Alas... Camp is over!

Well, we've come to the end of summer camps for 2011 - and a wonderful summer it was. It was a summer fraught with great challenges and great blessings... God is indeed Good! For those of you who have checked in periodically over the summer, only to find that I had not made any updates with respect to our camps - I heartily apologize for leaving you in the lurch. However, any of you who frequent Facebook have likely found regular updates on the Arrowhead Page. Well, although this will not make amends, you will find a good selection of pictures and a video or two in this post.

Throughout the summer we were blessed by all of the volunteers who traveled from far and near to come and minister with us in various ways. We had a huge turnout of staff from our home church, Cumberland Bay Baptist, this summer. It was a great encouragement to be able to serve along side of our friends and church family!

Arrowhead underwent some changes this summer as well. Kevin and Marcia Strout have been the acting managers of Arrowhead Native Bible Center for 4 years. During camp, Kevin communicated to Len and I that He and Marcia had been feeling called into another area of ministry for some time. This calling led them to step down from leadership at arrowhead midway through the camping season. The executive approached Liz and I and asked if we would pray about stepping up to fill this position. We have done that and have accepted the role of managers of Arrowhead Native Bible Center. It is sad to see the Strout's move on, but we are sure the Lord will use them in whatever ministry they move into.

The remaining weeks of camp were challenging, but the Lord provided in wonderful ways. We saw the Lord move in the lives of both campers and staff, and we have been so very thankful for His sovereignty in all things.

Over the course of the summer I posted very short little video clips of happenings during camp. Below are a couple of examples of "Camp Moments"... to see them all, you can find them posted on Arrowhead's Facebook Page.

Gary Countway Brought the Gospel everyday during our third week of camp!

♫♪ I'm Singin' in the Rain ♪♫

The Amazing Race challenges were a fun part of Teen Camps!

Here are a few photos from the summer for you to enjoy - if you would like to see more, you can view the entire album on Facebook.

Lizs' Amazing Race Team "Team Xtreme" proudly displaying their cake!

How clean ARE those tables after lunch?

We're #1

It was a real blessing to have Stephen Somers and his family with us for the last week of camp!

There were lots of rainy days this summer... a great time for some board games!

Ben Lawson and his children spent several weeks with us this summer... they were all a huge help and great encouragement!

Week four staff picture!

Another thing rainy days are good for! MUD!

Thumbs up!

Dale Gamage & Bob Morissette came from Maine and ran a martial arts program for our first week of teen camp. As always it was a huge success!

Gotta love that beach!

A lazy afternoon paddle.

Mimacry is the highest form of flattery...

Ben Bedecki facilitated a fishing activity during our first week of chilren's camp. The kids loved it.

We had some learning to do with the new boat - but it worked great once we did.

And, never to be forgotten, the very important dish crew!

Now that camp is over Liz and I have been resting up, we have felt quite worn out after camp but are now feeling quite ready to get back to work. We will be preparing this week to go out to Pinawa Manitoba for the NCEM general conference. This conference is something that happens every two years and all NCEM missionaries are expected to attend. It will give us an opportunity to go over some mission business as well as have some wonderful fellowship with fellow missionaries from across the country - many of whom we would otherwise not have opportunity to meet.

Our fall schedule is posted to the right of this page, as we continue to travel to complete our deputation and do PR work for Arrowhead. We'd love to see you if we're going to be in your area (or if you're going to be in ours... do drop in!)

We thank you for your continued prayers and support, we will keep you updated as we begin to settle into our new roles here at Arrowhead.

P.A.T.H. Training • day (forty)

Okay, so the inevitable discrepancy has arisen between the day numbers on the video and blog titles... although the video brazenly claims we are on day 39 we are indeed actually on day 40... we apologize for this error and promise to fire everyone in the numbering department after a full investigation.

P.A.T.H. Training • day (eleven)

Well, the first week of P.A.T.H. is complete. We've enjoyed a variety of classroom interaction and topic, various different opportunities for service as well as begun to build some new friendships. We're eager to see what this week brings! Watch the blog to see more of the campus where we are living and studying and meet some more of our friends here!

Jacksontown Baptist Church

It's a bright beautiful Monday morning, and the week promises to be full of opportunity. This morning, I've been building my schedule for the week and so far it looks like tomorrow will take me to Fredericton, Wednesday to Moncton, Thursday to Sussex and Friday to Saint John. It feels like the closer the date of our departure comes the busier it gets. There is certainly a great deal to accomplish between now and next Thursday. I still have two book's to read and reports to write as well. I am into "The Whiteman's Gospel" right now, I'll post a brief review when I've finished.

We've received an update on our upcoming P.A.T.H. training, and are quite concerned about one complication that seems to have arisen. It is sounding quite likely that there will not be internet access at the Center where the training is held. If that is the case it will make our camp prep work and communications (not to mention paying bills etc.) impossible, or at best very complicated. So, as an item of prayer, please keep this in mind.

This past Saturday was full of fun. The Strout's have been involved in a missions conference in Sussex and have been there the past four days or so. Liz went with Marcia to a Ladies brunch on Saturday morning. They enjoyed some wonderful fellowship with some of the ladies from Sussex.

Last week while Kevin and I were traveling back and forth to the meetings in Fredericton, we noticed a sign out front of an auction warehouse. The sign advertised an upcoming auction of office furniture. We stopped in to find the owner very friendly and accommodating. The auction was for NB Power office equipment and vehicles. We decided we'd return and see what we might acquire for our new office building. Kevin was busy with the missions conference, so he couldn't go, but Roger Hill came along to help me out. I haven't been to an auction in a while, so it was fun to be there. We got some great deals on furniture for the office. We loaded the truck up with; 12 ft sectional executive table; 3 padded chairs; 3 quality adjustable office chairs; a 2 drawer file cabinet; a solid 5 ft bookshelf; and an illuminated glass display board. And after buyers fees and taxes we spent less than $90. Awesome! Roger and I loaded it all up and unloaded at home. We then went to retrieve a stove for the ANBC apartment. Roger had it, thought we might be able to use it and wanted to donate it to ANBC! Thanks Roger!

On Sunday morning Liz and I were on the road bright and early. We arrived at Jacksontown Baptist Church in time for Sunday school where we shared about the ministry at Arrowhead and all of the exciting things the Lord is doing here! During the morning service I had been asked to speak as well, and shared about just what it means to "stand in the Gap." We felt very welcome and enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with some friends. After the service we were invited to dinner in the home of Dorothy Rosevear. We were truly blessed to meet and fellowship with this amazing lady. Over a wonderful home cooked Sunday dinner, she shared with us about her life. She and her husband were foster parents and fostered over 700 children during the past 50 years, some of whom have gone on to be pastors and ministers. In 2008 she received the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of her service. It was a true blessing and encouragement to meet Mrs. Rosevear yesterday!