Can you see the deer in our front window? So blessed.
Bad Joke for the day...
If you’re American when you go in the bathroom…… and American when you come out, what are you in the bathroom?
European
Continuation of the story.......
******
Working for Camp Arnes felt like a homecoming for me.
At the time Camp Arnes was one of the biggest children’s camp in Canada…run by the very capable and dynamic Dave Loewen.
Dave was amazing in his recruitment of staff.
He would zero in on someone he thought had potential and say, “I need you!” making that person feel like a million bucks. He had the gift of placing people – knowing their gifts better than they did themselves.
And that’s what he was like with me - immediately. It was as if he saw all of me.
I started working out of the city office in the promotions department, designing a symbolic tree camp logo with the theme, “a place to grow.” i was so proud of that logo -- and working for that camp.
Being in promotions meant that I had to design the brochures, produce a slide show and other promo pieces for the various programs Camp Arnes would run in a summer. The upright background held posters and a screen for slides which ran on the table projecting exciting camp pictures continually! The table part also included more information and handouts for potential staff etc. This way the display was always ready to respond to any church, Bible school, mall or social event that would have us.
This meant travelling and staying at schools for a week or more with the display, even prepared to put on a program, tell a kids story in church, preach and so one.
The best weeks were in spring when we as camps would spend a week at a mall – a row of about eight display tables. Even though we might be seen as competition, in reality we were all good friends. One time I found our carousel of slides on a different table – all in good fun. All of us just wanted the children of Winnipeg to attend a camp any camp knowing that it would be a life changing opportunity.
Here's something interesting that happened one summer! I had booked a church church in the Steinbach area, and felt some crazy vibes from the people around me as I was setting up my display etc. They looked at me strangely, talked amongst themselves but never said a thing all Sunday morning. When I went home and discovered that they had confused me with Camp Director Cliff Dirks so instead of getting to know all about Red Rock Bible camp they were exposed to Camp Arnes! Cliff and I had a great chuckle over that one. Actually got some great volunteers that worked for Camp Arnes for several years.
In the summer months, I literally left the city with my family and stayed at camp. I remember how shocked my children were when one time we went back into the city in the middle of summer and they could not believe that some people actually stayed in the city for the summer! I always appreciated this built-in holiday time for our growing family.
In the summer I was the Pony Unit director with my own staff –who were cabin leaders in cabins with about 8 children ages 7 to 9.
At the time, I created a new curriculum for the Unit based on the story of Jesus being the gentle shepherd.
(It’s amazing how all of it is coming back to me now that I have cancer. The vision I got upon learning I had cancer was about being a little lamb held tightly, in love, to the bosom of my shepherd.)
Our Pony Unit program included mini worship services every morning in the Wigwam – that uniquely wigwam styled building right at the lake edge with that row of windows and the impressive fire place.
This was where I could indulge in my giftings, playing my guitar and singing. “I just want to be a sheep… baa baa” or “This little light of mine” or “Mathilda the Gorilla.” I literally had a suitcase of magic tricks and a supply of balls that I could make disappear and reappear magically.
I could tell stories, preach mini sermons to my heart’s content, knowing that I was teaching young kids about God – their guide, their savior, and friend.
After wigwam they would spend the rest of the day participating in camp programs; archery, horses, swimming, sailing - always being challenged to learn new skills.
Meanwhile I was also all over the camp taking pictures of "everything" for next summers promotional materials.
Then I was back at the camp office for the winter – where I worked with the winter staff. Dave, the director, the visionary where we hatched all kinds of ideas for materials for promoting next summer camping programs. His wife Elfrieda the office administrator was excellent in keeping us all organized and then there was the most creative program director, Lily Loewen – who lead the Leadership Training program that changed lives.
One friend tells the story of being in the LTP program and Lily instructed them all to find a tree and tell its story. He thought it a ridiculous exercise and resisted it until the others began to share their stories. Lily was able to point out their tree story to the parallels in their own lives and bring out huge personal learnings. He quickly participated then - found his tree and told his story - and experienced a huge life learning. Lily was a therapist who also used natural sand trays way before they were discovered by psychologists.
Another friend told another story of a Lily - life changing story. "She had a bowl of oranges which we all snacked on while joking around, washing our hands in the lake when done. She then asked us to go get the orange juice out of the lake, which of course was impossible. Then she landed the simple but profound lesson I've never forgotten, 'That's how impossible it is to take away God's love for you.' Thank you Lily. "
Back at the office we had a great year round staff. One of our traditions was to have a "staff lunch" every Friday when one of the staff was assigned to bring in the lunch. Quite soon after joining the staff, every one noticed my aversion to vegetables and apparently anything healthy -- remember I was a peanut butter and jam child.
Their biggest challenge was to "fool" me into healthy eating. I remember one time really enjoying a cake dessert thinking it was safe - I had apparently survived a veggie test. After finishing this delicious cake, they happily announced that I had eaten vegetables - it was apparently a "carrot cake." Success! I went home and told my wife that I loved carrot cake - it was something new to us at that time.
When I think back on the setting, the staff, the programs, the leadership, I'm not surprised that Camp Arnes was the largest camp in Canada – with the most powerful impact……My quest to find expression for all of my gifts was over - I had arrived.
I was fulfilled! I was having an impact, and it was good!
According the parable about talents in the Bible – some are given five talents, some two and some one.
Wilma always talked about the disadvantage of being given her one talent, describing herself as being a single minded creative wanting to be a writer. She was envious that I had so many talents. She always thought my life was easier because I had so many skills.
I have come to the conclusion – neither is easy - one or five.
But in essence life is so much more than just finding an outlet for our giftings. I was yet to encounter the biggest challenge of all.
Bad Joke for the day...
If you’re American when you go in the bathroom…… and American when you come out, what are you in the bathroom?
European
Continuation of the story.......
******
Working for Camp Arnes felt like a homecoming for me.
At the time Camp Arnes was one of the biggest children’s camp in Canada…run by the very capable and dynamic Dave Loewen.
Dave was amazing in his recruitment of staff.
He would zero in on someone he thought had potential and say, “I need you!” making that person feel like a million bucks. He had the gift of placing people – knowing their gifts better than they did themselves.
And that’s what he was like with me - immediately. It was as if he saw all of me.
I started working out of the city office in the promotions department, designing a symbolic tree camp logo with the theme, “a place to grow.” i was so proud of that logo -- and working for that camp.
Being in promotions meant that I had to design the brochures, produce a slide show and other promo pieces for the various programs Camp Arnes would run in a summer. The upright background held posters and a screen for slides which ran on the table projecting exciting camp pictures continually! The table part also included more information and handouts for potential staff etc. This way the display was always ready to respond to any church, Bible school, mall or social event that would have us.
This meant travelling and staying at schools for a week or more with the display, even prepared to put on a program, tell a kids story in church, preach and so one.
The best weeks were in spring when we as camps would spend a week at a mall – a row of about eight display tables. Even though we might be seen as competition, in reality we were all good friends. One time I found our carousel of slides on a different table – all in good fun. All of us just wanted the children of Winnipeg to attend a camp any camp knowing that it would be a life changing opportunity.
Here's something interesting that happened one summer! I had booked a church church in the Steinbach area, and felt some crazy vibes from the people around me as I was setting up my display etc. They looked at me strangely, talked amongst themselves but never said a thing all Sunday morning. When I went home and discovered that they had confused me with Camp Director Cliff Dirks so instead of getting to know all about Red Rock Bible camp they were exposed to Camp Arnes! Cliff and I had a great chuckle over that one. Actually got some great volunteers that worked for Camp Arnes for several years.
In the summer months, I literally left the city with my family and stayed at camp. I remember how shocked my children were when one time we went back into the city in the middle of summer and they could not believe that some people actually stayed in the city for the summer! I always appreciated this built-in holiday time for our growing family.
In the summer I was the Pony Unit director with my own staff –who were cabin leaders in cabins with about 8 children ages 7 to 9.
At the time, I created a new curriculum for the Unit based on the story of Jesus being the gentle shepherd.
(It’s amazing how all of it is coming back to me now that I have cancer. The vision I got upon learning I had cancer was about being a little lamb held tightly, in love, to the bosom of my shepherd.)
Our Pony Unit program included mini worship services every morning in the Wigwam – that uniquely wigwam styled building right at the lake edge with that row of windows and the impressive fire place.
This was where I could indulge in my giftings, playing my guitar and singing. “I just want to be a sheep… baa baa” or “This little light of mine” or “Mathilda the Gorilla.” I literally had a suitcase of magic tricks and a supply of balls that I could make disappear and reappear magically.
I could tell stories, preach mini sermons to my heart’s content, knowing that I was teaching young kids about God – their guide, their savior, and friend.
After wigwam they would spend the rest of the day participating in camp programs; archery, horses, swimming, sailing - always being challenged to learn new skills.
Meanwhile I was also all over the camp taking pictures of "everything" for next summers promotional materials.
Then I was back at the camp office for the winter – where I worked with the winter staff. Dave, the director, the visionary where we hatched all kinds of ideas for materials for promoting next summer camping programs. His wife Elfrieda the office administrator was excellent in keeping us all organized and then there was the most creative program director, Lily Loewen – who lead the Leadership Training program that changed lives.
One friend tells the story of being in the LTP program and Lily instructed them all to find a tree and tell its story. He thought it a ridiculous exercise and resisted it until the others began to share their stories. Lily was able to point out their tree story to the parallels in their own lives and bring out huge personal learnings. He quickly participated then - found his tree and told his story - and experienced a huge life learning. Lily was a therapist who also used natural sand trays way before they were discovered by psychologists.
Another friend told another story of a Lily - life changing story. "She had a bowl of oranges which we all snacked on while joking around, washing our hands in the lake when done. She then asked us to go get the orange juice out of the lake, which of course was impossible. Then she landed the simple but profound lesson I've never forgotten, 'That's how impossible it is to take away God's love for you.' Thank you Lily. "
Back at the office we had a great year round staff. One of our traditions was to have a "staff lunch" every Friday when one of the staff was assigned to bring in the lunch. Quite soon after joining the staff, every one noticed my aversion to vegetables and apparently anything healthy -- remember I was a peanut butter and jam child.
Their biggest challenge was to "fool" me into healthy eating. I remember one time really enjoying a cake dessert thinking it was safe - I had apparently survived a veggie test. After finishing this delicious cake, they happily announced that I had eaten vegetables - it was apparently a "carrot cake." Success! I went home and told my wife that I loved carrot cake - it was something new to us at that time.
When I think back on the setting, the staff, the programs, the leadership, I'm not surprised that Camp Arnes was the largest camp in Canada – with the most powerful impact……My quest to find expression for all of my gifts was over - I had arrived.
I was fulfilled! I was having an impact, and it was good!
According the parable about talents in the Bible – some are given five talents, some two and some one.
Wilma always talked about the disadvantage of being given her one talent, describing herself as being a single minded creative wanting to be a writer. She was envious that I had so many talents. She always thought my life was easier because I had so many skills.
I have come to the conclusion – neither is easy - one or five.
But in essence life is so much more than just finding an outlet for our giftings. I was yet to encounter the biggest challenge of all.
"There are always flowers
for those who want to see them."
- Henri Matisse
for those who want to see them."
- Henri Matisse
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