Tell us about your time @ Charis, Tom
I have been the Food Service Director since 2013! I am in charge of all of the food service including ordering, menus, hiring staff and quality and cost control. I chose camp ministry because there is nothing better than an environment that you can freely express your worship to God in and have a vocation at the same time!

My favorite moments are when I get a heartfelt appreciation from people. It increases my capacity for more blessing to pass through me. I truly want to do all my work to God's glory.

What does life @Home look like? 
Anita and I just celebrated our 32 wedding anniversary!!!  We have 2 kids; Dyanna is married and living in the USA and Matthew recently graduated and lives with us here.

I enjoy watching sports where we get to know players and their accomplishments. Some favorite teams are NFL Seahawks, NHL Oilers, WHL Seatle Thunderbirds, MLB Seatle Mariners and CFL Edmonton Eskimos.  I like to collect hockey jerseys both new and game worn (from all levels) with my son. I love networking and have learned to really appreciate everyone I come in contact with.

FUN FACTS

• I wanted to be a policeman or a chef when I grew up. I used to play with my food and my mom told me not to- it’s the only time I never listened to my mom.
• I come alive when I get to create food sensations
• I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and played hockey for 13 years
• I go to the States a lot to sports games and to visit my daughter
• I was chasing a squirrel in the dining hall with a broom and tore a meniscus in my knee about 10 years ago at another camp. I learned to use a hockey stick not a broom.
• ​I know greetings in 10 different languages. I love other cultures and cooking fusion.

Thank you for sharing, Tom. And thank you so much for how you serve and use your gifts to bless people through Charis Camp & Conference Centre!

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Cristal  how long have you been @ Charis and what have you been up to?
I started at Charis as the Host, living onsite with my family while greeting and serving guest groups for 5 years. For over a year now I have been the Guest Services Director. I organize all conference and retreat bookings from first phone call to arrival details, then I communicate details to all departments and schedule hosts.

I always have loved meeting such diverse groups of people, seeing what God does while they are here and the heart connections I experience as I work with groups.  I will miss these things as my family and I move to Kelowna Summer 2019 for new adventures.

What is life like for you @Home?
(Photo above is with Jack Piccioni, one of Cristal's favorite little people.)
I have 3 wonderful teenagers (and truly love it!) and an amazing husband of 22 years. I love reading, nature and being with my family. We love walks, exploring, finding delicious ethnic food to eat and playing games together.

FUN FACTS

• I’ve moved my family twice across the world. Once to Shanghai, the other time Hong Kong; our heart has never stopped being there and I would move back in a heartbeat.
• We have three cats
• I started to go grey at 20 years old
• I was born in Saskatchewan but love the mountains and ocean so BC is a better fit
• I have tried Chicken Feet and really liked them. They are kind of like Chicken Wings with less meat.

Bahah! I think I'll take your word for it! Thank you for all you do and the heart you do it with, Cristal. You and your family will be deeply missed when you go!

Why the Team thinks Cristal is so Wonderful to Work with:
Cristal is flexible, easy to work with, fun, sassy. always smiling, willing, helpful, kind and determined. She loves the people who come to camp beyond what we could ever ask of her. She’s brought so much joy and laughter into both the kitchen and the office and cares deeply about life here at camp.  She loves people and is so good at connecting with them in meaningful ways. She follows Jesus even when it is hard. She brings joy and warmth to a room and understands Biblical hospitality.

Why the Team thinks Brian is Awesome:

Brian has a kind, gentle and humble servants heart. He is always willing to help out. We love how he seeks to see Jesus in every situation. Brian is a good guy, a hard worker and he knows the camp like the back of his hand.  He is unassuming; he gives people the benefit of the doubt and believes the best about them. We like that Brian is honest, passionate and has incredible dedication to Charis Camp.  Plus, he's a lot of fun! What a guy!