HAPPY EASTER!!

Isaiah 53:5

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

As you celebrate Easter, may you enjoy the company of family, feel the presence of the Lord and consider what He has done for you.

It is for the Lord that we work so hard to serve Him in Camp Ministry. It is often said that camp is the single most effective tool for reaching children for the Lord. It makes sense - you take kids away from their normal distractions, provide them with tons of fun, wholesome Christian examples and teach them about God’s love and they respond. Going away to camp is the highlight of the summer for many children. It creates memories that will last a lifetime and many great friendships. Christian camps teach kids about the friendship that lasts for all eternity. Camp impacts the lives of the campers, the staff and those who support camp. You can be a part of camp and vital to the success of Christian Camping. Please pray for us, support us with finances, help out with baking or billeting and with words of encouragement especially for the young people who will serve as Summer Missionaries. They need to know that YOU value the work they do and all they have given up to be at camp. Sure, it’s lots of fun and the tans are free, but working at camp is challenging and often exhausting. Knowing there are people who believe in what they are doing and are praying for them gives the staff strength to do their ministry day after day throughout the summer.

Come out and support the staff at our Spring Banquet where we’ll celebrate our staff and volunteers.

We will take up a collection to go to their Missionary support.

BANQUET

Sat. May 2nd starting at 5:30 pm

Pioneer Baptist Church - Norland

Adults $12.50 Students $6.00

Please plan to attend. Tickets available or call the office for reservations.

It’s almost summer! Several staff have been hired and the hunt is on for more. The schedule is set and only one location is yet to be confirmed. It looks like another great summer for serving the Lord and impacting lives.

Summer 2009

VBS + Staff Training - June 29-July 3

Bobcaygeon

Day Camps

West Guilford -July 6-10

12 Mile Lake - July 13-17

Coboconk - July 20-24

Skills Camp - July 27-31

Eagle Lake - Aug.10-14

Haliburton- Aug. 17-21

Resident Camp

Kinark Outdoor Centre- Aug. 3-8

That’s lots of miles on the road, lots of set-ups and tear-downs, lots of games, lots of lunches, lots of teaching, lots of hours in the sun, and tons of FUN!! Awww, camp - there’s no life like it.

Monarch Wish List

A pastor from one of our supporting churches suggested we put together a "Wish List", so here it is:

BIG Things

Kitchen tent

Camp van

Archery backnet

Cargo trailer

BBQ

Small Things

Archery equip. - bows + arrows

Volley balls and Soccer balls

Small prizes to use as incentives

Costumes (or someone to make them) for our Drama Elective

God’s Provision

Late last summer, former ON Director Howard McLeod, made a presentation of CSSM Ministries at Elim Lodge. Guests were given the opportunity to contribute to the ministry and Monarch was selected as the recipient. We selected the purchase of kayaks as our project and close to $1,600 was collected. This will enable us to purchase 4 kayaks.

Also, we held an Bowling Fund Raiser and raised $1,800 for the purchase of a new trampoline.

Here We Go Again

This is summer 11 for Barrie and I. We’ve seen lots of changes, had the opportunity to make many lasting friendships, seen campers grow in faith and seen some become staff members. We’ve faced many challenges and have seen God work in wonderful ways. Here again are the stats for that time period.

1999-2008

Total campers 2105

Salvations 413

Recommit 205

What’s Up With The Wards

In that time our children have grown from being young campers to young adults. They have all served at camp for varying periods of time and have gained skills that they now use in life. Barrie and I have been "empty nesters" since Nov. It’s great to see each child off doing their own thing. Ryan is still in the Navy and just left for a tour of duty to China, Japan, Guam and Hawaii.

Nicole is finishing her 2nd year at Carleton University. She will be heading up a team for Global Youth Network going to Nicaragua for the month of May. She’ll work for the YMCA for the summer.

Riley is finishing his 1st year at Fleming College in Peterborough where he will return next year for Early Childhood Ed. This summer he will be working at the Langton Day Care Centre.

Carly is about to move to her 3rd location with Katimavik, a Can. Gov’t program that provides young people with work and living experience throughout Canada. She was in Quebec, then BC and is moving to Alberta. We got to see her when she had a layover in Toronto.

Beth has been in Switzerland since Sept. working as an Au Pair with a family of 3 boys. She has had many challenges and it has been hard having her so far away. She has also had many adventures visiting Paris, Germany and throughout Switzerland.

She plans to work for another family and stay in Europe for the summer.

What’s Up With CSSM

As many of you know CSSM has gone through many leadership challenges and changes over the past few years. We now have a new ON Director and National Director. At the ON level we welcome Jim and Sandy Snell. Jim has been on the ON Council for several years so he knows the ministry and is known by us missionaries. He and Sandy have been with SIM for over 30 years. We look forward to his leadership and some stability for the mission. He will relocate to Sault Ste Marie with Sandy and their son, Andrew.

At the National level we welcome Don Collins and his wife Lois. Don has been on the National Executive and he too knows the ministry well.

Please pray for both these families as they take on these new roles and strive to learn the ropes.

Prayer Needs

For staff recruitment and for spiritual growth for all staff.

For a good response to our grant application.

For the raising of support for staff.

For a record number of campers.

For many children to come to know the Lord and to grow in their relationship with Him.

For Barrie’s health.

For Barrie’s sister, Debbie, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

For safety on the roads throughout the summer and at camp.

For good support from churches who provide billeting and snacks.