Wishing you God’s blessing as we celebrate the 

                            birth of JESUS, who came and wants so much to be our 

                               Saviour, Lord and Coming King!

           

Recently, I read this quote: ‘Examine your heart, and, labyrinthine as it is, it will deceive you. Examine your treasure, and it will tell you the truth about your heart.’  Our treasures very much reveal what’s most important to us and that ‘treasure’ is often most easily detected within our calendars and cheque books.  The way we spend our time and money casts votes for what we value most.  That’s a reality check for me and sometimes a wake up call.  

    2015 for the Kirks was a year of recognizing afresh God’s provision:

• A family trip to Puerto Vallarta began the year.  Travelling with an age range of toddler to 90 year old was interesting and so fun.
• Mom fell in March breaking her hip. Without a SaskHealth card we navigated the route of traveller’s insurance forms and medical bills.  We realized again how easy it is to take for granted the provision of health care and the blessing it is.  
• Camp season began for LBC with our largest pre-camp staff ever.  God stories, connections and growth were experienced in the lives of campers and staff.  As the season ended, we felt tired, blessed and thankful for all who made it possible!
• Mom received her permanent resident status and with it SaskHealth and Home Care.  Yeah!!!!! We’re thankful that process took 1.5 yrs instead of the usual 3 yrs.
•  Insurance money arrived that covered most of mom’s medical bills.
• A new grandson came into our family: Sullivan, a little brother to Simpson and Vincent.
• The renter moved from our Nipawin house and we plan to wait a few months to rent it again… that gives opportunity this fall/winter season to hang out in Nipawin a bit more and reconnect with our former church family there and enjoy sharing family time with the younger Kirks:)
• Luseland Bible Camp introduced a new pool project.  It’s bigger than anything we’ve planned or imagined and we’re reminded that we serve a big God; who often touches hearts and is so able.  So, thankful we are for opportunities to serve the one true God and reflect His love to a world so in need.  We’re also thankful for you and the friendship we share… it is a gift to us!  Merry Christmas!   Ed and Marilyn

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from Ed and Marilyn!!

 “…they shall call his name Emmanuel (which means God is with us)”. What a year it has been!  Each year, often while travelling, we try to do one ‘new thing’. It’s a yearly goal: what new thing shall we attempt this year? 2014 seems like a year of new things: planned or not… by us. We love knowing that for our God, there are no surprises:)

November 2013 - Luseland Bible Camp’s fall celebration supper took place on a Saturday. Ed preached his last sermon at Luseland Alliance Church before entering that world of ‘retirement’. We had a thought of ‘might we be able to escape winter?’ God must have smiled at that idea; because the next day came a blizzard. School buses didn’t run. Friends courageously drove us to Saskatoon; where the next day we flew to the Detroit area to visit Marilyn’s mom before flying to Vientiane, Laos for a planned 4 month trip to learn more about culture and help with ESL programs as needed and we were able. Exciting. New. An adventure, we thought… and it was, but Ed got sick in December and had to learn to walk again - a bit scary. Alone in another country, but opportunities to see God work in and through new friends and us.

 January 2014 - Marilyn’s mom fell and fractured her hip (a hairline break not needing surgery). We cut our Laos adventure in half and returned to help her in rehab, selling her home, her stuff and moving her to Canada in March. Again it was a bit scary. We’re thankful for praying friends and family and the many who helped us along the way. Mom now lives half an hour from us in an assisted living home in Macklin. Nice to have her nearby. Oh, and did I mention, the Detroit area had record breaking snow fall:)

 April 2014 - We began to fill out forms and applications for mom to become a permanent resident of Canada and obtain a visa for temporary residence until that happens. Thankful for those who have been a huge help in that happening. We’re told these applications often take 30-40 months to process. We’re praying for a miracle; as we trust God again to do what only He can!

 July 2014 - Camp Season for Marilyn and the first time it felt ‘normal’ in her year. Thankful for camp staff who love the Lord and dedicate their lives to serving Him. Thankful for campers who have a lot of fun; as they learn and grow in their relationship with God. Thankful for families who experience the transforming power of Jesus in their lives, discover Truth and how much God loves them.

Since then: Ed’s been preaching in our church and those of neighbouring communities. Marilyn was asked to edit a novel written by a camp staff who has published 2 books already. It’s now available on amazon.ca in ebook format and titled: Miracle Monday - an inspirational Christmas story, set in Saskatoon and based on a true story… a great gift for all ages and costs just $3.41. We’ve been blessed and are thankful for health, healing and God’s provision as we continue to look for a new ‘normal’. Finding that may just be our new adventure of 2015. MERRY CHRISTMAS as we celebrate the birth of the JESUS, our LORD, our SAVIOUR, our SANCTIFIER, our HEALER, our COMING KING… EMMANUEL

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

That was our theme at camp this summer... the true treasure we find in JESUS! May each one come to know and experience that relationship found only in Christ. That's what camp work and ministry are all about. There are the games and skills and campfires and chapel and meal and cabin times... but it's all about sharing what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We're reminded that we're not called to make believers... even satan believes, but God calls us to follow Jesus in obedience - knowing His Word and His Truth and choosing to walk in His ways. Camp provides a wonderful arena for God to work. Mix a true disciple with a greater amount of work and ministry than anyone can possibly do... and all are forced quickly to rely on God strength and power to see us through. That process also bonds staff together quicker and stronger than would seem to happen elsewhere.

Our answers to prayer are many. These are my reflections on LBC’s 2012 staff... they are hard working, trust worthy and fun loving!!! They are eager to serve God... not just this summer but with their lives; confident of who they are in Christ and anticipating who they will become as Jesus molds them more into His image; willing to step outside their comfort zones, trusting God to give them the words to say or show them just what to do. They serve a BIG God because He is... they trust HIM and don’t want to put HIM in a box that can be limited by their thinking. They are literally going to change the world... often one person at a time, because that’s what Jesus calls us to do: make disciples who make disciples. It’s been my joy to serve and grow and laugh with them and I thank each one for their faithful service. MAY GOD BLESS YOU... Last year as we prepared to leave camp, we said, 'It's the best year yet!'. This year we said it again. What a great way to finish a shared ministry time. All praise to God! What made this summer so special?

 Serving with Kaitlyn again was a blessing. Serving with one grandson on the staff team and another attending camp made special moments for this grandma. Having friends come from Edmonton to serve in the camp kitchen - what a treat! Serving with a camp staff God brought together as only He can! God allowing some near 'disasters' to happen; which kept us focused on whose camp it really is... His! All this reminded us of our priorities and dependence on the King of Kings. Unity as a staff means much. The many who came as volunteers to help in such a variety of ways. Serving with a board who love God and are encouragers... a few of the highlights!

 So now, we still have a few more camp events taking place. We're introducing a new fall school program that still needs some work. Another Easter Mexico City mission trip is being prayed and planned for. I'm transitioning home, moving the camp office and getting organized once again... And now we begin to think about our travel time in the fall... anticipation such a wonderful thing. We'll keep you posted.