It’s hard not being together. All the staff and volunteers feel that at Beacon so very much. We thought we’d try to help keep things “together” by inviting some of our camp family to share with us about what they’re doing in their lives!

This month, we’re interviewing the Gibbs family - they’ve been off on an adventure because of COVID over the last few months and we wanted to know more! Monica Gibbs has been involved with Beacon for decades, and her kids Kayla, Zara and Isaac are up and coming at our family camps, youth camps and often our fall and winter camps too - it’s safe to say they like being at Beacon!

(PSSST: if you want to tell us what you’re up to these days, we’d love to feature you on our blog!)

What has "pandemic life" looked like for you over the last year?

Last year, when we saw an article encouraging Canadians to work from Barbados, we thought "What a great idea!" I have been blessed with the ability to work remotely with both the recruitment and wellness business and since the kids could do virtual school we started exploring the options.

Very good friends of ours from Toronto had jumped at the opportunity and found a villa on the west coast of Barbados and that is when the conversations got serious. We prayed about it and the Lord opened the doors for us to move down at the end of October. At first we booked for 3 months but then with everything going on we extended our stay to 5 months and hope to be home early April.

November and December were great months in Barbados and we were so thankful to attend church in person again after 7 months of online services. We really love the community and people at Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados. After a COVID outbreak on the island, restrictions were put in place in January and in February, just after Sam left, we went into island lock down. February was definitely the toughest month for us and their were definitely meltdowns, tears and complaints from the neighbours about the noise volume in our house...

The past year has definitely had many ups and downs with one of the biggest challenges having been not seeing and being in contact with family and friends, missing experiences like summer camps, activities and trips that we had planned (including vacations and a wedding in the US that we were deeply involved with (a wedding which still hasn't taken place...). When the pandemic started, we were home in Toronto and during lockdown the biggest adjustment was switching to online school and adjusting to that. We did our best to balance screen time with at-home workouts, ravine walks and even built an outdoor gym for adults and kids to enjoy - it's been a big hit! We spent several weeks of the summer in Muskoka and then it was back to school for just a few weeks before we switched to online and then headed to Barbados.

Did you have any curve balls or unexpected moments?

We definitely had some curve balls and unexpected moments. In the summer of 2020, we had the pleasure of spending a couple of weeks up north in Collingwood at my Uncle Luigi's cottage and in Bracebridge. Just a few weeks later, he passed away from a sudden heart attack. His passing really shook our family: Uncle Luigi was my dad's only brother who lived in Canada and we were all very close. Having a funeral with so many restrictions was very challenging and we miss him so much.

What is a lesson that God has been teaching you during COVID?

God has been teaching us to trust Him every day, to draw close to Him and to give thanks in all circumstances despite the uncertainty, the heightened emotions and the unknown. Our favourite hymn lately has been Peace Perfect Peace and we have been listening to it often (especially after meltdowns).

What's up for you in 2021?

We are looking forward to wrapping up the school year and enjoying cottage and camp life this summer (Lord-willing). Zara and Kayla will start middle school in the fall and Isaac will be heading into Grade 2 French Immersion.

How can we be praying for you?

Please pray for strength, wisdom, safety, and health as Sam heads to the Olympics in Tokyo this summer and as I continue to parent, guide and teach the kids through these tough times. Also please pray for my dad's health as his Parkinson is getting worse.

What are you looking forward to about being at camp next?

We are really looking forward to being back at Beacon this summer, to seeing the new Lighthouse, being at the lake, seeing new and old friends and most of all learning about and worshiping our Lord and Saviour!