The bright fluorescent lights of the camp dining hall burned their eyes as they stepped inside.  Rain dripped off their hoods.  I came around the corner to see our fellow servants in Healing Hearts Ministry looking lost and hesitant.
I hugged them both, welcomed them and offered them supper.
"Oh, no!  We've eaten."
So I led them into the meeting room of Strasbourg Bible Camp's lodge where Walter was welcoming the rest of our group to the 5th Annual Healing Hearts Ministry Staff Conference.  The assorted couches and chairs were arranged in semi-circular rows facing the fireplace, where a simple sound system and podium was set up.  Walter grinned at our tardy guests, taking in their bedraggled appearance and directing them to an open spot to sit.  With hot coffee in their hands, our tired friends - who drove from Big Valley, Alberta in what took almost 12 hours instead of 8 - took a seat and listened as Walter carried on with his opening words for our gathering.
The preliminaries over, Carol, Spurgeon and myself took up our acoustic or bass guitars and began to lead several worship songs.  I had chosen some upbeat opening numbers on the goodness and grace of God.  Then we played the old hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness".  I was concentrating on the chords and trying to focus on the wonderful words, when I looked up briefly at the group of worshipers.  There stood my husband, arms raised to heaven and tears streaming as he sang out the words extolling God's faithfulness and steadfastness!  I had to quickly look back to my music sheets, or I would have lost it, too!  God has been so good to us and the ministry over the past year, giving grace for difficult days and bringing us together to celebrate His faithfulness!
This year, our guest speaker was Phil Ruten, president of Millar College of the Bible.  His wife, Esther, was able to come out with him and it was an absolute delight to have them both participate in our meals, board games, worship and prayer groups!  As Phil shared with us on "Guarding our Hearts so we can Finish Well," he gave us a glimpse of his own life and struggles in such a humble spirit.
After that first evening's session was over, the smell of fresh cinnamon buns wafted from the kitchen, and we wandered back there for night snack and visiting and games.  Later, Walter and I both expressed how it warmed our hearts to see people sitting together, talking and laughing, introducing themselves to each other and making old acquaintances new again.
The next 2 1/2 days were full of wonderful fellowship, pleasant walks along the Last Mountain Lake shoreline, delicious meals and sharing and prayer together.  Even the business meeting went well and people were astounded at how "short and sweet" Walter made it!
One of the highlights for us was the couple who came to minister to our children.  Carl and Brenda Ens are friends and fellow grads from Nipawin Bible Institute.  They came prepared to teach our missionaries kids with their various skills of puppets, skits, music and crafts.  This year we had fewer kids and so we were able to utilize this couple's gifts with our adults, as well.  On Friday night, Carl did a chalk drawing, while Brenda read Scriptures and played "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" on piano.  When his sketching was done, all we saw were clay pots, much like southwestern Navajo pottery.  In the middle of the canvas was a blank, white area.  Carl switched the lighting above the canvas and suddenly an image of Jesus, under black light, appeared and His hands were exactly around the partially formed pottery on a wheel!  
Also at our communion service just before we all departed for home, Carl and Brenda presented the book of James in monologue/music format.  It was powerful!
It was bittersweet to see people carrying their bedding and luggage back out to their vehicles as the conference was over.  Although we were so very tired, Walter and I felt a satisfaction that God had met with us in such a real and personal way.  He had once again answered prayer and showed up in our midst as we sought Him!  Later, once we were back home and checking out Facebook, it was another heart-warming moment to see pictures popping up on the HHM page of our antics and view of the lake from the camp lodge.  Greetings to one another and funny comments accompanied the photos and we chuckled with pleasure!
One of the challenges Phil Ruten had given us was to "be thankful and content" in order to preserve our hearts in Christ.  At times like these, after experiencing the "Valley of Blessing" through the battles beforehand, it is easy to give thanks to our gracious and faithful God.