3,2,1...Blast off

The wick is ignited and the explosion is moments away.  Things will never be the same; I will never be the same.  Change, growth, struggle, breakthrough and challenge is guaranteed and I will come out of these next eight or nine months very different.  

Tomorrow morning we leave for camp, and then it is full-speed ahead.  I have not only stepped into a new adventure, but am diving head first into the middle of it. I am all in! God has given me a door to run through as I journey to learn about leadership, community, spiritual formation, intercession and full-time ministry.  I am giving my life for this - for the pursuit of the knowledge, beauty and love of God wherever he leads me.  As I wait for the gate to swing open, I am antsy with anticipation and excitement.  What will it look like? What will happen? What will God do?

The group of young staff that have sacrificed much to give their summer for the sake of being involved in camp ministry and Christian community could use a lot of prayer.  For many, this is the first time working on staff or even being at camp in general, so the familiarization and comfort in their new surroundings will be a big transition.  Pray also for the spiritual hunger of the staff to increase and for it to be met entirely with the love of God - that this would be a community transformed by the power of the Gospel and shaped by the truth of who God is.  I am believing for big and miraculous things to take place this year in the lives of staff and campers as we all encounter a big, powerful and loving Creator.  

My computer access will be limited as we do not even have running water currently on the island, but in the next couple of weeks I will post an update about what has been going on and what God is doing.  Thank you for your prayers. Blessings

Mr. McKinnon and Lady Scarlett

I am leaving again. It always feel like I am leaving or arriving somewhere. Stability is not a huge reality in my life right now nor in the near future, unless you count my faithful suitcase - good ol' Lady Scarlett. (yes, I did name my suitcase...becasue a)she's huge and red and deserves a name for that and b)I wanted my travelling partner to have somewhat of an identity)

Lady Scarlett is sitting beside me on my floor, a massive Tupperware bin is filled with books and a pile of clothes has taken my room hostage. I love this and hate this. Which old t-shirts are going to make it on the trip this time? So that I don't have to rent a pack mule, which books are going to make the cut? You know how many lotions I have to choose from?!

I leave for 'the island' next monday....8 days and counting. MacKinnon Island will be called home for five months as we rock another camp season of fun and adventure. I have been preparing my body for living in a secluded wilderness by weaning myself off showering and I am up to five days without washing my hair. Yes, I feel greasy but it is reality and it kind of makes life easier...so much less to worry about! I think the longest I have gone is two weeks without shampooing my hair and I am going for a new record this summer. Aren't you glad you won't be there to witness it? :)

Though I have been at camp for other summers, this will be the first as the Associate Director of Program. The title seems so official, but what it means is that I focus on the spiritual formation, leadership development and the mentoring of our staff to see them empowered and equipped to minsiter to the campers and step up to be leaders at camp and in the rest of the their lives. I am there to take care of and love those people who are sacrificing their summers to come to an island in the middle of nowhere to learn about Christian community, be challenged in their faith and see lives transformed through the power of the Spirit of God.

I truly believe that these staff can leave from an experience at camp and go and change the world. This is an amazing place.

And after the adventure on the BigMac.....Kinnon, October holds another journey and move....this time to Kansas City, Missouri. I will fill you in as the time gets closer, but it is going to be amazing and then Lady Scarlett and I will make it back to Winterpeg for winter #23 to join a community house in the inner-city before making the trek to re-connect with Mr. MacKinnon next May once again.

I hope the ol' lady can hold out. She's pretty durable...and if not, she will make a great toboggan.