Yesterday I woke up and as per my norm these days, my back was kind of bad. But the thing is, I knew it was the Faith Bible Camp last work bee before the first camp happens next week, and I knew that I was not going to just send Alvin there - I wanted to go there too. I figured there would be some job for a woman my age, and my son assured me there would be. So I ate my oatmeal, took a Tylenol extra strength, sat with my heating pad and coffee for half and hour and then we left for the camp. I knew that at any point when it felt like too much, I could easily hop into the car and just drive back to the cabin.
Alvin has put in many hours at the camp, and he loves doing it. I will be honest, he loves working alongside of Josh there, and so there is always something to do. These days, with his eye situation (still waiting for the hopefully last of the surgeries) he is limited to what he can do, but it has given him great joy to do a lot of excavation work, and other work that he can.
People began pulling into the parking lot, and the jobs were being assigned. I did my first job, and then went with Leah, Roger and Ciara to the chapel. There was a lot to be done in there, as when the speakers cabin was demolished, there was a fair bit of stuff just put into the chapel. So, we sorted through furniture, and drawers full of stuff, and other things, deciding what was to keep, what was to give away, and what was to go to the dump. The job ended up with the place being vacuumed, and furniture put into place.
We finished in time to have lunch at 1, and then I headed home, to sit with my heading pad again. In some ways it didn't feel like much, but in other ways, it felt like a lot and I felt glad I was able to do what I could.
Camp has changed a lot and it is beautiful! The chapel is one of the original buildings that is left standing after all the buildings were moved over to the mainland the winter of 68-69.
There may be one other small cabin. As I looked at the chapel I could remember running to it when it was on the island surrounded by birch trees. If those walls could talk, there would be many stories of songs sung, preachers preaching, kids answering quiz questions, and also it would talk about how kids came to hear about Jesus. In the early days, the chapel had a mural on it, of Jesus and the children. Many kids have come through the front door of the chapel. Many songs have been sung. In fact, let me tell you, I have been there during the teen camps and have almost come to tears watching the kids worship, and hearing them sing! So beautiful
Not everything stays the same, and it is good. 68 years ago, I spent my first summer at FBC ... as an infant. Not sure how my mum did it, as she was often cooking too. I believe that is why I feel like FBC is in my blood. It was in my sister's blood too. My parents were totally committed to obeying God's call, and thus, their family came too ... And then my brothers. Summer was always camp. Perhaps a trip in there once in a while after camp was over. But June just meant that we would be packing up, and heading to FBC.
These years I get to see my Kids and grandkids working there. And also thank God that each of them can attend camp as campers. I guess thats why I get teary ....
Yesterday as we worked, we had three generations working in the chapel: Myself, My daughter in law and My grandson Roger. I could not help but imagine how happy my parents would be to see their legacy carry on.
Many hands make light work. My dad found that out when camp was started. We found that out again yesterday. And well, it made me happy.
And right now, happy is an amazing feeling!
For more information about Faith Bible Camp - go to www.faithbiblecamp.org
That's it for now!
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