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!