My Favourite Place

So, it's Saturday the 24th of August. I can't believe the summer is over already it flew by so fast this year. Since starting on staff at BBR I've felt like going out to work I was heading out for something of a vacation, but eventually that feeling changed.

Now, after my second summer I feel like I'm leaving my home for a week to take a vacation at my parents house. I was never a camper at Birch Bay. I didn't know it existed until about 2 months before I started working there. It didn't take much though, and it didn't take long. After the first weekend of staff orientation I was so in love with everything about the ranch I didn't want to leave. In fact I didn't leave. I worked 7 of 8 weeks my first summer and felt so changed and filled with the love of Christ I wanted nothing but to stay where I was, so I stayed for fall staff.

Being away from the ranch last winter was hard. The people I came to know so well at the ranch were nearly as close if not just as close as family and I missed them every day. I did find comfort, however in all the knowledge of God I came by in my time at Birch Bay. Even though winter was lonely, I didn't feel alone.

When spring staff applications came out I made sure to apply for 4 month staff. The past 4 months at BBR have been 4 of the best in my life. Never could I imagine seeing so many lives changed and touched by what we do. As the weeks went on it became very clear to see that not only the campers but also the groups that visit and even the parents and families that experience Birch Bay are positively affected by the love of God that glows around our property.

I can say with confidence that every child who visited camp met Jesus this summer. Whether in worship, or talking with our staff, or even doing something as simple as enjoying the beauty of the nature the ranch is surrounded by. I know I can never forget the love I've encountered at Birch Bay and mine is only one of thousands of lives impacted in an amazingly positive way. A rest is well needed but I can't wait till this weeks ends so I can go home to Birch Bay Ranch.

Erin Anderson.