Dec 2022
Woohoo. Christmas
A wonderful blessed time of year when we take some or all of the focus off us and place it where it belongs on Christ our Lord.
Concerts and events spring up everywhere. Some are centered on the hustle and bustle, but still Christ is cherished by many and
I am so delighted when I come across these events. The Pender Island Choral Society put on their Christmas concert this past weekend and our own Ciara was part of it. There were several Christ centered pieces sung including Mary did you Know, Away in a manger, and
Silent Night (which was the closing piece). Ciara noted that the final line sung was "Christ the Savior is Born" from Silent Night. We can pray that God softens hearts and that the words sung will waters the seeds planted in their hearts.
Our Friday Ladies group decided to make Gingerbread Cookies for kids to decorate on the day that Santa came to the Island via the Boat. This event has been going on over 70 years and the camp is only a short walk from the wharf. Children and parents were invited to the camp for refreshments and to decorate cookies and colour in books and listen to Christmas carols. Just Lovely.
We have a new staff missionary joining us. Megan Watt comes to us with a great joy of God and his Creation. She will fill in many roles here at Camp and as such is the Director's assistant. We so look forward to many of you meeting her as well as the rest of the Missionaries recently joining us at this blessed mission at Hope Bay.
We have not had much rain this fall, which has allowed for continued work around the property as the ground has stayed fairly firm. Our new Facility Manager David keeps working on cleaning up the property of overgrowth and dead limbs while doing his daily upkeep and maintenance needed. Ciara is continuing to cleanse the camp of "just too much stuff". Old broken furniture and an over abundance of sheets and towels in the laundry room as well as removing old stuff that's just sitting around not accomplishing anything (reminds me I need to keep moving). She is also planning for next summer, writing job descriptions and planning staff gatherings as well she is out at youth group gatherings held by our illustrious former directors Bobby and Lynn at their home.
Diane and I have been to several churches and continue to develop relationships with Church staff. Several have been over to the camp as guests with teens or as staff retreats. It is wonderful to see the ministry used for Christ centered gatherings. Young Life came as a staff retreat and enjoyed themselves enough to book again this coming spring. It is amazing to see so many young leaders looking to further the Gospel and too see their joy in it.
As a staff group, we are doing a study of Luke for December. 24 chapters in 24 days. So much to discuss in each chapter, but it is wonderful to be in God's word together. We will finish Luke on Dec 24th and then gather together at the Pender Island community church in the evening to worship the coming of the Child in Bethlehem.
May this coming Season bring you Peace Joy and Love. May His wonderful Grace and Love for you cause you to be renewed in your journey on this walk of faith we call a Christ Centered Life.
Wishing you and your Family a blessed Christmas.
Randall Lockhart
Director of Ministry
You can follow our Facebook and Instagram streams to see what we're up to this season.