Postcards from Week 3

Oh my goodness!! The end of Week THREE already, just one more week of Day Camps. Lots has been happening with the Teams so let’s get right to it…

Team 1-

Mark & Mariejoy have just completed their second (and final) week on the Gaspé Coast of Quebec, this time in the town of New Carlisle. The week began eventfully when Mark called me early Monday morning to say they had lost their USB key. The key contains all of the PowerPoints for the Main Presentation, as well as things like the Liturgical Dance music. I was out getting groceries when he called but dashed home to see if I had all the contents of the USB on my computer since Jessica is responsible for preparing the keys and not myself. It turned out I had all the other content but not the Main Presentation material. It also turned out that Jessica was off working at her Urban Agriculture job and could not be reached until after 4pm. So I sent what I had to Team 1 and left a number of frantic messages for Jessica. That evening she sent me the full content of the USB and I was able to Dropbox it to Mark so that, by Tuesday they could function normally. AGH!! Quite a bit of drama there 😊The rest of their week has gone well. Although that Camp is quite small the children are really keen in participating so everyone has had a good experience. YAY!

Teams 2&3-

Lauren, Rachelle, Alexandra & Nathan have continued, this week, as a double Team, although as of tomorrow they divide again for separate Day Camps in Week 4. Their week got off to a bit of a bumpy start with some problems around Team dynamics and personality clashes but after spending a long time talking and praying with all of them over last weekend I am delighted to report that, due to good listening skills and mature attitudes, they have powered through the storm and come out the other side in good shape. Praise God!!!This Day Camp has also been smaller, I think 15 Campers, but they too had a really good week, as you can see from the great photos below.😊

Team 4-

Patrisha and Maynard have spent Week 3 in Swift Current Saskatchewan. Right from the start they have been made to feel very welcome. Last weekend, when they arrived they were invited to a Syrian Picnic supper in a local park, which got them off to a good start!  The host church, which has never had our Program before, has also done an amazing job of preparing and has provided extended day childcare for some of the Campers. Maynard’s week included some ups (his 16thBirthday!!!) and downs (a day in bed suffering from a migraine) but everyone in the community has been very encouraging and all in all it has been a good week.

Team 5-

Emmanuel& Kathleen moved further North in Saskatchewan to the town of Birch Hills, another “first time” location. They have been made to feel very welcome and said that they have been treated like “visiting royalty” by the whole community. Over 25 Campers have attended the Day Camp and the host church is super happy with this good turnout. The Team will stay at the same billets (the Pastor and his family) for the coming week during which their last Camp will be held on a nearby First Nation.

Team 6-

Kelvin & KC have had a super time in Delta BC. They have had a big Camp with approx. 50 Campers and a large local team of really strong helpers. They have also stayed with Pastor Paul and his wife Joanne, CTM alumni who for a number of years pastored All Saints Church in Two Mountains where we still hold one of our Training Day Camps! During their stay the Team has even been treated to some Filipino food and both the Campers and Helpers are asking when next’s year’s Day Camp will happen (music to a Director’s ears ! )  😊

Plenty of things have been happening back here on the home front. Of course much of my time is spent responding to texts and calls from all the Teams but there have also been several visits, one CTM meeting, much preparation of the Chicken Awards, gardening, knitting etc. 😊We also had quite a bit of much needed rain, which has brought the garden back to life, causing me to spend a couple of hours early yesterday morning mowing the lawns. I got some lawn edging work done this morning and touched up the porch stain and now the sun is shining again I should be able to tackle several more outdoor chores.

.But before I head to the garden, we need a recipe. 
All summer I love to try lots of Asian foods so this week I made Thai Lettuce Wraps. They were super yummy!


Thai Lettuce Wraps

  • 1/3 cup tamari
  •  1 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 2 tsps. Sriracha sauce
  •  1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
  •   1 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
  •  1 Tbsp. sesame oil 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. lean ground pork
  • ½ cup carrots finely chopped
  • Boston lettuce leave, peanuts, finely chopped green onions

In a small bowl, whisk together the first 6 ingredients and set aside.  Heat a wok and add the sesame oil and garlic, fry for 1 minute then add the pork and carrots, breaking up the meat as you stir fry it for 5-10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Pour in the sauce and stir fry until heated.Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving plate or individual plates.   Place a large spoonful of the pork mixture on each leaf and sprinkle with peanuts and green onions. Serves 3-4.

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