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UIM Camping
UIM International is committed to reaching young people. Since 1967, UIM International (United Indian Missions, as it was known back then) has been actively involved in reaching Native youth of North America, beginning with Summer Park Ranch, twenty miles south of Gallup, NM, today known as Broken Arrow Bible Ranch.
In 1970, UIM began its youth camping ministry in British Columbia, Canada. UIM is also engaged in youth camping ministries in Mexico. Under the leadership of Oliver Gallardo, there is a mobile camping ministry called Alpha Omega. Over the years this commitment to reaching children and teens has netted many who have not only come to faith in Jesus Christ, but have emerged to become effective First Nations leaders among indigenous people of North America.
The goal of our camping ministries, beyond salvation by grace through faith, is leadership for indigenous local churches and the indigenous communities at large.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto Me." The apostle Paul followed up by training young men such as Mark and Timothy and commissioned men like Titus and Apollos and many others to saturate entire regions comprehensively with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and establish local fellowships of believers that would transform their cultures, one life conversion at a time.
When you think of UIM International, think of youth camping ministry. At the same time, know that UIM International thinks beyond camping ministry to leadership for the indigenous community and local church that can transform the culture of Jesus Christ.
UIM Connection! brings you in touch with these ministries. As you read, pray! If you are so led by the Spirit of Christ, give! Your connection means a lot to us!
With gratitude to the Lord for you,
Dan Fredericks, Executive Director
UIM International
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A Community Blessing
UIM camp directors Wendell and Heather Garrison are busy on the Rock Nest Ranch property in British Columbia, Canada, getting ready for the 2012 camping season. A group from Frontier School of the Bible is making plans to help out in the local village and at camp this summer. The Garrisons are praying that this will be a long-term event for years to come. Groups from Washington and possibly from Colorado are coming as well. Counselors and work crews are always needed to help with the summer program.
On multiple occasions a young man from Kitwanga commented that it is so peaceful at camp. What a testimony to the peace that comes from knowing Christ and being present where Christ is the focus! As many campers and staff sense that peace, some begin to understand the source of that peace and come to claim Christ in their own lives. That is the ministry goal of UIM and all those who are working hard to make Rock Nest Ranch a place where youth and adults can come year around now and for years to come.
Wendell and his wife, Heather, have also been involved in the Houston community. Last fall three women from their church in Houston felt the Lord calling them to serve the small community by providing a noon meal to those who wanted to stop by. Since then they have a building rent-free, a complete soup-and-bread meal donated once a month, donated loaves of bread each week, and up to 60 people who come once a week to join them from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Wendell and Heather chose to be involved just to help them in whatever needs they may have. Wendell has had the opportunity to lead a number of Bible studies following the meal They have met many of the new First Nations families that have moved into the Houston community and have already received their first family camp registration from a family that frequents the soup kitchen. The soup kitchen has now started a drop-in time on Tuesdays where crafting, fly tying, and more relationship building is occurring. What a blessing for their community!
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Emily, Cy, Heather, Sadie and Wendell Garrison |
Rock Nest Ranch 2012 Schedule
July 8-14 Teen Camp
July 16-22 Junior Camp
July 25-31 Junior II
August 3-5 Family Camp
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Meeting a Need in British Columbia
After Norm and Melody Christin reluctantly left Canada due to a lack of a visa renewal, there has not been a full-time maintenance man at Rock Nest Ranch. The void has caused a burden on Wendell Garrison so that many jobs do not get finished in a timely manner or not started at all. Daniel Koster has been a welcome temporary help with his background in construction. Daniel left Michigan and traveled to Houston, Canada, this past December. He has been spending time getting used to his new environment. He has been cutting, planing, and painting trim at the RNR lodge. On Wednesdays he visits the local soup kitchen and helps where needed. He has been having a great time meeting people there and has also led a few Bible studies not only at the soup kitchen, but in his home when possible. He has also been spending time reconnecting with RNR campers. In August, he and UIM appointee Geneva Cutler will marry. They plan to settle in Hazelton, B.C., about an hour and a half away from Houston and continue a Christian youth outreach program.
 | | Geneva Cutler and Daniel Koster |
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An Update on Rock Nest Ranch Lodge
Started in 2004, the Rock Nest Ranch Lodge is gradually coming to completion. Much has been accomplished this past year! All the sheet rock on the walls and ceilings has been installed, mudded, primed and the ceilings painted. The goal for 2012 is to get an occupancy permit for use of the lodge by mid-June. Before a permit can be issued, money is needed to hire and pay for an electrical engineer as well as to purchase and install the materials listed below.
1. Kitchen door
2. Front door
3. Insulation for all water pipes
4. Geothermal (heating system) materials upstairs
5. All fire alarm equipment
6. Sprinkler fire alarm system
7. Fresh air system
8. Range hood for kitchen
9. Kitchen equipment
The estimated cost of finishing the above is $90,000. The Lord has provided in an incredible way up to this point by providing individuals and groups to help and by providing the funds to continue without going in debt. Even more incredible is the fact that the starting point consisted simply of a unified belief among UIM's Canadian staff that God wanted them to build the lodge and an offer of a professional to engineer the sewer system.
Once the lodge is finished or at least to an occupancy status, it can be used for year-around camps, fellowship times, and biblical teaching. Please continue to pray for funds and work crews to finish the building and that God would glorify Himself through its construction as well as its use. If you would like to donate money to go toward the lodge completion, please send it to the Glendale, AZ, office.
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