by John Hidber 

Here is my testimony related to the canoe build under way in my garage.

One hundred years ago, the Prospector canoe was called the "Workhorse of the North". Did you know that Edmonton was a northern trade route stop and these canoes were made here? Yes, Edmonton used to be a canoe hot spot! Believe it. Traditionally, these boats measure 16'1" in length (or thereabouts) and when completed, are 35 inches in girth, 13 1/2" deep and can hold up to 950 pounds of persons and gear with 6 inches of boat still above the water line.
While this canoe design can hold half a ton of goods, it is also the most charming and popular design of all canoes built in North America today.
 
Project origin:

While this project was conceived of as a replacement for an Evergreen Prospector we sold last summer, certain unanticipated and seemingly unrelated events occurred which soon changed my perspective on the idea of doing it for me alone.

Before I even began this ambitious project, I unexpectedly felt compelled to ask myself, "Is there a way others can benefit from things I do?" I already knew that I would personally benefit from this venture by getting better at the craft involved with a canoe being the benefit from the experience.
"But," I asked myself, "Can this task do more to help others?" The answer coalesced because of an e-mail invitation I received in early January to watch a hockey game at the Druid with "da boys". Quite a cosmopolitan crowd of fellas, huh? A beer, a stack of wings, a bible, and a hockey game on the big screen. Now that's living! Go Oilers!

I could not watch the game that night since I was working nights on a renovation project. However, in honor of being invited for wings and a game, I did go to the LHBC website after an evening of work so I could see what LHBC offered the world. As this was my first ever visit to the LHBC home page, I just happened to see an item labeled "STEP Bolivia". The question I asked earlier was asked again, "Can building a canoe benefit anybody but me", I wondered, "especially people in another country?" It was then that the idea of using the canoe build for STEP Bolivia funding was breathed into life. "Did I think of this myself", I asked, "or was this more than that?
Just give me nine months", I assured my Lord, "and I can get this done". I was left thanking God for having been brought to a single moment when He demonstrated the power of His presence.

Recent design challenges have now forced me to make build changes to the boat. This process has helped me to realize that God's gift to me in this venture is patience. I need patience to make changes in my own life and so far so good. The "ca-new" patience I have been given is the same patience I can practice in my daily life. Plus, I now realize with new eyes that everything and everyone is being built by the Master Builder. Like this canoe project, the framework stands in order to get things built upon it later. In people's lives, changes are under way. Honestly, I feel overwhelmed by His grace and I feel that this gift I have been given is more than enough to last me to eternity.

So, what do you get when you combine a modern wood strip and fiberglass canoe building system with Christian men who like watching hockey at the bar? You get an idea to aid people you never met and maybe, you provide hope and health in place of despair, from half a world away.

P.S. - I would like to thank LHBC for the terrific website, Aline for the game night invitation that started this whole "canoe journey", and my Lord Jesus Christ for His Word who brings light to the world.

John Hidber