Canada has some great camps – and some really great hospitality.

In late June and early July, CCI-Canada hosted 27 Christian camping leaders from New Zealand and Australia on a tour of camps and conference centers throughout their country. Since Cay and I were planning to be in the area (Gull Lake Ministries in Michigan) the following week, we decided to go a few days early and connect with the tour. It was a really good call.

Peter Bloom, Bruce Dunning, Bruce Mann, Steve Archibald, John Friesen and a host of other wonderful Canadians made us feel welcome. 

When we arrived at Medeba shortly after 10:00 the first night, we thought the whole staff had waited up to greet us. Then we learned that a bear had just ambled through camp and they all wanted a glimpse. 

After meeting with Bruce Dunning the next morning on CCI business, the bus arrived with the Aussies and Kiwis.

Jenni Davies, the Director of CCI-NZ, and her husband Wayne were there along with Ross Bay, our Regional Representative to Africa, who happens to be a New Zealander. Joining them were nine more New Zealanders and 15 Australians.

We were all impressed by the intentionality demonstrated in the design and use of the facilities at Medeba (www.medeba.com). After a brief orientation, we enjoyed a walking tour of the grounds and then more pizza and salad than a person should consume. After lunch we spent well over an hour in questions and answers with Bruce and his leadership staff. The intentionality demonstrated in the Medeba facilities, programs, operating systems, and ministry activities is impressive. Just about the time the discussion got interesting, it was time for a group picture and off to Fair Havens Ministries to meet with their director John Friesen.

An hour closer to Toronto we entered the ground of Fair Havens Ministries; much more of a Christian conference center/family camp than a youth camp. We drove past the immense and well manicured lawns – which we soon learned was a nine-hole golf course. Fortunately we arrived too late for a pre-dinner tour and had a few minutes to settle-in to our rooms and explore the grounds before the meal. Lake, lawns, waterpark, bicycle paths and well maintained buildings offered a relaxing and refreshing 45 minute walk.

After the buffet dinner, we all piled on a hay wagon and John Friesen led a tour of the site. (BTW - John is also the director of Muskoka Bible Camp and somehow leads both ministries well!) Seeing a camp through director’s eyes is always more interesting than my own first glance. A fascinating wall of about 500 aluminum cans painted black provided heat for one building. Maple syrup was made in another. John showed us sites where buildings, now in the “dream stage”, would someday serve generations yet unborn.

The next morning was Canada Day – July 1 -- and we drove to Niagara Falls to see the majestic view from the Canadian side. Denis Aldridge, who had hosted me at Living Springs near Christchurch a few weeks earlier, rode with Cay and me to Niagara. It was good to get caught up and hear of the ongoing struggle of those whose lives continue to be affected by the earthquakes.

From Niagara the crew drove to Toronto where they caught a flight west to visit more sites and take in the Calgary Stampede! Cay and I headed toward Gull Lake.

I felt good about the Canadians’ opportunity to share what God has been doing through Christian camping in their country. I felt good about the Kiwis and Aussies connecting with each other, gaining new insights and new friends. I felt good about spending a couple of days with Cay seeing new sights, sensing the enthusiasm of those serving the Lord in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and being reminded of the grand scope of God’s work around the world.