“If you build it; they will come.” That was a line in the movie “Field of Dreams” where an unseen voice spoke to a character about building a baseball diamond in a cornfield anticipating the return of past era players. The end of the movie shows cars lining up to watch the game.
That is how I felt during this our third year of Tabernacle Tours at YFBC. Nothing like this had ever been built before, in Canada, never mind Rosthern, Saskatchewan, and the wonder was real as to whether this would be a viable proposition or not. But God has given us a sure promise as stated in Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” This may very well become a testimony to the world, in our day, like Noah’s Ark was to the people in his day.
Although there are many ways in which to present the Tabernacle, my preference it to focus on how each piece of the Tabernacle is a shadow or type of Jesus Christ, and that the Tabernacle is actually a physical picture of Heaven. God said to Moses, “According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, . . .” (Exodus 25:9). The purpose of the mirrors is to reflect (no pun intended) the vastness of heaven: “. . . and the number of them (referring to angels) was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” (Rev. 5:11b). The corn maze viewers were told that this was a Bible Museum and a teaching tool during Summer Bible camp.
There were a couple of days during corn maze, that the crowd through the Tabernacle was in excess of 400 people. The general procedure is to give “mini” tours, but on several days there was only time for single-filing through the courtyard and building to have a “look”. Many times during the corn maze, a member of a group or family would come through alone and then later bring the rest of their group or family. “Everyone” was totally Wowed! and Amazed! at the calibre of this project. To God be the Glory!
Some of the comments that I had time to record were:
“Are we in the Bible?” one 4-year old asked.
“Why is a Jewish Menorah on a Mennonite site?”
“What is this?” children would ask, and parents would reply, “I have no idea.”
“Is this a house of mirrors?”
“What is this?” when given a little red Bible, and parents would reply: “I haven’t a clue, we will read it tonight.”
“This shows that I need to read more than just the familiar stories.”
“This is definitely not what I expected”, by someone after entering the building.
“I would like to learn more about this.” 10-year old girl with her family.
“We sure got our money’s worth this year.” A statement by one special needs person to the rest of her group, after having her picture taken next to the Ark of the Covenant.
A highlight for me was the interest shown by several people willing to guide Tabernacle Tours. Adorable Beth Scott, a Calgarian, and counsellor during Bible Camp, was called upon several times to guide and was very well received by the groups she toured. Retired pastor, Jim Lloyd, from Saskatoon, whose passion for and knowledge of the Tabernacle was evident when people lined up for his tours. Honorable mention, in assisting with the Tabernacle during corn maze, to Kaedra Reimer, a CIT during Bible Camp, and my 9-year-old great-nephew, Abel Nickel. A couple other people, one from North Battleford and one from Rosthern, expressed interest in volunteering next year. That is our prayer, that more people would become involved. For after all, this is our gift, as believers, to the community at large.
Besides the Bible Camp campers and corn maze crowds, groups that made the Tabernacle a part of their summer were: groups who booked tours, family reunions, birthday parties, field trips, and church retreats. Some people have been inspired to book a trip to Israel as a result of touring the Tabernacle. Another person stated she had so much to learn.
We are still in the process of adding finishing touches to the Tabernacle, so make sure to make visiting the Tabernacle a part of your next season’s plans to view and experience any new additions. Our prayer is that this display would inspire new additions to our own spiritual lives as well.
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