Diving In

Hey all! I can't beleive Sunday has rolled around again! Right now we have three classes on the go so that has definately taken a large portion of time. Wednesday this week we had our third camp ministry class. I'm enjoying learning several different aspects of camp ministry that I've never considered such as all the work that goes into a camp board. It's also inevitable each portion I compare what I learn to how things are done at "my camp". Friday and Saturday we started our hermeneutics class which I have found incredibly interesting. Since coming to Kaleo I have realized I love to learn new things, it's so neat to learn things I never knew before. Hermeneutics is how to read scripture. One of my favorite parts of class is listening to my class mates share their opinions on things hearing their perspective and where they come from. Friday night was also our senior high youth group at Warmland. The community center was being used so we got to travel to Ladysmith and spend a night thrashing through a corn maze! I have never been in a corn maze and thought it was awesome! The conditions were a little cold and muddy but the kids weren't deterred in the least. As each new phase of Kaleo comes I keep thinking I've completly adjusted or experienced all the new things I will, but almost daily a I face a new challenge or situation. Adjusting to the community has definately been stretching in ways that have surprised me.

Junior Retreat

Have I ever mentioned I love camp? This past week has gone by once again in an extremely quick fashion! At the beginning of the week we split ourselves into two groups. Wednesday we set out for caving which definitely surpassed all of my expectations! The insides of the caves were like something out of National Geographic. Looking back the coolest thing was climbing up a waterfall inside a cave! It was awesome to see fellow Kaleo students overcome their fears of insects or small spaces! Thursday we went returned to Victoria to help S.A.L.T.S put the Pacific Swift away for the winter. It was awesome to work as a team on such a huge task and be able to help them get so much accomplished. As we were working I realized how much fun I was having serving on a team, it didn't even feel like I was doing "work". This weekend we welcomed a group of junior campers onto Camp Qwanoes for the fall retreat. I got to serve as a counselor, which is a familiar role for me but it was really cool to see how a different camp runs. Coming from Luseland Bible Camp I had a hard time imagining how a camp as big as Qwanoes could create a close, kind atmosphere, but I was so excited to develop close relationships with my campers. There was such a caring, safe atmosphere and I fell in love with Camp Qwanoes not just the Kaleo program here. The theme for the weekend was "It's what's on the inside that counts" which was perfect for the campers at this age. For the weekend we did everything in our cabins, eating our meals, playing the games and of course sleeping. I had such an awesome time hearing where the girls were coming from. I was also surprised how easily they trusted me and shared their hearts. We're currently taking the Camp Ministry class and it was really cool trying to take the things we're learning and put them into action.

Slowly Belonging

Hey everyone! This week at Kaleo went by incredibly fast, I can barely believe I'm writing again! Monday until Wednesday this week was spent at Tofino which is absolutely gorgeous. Monday we hadn't been planning on it but it worked that we got to surf all afternoon. Surfing is definately harder that it looks on TV! Tuesday we went around to a few tourist shops and "wave watched". Wave watching sounds like it should be boring, but it was gripping. One night around the campfire we discussed seeing glimpses of God's glory, and watching those powerful waves roll onto the rocks was definitely a glimpse of God's glory. An analogy that has come up often since then is how the waves pounded onto the rocks, but the rocks, like God were unmoving. Friday night I got to help out at sr youth and it was awesome! We had a night with many challenges set up guys v girls and the kids loved it. We also followed the games by watching a clip of batman with questions. I got to lead a group discussion, with the topic of actions matching your words. It was interesting hearing where each of them are coming from. I'm also enjoying building relationships with the youth group who are so much fun! Saturday I helped out at the Qwanoes Women's retreat doing dishes and preparing breakfast. It continues to amaze me how much behind the scenes work goes into ministry. Sunday morning at Warmland I got to spend time helping with Children's church which was focusing on the fact that "church" is not a building but the body of Christ. It worked well since Warmland takes place at a community center and as of right now has no building to call home. Each Sunday faces feel more familiar and is slowly starting to feel like a church home.

Prime to Paint

I can hardly beleive I've been here for almost a month now! This past week was really busy taking Marv Penner's Spiritual Formation class which was amazing! It was awesome to be in a class where we prayed, read scripture and challenged to thoroughly think through our faith. For me it has been such a blessing and so exciting to be surrounded by christian peers. This past week in small groups we had to prepare a chapel time devoted to one of God's characteristics. My group did God's fatherly love. God's love is something we as christians often just take for granted, but examining it and really thinking about it makes me truly in awe of God. This weekend being Thanksgiving there was no youth group so bunch of us Kaleo students took the ferry over to Ladner and helped paint an elderly woman's house. She is almost 70 and still a foster mother. When we arrived we realized none of us knew what to do and neither did the woman. It was a really good bonding time working with each other. The woman currently has one foster son Cody who is special needs, such a sweet boy. In church on Sunday back at Warmland I got to help out by greeting people as they arrived and handing out bulletins. I've been finding it difficult to connect with people in this seeker sensitive church but this definately allowed for some good conversations. Thanks so much for all of your prayers!