by Grant Fawcett
My introduction to Arrowhead Native Bible Center came in 2009 when I arrived for summer camp as a volunteer, and served for two weeks. By the following summer, my wife Liz and I had joined NCEM as missionaries, and had just completed our candidate training. I still clearly remember many of the campers who were here those first two summers.
There were two young boys who came to camp that second summer at the invitation of one of our senior missionaries. I particularly remember them because they were only six years old – officially too young for camp, but an exception was made. They were excited to be at camp, and were bunked in the same cabin. Their behaviour presented some challenges for staff, but nothing too serious, and they were eager participants in everything that was going on at camp.
Those of us involved in Bible camp ministry, especially with youngsters, don’t often know where our teaching, evangelism and discipling efforts will lead. We can’t predict what God will do with the planted seeds of the Gospel, and the relationships built. In the following years, just one of those boys came back to camp for a number of summers, then we eventually stopped seeing him, too. We know that life can take these young people in different directions and to different places.
Here at Arrowhead, after 2020 we decided to begin offering Family Camps again. These had been held in previous years, but interest had dropped off. We are now encouraged each summer by renewed interest from families to attend.
At one of our recent Family Camps, a young man showed up with his family, including a one year-old son. I immediately recognized him as one of those two six year-old boys from years ago!
Luke (not his real name) shared with us about the journey he had been on, and how he found himself looking to the Church for hope and help. He had begun attending church services, and had heard about our Family Camp. His familiarity with Arrowhead and its good memories had drawn him back.
Our missionary coworkers have stayed connected with Luke who, since Family Camp, has attended a Family Life seminar they co-organized. Although we don’t know all that God is doing, sometimes we do get to see how He is still at work in the lives of people – people we think we may not see again.
Pray for Luke and campers like him – that the Seed of God’s Word planted will take root and grow.
Grant & Liz Fawcett, along with their three daughters, live and serve at Arrowhead Native Bible Center in New Brunswick.
(from Northern Lights issue #569)