Weekly Report from La Crete

Youth volunteers in front of the new cabin.

The weekend was a welcome reprieve following a very busy week. Rest is a good thing! We had the blessings of attending Hillside Christian Fellowship Sunday morning, being invited out for lunch, and meeting and visiting with more acquaintances from the area that have become our friends. Towards evening we received a call from the Iowa group letting us know they arrived home safely.

Our second group of 20 volunteers arrived Sunday evening, July 20 at 9:30 p.m. The Bergthaler group from the Warman, Saskatchewan area had safely completed their 15 hours of travel for the day. Since bedtime was nowhere in sight we dove into our snack; cherry chocolate cake and ice cream and started our introductions and orientation. Nightfall is a long time coming up here with basically three hours of darkness.

Another donor came forward with $4,000 to cover the cost of another cabin so will have the opportunity of completing eight cabins making the total number of cabins on site ten.

Exciting activities this week:

Kevin King, MDS Executive Director from Akron, PA and Evelyn Peters-Rojas, volunteer coordinator from Winnipeg, MB visited our site for two days. Kevin spent a day getting to know the campsite and the volunteers, and working alongside us. Day two was filled connecting with many people from the community – Peter G. acted as tour guide for Kevin. Both Kevin and Evelyn shared stories with our group of how God works in the lives of people and organization of MDS as well. Thank you Kevin and Evelyn – it was good to have you join us!

Tuesday and Wednesday youth groups from the Bergthaler and EMC churches again interacted with our volunteers providing much sport activities. The soccer field and volleyball sand pit were just humming as people rotated in and out. Snacks and lots of liquid followed the evening of activity.

We have the benefit of our work-sites being within walking distance from the Camp. So the group generally comes back to our open-air dining room for a rest. Wednesday during the afternoon coffee break, the Director announced that the cooks had a treat - this treat was not the usually “Ice Cream” which accompanies hot weather. A contest of water balloon tosses took place resulting in many “very wet” people. Needless to say, the chase was on. . .

Thursday afternoon – ice cream Blizzards for coffee break – a welcome relief from the heat of the day.

Thursday evening we took our volunteers swimming in the Mighty Peace River – there was some slick mud to find – and they found it. Many youth were covered from head to toe with thick slimey mud as they slid along the waters edge. There was much laughter and chasing around.

Later Thursday evening our volunteers joined campers from Pinelodge Bible Camp around the camp-fire and enjoyed lots of fun singing and sharing. Yet later the game of Mission Impossible took on new meaning as the evening just never seemed to end!

During morning devotions we were blessed as volunteers led us and shared from their heart:

Darren asked us three questions:

1) Do you believe God can do anything?

2) Do you look for God everyday?

3) If someone asked you to be silent, would you do it? 

Being in a camp, volunteer atmosphere made my mind travel to the many ways we were seeing God at work here right now!  Yes, God can do anything!!

Dave shared Thursday about his uncle Jim’s funeral taking place that day. Jim had just retired recently and believed he had much to do for God yet – God didn’t see it that way, He took him home.  Each one of our lives has an expiry date! The lesson is that we need to make each day count!!

For Ryan, this was his first volunteer experience with MDS. He shared how usually he’s happy when Friday arrives; this time he didn’t want the week to end. He had been changed – maybe hooked? To be a volunteer is to be rewarded in many different ways!

Visitors to the camp added to our experience – Thank you to Peter and Margaret for the great support! Your joyous spirit is contagious!  Blessings to you.

God blessed us with a beautiful week of sunshine and warm temperatures. The mosquitoes give us a break, which made being outside much more pleasant.

Now for an update on our cabins:

1- Interior complete, just a bit of metal siding left to do.
2- Interior complete, metal siding left to do.
3- Interior complete except one bunk left to assemble, fascia and soffit nearly done, metal siding left to do.
4- Interior complete, door left to install, just a bit of metal siding left on the back side
5- Interior complete, door left to install, exterior soffit, fascia, and cladding left to do
6- Interior complete, door left to install, exterior soffit, fascia, and cladding left to do
7- Floor complete
8- Floor complete

We thank God for safety as our volunteers took part in the many opportunities He provided for us!

As we said our good-bye’s to Eddie & Maria’s family, Eddie stated, “We aren’t there yet, but we know our time with serving as a family is running out”. Thank you for your commitment of service as a family to MDS. God is blessing you for it!

Our goal to assist Pinelodge Bible Camp in becoming more equipped to minister to children in the La Crete and surrounding area is being accomplished!  Dick Loewen, Board Chair of the Bible Camp believes this camp and the ministry has jumped ahead five to ten years with MDS’s service. Praise be to God!

Sandra (for Harold, Eddie, Maria, Amanda, Oliver, Crystal, Rey, James, Caroline, Michael, and Joleen)