Senior's Retreat at ABK

Last fall Jack was asked to speak at a Senior's Retreat in September 2008. The Retreat was to be held at Camp Aush-Bik-Koong. Starting in 1976, we worked at this camp for many years and made a lot of friends from Sault Ste. Marie to North Bay. It has special memories for us. Our children grew up going to that camp. They worked there during their teen years and loved it.

Two weeks ago we attended the Retreat and had a great time renewing friendships. Many of the couples there we hadn't seen for a number of years. Jack spoke on "Finishing Well", using the book of I Timothy. He did a very good job, challenging us to continue in our walk with the Lord, finishing well what the Lord had begun when we were first saved.

The program directors were Ted and Marg Windle. Ted kept us running on schedule, led the music, provided entertainment and games. Marg added so many extras for us, including having Tea and Crumpets two afternoons with beautiful China teacups, flowers, tablecloths, etc.

Dave and Shirley Lawrence were the cooks and they did feed us well. They are faithful in serving the Lord as Commended Workers with Brethren Assemblies. They certainly made the extra effort in cooking for us. We had homemade rolls, pies, cookies, etc. I think we all ended camp a little heavier than when we came.


One special memory I have is the time we spent singing worship songs to the Lord. As I looked around the room at these people that we have known for over 30 years, these believers that have weathered the storms of life, my heart could only praise the Lord. There we stood, singing to the Lord we love so much, Who has been so faithful to us, Who has held onto us through all kinds of difficulties, sorrows, troubles. There was a special bond between us, the Lord's love and faithfulness. Our God is an awesome God.

There was another thing that touched my heart deeply. One of the women there was a retired missionary. Her name is Pearl Winterburn. She served in the Congo for about 50 years. We were sitting at her table at lunch and she was talking about the Lord and His blessings. One thing she talked about was when she came home from the mission field. Her health wasn't good and she had been in the hospital. When she came out of the hospital they put her in a nursing home. She said the first day she was there she went to her room. When she got there she lay on the bed sobbing, wondering why the Lord had put her in this position. She didn't want to be there at all. As she was crying a knock came on her door. It was a young woman that worked there. Her words to Pearl were "I heard you were a missionary, could you tell me about God." Can you believe how quickly the Lord heard and answered her plea. Pearl said at that instant she knew why the Lord put her there and she started praising the Lord. It was all I could do to not cry, realizing what Pearl had been going through and then seeing how wonderful the Lord's plan for her is. She is still a missionary, even in the nursing home. The Lord has given her a burden to reach these women that don't know the Lord, that have so little time here on earth. Pearl is about 90 years old and is still used greatly by the Lord.

Jack has been asked to come back next year as the speaker. We look forward to our time there again. I'll include a few pictures of the campground and it's surroundings.