Summer/Fall 2014

Saskatchewan Edition
Issue 2

CANADA's

HOPE
GODS MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE.

Conversations
Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone.

COLOSSI A NS 4:6

A PUBLICATION OF
allas
alley
Ranch Camp

The Taylors
See

The Taylors live in concert on the

one hope canada

Fundraising Tour 2015

April 9-20, 2015 | Manitoba & Saskatchewan
More information will be available in the next edition of Canadas Hope.
For up-to-date concert information:
www.onehopecanada.ca/upcoming events/

CANADA's

HOPE
Summer/Fall 2014
Saskatchewan Edition
Issue Two

GODS MISSION.
OUR ADVENTURE.
Canadas Hope is the bi-annual
publication of One Hope Canada.
Letters, articles and photos are
welcomed. Names of many of
the children mentioned in articles
have been changed.
EDITORS
Melanie Mushaluk
Nic Mundey

Inside this issue

NATIONAL

SASKATCHEWAN

Executive Directors Message

Provincial Directors Message

Harolds Humour

Madge Lake Bible Camp

12

The price has been paid

No Longer Broken

20

Encounter

10

Dallas Valley Bible Camp

28

Devotional

14

Estevan Bible Camp

28

Kids Corner

16

Kenosee Lake Bible Camp

32

What happens at camp

18

Summer 2014 Photos

34

24

Luseland Bible Camp

Cooking with Kathy

26

Ranger Lake Bible Camp

36

Quote Wall

30

Stoney Lake Bible Camp

CIRCULATION &
ADDRESS CORRECTION
Sylvia Froese
SPONSORSHIPS
Harold Giesbrecht
DESIGN
Iced Tea Designs
COPY EDITOR
Jacquie Bolen
Menno Hamm
Gloria Pederson
PRINTING
Derksen Printers
Steinbach, MB
Publications agreement
number 40019747
Undelivered copies, change
of address and new requests
should be addressed to:
ONE HOPE CANADA
200-189 Henderson Hwy
Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7
Telephone: 1-204-668-2776
Fax: 1-204-663-0246
Email: info@onehopecanada.ca
www.onehopecanada.ca

Please note that in

order to save printing
and postage costs,
one magazine will be mailed
out per household.
If you would like to
receive additional copies,
please contact us at
info@onehopecanada.ca.
Cover Image taken at
Ranger Lake Bible Camp

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE

BY BILL & BEV McCASKELL

Questions make
conversation interesting
THINK ABOUT IT. If you never asked a question in a
conversation what would you ever learn? Would you
know the persons name? What he likes doing on the
weekend? What her favorite foods are? How many are in
their family?
Kids love asking questions. That is why they are so
much fun to be around. And with being around 20,000 children and youth this
summer, the One Hope Canada mission team heard lots of questions: How do
you shoot that arrow so straight?, Why are there so many mosquitoes?, Why
did they kill Jesus?, Can God really love me?
Questions are great because they make us ponder and they show someone is
interested in us. Jesus loved asking questions too. What do you want me to do
for you?, Who do you say I am?, Do you love me?
As you flip the pages of this edition of Canadas Hope, we know you will
enjoy reading some of the many conversations from this past summer.
And by the way, would you like to have a conversation about the awesome
news of what Jesus has done for you with someone who doesnt yet know who
Jesus is? Start by asking, not telling. Its a great way to get the conversation going.
Together with you in serving Him!

Canadas Hope

FIELD DIRECTOR EDITORIAL

BY TERRY KERR, SASKATCHEWAN FIELD DIRECTOR

Part of the
Harvest
As this years harvest season swings into
full gear for the farmers, another harvest
season is slowly coming to a close, the
summer camp season for our ten camps in
Saskatchewan.
This past summer, just over 6,800 children
and youth attended our week-long summer
camps. In addition to this, many more were
on site as part of the ministry, working as summer staff, volunteering, or
just visiting. Each individual quickly became part of the harvest as they
were able to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
The theme of this edition is Conversations. In the pages ahead you
will read a variety of articles about conversations that took place this
past summer at some of our camps.
We are thankful for your part in the camp ministry, and trust you
will enjoy reading about some of the conversations that took place at
this summers camps.

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

We are
thankful for
your part in
the camp
ministry.

HAROLDS HUMOUR
BY HAROLD GIESBRECHT, DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Bulletin Blo opers

My collection of bulletin bloopers started years ago
when I read the following under Future Events:
April 4 Fundraising Supper for (name of missionary
couple, last name misspelled). It is to raise funds for
ministry that is lacking. I couldnt help ponder, Whats
lacking? Their ministry? Funds? Perhaps someone to
proof-read the bulletin? And so, my collection began.
Here are some of my favourites:
At the evening service tonight, the
sermon topic will be, What is Hell?
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Dont let worry kill you offlet the church help.
For those of you who have children and dont
know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Pastor is on vacation. Massages can
be given to church secretary.
The audience is asked to remain
seated until the end of the recession.

The cost for attending

the Fasting and Prayer
conference includes meals.
Thursday night Potluck Supper.
Prayer and medication to follow.
One reason I go to church is to read the bulletin. Theres
some really interesting stuff in there! If you happen to
find bloopers in your churchs bulletin, please send them
my way: haroldg@onehopecanada.ca.
HAROLD GIESBRECHT has worked with One Hope
Canada in Manitoba for over 15 years. You may also
have heard him as host of Heart of the South on
Golden West Radio stations across western Canada.
Harolds passion for camping ministry, evangelism
and Southern Gospel music, along with his easy
going personality make him a great ambassador for
the Gospel for young and old alike!

EXPRESS
Call for your
freight quote
today!

Phone 204-331-1346
Toll Free 877-400-0262

www.sunsetexpress.ca

Deck transportation to a wide range of

industries and companies in the USA and Canada
Now hiring Class 1 Owner/Operators and Drivers!
Based in Winkler, MB

Canadas Hope

Staying

BY NAOMI TENSEN, FOLLOW-UP

& DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR

He said that camp

had been his highlight

and that his way of

thinking had changed.

6

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

connected
This past summer one of the youth from my church
spent three weeks at Madge Lake Bible Camp. He was
on staff as an LIT (Leader in Training) for a week and
then a camper for two weeks. He had been attending
church and youth group so I was able to get to know
him, and noticed he had become more distant and
negative throughout the year. But he had an awesome
summer at camp where God really moved in his heart!
I could see a difference in him from the first week he
was there to the last. One night at youth group we were
talking about our summer and what our highlights had
been. He said that camp had been his highlight and
that his way of thinking had changed. He said that God
had changed his life at camp.

I know the importance

of staying connected with

the staff and campers

encouraging them in their

relationship with the Lord.

Camp is such an important place to see lives
changed. My own life was changed at Whitney
Lake Bible Camp where I made the decision to
make my relationship with Christ my own.
I have just started as the Follow-Up / Discipleship Coordinator at Madge Lake Bible Camp.
Im really excited to see God work in the lives of
the campers and staff members throughout the
year. Part of my position will involve writing
and posting weekly devotionals for the junior
staff from the summer. I will also be going into
the different communities and meeting with
the campers and staff from those areas.
We are also trying to meet with the different
youth leaders in the area to connect as youth
leaders and provide help and services to support them in their ministries. Well also plan
different events over the year where campers
and staff can get together to allow amazing
discipleship to happen. I have had the privilege of working at the camp for seven summers,
and as a youth leader in the area for the same
amount of time. I know the importance of
staying connected with the staff and campers
from the summer and encouraging them in
their relationship with the Lord.
MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.madgelakebiblecamp.ca
204-937-3646

Ph: (306) 752-2783

Fax: (306) 752-9144

Toll Free: 1-866-424-3936 cheyennegm@sasktel.net

CHEYENNE MOTOR PRODUCTS

Canadas Hope

by terry kerr,
sk field director

You could hear

the pages of
Scripture being
turned as they
pored over Gods
Word together,
others wept, while
others just sat
silently reflecting
on what the
speaker said.
8

No longer

broken

As a Field Director, I have the privilege

of travelling to the different camps, and
am able to have many great conversations
throughout the summer months. Bonnie
and I have often agreed that the best part of
our role is the many conversations we have
each summer with the staff, volunteers and
supporters at each camp.
In early July, while at Manitou Lake
Bible Camp, many of the staff were sharing
stories of campers in their cabins who were
from another denomination. As the week
of camp progressed, these campers started
to question many of the cabin leaders about
their faith. They could not get over how, on
numerous occasions, no matter what the
circumstances were, the leaders would just
stop to pray and encourage others to lead
out in prayer. This observation of prayer
allowed the staff to engage into deeper
conversations, teaching the campers how
prayer is a personal conversation with Jesus
anytime and anywhere.
One morning later in August, while
attending Kenosee Lake Bible Camp,
Brad Weber, Camp Director, and I were
engaged in a conversation about some of

the troubled youth who attend a week of

summer camp. The conversation was a
good reminder for both us that we really
do minister to a broken world.
Later that night in chapel the speaker
did an awesome job of presenting the
message of salvation. Once chapel was
over and dismissed, sixteen youth
stayed behind in the chapel with the
speaker and cabin leaders to learn more
about Christ.
This article will never do justice to what
was observed that night seeing these
youth with their heads bowed praying
with staff. You could hear the pages of
Scripture being turned as they pored over
Gods Word together, others wept, while
others just sat silently reflecting on what
the speaker said. After about an hour of
sitting there silently, Brad leaned over to
me and, referring to our early morning
conversation, he stated, These youth
do not have to be broken anymore; they
have Jesus. For me it was one of the most
profound statements of the entire summer
and a great reminder of why we do what
we do all year long behind the scenes.

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

A passion for the Gospel

A burden for Canada
We have a new name!
A name that reflects why we do what we do.
A name that shares our vision and passion.

allas
alley
Ranch Camp

BY CLAYTON WIENS,
CLIMBING WALL INSTRUCTOR

Achieving our

main goal

Recently Ive been watching

the TV show Lost. In it, a plane
crashes on an island and the
surviving passengers try to escape
from their unfamiliar surroundings. It seems everyone has their
own plan to get off the island,
and many conflicts are caused
when they dont work together or
communicate. People wander off,
go missing in the jungle, or end up
fighting with each other for days,
all because they didnt sit down
and have a conversation.
In camp ministry the
situation is much the same, but
without the whole desert-island
scenario. Theres a whole bunch
of people in a wilderness setting
with a common goal sharing
the gospel. However, we all have

If we dont

communicate

with each other,

our ministry will

be nowhere near
as effective.

10

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

allas
alley
Ranch Camp

How we live out our faith and relationships with

other Christians can speak volumes to the youth.

different ideas of how this should be
accomplished. If we dont communicate
with each other, our ministry will be
nowhere near as effective.
This summer I was working as the
climbing-wall instructor, and before
lunch one day an LIT (leader-in-training)
came up to me and asked to talk. We
went off and discussed an incident that
had occurred a couple of days earlier,
when I had corrected a mistake he had
made. Since then, he had thought that I
had been holding a grudge against him
for making a mistake.
I had actually been quite impressed
with how he responded to my criticism
and had taken the necessary steps to
prevent making the same mistake again.
Clearly, we were not on the same page.
The misunderstanding could have been
ignored and potentially turned into
something that soured our relationship,
and thus our ministry. Instead, we
talked and resolved the issue: I gained
a new respect for this young man who
was willing to approach me about the
situation, and he realized I wasnt angry
with him.
It wasnt a big issue, and it didnt
directly connect to presenting the gospel,
but it was part of our lives at camp. How
we live out our faith and relationships
with other Christians can speak volumes
to the youth. Its important to have those
conversations and resolve each conflict
before it becomes something major. If we
dont, we probably wont end up wandering off into the jungle, but we may not
be able to effectively achieve our goal
sharing the gospel.
DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP

www.dallasvalley.com
306-731-3348

Canadas Hope

11

12

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

NATIONAL DIREC TOR OF DEVELOPMEN T

ast summer, I had an opportunity

to observe what I would call a God
moment at one of our One Hope
Canada camps. It was a typical
prairie day in August, hot and dusty, the trees were
lush and the flowers in full bloom. A young boy,
about six years old, who was attending a single mom
and kids camp, was off by himself, fully enraptured
by a beautiful flower box. As I approached, he was
clearly sniffing the flowers, repeatedly breathing
in deeply then sitting back on his haunches with a
look of wonderment on his face. As I passed him, I
commented that the flowers must smell good. His
reply? Mister, I aint never smelled nothin like that
before. As I walked on, I wondered what he meant;
hed never smelled that kind of floweror had he
never smelled any kind of flower?
After some reflection and prayer I came to the
conclusion that I had been witness to our Creator
connecting with this boy through His creation.

He would go on to hear a message about Jesus later

that night at chapel that would affirm the amazing
love that God had for him. A seed had been planted
that day; a seed of hope for a boy that came from a
flowerless world.
At One Hope Canada, our goal is to present the
Gospel to those with the least chance to hear,
especially children and youth. If not for camp, this
boy, his mom and older brother may never have had
that chance. They couldnt afford to come though,
but through an inner city outreach, someone paid
the price for this family to attend.
In an effort to ensure that every child across
Canada has an opportunity to come to camp,
One Hope Canada is creating the Price Has Been
Paid Fund. The fund will be utilized by camps to
make sure that otherwise unsponsored kids will
be able to afford to come, and to help pay for the
additional staff required to encourage kids at camp
and afterward.

For more information on how you can partner with One Hope Canada
through the Price Has Been Paid fund contact Nic Mundey via email at
nmundey@onehopecanada.ca or call 1-888-960-2580.

Donations can also be made through our website www.onehopecanada.ca,

click Donate Now and follow the links.

Canadas Hope

13

Unexpected

questions

It was the first night of camp, and

devotions were just winding down
in Abraham cabin, until the cabin
leader asked if any of the campers
had questions. Then it began, the
questions came fast and furious.
They were deep questions, good
questions, questions that the cabin
leaders felt immense pressure to
answer clearly and concisely.
They covered every detail of
salvation, how Jesus had accomplished it on the cross, and how you
could be saved by accepting His free

14

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

gift. Then other questions came

like, Does the Devil rule hell?,
Did Jesus go to hell? and How
do I know I am going to heaven?
Each camper had their own
answer to these questions, and the
discussions went on as the leaders
prayerfully answered the questions

BY LADAN MACKENZIE,
CAMP DIRECTOR

and guided the campers to the

right conclusions.
The cabin leaders were incredibly amazed by the depth of the
questions, and the understanding of their very young campers.
Each question came almost
by surprise as they were not

They were deep questions, good

questions, that the cabin leaders felt

pressure to answer clearly and concisely.

expecting such questions from this

age group. Looking outside the cabin
one leader noticed another leader
walking by.
Hopping outside he called,
UhHey, could you come help us
for a second?
Sure, was the response.
Whats up? he asked, fully
expecting there to be trouble with
one or more campers.
They are asking really good questions and we could use some help,
was the answer to his surprise.
Entering in he soon realized this
was no joke. Rallying together they

answered each question carefully

and as clearly as possible. Finally
the questions slowed as most campers showed their understanding by
nodding. A feeling almost of relief set
in as the leaders felt they had fully
answered all the questions.
Then, I just have one
more question, said a camper.
The leaders braced themselves
for another deep question.
Are mosquitos poisonous?
ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP

www.estevan.cssm.ca
306-634-TENT (8368)

A feeling
almost of relief
set in as the
leaders felt
they had fully
answered all
the questions.

Canadas Hope

15

The One that

matters

Little else

compares to

hearing a child
have that first

conversation with
the One who has
given them life.
16

Conversations are all around

us. Often they are short greetings,
followed by a general synopsis
of each persons current state of
being and a passing statement
about the weather. Lets face it,
we Canadians love talking about
the weather. But conversations
can lead to something much more
than weather. Discussions that
go deeper can offer much needed
encouragement, a challenge to live
or think differently, or an invitation
to experience something new.

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

BY BRAD WEBER, CAMP DIRECTOR

Life at camp is no different, except

for the fact that kids dont talk about
weather, because for some beautiful
reason they love a listening ear when
someone inquires about them. They
often open their lives up without
much hesitation, and that creates so
many open doors into their lives.
Again this summer at camp, staff
were given countless opportunities to
hear children and youth share their
stories. There were great stories, stories
that seemed to go on forever, stories
that made you wonder about their

validity, and stories that broke your

heart. But like Jesussitting at the
well with the Samaritan woman
(John 4), talking in the middle
of the street with the centurion
(Matthew 8), or being questioned by
the rich young ruler (Matthew19)
our staff had opportunities to
express Gods love by answering
questions, telling stories from their
lives, and engaging children in
conversation.
These times gave opportunity to
encourage campers and help them
explore and think more deeply
about who God created them to be.
While conversations between staff
and campers are greatly desired,
our mission is to direct campers to

the One who is always present, the One

who shares the excitement of their good
stories and the sorrow of their bad ones.
Little else compares to hearing a child
have that first conversation with the

One who has given them life.

KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.kenoseelakebiblecamp.ca
306-577-4623

Canadas Hope

17

RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP

STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP

RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP

LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP

LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP

KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP

ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP

DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP

DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP

MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

DALLAS VALLEY BIBLE CAMP

MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP

STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP

ESTEVAN BIBLE CAMP

7
provinces
8
camps

250

HOURS

12
students

4
staff

of classroom instruction

BY THE NUMBERS

Countless

125

mission and serving

opportunities

HOURS

of assignments,
reading and group work

100%

of our graduates served at One

Hope Canada camps this summer

20

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

3 students

entering full-time, year-round

camp ministry roles this fall
with One Hope Canada

Conversations of Change
Barry and Lerissa Buhler, Directors of Encounter School of Discipleship
A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

There are many things I appreciated about my job as director

of Encounter. If you walk into my living room, youll see
many photos that my wife and I have taken of the beautiful
country of Canada during our travels already. However,
while those photos are beautiful and tell a lot of stories,
they dont compare remotely to the stories that we get to
hear from the way God has engaged our students during the
course of Encounter and how God used that time to prepare
them for the road ahead. Heres a few conversations that
Id like to share with you from some people significantly
changed by Encounter this past year:

CHANGE GROW LEAD

Partnering with One Hope Canada

to build into the lives of
Canadian children, youth and their families.
As a family business well into its third generation
the Penner family has more than 50 years
of experience in the construction industry.

www.tlpenner.ca
(204) 748 -1400

Canadas Hope

21

Conversations of Change: Marianne

Describe a little bit about your
life before coming to Encounter:

MARIANNE: I had just graduated from trade school

in computer graphics and knew that I didnt want to
work full-time in that job. During my third summer
at camp, the summer before Encounter, God put a
desire in my heart to work as a missionary in my
home province, but mostly, to be able to encourage
and support people through camp ministry.
What did you appreciate most about Encounter?

MARIANNE: I really appreciated the fact that we

worked all together in a small group. We learned
to be open and vulnerable/transparent before each
other, supporting one another in prayer and keeping
each other accountable. We learned to work together
as the body of Christ and that was something very, if
not totally, new to me. I also loved travelling across
the country and see how every single place we
stopped was different from the next. It helped me to
better understand how to reach out with the Gospel
to the people surrounding me back home.
What was one of the biggest lessons
that you learned during the trip?

MARIANNE: I learned that there really was

freedom in Christ and that even though we dont
often act like it is true, God is absolutely everything
He says He is. Before, my relationship with God was
based mostly on my efforts to do well enough so He
would be pleased with me. I knew my salvation
didnt depend on me, but I thought that somehow,
if I worked hard enough, I would be able to gain
more of His love or feel closer to Him. When He
looks at me, God sees Christ in me... Christ resisting
the devil, healing the sick, obeying even to His
death on the cross. How could I even think of doing
more than that?!
I learned that God wasnt asking me to do more
for Him, but to trust Him to be everything He is.
And then, since He is who He is (Provider, Savior,
Loving Father) how could I not want others to
know about Him too? How could I not want to
follow Him with everything that I am and follow
His example? All this time, it wasnt about how
much I did, but about how much I trusted in Him
and surrendered to Him.

22

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

You spent this past summer back at your home camp,

Camp Livingstone in Quebec, how did the Encounter
experience equip you for your role this summer?

MARIANNE: Through Encounter, I have learned not to

trust in myself but to trust in God. I have also learned
that being a leader didnt necessarily mean to lead from
up front. That and so many other things that God had
worked in my life through Encounter really changed
the way I viewed and reacted to people and situations.
I was able to be more of an encouragement to the team I
worked with. The way God has been healing hurts from
my past also made me more aware of the hurts in other
peoples lives, whether campers or staff. In the past, I had
started my summer dreading that I wasnt ready for the
task ahead. This summer, I started it ready, knowing that
God had it all in His hands and that He was able to work
despite my weaknesses.
What are your plans for the next stage
in life now that Encounter is finished?

MARIANNE: On September 1st, I started working for

One Hope Canada, with the resource and finance teams.
I also help out my field director and my home camp
(Livingstone), by working on their website and other
graphics jobs (newsletters, brochures, etc.). Throughout the
year, I plan on following up with some of the female staff
from this past summer; to be able to encourage them in
their walk with God as well as to challenge them to abide
in Him in all aspects of our lives. Im happy to be where
God leads me and looking forward to see how Hes going
to work in and through me in the next few years.

As we prepared for our second year of

Encounter, we realized that we would not have
enough students to operate the program.
While this was disappointing for us, we know
that Gods hand is steadfast through it all.
Though this summer was difficult to find
enough students, there seems to be much
interest for next fall, so we press on, diligently
working to put into place the building blocks
necessary to make Encounter a sustainable
avenue for discipleship, year after year.

Encounter Teacher Profile: Colin Bell

COLIN BELL lives in Austin, Manitoba, where he
has served for the past eight years as pastor of Austin
Evangelical Fellowship. He is married to his wife,
Dawn, and they have two beautiful girls. He is an
avid sports fan and cheers for the Winnipeg Jets.
During this past year with Encounter, you spoke
on one of your passions, The Church, and
really challenged our students in the way they
viewed and participated in Christs Church.
Why is this such a passion of yours?

COLIN: Well first of all, being a pastor, church is a

pretty big part of my life! However, I feel that there are
so many misconceptions about the church these days
- its falling apart, it has so many problems - but I am
passionate to see the church for what God intended it
to be. He wants us to be real, to have community, and
to spend our lives worshipping him. Its important that
this generation knows the importance of the church,
and while it can be changed, it cannot be thrown out!
Despite the fact that there are problems and failings,
Christ is still continuing to build His Church.

You mentioned to me your week with Encounter

was one of the highlights of your year so far.
What made the experience so unique?

COLIN: I absolutely loved my week with Encounter.

While I preach and teach to my congregation year after
year, it was the first time that I had the privilege of
teaching in this type of setting. The size of the group
was perfect for class interaction. I loved being able to
get to know the students, hear where they are at, and
also be challenged by them as well!
Based on your response, what would be your encouragement to a young person considering Encounter?

COLIN: What I really appreciate most about

Encounter is that it is very biblically based, and
secondly, its across Canada. If this program had been
around when I graduated high school, I would have
very seriously considered it. Its perfect for the time of
life where you leave your home, and wrestle through
your faith and make it your own. Its a place where
you can get your biblical foundation while seeing this
incredible country.

Canadas Hope

23

BY NYLA DITSON,
CABIN LEADER

God certainly

the face of fear

has a sense of

humour when He
placed me as the
cabin leader of
a girl who says

earthworms are her

favourite animal.
24

Learning to laugh in

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

An eight-year-old helped me conquer a fear at Luseland Bible Camp

this year. Not of flying, clowns or
spiders, but earthworms. Seriously,
they use to terrify me! But God certainly has a sense of humour when
He placed me as the cabin leader of
a girl who says earthworms are her
favourite animal. When she spotted
one on the ground, shed stop and
gaze lovingly down at it.

They make the best pets, she

told me. Because they are squishy
and cant run away. And if you
accidently cut them in half, you get
two worms!
Im thankful we both agreed pet
worms belong outside.
When I told her about my fear,
she gave me a sympathetic look.
I know how to help you. I could
find you a worm and then hold

it around you, until you get used to

them. And just remember they are
slow and dont have legs. So you can
run away if you get scared.
Another day during the camp
week, this precious child told me,
Worms can be miracles. I was
playing with my pet worm and lost
it. I was so sad. So I prayed, Lord,
help me find my worm. I love him.
When I turned around, my worm
was there again! God answered my
prayer with a big yes!

Each time I

see a worm, fear

is not so strong,

but the memory

of this eight-yearolds delight in

them is vivid.

Oh, how I love her childlike heart

and aged wisdom! Just seeing my
fear through the perspective of a
child, lessened the power of the fear.
Each time I see a worm, fear is not
so strong, but the memory of this
eight-year-olds delight in them is
vivid. Dare I say I now look forward
to spotting worms on rainy days?
Because they trigger memories of
wonderful moments with this child
at Luseland Bible Camp?
Always remember that God
places specific people in your life for
a reason. That He nudges you to go
places, like LBC, at specific times to
cross their paths. So they can help you
laugh in the face of your fears!
LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP

www.luseland.cssm.ca
306-372-4544

Canadas Hope

25

BY MICHAEL STREILEIN, SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR

Impressionable

moment

Whenever campers start missing

home, I remind them that they
get to be home fifty-one weeks of
the year, but get only one week at
Ranger Lake Bible Camp!
Timothy didnt seem to care.
He wasnt engaged in chapel or
cabin discussion and did his best to
ignore his cabin leaders and peers.
Even on the third day of camp,
there was a heaviness about him
as he trudged about, consistently
late for all activities. And thats
how he ended up on the bench
in front of my office.
As we spoke, Timothy told
me how disappointed he was

26

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

in himself and how the world

would be better without him.
It was a hard conversation and,
after I offered a quick prayer, he
sauntered to the dining hall to
eat supper with his cabin.
That evening as I approached
the chapel, I saw Timothy
standing outside, covering his
face and crying. When I offered
to pray for him, he responded
by shrugging his shoulders, so I
assumed he meant yes. I left him
for a moment to check what was
going on in chapel.
When I returned, Timothy
was reading the Bible his cabin

As I shared with him about

creation, Israel, Jesus, salvation, and what

it meant for us, Timothy stopped crying.
leader had given him earlier that
week. I asked if he understood
what he was reading, and he
answered, No. I asked if I could
explain some of it to him. Again
he shrugged his shoulders, and
again I assumed he meant yes.
As I shared with him about
creation, Israel, Jesus, salvation,
and what it meant for us,
Timothy stopped crying. Our
conversation finished as chapel
ended. He gave me a big smile
and, for the first time that week,

ran off to his cabin. This marked

change stayed for the remainder of
the week. I dont know the end of
his story, but I pray that Timothy
will know he is loved and come to
know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.
Moments like this are why we do
camp ministry, and that day I was
honoured to be a part of God reaching
out to show his love to children.
RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.rlbc.ca
888-406-1733

204-

Canadas Hope

27

KIDS CORNER

I want jesus to shine

through me each day.

God Is...

ead Mark 4:21-32.

A candle that cant be seen is no use.
If you love Jesus, He wants his light
to shine through you each day!

n the Bible, we read about Gods numerous

attributes. An attribute is a word that we
use to describe a person or an object. It is a
characteristic specific to them.

Draw a candle in the holder beside each

picture that shows who is shining for Jesus.

Look up the following verses in your Bible to

help you fill in the missing letters and discover
some of Gods attributes.
Psalm 147:5 God is M _ _ _ _ Y
(God is strong and powerful, and
He has authority over the whole universe.)

fighting

helping mom

Revelation 1:8 God is E _ _ RN _ _

(God has no beginning or end.
He was, He is, and will forever be.)
2 Timothy 2:13 God is F _ _ TH _ _ _
(God will never let you down,
He will accomplish His promises.)

telling about Jesus

When you shine for Jesus, people will see

that you are different. Then Jesus will use
you to bring your friends to Christ.

28

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

ANSWERS
MIGHTY, ETERNAL, FAITHFUL, MERCIFUL

being friendly

Psalm 86:5 God is M _ _ CI _ _ _

(Although we deserve to be punished for our sin,
He forgives those who ask for forgiveness and
makes them clean in His sight.)

Canadians need Gods

Word more than ever.
Participate in this years Bible Week challenge.
Register as a church or individual for free at
biblesociety.ca/bible-week

Thank you to
for donating 10,000
Bibles to One Hope Canada camps all across the country.
This Bible was specifically developed for camp ministry
and the kids loved receiving their very own copy!

BY MYRA SCHMIDT,
CAMP SECRETARY

I often talk to

first-time parents
who are more

nervous about

their child coming

than the camper
themselves!
30

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

A worthwhile

ministry

As the secretary at Stoney Lake

Bible Camp, I have the opportunity
to have many conversations
with many people, or witness
conversations taking place around
the camp.
Many of the conversations I
have are by phone and are very
surface level What time is pick-up
on Friday?, Can my child be in
the same cabin as so and so?, or
What should I pack? Sometimes
it would be easier and faster to

just have an automated message

for these questions, but I know
that its the personal conversation
that often sets the parents mind
at ease about sending their child
to camp. I often talk to first-time
parents who are more nervous
about their child coming than the
camper themselves! I always take
extra time for these parents because
I know that I might be the first
impression they have of the camp.
If I am not friendly and inviting on

the phone, the parents will be even

more hesitant to send their children
to the camp, possibly preventing
them from hearing about Christ.
It is a privilege for me to hear
cabin leaders sharing the Gospel
with the campers and having
the opportunity to pray for
them as they have this critical
conversation. Every Friday after
lunch, our staff directors meet with
the campers who have made first
time commitments, sharing with
them how to continue growing
in their faith when they are back
at home. Sometimes the campers
volunteer to pray at the end of
these meetings. It brings joy to my
heart to see these new brothers
and sisters in the Lord. Hearing the
simple faith of these children is a
reminder to me of how I am called
to approach our heavenly Father
with child-like faith.
My favorite conversations are
from parents who say that their kids
had the best time at camp and cant
wait until next summer! One parent
shared that they found their teenage
son hiding in his room, reading his
Bible because of the influence of his
cabin leader praise God. Hearing
campers, staff and parents say that
camp made a huge impact on their
or their childs walk with God is
what makes working at Stoney a
worthwhile ministry!
STONEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.stoneycamp.ca
306-873-5537

One parent shared that they found their teenage

son hiding in his room, reading his Bible because of

the influence of his cabin leader praise God.

Canadas Hope

31

by Bill McCaskell, co-executive director

What happens at camp

doesnt stay at camp
While working at
camp, they were
able to work
through and live
out their faith
praying regularly
for campers,
trusting God in
many situations,
and seeking others
for help and
encouragement.
32

ampers go home with lots of

storiestheir first horseback
ride, a new swimming level
achieved, and a list of new
friends. But what about the lingering
effect camp has within local
churches connected with the camp?
Garnet and Tracey Hodges, youth
pastor couple of BAM Youth (joint
youth ministry of Bagot Community
Chapel and MacGregor EMC, just
outside Portage la Prairie, MB), talk
often of the impact their local One
Hope Canada Bible Camp (Valley
View) has on their youth group
and the entire church family.
People of all ages are involved
in the campserving on the camp
board, showing up for work projects,
volunteering in the kitchen, and
more and more adults even cabin
leading, explains Garnet Hodges.

Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

But camp life especially impacts

the youth, Hodges continues. When
youth share their testimonies before
baptism, many recall taking the
Leadership Development Program
at Valley View. It really helped them
focus on God and what He has done
for them. While working at camp,
they were able to work through and
live out their faithpraying regularly
for campers, trusting God in many
situations, and seeking others for help
and encouragement.
Youth raised in the church need to
make the Christian faith personal. A
study conducted by the Evangelical
Fellowship of Canada in 2011 identified
one out of every two children raised
in an evangelical church stopped
attending church after moving away
from home, most often leaving any
Christian affiliation behind.

Whats really exciting is seeing the pastor intentionally connect with families who
dont have a home church so they feel welcome to return the following sunday.
Camp helps youth develop strong
group bonds, Hodges explains, and
many of those relationships continue
after summer and even after high school
graduation. There is a desire to keep in
touch and encourage one another in
their faith. Its really good to see.
But church kids are not the only
ones impacted by camp ministry.
Churches who are involved in camp
ministry are reminded of that each
summer.
One highlight for Nathaniel
Harder, Co-Director of Manitobas
Adventure Day Camp, was seeing the
beginning of a relationship between
campers, their parents, and the pastor
of the church who hosted a week of
Adventure Day Camp.

We invite the parents of campers

to attend our closing program on
the last day of each week, explains
Harder. Its great because parents
see their kids acting in skits, view
a power point from the week, and
see what we learned. Whats really
exciting though is seeing the pastor
intentionally connect with families
who dont have a home church, so
they feel welcome to return the
following Sunday.
Its stories like these which show
that the conversations that start at
camp, so often carry on from camp
gate to church door.
That really is our desire, explains
Bev McCaskell, Co-Executive
Director. One Hope Canada exists

to serve the local church, and we

do this by helping local churches
partner together to proclaim
and live out the gospel to their
communities. At the same time
we provide opportunities for local
believers of all ages and with all
sorts of skills to grow deep in their
faith as they serve at camp. Its
pretty great to see God working as
we all serve together.
BILL & BEV MCCASKELL serve
as the Executive Director team
of One Hope Canada and have
seen firsthand how God uses
camp ministry. It happened in
their two sons lives long after
the summer ended.

Peace River Bible Institute

Training believers to become
disciple-makers who impact
their world for Christ.

Enter coupon code Apply250 at www.prbi.edu to receive a

$250 bursary if you apply by December 31, 2014.
www.prbi.edu / Sexsmith, AB / 780-568-3962

Canadas Hope

33

COOKING WITH KATHY

BY KATHY WEIR

Assumptions!
A CO U N T L E S S N U M B E R O F P E O P L E H AV E E AT E N I N M Y
K I TC H E N A N D G O N E O N TO L E A D N O R M A L L I V E S

ASSUMPTIONS! We all make

them, but often the results arent
what we expected. Like my first
date with Howard when I provided
hot chocolate made with cocoa (as
we were out of the little packets).
Who knew you were to use less
cocoa and add milk and sugar?
Also, assuming the cookies I offered
him were okay, when in reality
they were stale rejects that nearly
resulted in him losing a tooth!
During a staff lunch, I inadvertently filled my bowl with what
I thought was tomato soup. Not
wanting to be critical by saying it
didnt taste right, I silently forced
myself to consume the contents,
only to be informed I had just eaten
a bowl of gravy. Ugh!

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Summer/Fall 2014 | www.onehopecanada.ca

While making a large coffee mocha cake for my daughters birthday,

I assumed when the recipe asked
for two cups of coffee, that it meant
sifted, instant coffee. When the cake
didnt rise or turn out anything like
the ones our cooks made at camp, I
discovered it meant liquid coffee.
Another time I made a double batch
of potato soup for a church potluck,
in which the recipe called for two
cloves of garlic. I assumed each of
the round balls was called a clove,
so proceeded to add two! One could
likely tell for weeks who ate my
soup, but they never complained of
getting a cold!
Ive always believed that God
never wastes experiences in
our lives. Perhaps some of these

cooking lessons were actually

lessons to remind me of the
importance of asking instead of
assuming something. How often
have we hurt people unintentionally when we have assumed
something about their motives,
attitude or actions, only to
discover we were totally wrong.
As we anticipate the needed new
facility at camp, I need to be mindful that nothing is too big for God.
Matthew 19:26 says, With GOD ALL
THINGS are possible. Now thats
something I can be certain about!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Howard and
Kathy Weir
have been
serving as Camp
Directors at
Turtle Mountain
Bible Camp (Manitoba) since 2002,
but previously served at Galilean
Bible Camp (Ontario) for many
years before that

Manufacturer of quality gravel trailers

Ask your dealer about the new SLX end dump

Midland Manufacturing
congratulates
One Hope Canada
on this edition of
Canadas Hope

Summer 2014 Quote Wall

Camper: Is it spelled Mrs.
God sent a plague and
nt married?
turned the water into blood Isaifiah:theNopy are
e, its Miss. M-I-S-S
Different Camper: Its M-I-S-S-S-S-S
Whos blood was it?
if theyre married to a snake!

Im so glad Jesus

A kid after only 10 minutes

of being there
declared, You know, I think
I want to live here.

did the dying for me.

there are so many memories
that keep me coming back! Camp
has literally changed my life

Cabin leader: Time for devos.

Camper: What are evils?
From 7 year old camper after first
song at first chapel This is my favorite
song!; after second song; This is my
favorite song!!!; after 3rd song;
This is my favorite song!!!!!
bother me,
Bullies used to
m all up!
then I beat the

Whe re do I find
Samsung in the Bible?

No, I don't want

to hurt you, I
have Jesus in me

Camper trying to get dead

flashlight to work: It worked
yesterday...Maybe it only works
with the lights off! (goes and
turns off cabin lights to check)

A dress shirt goes really well with

sweat pants sometimes, doesnt it!

W ill the hot
chocol ate melt my
teeth [dentures]?

If you sit on a noodle

and pretend its a
horse, does that
count as horseplay?

Publications Mail Agreement #: 40019747

Canadas Hope
One Hope Canada Manitoba
200-189 Henderson Hwy
Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7

God is 100% love.

This has been my
best summer ever.
Then Eve went to the
tree and saw...
An eagle!
No, she saw a snake
I know that snake!

After only being here an hour or

two, a little guy came up to a staff
member and said, when I leave,

Im really gonna miss you guys!

Gods got my back,

I learned that in devo
tions