Connections, Conversations, Camp
This summer, our camp ministry partner, Simonhouse Bible Camp, opened their doors to campers for six weeks of programming. Hard-working staff and volunteers provided campers with powerful Bible lessons, engaging worship music, fun games and activities, and good food each week.
“We praise God for an exciting summer with an increase in campers from last year and the amazing support of 60 staff and volunteers from all over North America who intentionally worked together with the goal of 'Pointing Lives to Jesus!’,” says Simonhouse Executive Director, Darrell Janzen.
MBCM church members travelled north to serve in this ministry, including Nadia Thiessen and her family from Steinbach MB Church. Nadia served as a Leader in Training for the full camp season.
Nadia’s highlight of the summer was working with like-minded people and together showing Jesus’ love to the campers. “I was reminded that the whole point of camp is to share Jesus with people. That is also the whole point of our lives,” says Nadia. “That is something I hope to live out better in my daily life after camp.”
Connections and conversations between campers and staff can be life-changing. “There was one really meaningful conversation that I had with one camper. We were talking about being followers of Jesus and she wanted to be one! It brought me joy to walk through inviting Jesus into her heart with her,” says Nadia.
For one week, Nadia’s parents, Chris and Aurelie, and her two siblings joined her at Simonhouse to volunteer in the kitchen, help with maintenance, and clean. It didn’t take long for them to notice God at work. “Every chapel, two of the staff would share a short testimony. They each shared about struggles or challenges in their lives where God has been with them,” says Chris. “Hearing these stories of different struggles and then watching them living out their faith - sacrificially loving the campers - showed the transformative power of God in their lives.”
Camp can have a long-lasting impact on everyone involved, and similarly, the people who serve shape and change it. “Our family volunteered at Simonhouse 10 years ago,” says Chris. “That summer the tetherball pole broke, so I made a new one. Apparently it lasted 10 years because it broke while we were there this time too, so I could make another one! While I was installing the new pole, some campers hung around watching and started singing "Pharaoh, Pharaoh". It started a conversation about the meaning of the song, God's plan for his people, and the prophetic reference to Jesus as the final Passover lamb. And it all started because the tetherball pole broke!”
Through all the ups and downs, countless camp experiences bring people together and help them grow closer to God. Darrell shared a story of one family’s experience:
This year a family showed up, the day after registration, with their two kids. Our admin assistant noted that the children were not registered but the parents insisted they were and pulled up their confirmation on their phone. Well, it ended up being that they were registered for another camp, not Simonhouse. When the error was realized the family went back to their vehicle. After a few minutes, they came back and asked if we had any room and luckily, we did, so both children could be enrolled. The kids had a great time and plan to return in the future. One of them even shared in the weekly video. Interestingly, instead of driving less than an hour south to the camp they were registered for, they accidently drove over 3 hours north and ended up at Simonhouse. God works in many ways, and perhaps there was something specific they needed to be at Simonhouse for.
Things will be much quieter at Simonhouse until the camp season starts up again. Please pray for rest and a rejuvenated return for staff next summer, and that God will continue to be at work in the lives of campers, staff, and volunteers throughout the year.
Consider volunteering or working at Simonhouse next summer! Find out more on their website.
Photos provided by Simonhouse staff.
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