that delicate green fringing the slender trees lifted our spirits and filled us with a sense of hope.

What a difference a few days makes!

When the candidates began arriving on May 1, each one came with some expectations, some hopes and some trepidation.  What would they learn?  Would they enjoy the classes?  Would they make friends?  As the days turned into weeks, those who were previously strangers began to develop appreciation for each other. Each morning, we began our day with someone sharing their story, or their testimony of finding Christ and being led into full time ministry.  Through worshiping and praying together, a spiritual bond was also forming. 

Not only through spiritual activities, but through sharing in class, we all grew in knowledge and through veteran missionaries' experiences, learned so much about what a life on the mission field could look like.  As we interacted with the instructors, we grew closer to one another.

Walter challenged the new recruits to prepare and present their 2-minute and 10-minute presentations on their ministry.  As each one overcame fears and shared their hearts, the gentle critiquing by fellow-classmates helped to improve their content and time management.  We saw growth in confidence and graciousness.

As we did a final debrief, we all took turns sharing what had been most impactful of the three week orientation and training.  Some shared about the suicide prevention and intervention seminars.  Others mentioned the impact of learning from First Nations Christians about their culture and traditional religion.  Still others commented on the movies we watched that depicted some of the historic tragedies of residential school and battles to put Indigenous people on reserve land.  

We spent three weeks together, living in close quarters, sharing every meal and working side by side in the dish pit.  We learned together, cried together and prayed together...as a family!  As far as I know, no one fought or had any major conflicts, except the two 3-year-olds had some over-exposure to each other!  But they had a break from each other occasionally and ended up still being friends at the end.

I'm thrilled that we could hold the training in 2021!  Now we have 12 new missionaries equipped, encouraged and empowered to finish building their support teams and begin their active ministries.

What a difference 21 days makes!

 April 30, 2021

The camp property lay waiting in silence.  Tall, leafless trees stood expectantly, reaching to the spring sky to soak in life and light.  Ice covered the lake, only a narrow band of frigid water indicating any melting of winter's hold.  Cabins were clean and ready.  Tables and chairs were arranged in appropriate rows for meals upstairs and for lectures downstairs.  Grocery supplies were stocked.

Now all that was missing were the NCEM missionary candidates!

Walter and I arrived mid-afternoon on May 1.  Our vehicles was loaded with clothing, books, my guitar, mission jackets and shirts and last but not least, our quad!  A couple of the new missionaries had already arrived and were finding their rooms or cabins that would be home for the next three weeks.  We also began to unload the classroom supplies.  And Jason, the camp director and host, pointed out the RV that would be our home away from home.

Because the last Candidate Orientation & Training had been November, 2018, we had two years' worth of new missionaries to orient and train.  When COVID restrictions prevented us from holding our training in 2020, Doris and I took the schedule we had prepared and re-invited the speakers.  On paper, it looked workable!  

Ten people arrived and settled into their accommodations.  Soon, we gathered in the dining hall to share a meal, restaurant-style.  In the weeks ahead, this gathering would be the foundation for building relationships and preparing as warriors for the battle against darkness.  As we shared time in the classroom and in the dish pit, God was equipping each one for their ministries.  

No one was more pleased about the noise and the chaos than Jason.  After over a year of empty cabins and a quiet lodge, Jason was grinning with thanksgiving as he listened to the adults chatting and preschool kids getting acquainted.  

The camp was bustling and our new missionaries were getting their training!  The next three weeks would be pure delight as the silence turned to activity for the Kingdom of God!