My First Camp Meeting

When I first went to the Apostolic Faith in Vancouver, I kept hearing about this thing called camp meeting. I really didn't know what to think, but a number of people who I really respected kept telling me that I should make a serious effort to make it. At the time I was working for a spindle factory. It was a job that didn't pay particularly well, but I got by on what I made there. I wasn't sure that I would get enough time off to do this, or that I'd get any time during the first week of July, since others there had more seniority than I did and would get first pick of their time off.

Then, one day, a man that I had worked for, Ed Deans, came by and asked if I would be willing to come work for him again. I had really enjoyed working for him before, so I immediately said yes. I felt that I should give my former employer a few days to replace me, so I said I'd start work on Friday. Ed had come by on Monday evening. I would tell my boss the next day and he would have two days to replace me. Afterwards it seemed wierd that I told them Friday, but as you'll see, that was God's timing.

On Thursday afternoon, my boss at the spindle factory called everyone in and told them that, due to a slowdown in orders, they would be laying everyone off for a few weeks, and they would notify them when work would be available. Thursday was the last day they had work. I walked out of there and right into a job the next day with my new boss.

Friday morning, I arrived at Ed's place and he was all concerned that he had forgotten to tell me that he was planning to take his family on holidays for 3 weeks at the beginning of July. I told him this was perfect, that there was a church camp that I would attend while he did that, and I'd be just fine!

I made that first camp meeting, and what an experience it was! There I met people who had been pioneers in the gospel. Who had used innovative methods to spread the gospel across the land. I met people who had a love for the gospel and a determination to serve God and please Him, and Him only.

I have gone many times, since then, including this year (July 2003).

Here is a picture of me at my first camp meeting:

The other pictures below are from this year (July 2003).

The outside of the old tabernacle:

The inside of the old tabernacle. They have a full symphony orchestra:

Our cabin - our old friend Elsie Diewert helped build it over 50 years ago:

Our cabin - interior:

The grounds, near our cabin - Matthew and his friend Trevor:

Our kitchenette, occupied by friends: