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Winnipeg, Mb – We are so excited to be able to run Winter Camps again! The last time we had youth at Gem Lake Wilderness Camp in winter was March 1, 2020, just before everything shut down due to Covid-19. We are running four weekend youth camps in January and February, as well as two work trips to get camp set up and to cut firewood, getting our woodsheds filled again for the next couple of years.
Because we haven’t been able to run winter camps for the past two years, many of our campers are first-timers. This means a little more apprehension and sometimes homesickness, but also so much excitement participating in winter activities for the first time. Riding to camp on a sleigh behind the snowmobiles, snowshoeing to a secret spot to make Snow Slurpees, cooking Bannock over a fire or going down one of our natural tubing runs have been highlights for many.
In response to the many relationships that have suffered over the past several years our mini-church theme this winter was “Connections.” Some of the topics that we covered were:
How tough it was to have good connections during Covid.
We are stronger together. God created us to be connected to other people, but not all connections with people are good ones.
Choosing good friends can be tough, but it’s important, because who we spend our time with often changes how we act.
God wants to be connected with us! Sin broke that relationship, but Jesus fixed the issue of sin so that we can be connected with God again.
It was encouraging to see the campers understand the message. The younger Boys’ Camp were especially receptive and asked questions for fifteen minutes straight.
After a short break for, then it is on to preparing for summer camps.
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and financial support. It is a blessing to be a part of this work together with you.
Home church: Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg Manitoba
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This article was originally published in The Recorder Vol 60 No. 2