Bird River Bible Blog

Hey everyone! Just so you know, I’m going to be at some different Bible schools and at MissionFest Winnipeg in the next month, promoting Bird River Bible Camp. Make sure you come by and see me if you’re in the area. Here are the dates:
January 21-23: Briercrest College in Caronport, SK
January 24-25: Bethany College in Hepburn, SK
January 29: Steinbach Bible College in Steinbach, MB
February 2-4: Mission Fest Winnipeg at Grant Memorial
February 20: Providence College in Otterburne, MB

Congratulations to Jenny-Lynn and Chuck on the arrival of a baby girl! Gibsen Eden was born in the evening January 10, 2007 weighing in at 6 lbs, 14 oz. Both mom and baby are healthy and we are looking forward to their homecoming to the camp in a few days. Any notes or cards of congratulations can be sent directly to the camp at Box 11250 Lac du Bonnet, MB R0E 1A0.

Happy New Year 2007! I hope that all of you enjoyed the Christmas season! At the beginning of each new year, it seems like I often get asked, “So, what are your plans for this year?” This year it happened a little more often because I was back in BC over the holidays. Essentially people wanted to know when I would be back next and if I for real wanted to live in Manitoba in the winter. When I think about it, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future. When I was in high school, I was pretty sure that I would graduate from the University of BC and become a speech pathologist. I planned my grade 11 and 12 year according to that plan, beefing up on sciences and languages. When I graduated high school I ended up going to Bible college for a year, then 2, then 4! During those years, as I looked to the future I thought that I’d be a youth pastor or a professional counselor or work in a Bible school as a Dean of Students. In my mind, this of course would all happen in BC. Never could I have imagined that God would bring me into the middle of the woods in back country Manitoba as a Program Director at a camp. So this year when I was asked the inevitable, “What are your plans for the year?” my reply was simple: “Until the fall I’ll be at Bird River.” “Are you going to be there for a long time?” people often asked. “I don’t know; I’ll see where God leads me.” I’d reply. It took me a while, but I eventually learned that my plans aren’t necessarily the same as God’s plans.
This is not to say that we should throw caution to the wind and not plan ahead. No, God most certainly gives us desires and dreams and wants us to use the gifts He has given us. What I’m saying is that when I’m asked about my plans for the future, I want to make sure that I am aware that because of my decision to follow God, He needs to have a vital part in my plans…because He knows what’s best for me and has good plans far beyond what I have imagined.

“I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)