Sunday morning dawned calm and beautiful.  The smell of fresh coffee greeted us as we entered the cathedral-ceiling, olive green dining hall.  Breakfast foods were set up for self-serve and we helped ourselves to bagels, cereal, fruit and yoghurt.  A few early-risers were already eating and a few stragglers wandered in at the last minute.  That pattern didn't change for the next three weeks of training - the morning people and night hawks were definitely identified!

We all gathered in the chapel below the dining room - the Pine Ridge Bible Camp staff joined our candidates and leaders for a time of worship and a special preacher, Walter!  Corrie and I led some worship music from songbooks she had made.  Gazing out the windows facing the lake made for an inspiring view.  It wasn't difficult to praise the God who created such beauty.  Walter preached his heart out from John 6, the "Feeding of the Five Thousand."  How was the Lord going to provide for us in the next weeks?  If He could feed a huge crowd of people on the hillside of Israel, He could meet our needs as missionaries preparing to serve in His harvest field.

The afternoon was lovely for walks and napping.  But at 4 pm, we all gathered again for an orientation and introduction time.  A few participants were still missing but we played our icebreaker game - everyone mingling and asking questions to get to know each other.  A quick run-through of the schedule and basics about the camp property and facilities and then we met again upstairs for more delicious food.

That night, with the ice beginning to deteriorate and water appearing along the shore, a couple of interns and young staff did a polar swim!  We "mature" folk watched and shook our heads in amazement!  Even though it was late April, the sun set around 8:30 pm and twilight lingered until past 10.  The north is a world all its own!

Walter and I slept fitfully as our minds whirled with thoughts of the next day's events.  We woke before our alarm at 7 am and got ready for Monday, Day 1.  As everyone found seats around the u-shaped tables, Corrie and I led in an opening song.  Each morning we would have a song and then dismiss the children with the childcare workers.  They shyly followed the workers outside and met in the room provided for their activities.  Janelle had craft supplies, games and fun planned for the next few weeks.  

On this first day, Walter shared his testimony.  Each one of us would take a turn telling our story of growing up and coming to faith in Christ.  It's a tremendous way of getting to know each other and practice public speaking in a safe and non-threatening environment.  Following testimony time, class would begin.

Walter taught the first session on NCEM History and Thought.  He gave a brief history on the beginning of the mission back in 1946.  The founders, Stan & Evelyn Collie, Art & Martha Tarry, and early missionaries like Cliff & Ingeborg McComb were brave and faithful followers of Jesus.  They obeyed a crazy call to go north and leave their livelihoods to share the Gospel among First Nations people of Canada.  The impact of hearing how God moved in hearts 75+ years ago brought a fresh calling to all of us!  The needs of people and the lack of Bible-believing churches in Canada's north is still as urgent as ever.

After lunch, I was up!  With notes in hand, I jotted a few points on a whiteboard and then perched on a stool as the participants sat down for the afternoon session.  I opened with the analogy of a football team and the importance of all the players, coaches and staff.  But my focus was not on the people on the field but those in the stands!  I was teaching the new missionary recruits how to invite our "fans" or supporters to join the team.  We brainstormed on how to write interesting and catchy newsletters and the importance of writing "thank you" cards.  We discussed other ways of communicating to those who pray for us and give financially.  

Then Walter challenged the class on preparing a 1-2 minute "elevator pitch" and demonstrating a sample.  Amidst a few groans and some questions about how and when, the class was dismissed for the day.

We all survived Day 1 and everyone was in bed early that night!

 I wonder if we will see any bears on this trip...will the ice be still on the lake?  Will everyone show up for the training  - including the teachers and childcare workers?  Did I pack enough warm clothes?

As we drove further and further north in my beloved province of Saskatchewan, I mentally went over my checklist.  Suitcases.  Guitar.  Teaching handouts.  Toys. Rubber boots.  The truck cab and bed were jam-packed with all the supplies we would need for the next three weeks of Candidate Orientation & Training!  

This would be our fifth year of coordinating the training for our newest missionaries of Northern Canada Evangelical Mission.  Some years we have 5 or 6 new recruits.  One year we had 10+ of both full time missionaries and interns!  We spend the entire three weeks with the participants and provide some overall leadership and mentorship. It is both exhausting and rewarding.

Driving to Beauval, SK took us through Saskatoon, Shellbrook, Big River and Green Lake.  Have any of you been to these places?  It takes just over 7 hours but we spent a night at Big River to say HI to our daughter and break up the trip.  The further north we traveled, away from the wide open prairies, took us to bush and then forests.  Lakes, rivers, trees...lots of trees!  The north has a raw beauty that this prairie girl enjoys - at least for a time.  

We arrived at Pine Ridge Bible Camp, situated on the Cunnings Lake which is on crown land.  No other cabins or roads have access to this pristine lake and it is lovely.  As we drove the windy, sandy road that took us up the ridge, we saw the main house named Tamarack and then took a turn to see the quonset/workshop.  Another turn revealed Aspen and Birch, two houses used for staff and interns who work at the camp.  And then the piece de resistance, the new dining hall and chapel!  During COVID lockdowns, there was no camp programming and so the camp was able to begin the construction on a brand new dining hall, kitchen, offices and chapel in the walk-out basement.  It boasts a spectacular view of Cunnings Lake and some awesome sunsets!

We unloaded our very full truck, some items going to the chapel where our classes would be held, and some items to the basement of Birch, where we would stay for the next two weeks.  A few minutes behind us was the new German family who just arrived in Canada less than 14 days before the training.  They pulled up and their three kids ran along the sandy trails up and down the ridge.  They drove their van to their assigned cabin and moved their luggage and bedding in the rustic accommodations.

One single man drove onto the camp with his cousin in the passenger seat.  He is an MK (missionary kids) whose parents and grandparents have served with NCEM over the years.  His cousin, also an MK, was doing the childcare for all three weeks, and she needed to unload her craft supplies and toys in the basement of Aspen.  Excitement was building as everyone arrived and settled in.

The bell on the old dining hall - now a craft shack - rang several times to call everyone for supper.  That's when we saw the other family with three kids, aged 11 months to 6 years.  The children looked a bit shy and their parents were also more on the quiet, reserved side.  Three more participants were to arrive the next day.

Our co-leader, Corrie, was en route from Three Hills, AB, but decided not to drive in the dark.  Too much wildlife to worry about!  Corrie let us know she'd spend the night in Meadow Lake, about 1 1/2 hours from the camp.  She'd arrive in the morning, in time for our worship service at 10:30 am.

I love the remote feeling, the fresh air and smell of pines.  From the deck of the dining hall, Walter flew the drone from Tribal Trails to capture the glorious sunset as some of our new missionaries were canoeing on the lake. A peaceful and serene beginning to our training.

p.s. - we saw 3 bears on our way to Pine Ridge!