Meandering Moose

In Jesus’ Name! What, Why & How…

Many Christians begin their prayers by addressing God the Father and conclude by ending with in Jesus’ name. This phrase “in Jesus’ name” isn’t some spiritual magical phrase like abracadabra or hocus pocus. And it doesn’t mean we will get everything we want just because we tack that phrase onto the end of our prayers. Further, it is not a signal to God that you are just about done praying. Jesus says that whatever you ask for in his name will be given to you (John 14:13-14). We usually learn this by the example of those around us as they pray out loud.

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us in the sermon on the mount to pray through the Lord’s prayer, our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name. I am not aware of anywhere in the Bible that Jesus prays to the Holy Spirit. That being said, the Father , the Son and the Spirit all together make up God. So, you could pray to any or all of them.

By praying in Jesus’ name it is saying that we are praying in the way Jesus would pray if he was praying for what we are praying for. When you say, “In Jesus’ name,” you are saying, “I am asking for these things according to Jesus’ will, for his glory, and in his power.” As if Jesus Himself was praying our prayers.

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). In every activity, not just the spiritual ones, we should be able to say, “I am doing this in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

We may look like we’re doing things for and to others, but we’re actually doing things for and to him. We live for an audience of one. We serve the Lord Jesus Christ in every second of every day. Every single thing we do, every step we take, every word we utter should be thought of first and foremost as an offering to Jesus.

I have to say that I don’t always pray the way that Jesus would pray. You can add this caveat to your prayers of “if it is your will.” In older movies preachers often said, “if the Lord wills it” or “Lord willing”. This way, you can tell God what is heavy on your heart and weighs on your mind, but you are telling Him that you trust Him to make the best decision since you yourself do not know what is best.

Praying “in Jesus’ name” is less about including the phrase at the end of your prayer, and more about positioning your heart properly when you pray. Praying in Jesus’ name means that you are conscious of two primary truths as you bring your requests to God; acknowledgment of His intercession and submission to His will.

So, let’s stop praying with magical words by which we try to coerce God and manipulate Him to do what we want. Instead, become more aligned with Jesus’ will and pray for what and how He would want us to pray for. You can do it. I’ll be working on it too.

Tips For Talking To Your Kids About Cancelled Summer Camp

Each summer when you pick up your campers from Widjiitiwin, they are busy getting their t-shirts signed by staff, saying goodbye to cabin leaders and new friends. There is an element of grief for what they are losing when they go home. Many are crying because they don’t want to leave. Camp has become a special place.

Imagine waiting eleven and a half months to come back to camp only to find out that due to Covid-19 it has been cancelled. We recognize that for many of your children, camp is a high light of their summer. We expect that many of them will be upset at not getting to come to Widjiitiwin this summer. To that end we have complied a few resources to help you help them navigate this difficult time. If we can be any help, please reach out to us at registrar@mycamp.ca.

Below is an excellent resource from ReformJudaism.org on helping campers deal with the loss of camp this summer (used with permission).

When they’re uncomfortable or upset, kids need empathy more than anything else. Showing them that you feel for them and providing assurance that you will help them through this challenging time will often be all they need to get through times of uncertainty.

Supporting your children during this difficult time begins with understanding that everyone’s needs are different. Factors like age-specific maturity and whether or not they have been to camp before will affect how each child receives the news and can guide the way you tell them and comfort them.

Parenting Roles Based on Your Child’s Age

For children of all ages, the greatest gift we can give as parents is to listen to them and provide validation. If you’re at all like me you need to resist the urge to “fix” the situation or problem-solve for them. It may leave children feeling unsupported and fear that you do not think they can manage things on their own.

For elementary school-aged children, be the director: You need a plan of what to say and how to say it. Anticipate what questions your children might have and what responses you might give.
- Every time you have a conversation with your child about a difficult topic, you are helping your child to grow and learn, and with children of this age, parents need to be in charge and direct the conversation.
For middle school-aged children, be the tour guide: You need to lead but can also change course, depending on your child’s response and tolerance for the conversation.
For high school-aged children, be the torch-passer: More is less with this age, so share the information and then pass the torch to your children to let them lead the conversation while you listen.

How to Talk to Elementary School-Aged Children

It is helpful to remember that words are not always an elementary-aged child’s best friend, and children of this age cannot always express how they are feeling. Keep in mind that behavior is communication, and often, you can determine how a child is tolerating the information you’ve shared by watching their behavior both during and afterward – and then asking them about it without judgment. You might say:

“I notice you are stomping your feet a lot, and that isn’t like you.”
“I see your eyes are tearing up, and I wonder if that means you are sad?”

The tone of your questions helps to assure your child that they are safe to share their feelings. It is fine to help your child label their feelings, if you feel confident that you are labeling those feelings correctly.

Be sure that once your child begins talking, you stop talking, giving them the opportunity to share what’s on their mind. Feel proud of yourself that you got your child to express their feelings!

Here are some things you might say to elementary school-age children who were planning to return to camp this summer or participate in other programs they’ve done in the past. We’ve left blank spaces where you would personalize your language to your family’s experiences and plans:

“It’s hard when you don’t get to do what you thought you’d be doing.”
“I’m so sorry that you won’t get to experience _____ because I know you love it.”
“I know you will miss _____, and I am always here to talk with you about it.”
“We will work together to fill your time this summer with activities that make you happy.”
“I know you’re sad, and I’ll do everything I can to help you to feel better.”
“It’s normal to feel sad about this; I am sad for you, too.”
“Everybody at _____ cares so much about everyone being safe and healthy, and this summer it will be too difficult to keep everyone safe.”
“We will keep talking about _____ because it’s so important to us and so we don’t forget all the wonderful things about it.”
“_____ is such a special place, and everyone is so disappointed because so many people love it and will miss it.”
“I know it doesn’t feel good, but I also know that there will be a time when you feel better.”
“It’s hard to imagine that this feeling will pass, and I hope you are OK.”
“This is such a loss, and I’m so sorry.”
“Sometimes when things are hard, it’s okay to give yourself permission to not think about it for a little bit. How about we don’t think about _____ not happening again until after dinner…?”

Here are some things you might say to elementary-aged children who would’ve been attending summer camp or other programs for the first time:

“I’m so sorry this won’t be the summer you get to experience _____.”
“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, but I know you’re good at explaining it.”
“I do hope that you’ll be as excited in the future to try something new as you were about _____ for this summer.”
“We’re going to work together to come up with fun things for you to do this summer.”

How to Talk to Middle School-Aged Children

Teens need for information to be conveyed to them in an honest and frank manner. By allowing yourself to have a difficult conversation with your teen, you are strengthening your relationship with them, as well as their ability to work through conflict and challenge.

The conversation should be collaborative, with you sharing the information and then following the lead of your teen. Teens may be interested in talking about the situation all at once or may need time to process and then revisit.

Remember that behavior is communication, and often you can tell how your teen is tolerating the information you are sharing by watching their behavior both during and after the conversation. It’s important to remember, too, that teens often need time and space in order to fully engage in a conversation after receiving difficult information.

At this age, peer relationships are also very important, and your teens may want to talk with their friends before they talk with you. You can help support their camp/program friendships – in the time they need them most – by suggesting they connect with their friends to talk about the situation.

Some statements that might be helpful are:

“Hey, I see that you’re really sad right now. I know you may not want to talk about it, but I’m here for you when and if you do want to talk.”
“I know you may want to talk with your friends first, but let me know if you want to chat with me about _____ later.”

The tone of your question can help assure your teen that they are safe to share their feelings. Acknowledge that this is a grieving process for your teen and validate the emotions that they are experiencing. It may be helpful to avoid using words like “I understand” and instead use statements such as “I can imagine…” or “It sounds like…”.

Here are some things you might say to middle and high school-aged children:

“I know how much you were looking forward to returning to _____. Are there things we can do at home that will be helpful to you during this time?” (Note: It may be helpful to ask your teen what their favorite camp/program activities are and ways in which these might be able to be recreated virtually.)
“_____’s biggest concern is always your health and safety, and in this time, they’re not able to provide that same safe environment they they would normally because of COVID-19.”
“It is so normal to be upset and experience a lot of emotions around this news. I’m here to talk about it anytime you need.”
“_____ has been doing a lot of virtual programming in the last several months; I bet they are going to come up with all kinds of ways for you to stay connected to your friends this summer. I know this won’t be the same for you, but maybe there will be some new types of activities for you to experience.”
“There will be opportunities for you to talk with and hear directly from the _____’s directors about this decision and plans for moving forward.” (Note: If your child has specific questions for camp/program leadership, it might be helpful to have them write these down.)

Weird Collections-What’s Yours?

This blog was inspired by one of the hosts on a Zoom call with fellow camp directors, including Joe Richards (aka YoYoJoe). In addition to the yo-yos that I knew Joe collected, he also have several other somewhat odd collections. That got me thinking about my collections.

I (Moose) thought I just had a couple. Turns out I have more than I planned. I collect early carpentry tools. I feel this is inspired by my grandpa Greenfield who was a journey man carpenter in the 1920’s. I now have many of his tools and his journeyman’s box (a treasured possession). At last count, I have about 55 antique planes plus many other antique tools including levels, a torch, drill bits, saws mill blades and more. This love of wood working also has a birth family connection. You see my birth father enjoyed woodworking as well. Nature or nurture? That’s for another blog…

Here are my other collections (for now)

I collect 1973 Canadian quarters. In that year they were struck with a RCMP rider from the famous musical ride. My grandpa Greenfield was an RCMP officer and 1973 was the 100th year anniversary of the national police. I think I have about 250 Mountie quarters.
I collect nutcrackers. The smallest is maybe may 3″ high and the tallest is close to 5 foot 5 inches (with lights and sound). I have about 45 nutcrackers in my collection and a couple more get added each year. This past Christmas, Nicole made me a nutcracker that looks like me; jeans, purple Widji shirt, big belt buckle and a coffee mug.
I collect pocket watches. I fell into this one honestly. I had one of my grandpas, but never used it. Then when I had my last truck accident, I couldn’t wear a wrist watch for the pain, so I took to carrying a pocket watch. Over time, people have bought me various pocket watches that hang off a chain on my belt into my jeans pocket. You know, that little pocket on the right side that no one else knows what to do with. I have about 15 pocket watches.
I collect knives and swords. Boys/men and sharp things makes lots of sense right? So far, I have collected 8 swords, more than 15 pocket knives, some others in sheaths. I use a dagger as a letter opener. Not surprisingly, I really like the show, Forged in Fire. I recently added a medieval knight’s helmet to my collection.

I have heard of people collected a sample of sand from each beach they go to. Or sea shells. Or snowmen. Or Precious Moments figurines or angels. And stamps of course!!

What’s your favourite collection or in your treasure box?

Christ is Enough. Really?

The leadership team and board at MBC have been working at refining our vision, mission and core values these past few years. One of the results of this effort has been a reinforcement of the core values that will drive our ministry. These core values are also the basic principles that will guide our content for our mission of growing resilient, biblically rooted families. The first such principle of resilience is expressed in the term: ‘Christ-centred’.

This COVID-19 Pandemic has created the perfect opportunity for each one of us to test this principle on a personal level. There is much to say about what it means to be centred on Christ. However, today I’d like to start with asking a key question – ‘If all else abandoned me, would I to Christ faithful be?’

Currently we are in a lock-down situation that limits all group gatherings to no more than 5 people and those 5 must maintain a physical distance protocol of 2 metres (families living together excepted of course). As expected, this has put severe restrictions on any church gatherings. Most churches are now meeting ‘online’ through video conferencing and teaching is delivered via live webcasts. The sense of community and togetherness is a mainstay value of church. Now that has been ripped away from us in just a few short weeks. Add to this the uncertainty of how long this lock-down will last and we are left with a sense of loss and grief.

The Church is meant to gather together! How often have we cited Hebrews 10:25 – ‘not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.’

While I don’t at all dismiss the importance of meeting together, I do think that this lock-down is providing an opportunity to evaluate our relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve long had the concern that many who frequent our church gatherings do so out of a desire for community, and their relationship with Christ is at best a distant secondary pursuit. Dare I say that church can often become our manifestation of a ‘social club’.

Now we have a situation where the ‘community’ has been pulled out from beneath us and all I have left is Jesus and me. Alone. Together.

Pastors and other ministry leaders also are struggling. They miss connecting in person with their people. And this is good and right. But some are struggling for different reasons. They need the accolade and affirmation of the audience. Now the audience is virtual and the feedback is much more ambiguous, less tangible. Ugh.

I think of how alone Paul must have felt as he penned these words found in 2 Timothy 4:16-17.

‘At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.’

He was alone, save Christ stood by him. Christ was enough for him.

We are now living in a season where our claim to sing or preach or serve before an audience of One is being tested. We are being held accountable to the lyrics we have sung so many times – ‘Christ is Enough for Me’.

Will Christ be enough for you during this COVID-19 Pandemic? Will you heed the call and take the opportunity to seek His face during this season?

You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.” (Psalms 27:8)

I know many, even in the midst of grieving the loss of corporate group gatherings, will seek the face of their Saviour and LORD during this time and enjoy rich and personal fellowship with the One whom we call our Redeemer. I know that when we meet again the meeting will be that much the sweeter for it.

Others will flounder. They will lament the community they have lost and seek to find solace in other experiences. They will drift from any sense of fellowship with Christ and their loss will be great as a result.

May I encourage you these days to earnestly seek to invest in your personal relationship with Jesus. I know that He rewards those who seek Him. Don’t lose heart, press on.

One of the things that has helped me regain a focus on this relationship has been some of the music presented by Fernando Ortega. God has gifted him with a sense of adoration of Christ and his music is an amazing blessing in drawing my mind to comforting thoughts and reminders of who Christ is. I highly recommend his song – ‘Give me Jesus’ if you need a kick-start.

I also recommend just taking time to read through the Psalms and then the epistle of Colossians. Don’t pressure yourself to engage in an in-depth study but rather let His Spirit give you a sense of Christ as you read.

For pastors and ministry leaders – I encourage you also to take this time, not to try to live up to the pressure of being the ‘crisis leader’ but rather to invest in your personal journey with Christ.

One of the reasons I value the devotional ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ is that Oswald Chambers consistently reminds his students of the need to press into their relationship with God above all else.

A quote from the January 6 entry gives an example of this:

“The lasting value of our public service for God is measured by the depth of the intimacy of our private times of fellowship and oneness with Him.”

And another from April 13:

“Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives.“

Much more could be said about ‘Christ-centredness’. Let it suffice that the start of living out this principle is the pursuit of an intimate walk with Him.

So – press hard into your walk with Christ and your weariness will turn to the love, joy and peace that is befitting a servant of the King.

Your fellow sojourner,

John Friesen

CEO, Muskoka Bible Centre / Muskoka Bible Foundation

We Are Sailing Without a Map

As you know, this is a difficult time in Canada and the world. How many times have you heard the term “unprecented“? It’s a new normal for sure. Hard decisions must be made in the face of the greatest challenge that our world has faced in our lifetimes in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The path forward is full of unknowns. The path forward is not even a trail that we can see. Robert Frost’s poem says:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

We are now traveling on the third road, the one that does not exist and there is no map to help us navigate. It is times like this that will define us as a board, staff, and camp community. How we respond to this challenge will be remembered. YoYoJoe

These are uncharted waters and we are all sailing without a map. Now is not the time for an authoritative pronouncement from the keyboard warrior class. Now is not the time to judge and condemn our neighbours. Now is the time for study, reflection, dialogue, decision and mercy. Paul Carter

In times like these we need to draw back close to God and rely on him. We ask that you would pray with us that we would have wisdom in our decision making as we look ahead to the summer. If we can, we do plan to run camp this summer. We’re not yet sure what restrictions may be placed on us. It looks like Ontario is beginning to get to the top of the peak, so pray too that we would be able to be open this summer. Pray for our MBC leadership team and the MBC board as some hard decisions need to be made.

Please with and for us and let us know if we can pray for you.

Happy Siblings’ Day

Last Friday, April 10, 2020 was Good Friday. It was also National Siblings Day. I missed many of the posts, as I hit social media later in the day and didn’t get a post done. It also caused me to ponder, what do I publish for siblings day. Hence you’re getting a blog about it.

This first picture is with my three brothers. (Who says you have to be normal at a wedding. Maybe this IS our normal.) We tend to ham it up when we’re together, often because it drives our mom crazy. Plus it’s a lot of fun. I grew up with these men. We lived in Mississauga and north Burlington. Went to cubs, scouts and venturers. Family trailer camping across the country, playing cowboys and Indians in the hydro field. Skied at Glen Eden, explored caves, climbed cliffs and so many other activities. I love you guys!

The second picture is of Jill Gardener, Sam Efford and my birth mom Elizabeth from my Osmond family. You see, I’m adopted. These are my birth siblings! At Christmas this year I gained two more siblings and now have more than Elaine does. It’s a longer story, but Nicole reached out to Sam and in her typical fashion, simply said, “I think my dad is your brother.” It has been quite a surreal journey these past few months. Our mom was Elizabeth Madge Osmond. While we have yet to meet in person, we have emailed, shared calls, and of course DNA! There is a serious resemblance with me and the Osmond family for me. I have never looked like anyone else before this. And, SO many of the Osmond men have beards. Huh.

Then there are friends who have become family. Elaine and I hang out regularly with four other couples (Paynes, Callejas, Potts and Greenleafs). For a long time, all of us had only girls and we have father daughter fishing and camping trips. Imagine 14 girls and four dads… Our group still does do a yearly camping trip to Mikisew Provincial Park.

One friend, Shea, is like my brother from another mother. Elaine and Ruth (Shea’s wife) say we are so much alike it’s scary. He is also adopted, so you never know. I could call any of these friends and they would come. Just like family!!

Let your family know you love them. Don’t wait for the next siblings day, or Mother’s day or Father’s day or Grandparents day or even their birthday. Do it today. Do it often.

Good Friday 2020

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death.

At the time crucifixion was the “worst” death of all. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet it was even more dreadful and horrifying for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion, Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet.

Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long.

The nails were driven into His wrists. Not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There’s a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself so that He could even breathe.

Both of His feet were nailed together. Meaning He was forced to support his entire body weight on that single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support himself with His legs because of the intense excruciating pain, forcing him to alternate between arching His back and then using his legs just to be able to breathe deeply painful breaths. Imagine the struggle, the immense pain, the total suffering, and the courage and love.

Jesus endured this hellish nightmare for over 3 hours.

Yes, 3 long hours. Can you even imagine that kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. Only water was pouring from His wounds.

From common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side. But do we realize His wounds were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large spikes through the wrists, the feet overlapped and an even larger spike hammered through the arches. A Roman guard piercing right through His side with a spear. But even before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and beaten and tortured. The whipping was so severe that it tore chunks of flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that his face was a bloody pulp and his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns pushed deeply into His scalp. Most men would not have even survived this extreme torture.

But He wasn’t most men.

He had no more blood to even bleed, only water poured from His wounds. The human adult body contains about 5.5 liters (about 1.5 gallons) of blood.

Jesus poured out all 5.5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His body; a crown of thorns digging deep in His head, and the spear driven into his side and then his chest.

All this without even mentioning the utter humiliation and torture He suffered after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd slapped and spat in his face and threw stones at him, (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight (70 pounds) only on its higher part where His hands were to be nailed).

And after all this he still yelled out.. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Jesus had to endure all of this to open the gates of Heaven, so that you could be forgiven and set free.

Your sins literally “washed” away. All of them, with no exception! Don’t ignore this free gift.

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU because you are someone worth dying for.

He died for you! So you could be free from sin and addiction and hell. He has a purpose and a plan for your life.
All you need to do is simply believe in Him and ask him to come into your heart and save you, and set you free from sin and give you a brand new life. He will give you a peace and joy that the world cannot give. Do it now and be set free in Jesus name.

He said in (Matthew 10:32-33): “Therefore, whoever recognizes me before others, I will recognize him before my father in heaven; but the one who denies me before others, I will deny before my father in heaven.”

The People Who Have Loved Us Into Being

Last weekend Elaine and I watched, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood“. A story about Mr. Rogers. After watching the movie, I found myself thinking of him with a very different perspective. He is a deep and thoughtful man, gentle and empathetic. The movie covered forgiveness, kindness, love, making an impact on the world, and even death.

In the movie, Mister Rogers, played by Tom Hanks, asks his lunch companion to join him in a minute of silence to think about the people “who have loved us into being.” The conversation in the whole Chinese restaurant dies down, silverware ceases to clink, people stop and focus. And, I believe take their own minute of silence.

From Mr. Rogers’ 2002 Commencement Address at Dartmouth College.

I’d like to give you all an invisible gift. A gift of a silent minute to think about those who have helped you become who you are today. Some of them may be here right now. Some may be far away. Some, like my astronomy professor, may even be in heaven. But wherever they are, if they’ve loved you, and encouraged you, and wanted what was best in life for you, they’re right inside your self. And I feel that you deserve quiet time, on this special occasion, to devote some thought to them. So, let’s just take a minute, in honor of those that have cared about us all along the way. One silent minute…

Whomever you’ve been thinking about, imagine how grateful they must be, that during your silent times, you remember how important they are to you. It’s not the honors and the prizes, and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls. It’s the knowing that we can be trusted. That we never have to fear the truth. That the bedrock of our lives, from which we make our choices, is very good stuff.

Here are some great quotes from the movie:

“Do you know what forgiveness means? It’s a decision we make to release a person from the feelings of anger we have against them.”
“It’s funny. Sometimes it’s hardest to forgive the ones we love.”
“Sometimes we get to change a broken world with our words.”
“Just take a minute and think about all the people who loved us into being.”
“There’s always something you can do with the mad you feel.”
“Children need to know that even when adults make plans, sometimes they don’t turn out as they hoped.”
[When talking about his show] “We are trying to give children positive ways to deal with their feelings.”
[About death] “To die is to be human and anything human is mentionable. Anything mentionable is manageable.”
“Sometimes we have to ask for help, and that’s okay.”
“I like you just the way you are.”

Rogers was a Presbyterian minister whose ministry knew no bounds. He lived out his beliefs in front of the world and worked very hard to be the man he was that we saw on TV.

We can all try to be a little bit more like Fred Rogers!

Is Prayer Your Steering Wheel or Your Spare Tire?

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

This quote from Corrie Ten Boom was the opening question at one of our small group meetings (thanks Lisa). We all paused! And in the quiet we had time to think and reflect.

My hesitant answer was yes?!. It sounded a little uncertain, even to me. For me, I think it depends on the situation. Is prayer your first attempt (steering wheel) or your last-ditched effort (spare tire)?

As a spare tire, prayer is saved for crisis situations or when you think you have something REALLY BIG you need God for; those crises can be health, relationship, work, and family, financial, spiritual or emotional issues. You’re not even sure how to pray and find yourself struggling when you need prayer. There are times when we treat prayer as a last resort. Nothing else has worked, so I guess we should pray!!

The steering wheel is needed every moment that you’re in the car. It’s what drives our life. In this case prayer is central to opening ourselves to receive God’s help and direction. Does your prayer life guide you in every facet of your life? Is it something you have your hands on every waking moment of the day?

How do you answer that question?

Why did you choose your answer?
When do you pray, morning or evening? Why? For how long?
Do you pray just before meals?
How about praying without ceasing? 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer should not be your spare tire, but it must be your steering wheel. Because…

Prayer protects us.
Prayer changes things, including us.
Prayer keeps you in the will of God.
Prayer draws you closer to God.
Prayer makes you happy.
Prayer gives hope.
Prayer makes you less selfish.
Prayer heals you from all pain.
Prayer makes you stronger spiritually.

F.B. Meyer said, “The greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”

What are we doing about COVID-19?

People are concerned about Coronavirus, (COVID-19), and so are we. We take the safety and health of our campers and staff into account as we plan the summer season and beyond, knowing that campers are entrusted to us for a short time.

By now you will be aware that the COVID-19 situation has been given global pandemic status by the World Health Organization. And that on Tuesday, March 17th, the Ontario government called for a state of emergency limiting groups gathering to less than 50 people.

MBC/Widji have implemented a facility shut down (other than essential services) effective immediately and running until April 24th. Many full time staff [including Moose & Heyoo (at right)] are working from home in isolation as requested by our government. In the midst of all that, we continue to hire staff for spring and summer. We continue to make plans for the summer. We are excited for the ministry opportunities we will have this summer.

We anticipate that we will be able to move ahead with spring and summer plans after the end of April. Our goal is to normalize at Widji as soon as possible. During this time we will be constantly monitoring the situation and provide any updates as needed.

You can read our full public statement on the MBC website at www.muskokabible.com/files/6215/8446/0564/MBC_Public_Notice_Update_March_16.pdf.

We are carefully monitoring the progress of this outbreak with Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). That said we want to be prepared, and have policies that apply to cases such as these. More info is available from the PHAC here. We know you understand these are unprecedented times. We will keep you updated as we know more about our plans to reopen. Watch the Widji website and social media for updates.

Prevention when summer comes

As general practice, we have procedures for prevention and cleanliness at camp. Some practices include:

Opening day screening – we are asking questions about travel and symptoms to help better care for our campers and staff. If your camper is feeling unwell, please consider shifting to another week at camp, when they’re feeling better.
Daily Cabin Cleaning – rewards are involved and we incentivize cleanliness around camp
Hand Washing is part of our routine. Before and after meals, activities and other times of the day
This summer we plan to make hand sanitizer readily available for every cabin and gathering places
Cabins are sanitized at the end of every week including bunks and contact surfaces

We can all do our part to stop, contain, and avoid the spread of this virus. Every person has the capacity to
contribute by protecting ourselves and our community.