Blackfoot Youth Camp by Bonnie Pratt age 19 from Oak Grove, MO

On August 9, I made the trip to Canada to serve as a counselor with the Blackfoot youth camp held on the Blackfoot Reserve near Gleichen, Alberta, Canada. The morning we left a picture was taken of all who were going, about twenty of us. We also had a group prayer before we loaded into the five vehicles of the caravan. I didn't know any of the group when the trip started, but a week traveling, camping and serving the Lord changed that.

On Sunday, August 10, we were stopped at the Canadian border by Customs Agents. As it turns out, you need a special permit to be a counselor in Canada. We ended up being held there for two hours before we finally decided to say a group prayer. Within minutes a man came out and said for us to go ahead. Praise God!!

Monday afternoon we arrived at the Siksika Nation headquarters and were taken to the camp site. It was a beautiful valley on the banks of the Bow River. Many native men and women from the tourism department came and set up four large tepees. This is where the children were to sleep. We set up our tents nearby on a bluff overlooking the river. At three o'clock Tuesday afternoon the Blackfoot youth began to arrive. Their ages ranged from six to fifteen. That night they needed someone to stay with the girls. I gladly volunteered and was sent to the tepee with the teenage girls. It was difficult working with them, as they were a little rowdy at times. But it was the quiet conversational times that saddened me the most. Some of them had problems with choosing the right direction in life. Yet in the midst of all this, God blessed me greatly and gave the opportunity to share with them the direction of the path of righteousness in the footsteps of Jesus.

I spent much time with the girls; at the river skipping stones, talking and roasting hot dogs. We also listened to stories told by some of the older Blackfoot men. Finally it was time to take the camp down and say good-bye.

Even to this day I remember those girls. I hope what I had to say taught them something of the love of God. I pray daily for them and look forward to doing more work for IMCA and the Lord.