This summer I was blessed with the opportunity to work at Youth Farm Bible Camp for seven weeks. I had the chance to work with kids from the age 7 to 15 and those with special needs age 18-80. We were able to provide activities and also give chapels and devotionals for them. One of the highlights of this summer was watching special needs campers be involved during chapels and devotionals, like asking for prayer and do actions to songs. I had one camper who would come to the front dancing with the biggest smile on her face and then give me a big hug whenever the song was over and it made my heart so happy. I also had a camper who in past years was not very happy when at camp, but I got to be with her for about two hours during a movie and she was the happiest I’ve ever seen her, laughing, interacting, and being affectionate to me. These campers were such a blessing, there may be difficult moments, but the joy that they have is absolutely amazing. During the kids’ weeks we had a time called LOFT session which is basically a time of worship, being quiet, and where the counselors directly pray for each of their campers one at a time and this was a place where the Holy Spirit was very present. I had campers who didn’t really have relationships with God cry because they could feel the Holy Spirit and it was overwhelming for them. This was such a highlight for me seeing God love these kids in a way they have never felt before. This summer had hard moments, but God filled it with his love, his patience, and a group of people he picked so it would work the way that it did. This summer God has taught me so much about community, His strength, and how I can depend on Him. I am so incredibly blessed to have been a part of God working through this camp. Submitted by Maddy K

This summer I got the blessing of serving at Camp Nutimik. During the summer I spent 4 weeks cabin leading and 1 week on housekeeping. I’m so thankful that I was given this opportunity by the Lord to teach the campers about the love that God has for us and that our sins have been forgiven through Him. I had a lot of fun serving God this summer and I hope that I can continue to grow in my faith going into the next year! Submitted by Christopher W.

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” – Philippians 1:3

Dear Friends & Family,

I hope this season has been off to a good start for you and that you are anticipating some summer fun on the horizon!

For me and my family, this summer is going to be a time of change and transition as my time at YFC Winnipeg is coming to an end.

For a while now God has been shifting things in my heart and mind, and recently He has made it clear that He is calling me away from the ministry He called me to 14 years ago at YFC. It has taken much time and prayer for me to release and let go of this ministry I have held so close to my heart for so long. I know that it was never really mine to hold and God has been so good and faithful throughout all the different seasons that I have been a part of the counselling ministry at YFC. 

Endings always seem to bring new beginnings and as God is calling me away from vocational ministry, He is calling me towards the ministry of my family. Brian and I have always been very family-oriented and that has always come before work and ministry, however it has become clear that we desire to have an even greater focus on our family. God is graciously making a way for me to be home much more with our three little ones and with this shift we have also felt that God is calling us to homeschooling! It will be a new adventure that will surely bring its own challenges and victories. I have also started to do some private practice counselling on the side, which will give me a lot more flexibility. We are so blessed that we are able to do this and trust that God will equip and sustain us in it!

When I look back over the past 14 years, I am overcome with gratitude. 

I am grateful first and foremost to God for calling me, equipping me, sustaining and providing for me throughout my time here. 

I am grateful to you – my invaluable ministry partners who have journeyed with me in this ministry and have given of your own resources – time, finances, prayers, encouragement – each as the Lord has called and enabled you. I pray that God would continue to bless you, keep you, make his face to shine upon you, and give you grace and peace (Numbers 6:24-26)

I am grateful to my clients who have trusted me with their most precious stories, who have invited me into their pain and who have given me the honour of journeying with them towards hope and healing.

And finally, I am grateful to YFC Winnipeg and all the staff and volunteers that I have had the privilege of serving alongside over the years. YFC is an amazing place to work because of the team that is here and our collective vision and mission. You are the best of the best and I will continue to pray and support you and the incredibly worthwhile work you do!

I would love to stay in touch with you, and thankfully the convenience of technology makes this possible! If we aren’t already connected in this way, please feel free to contact the church office if you want to get in touch with me.

Praying that God continues His Good Work in you!

Take good care,

Katy Mesics