As we eagerly anticipate the resumption of our Manitoulin Short Term ministry, we also recognize that our team faces several challenges for which we invite our church family to support in daily prayer over the next three weeks. Unless you have participated in the Manitoulin Short-Term ministry, you may not be aware of the numerous details that go into a well executed week of ministry. Add to that the difficulty of regaining momentum after a four year hiatus and you begin to realize why such prayer support is so important. To help guide you in praying about specific, time-relevant needs, we are organizing these requests into three parts: Please click here to sign up to pray. 

Part 1: Final preparation, packing, travel to Manitoulin, and setup after arrival (from now until July 2)

Part 2: The week of daily camp ministry (July 3-7)

Part 3: The breakdown and packing of equipment, the return home, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in opening the eyes of the young people to Christ (July 8 and beyond) 

Part 1: Requests from now until July 2:

1. Housing challenges: Some of the accommodations in which our team members will be staying are not completely ready due to local logistical complications. Pray that God would expedite circumstances and "red tape" to speed up the completion. Also pray that the designated dining facility would be fully ready for food preparation and dining. 

2. Preparation: Pray for participants who will lead music and singing. Pray for those who are involved in the daily Gospel drama that explains the Story of Creation, Fall, and Christ's Rescue. Pray for poise and confidence (in God's enabling) as they practice their parts. Pray also for the various recreational activities that team members are preparing to lead. Pray for the cooks (Ruth Klein and Christine Weiler) as they plan the meals that will be served. 

3. First time participants: Join us in praising the Lord for our first time participants. Pray specifically that God would enable them to be flexible and adapt well in a more primitive environment. 

4. "Survivor Camp" Pray for Jeff Wuttke as he resumes the Survivor Camp excursion program for the older youth.

5. Firm costs: Pray that the negotiated costs for the activity facilities would remain firm with no "last minute" surprises. 

6. Pray for safe and uneventful travel which will be staggered over three days: Craig Tucker will be departing on June 27. The setup team leaves on June 28. The main group of participants departs via bus on July 1. Pray especially for: a. the customs officials at the border, acceptance of the required permits, and especially for the ferry trip from the Ontario mainland to Manitoulin Island. b. The large amount of equipment that the setup team is taking via large trailers for the dramatic production along with audio-visual equipment ("Glitch free" trip!) 

Part 2: Requests for July 3-7:

1. That God would provide strength and stamina over a very busy (perhaps at times exhausting?) five day ministry. 

2. That God would help each member to solve any problems with each other quickly and remain united in purpose and love for Christ (Phil. 2:2).

3. That God would give grace to our team members and that he would open the hearts of the camp participants to hear and respond to the Gospel. 

4. That God would provide patience and flexibility along with lots of mutual encouragement  if/ when things don't go as expected. 

Part 3: July 8 and beyond: 

1. For strength to do the breakdown and packing and saying "goodbyes." 

2. For a safe return home. 

3. For the campers to consider and respond to the Gospel they have heard. 

4. For all participants to reflect on what God is up to in their lives as a result of this trip.

5.  For continued relationships to grow throughout the year for ongoing Gospel purposes.

Thank you for your partnership in prayer with the Manitoulin team for the sake of the Gospel to the precious people of Manitoulin Island,

Jerry Benge

Missions Pastor

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