Reflections

Spring Break Ministries

The Bible School students have returned from their Spring Break.

A big THANK YOU to all who made time to pray for both the ministry outreach teams as well as for those of us who hosted and ministered to about 800 guests at Capernwray Harbour during the Bible School break time!

Each morning in the classroom, we have been truly enriched in hearing all the wonderful reports of God's work in and through the lives of so many students who have spent the time and money to minister in countless ways to many different people on different parts of the globe ...during the time they could have just as easily gone somewhere to relax.

Although for some the context was more dramatic than for others, the Lord was as dynamic in each case as they made themselves available to do and say what He wished to do and say ...magnifying Christ in His unique ways!

Capernwray Harbour / Hope Bay Bible Camp / Homestead Retreat Centre

These 3 Ministry Teams experienced God in similar ways as they served in seemingly mundane and routine tasks. Spring cleaning, housekeeping, dishes and yard work kept these teams busy but in it all our Lord Jesus was at work. Eyes, ears and hearts watching in anticipation for what the Lord would do stirred within them thankful hearts producing joy in all things.
The Capernwray Harbour Conference Team effectively led and trained many, many youth through the various courses of what we dub "Outdoor Education" which it really is ...but the guests come away not only with life skills on an individual basis but on "group skills"!

It truly was a joy to serve the Lord in serving the guests by sharing Christ with them.

Province of Quebec (Canada)

This group of students spent their time serving in local communities (kids' programs, soup kitchens, church meetings). They also had opportunity to experience some traditional Quebec culture (fresh maple syrup, dog sledding in the north for example).

The Team was challenged to trust in our Lord Jesus as He enabled them to be a blessing beyond language barriers.  He proved to be faithful to each one supplying all of their needs and abilities.  What a trip to remember!

UGM's (Seattle WA  USA) Women & Children's Shelter

This trip was a humbling experience for each member of the team as they served wholeheartedly in all that was asked of them. During the down times or monotonous tasks serving with joyful hearts was a loud and clear testimony of the faithfulness of Christ and His work in their hearts. Each one was blessed by the connections and conversations with the many guests and families at Union Gospel Mission's Women & Children's Shelter. Overall the trip was an eye-opening experience of life in the inner-city and of those less fortunate.

Japan

A few highlights:

There were many cancellations in the programmes planned for the Japan Ministry Team as fuel shortages became prevalent during the final week of ministry. However, the Team was able to have a group of 5 missionary families over to the Torchbearers Centre in order to do some programs for their children, while men and women were separated while being led them through a debriefing session in regards to dealing with the trauma of the earthquake.

Most of these families have children, and serve in the Tokyo area. Their experiences during the 9.0 earthquake were very intense as the buildings that they worked in swayed for up to 5 minutes after the quake!

These families are now back in the Tokyo area, continuing to serve. They and several other groups of Japanese with whom we have been in contact here in Canada have expressed how grateful they are that our team there had chosen to remain in Japan, while many were returning home.
This too had encouraged them in their decision to stay.

All of these missionary families have had significant pressure from their home countries to return, yet they all sensed the Lord asking them to remain amongst those with whom they are sharing Christ’s Life!

The Team enjoyed three sessions of English conversation at a church café that invites non-believers to learn English. They found that each of these interactions proved to be meaningful and timely, especially in the relationships that are being built.

South India

One great God, two weeks in India, twenty one team members, and numerous opportunities to share Christ - what a Spring Break Trip!

Praise God for a great team of students, journeying mercies, relatively good health, and many amazing opportunities to share the good news of Life in Jesus Christ.

As with most short-term trips, the Team was deeply impacted and perhaps learned more from those they went to serve than what they imparted to them.

What is sure, they enjoyed great fellowship with the brothers and sisters in India while experiencing "Kingdom Culture" - anticipating the glorious vision in the book of Revelation: Jesus Christ has purchased people from every tribe, nation, and tongue to worship and know Him forever!