One of the best things you can do this summer

So, even as an anti-winter, hot-weather loving, ex-Manitoban, I will admit that there is a certain beauty in the snow-blanketed landscape all around us right now. The glory of God can be seen in all of creation, right? Even when the temperatures are freezing and you’re at risk of breaking multiple bones while walking on ice-covered pavement. Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let me say this weather really does make me long for summer. I yearn for long days of sunshine and warmth. And one of my favourite summer things, which I look forward to every year, is our service trip to the Okanagan Gleaners in Oliver, BC.

We want to invite you to join us this year from July 20-26. The Gleaners has given us permission to bring even more people this year, so we’ve got a few more spots available, whether you’d like to tent on site, rent/bring your own RV, or find a hotel room nearby. If you’re interested in coming or would like to know more, my wife Carolyn is the person to talk to: craigandcarolyn@gmail.com.

I wanted to get the main stuff out of the way in case you already know what the Gleaners is. But if you don’t, this paragraph is for you. The Okanagan Gleaners is a Christian ministry that takes rejected, donated, or surplus produce and turns it into dried soup mix to be sent to people in need around the world, in the name of Jesus. It takes its name from a Biblical practice we see in commands like Leviticus 19:9-10 and in practice in the book of Ruth. The way that happens is largely through volunteer work. When we’re at the Gleaners, we cut up produce, put it through a chopper, spread it out on drying racks, and scrape the dried produce off those racks after they’ve gone through an industrial dryer. It really is an amazing ministry that loves the poor in a very tangible way.

I love the Gleaners for the work they do. However, I also love that week because of the community-building that happens for everyone who participates. We generally spend the mornings working, the afternoons hanging out at some local beach, and the evenings worshiping and growing together in the Lord. It’s such a good rhythm. Every year, the trip is one of my top highlights of the entire year.

So take your mind off the frozen tundra outside, email my wife, and plan to do something faith-building this summer. Let’s go!