Merry Christmas Y'all

Wild Play - Bungee

the bridge itself - 143 feet high

view from the bridge

myself

Bo's lovely dive

James the professional

A fine first finale

These past weeks before the Christmas break have been filled with wonder, excitement, and adventure. I have been having a blast in a high challenge course within the trees at Wild Play, as well as a peaceful bungee jump, a experiential convention, a challenging paper topic, a cozy hike up a small nearby mountain (Maple Mountain), and sadly, a flight home that was uneventful.

From Thursday evening to Sunday evening, most of us Kaleo's drove down to Vancouver for the 2009 Canadian Youth Workers Convention. Throughout the time in Vancouver, God taught me to put what I know into action. There were many seminars that I attended, but with this hand of accumulating information and ideas I felt that in the other hand there needed to opportunities to use this stuff as I grew in learning. I understand that most of these people came to this convention to bring back home to their youth what they've learned here, but I tried to apply this to myself in a different way.

Once upon a time there were three boys named Jeremy, James, and Mark. The first day of the convention they decided to go walking down the street during lunch when they came across a homeless man who held a sign saying "52 Birthday". Mark was feeling unsure of what to do or how to help. He had no change or small bills and felt awkward just standing there so he wanted to keep moving. However, contrary to his desires, out of the corner of his eye he sees James beginning to sit down next to this man. Mark turns his head and realizes that Jeremy has already sat down and begun conversation with this man on the street corner. As the hustle and bustle of city folk flow around, Mark also sits and joins in on this intriguing street talk. This man whom reveals himself as Chris begins telling them about how the Lord is good and how he says a prayer of thanks every night before falling asleep on the steps of a nearby church. He tells a story about God's provision one night when he prayed that he might receive ten dollars several weeks prior. Late one night he awoke need to pee and thought it disrespectful to pee near a church so he takes a gander for a different spot. Upon his return to his sleeping bag re stumbles upon a ten dollar bill on the fifth of ten steps. Chris concludes that if someone wanted to give him money, they would have slipped it near his sleeping bag and that no one would accidentally walk up five steps, drop a bill, and leave. He proclaims this as truly, only a gift from the ultimate Giver.

This was another first hand experience towards the beginning of applying what I learn through regular opportunities. The more I am lead into situations like these, the more I desire to converse with people and learn their story, find out who they are, understand and build a small foundation for street ministry. This gave me an excitement for the flight home, just talking with fellow passengers. I was saddened when my seat partner tried to fall asleep right away.

On the return ferry from Vancouver, I struggled with the writing of the paper on "Ministry of Reconciliation". Interesting, seeing how I tried to apply myself to, but also struggled with the action upon the "Ministry of Reconciliation". This was probably the paper that I stressed over the most, thank you Kristie. (You probably just let out one of your little giggles, but I mean it. I think a lot about and begin to understand the "Ministry of Reconciliation" far better because of this topic you chose for us to write on. Having a more solid biblical foundation is far better than try to build it on just experiences that I may have or want).

My thoughts towards going back home have been nothing dramatic. I did not exactly want to go home, I would have rather had school straight through the Christmas break period. I understood the benefits of taking a break from school and being given a glimpse of how much we've grown over the first semester but the excitement was not there. The idea of going home slowly grew on me the more I realized that I had no other choice. Even still, I resisted becoming excited for seeing old friends and hanging out in the 'familiar' for the fact that I did not want anyone to get the idea that I was homesick (for I wasn't). It was during a discussion that I realized that, seeing as I'll be going home no matter what, I should be excited to have this opportunity to reconnect with people, not because I was homesick and miss them but because I love them and missed them.

I may be home for Christmas but that doesn't mean I'm away from school. I still have much work to do during this time and I feel there's a greater distraction here at home than back at school. Please pray that I may make time to do my homework and do it well. That I can learn how to steward my time within this different location. And pray that I may not fall out of prayer, especially for the challenges that other Kaleo students will face this Christmas.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Lovely week, yes, quite lovely

Well, may I just say, most simply, ...best...day...yet! Oh, by far. I’m writing this particular part on the evening of the twenty seventh (read this imagining my voice with enthusiastically, excitingly emphasis...because this is exactly how I feel right now). This morning I woke up at seven o’clock in the morning. Lately it has been hard to wake up just for the fact that is has been through self motivation and awaking to cloudy, rainy weather give

s my body a sense of tiredness. This morning, however, not only was it sunny Praise the Lord! but the night before, in class we were talking about spiritual gifts so Jeremy, Claire and I decided to wake early the next morning to take an online spiritual gifts test for the fun of it. So...I wake this morning with motivation to do something fun with others and with the energized spirit of movement. The three of us gather in the library and take the test, and half and hour later, submit the test to be calculated. By the speed of the inter-web, we receive the results immediately and compare results with each other. Now I will not say what the inter-web decided to give me as far as my “spiritual gifts” because it’s not important, kind of rubbish actually but whatever.

After this, we had half an hour before breakfast so I decided to begin reading other fellow Kaleoers blogs, something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but had never set any time for it previously. I was glad to finally get started on some non school work. Time for breakfast. Not just any breakfast, quiche! with a half pint of homogenized milk! The quiche we’ve had before, and it was just as excellent this second time, but I asked a friend going into town last night to pick me up some good old fashion 3.25% milk. Quality stuff right there, and it was like drinking it out of a rock from the desert! Praise the Lord for cows! (but don’t go praising the cows now...).

It was time for class now. Sadly the last day of class but CLASS NONETHELESS! This week has been Church Ministry with David Ernst. My first impression of him was that he’s a more strict, legalistic professor, just by the way he sets up his syllabi. I asked Brynn back home what he was like just prior to his arrival had she had mentioned that he was more of the laid back nature, lo there was hope! Anyway, Church Ministry went fantastically well and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would say the most enjoyed class so far and, at the moment, the most beneficial, yet somewhat...in a weird...I would rather be saying hermeneutics was the best - but don’t quite see it - though hope hermeneutics will be eventually. I am not quite sure how to explain it. There was not anything really new that I learned thro

ugh this class, but during every session I was excited on what he was talking about, what is the church, its purpose, who leads the church, what is my contribution, and what if there are problems within. Sadly again, we were told that the course was done by lunch. I had such a desire to learn more but things had to come to an end.

But sad does not mean bad, next, lunch! Tortilla wraps! as well as many “more flavour than I ever remember” mandarin oranges. During the consumption of this delicacy, seeing as class was over, the announcement was made for opportunities to get out and adventure. The opportunity that I chose was a most wonderful hike up Mt. Tzouhalem. This hike consisted of wonderful discussion, talks, and stories as I walked together with several pals. Just seeing clear streams through luxuriant, green vegetation was enough to have gone on the walk, but the view! Oh! what a view of God’s comeliness of majesty and pulchritude!

Upon our arrival back, James Vanderveen (a fellow Kaleo Cobble Hill attender) and I, were picked up for supper with a family from Cobble Hill before going to a bible study with Cobble Hill youth. The twentyish minute ride was quiet and relaxing before feasting on another excellent meal of chicken alfredo with greek salad, garlic bread, and the best puffed wheat cake I’ve had in some time.

After receiving our fill we headed over to Lech’s house for the bible study on John 5:32-47. A wonderful discussion on where the Pharisees accuse Jesus on claiming His Sonship to the Father. Jesus answers them back with several testimonies telling what He is saying is true. He starts off with John the baptist’s testimony, a humans testimony which they would have place with high authority but Jesus speaks of it first with the claim that there are higher authorities that give His testimony that just John’s. Then He gives the testimony of His works which lead to transformation of lives, the testimony of His Father, and the testimony of the scriptures. The addition of this text tells us that the reason for these testimonies is for us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and have life.

During the ride home, I had the best theological discussion I have ever had before in my life. The man reason being that I actually had something to say, and not just to start the conversation but consistently all the way through. It was on women within church ministry, the paper topic that all of Kaleo has to write for Church Ministry. I had been thick in researching for the past three nights before hand so I had a good idea of both what I was supporting as well as where he was coming at it. The entire drive was just filled with sweet talk.

As soon as we were dropped off back at camp, the first person I say was Nick VanSnick. He had a smile on his face that just made me feel that I had to tell him how amazing my day had been going so far. He welcomed my enthusiasm with more smiles and was nice for him to just sit back and listen while I talked. That was something I don’t do often around here and it was comforting having someone around, the same time that word came to my mouth for speaking. The rest of the evening, I began anticipating listening to Adventures in Odyssey with Jeremy. We try and have a nightly routine of this but missed it the day before due to studies, thus, before going to bed Jeremy said we would listen tonight “no matter what”.

At this point, I was sitting on my bed, beginning on the writing of my blog when ol’ Justin Lenny comes in and I have to stop writing and and give him the run down of my day. I enjoyed telling Justing about what was happening but was eager to continue writing to you guys in the case that I forgot something. He soon left and I went back to expressing my day on paper.

About an hour later, I hear talking just outside my room door so I put another halt on working. I head out of my room and see Justin and Jeremy talking so I join them. We discuss some hopes and dreams for this year before heading over to the kitchen for a pastry raid. On our way back, I reminded Jeremy about Odyssey for which he forgot and we listened shortly before hittin’ the proverbial sack.

After a Saturday filled with homework and soccer with the Cobble Hill youth, Sunday rolls around as Kristie, James and I embark on another Cobble Hill experience. A young man from their youth happens to be preaching today and does an excellent job with the text. The service ends, we pick up some produce from the local market, and we make it back in time for a quick lunch before a little bit more work and then to Duncan.

Knowing that this would probably my last time in Duncan to help the homeless with this specific group, I prayed that God would do something today that would confirm my devotion to these people was not completely in vain. As we get to the park, Nick and I begin to talk to Hoppy, a 52 year old war veteran who is a “jack of all trades but master of four”, diesel mechanics, fabrication, welding, and woodworking. He used to have a wife, 15 motorcycles, and a steady job but after a bike accident he lost it all. Biking down a road at 100mph he hits a manhole and gets thrown into a parked car. The police show up and pronounce him dead at the scene but the ambulance rush him to the hospital, reviving him, but having to amputate his leg. After that, “no one want’s to hire a gimp”, sending him into a spiral. He talks about how being on meds for so long, he is now addicted to the drugs. Whether the two can be related, I’m not sure. He also says that he has until the 15th before he is kicked out to only the street. The old homeless shelter is closing down then and he is already not allowed in the new one. The owner of the new one physically abused him two years ago and will not let him in ever again as long as she is running it. After that date, he only has his tent to sleep in and with the winters getting worse, he doesn’t expect to live to see the spring. At this point, all that is keeping him from suicide is the fact that if he does kill himself, to him, that is what determines whether or not he’s going to hell. He goes to church every sunday but the light is not quite clicking for him yet. It was the first time I had ever begun to question a stranger on what he believed and his point of view on God and heaven. As he answered, I gain an understanding of a different, world, sort of view. I was not able to say much more as the shuttle came and took him away to the shelter. I felt hopeless for him in that I may never see him again, possibly missing the only chance I had to tell him the gospel if he did not already see it though me.

Monday was the exam for Church Ministry. I was quite stressed while at the same time, completely calm and at peace about it all. As the exam started, it did not begin easy but became easier as time moved on, which was quite thrilling.

May I just as for prayer towards the completion of the next two papers due before Christmas. That they may be done well and throughly. That I may utilize my time most efficiently (especially with the Canadian Youth Workers Convention this week) and that I may have the courage to tell friends no when need be. Pray that the convention goes well, bringing honour and glory to the Father’s name.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

The Gospel of James interview for Hermeneutics

Here it is...

Kumquats are citrusy! Sorry, no good title came to mind.

This past week was dubbed "24/7 week of prayer". I wasn't bummed out about this. I was fairly excited to have time officially set aside to pray. Yes, many good things came out of this. Hearts were opened up and issues came out for which needed the strength of corporate prayer. I feel that the people here got a better sense of what community is for, and that is, for intercession prayer, encouragement, working through one another's problems, and having people to rely on and have accountability with. To grow closer as a group means growing closer with God individually and as a body.

An interesting thing happened though this week. My time spent in the designated room for prayer was powerful, meaningful, and significant but I must confess that this past week, I have had the most frustrating time praying outside of that room by myself. The thought that continued to cross my mind was, "Oh, I already prayed today so I won't do it now" I feel that throughout this past week, I completely lost my "never-ceaseing" prayer life. It was too often only those set times that I found myself in prayer, thanking God, giving Him the glory and honour He deserves, imploring answers from him, etc. I feel somewhat depressed not having noticed that earlier. One thing I found really encouraging was what happened before or after myself and Jeremy's Adventures in Odyssey times before bed. This scheduling of time to fellowship together has allowed for connections, confessions, and prayer with each other. He has been a great encouragement in this way.

The school work this past week has been dumped upon us like a draping fishing net in water. It sort of surrounds you, encapsulates you from every angle, and creates difficulty to get out of. Some people have found rips in this net which I think lead to a deeper, darker and less helpful part of the ocean. I however have managed, by the grace of our Lord, to not only get done what is asked of me but with effort of trying to see how it may apply to who I am and my future. Trying to answer questions like, "Will furthering my studies in this contribute or create some foundation to what I may want to do later on?" or "How can I see myself working these ideas or using them in furthering the kingdom?".

This morning at church was the first time that I engaged conversation with someone. The other times have usually been the initiation of others wanting to get to know us Kaleo's. Boy, what a man to have talked today. His name is Dick Robinson. His wife, Doris, died recently and he was having difficulty coming home with no one to talk to. He told me that it was during world war II, 1945, bombs dropping all around, when he met her in the army. I was at a loss from the few words I usually have and had difficulty conversing with him. I feel more and more that I have really been struggling with this inability to engage in conversation, communicate, relate, ask questions, talk to people, even people I know though not well.

I ask that your prayers may include a strengthening of my prayer life, never-ceasing. Pray that I may continue to not only finish my assignments and do well on them but also engage into what I am studying. Pray strength and courage for myself with words to say and questions to ask to all whom I come in contact with, loving them while talking with them.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Flooding in neighbouring communities,

Local neighbouring flooding is causing evacuation. Many people have bee affected by this by my heart goes out to those broken people in Duncan that I have associated with on Sunday evenings. I know one man in particular whose home happens to be the ground under a tarp within a low elevation area of the town. I worry about this man whose name is James. He's seventy years old. Please send many of your prayers to God lifting up these people. They need it, for some literally have nothing else.

Mark

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Hundreds+told+evacuate+heavy+flooding+hits+Duncan+Cowichan/2247006/story.html

Hundreds told to evacuate as heavy flooding hits Duncan, N. Cowichan

BY SANDRA MCCULLOCH AND JEFF BELL, TIMES COLONISTNOVEMBER 20, 2009 9:12 PMCOMMENTS (1)

• STORY
• PHOTOS ( 4 )

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NORTH COWICHAN, B.C.: NOVEMBER 20, 2009 The mid-Vancouver Island municipalities of Duncan and North Cowichan have declared a state of emergency and issued evacuation orders due to extensive flooding that began early in the morning on Nov. 20., 2009. Several streets and fields are underwater, such as this area near Lakes and Beverly roads.

Photograph by: KEVIN ROTHBAUER, Canwest News Service

NORTH COWICHAN — Heavy flooding caused by relentless rain and high tides have forced hundreds of people to flee their homes in the Cowichan Valley.

Early Friday a state of emergency was declared for North Cowichan, Duncan and Cowichan Tribes land after residents awoke to rapidly rising waters.

“We barely got out of here,” said Rob Kloosterman, as he carried two yowling cats to dry ground from his home on Beverly Street in North Cowichan.

When his wife woke up at 7 a.m., everything was normal, he said. But half an hour later, neighbours knocked on his door, and Kloosterman saw his Cobble Hill taxi vehicles were almost underwater. “When I left in one cab, I had three inches of water inside on the floor.” Inside his house, “things are bad. There’s four inches of water everywhere. It’s sad, very sad.”

Over on Trunk Road, the high waters came earlier.

“We got a phone call at 4:30 a.m. from our neighbour and she was flipping out,” said Chris Halpin, clad in hip waders, standing on a dry part of the street. “The water was up to here, no word of a lie,” he said, holding his hand about a metre above the ground.

Neighbour Bill Bowers awoke to see water flowing through his garage. Then, his hot tub was picked up and carried across his yard.

The flood was almost too much for Tina Baker, 30, who lost nearly everything from her Heather Street rental property. “I just went through a divorce, I just went through back surgery two weeks ago — what do you do?” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Her sons, ages three and five, were upset at the loss of favourite toys. The family’s cat is missing. Her dad died in 2003 and the belongings he left behind are underwater, she said.

The first flood waters began flowing Friday morning when a creek that runs into Somenos Lake overflowed. Since the Cowichan and Koksilah rivers are both running high, as are creeks that feed them, when high tide came, water went over the banks.

North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP Const. Ed Power said homes on many streets were under water. In some of the worst-hit areas along Beverly and Heather streets, search-and-rescue crews helped to evacuate homes.

North Cowichan spokesman Mark Ruttan blamed the flooding on “a lot of rain combined with some high tides,” and said crews were busy building sandbag barriers and dikes.

The Cowichan Community Centre offered coffee and a place to rest for people from about 300 homes.

There have been no reports of injured or missing people.

Flooding forced Cowichan Valley school district to close two schools, Alexander Elementary and Quamichan Middle School, which are side-by-side on Beverly Street. Quamichan has 370 students and Alexander has about 120, said Jason Sandquist, the district’s assistant secretary-treasurer. “The water is right up to the doorways of the schools,” Sandquist said Friday afternoon.

The schools were empty but the sound of shovels scraping pavement filled the air as volunteers loaded sandbags in the school parking lots. “This is the worst it’s been since I’ve been here, almost 60 years,” said Bill Mann, a school district carpenter.

By noon, water levels had begun to fall, but more rain is forecast for today, and high tide will be mid-morning. Ruttan noted the evacuation order has not been lifted and he expects the state of emergency to remain for a few more days.

Friday afternoon, the province announced flood victims in Cowichan, Nanaimo and Comox, which flooded earlier this week, would be eligible for disaster financial assistance, which covers 80 per cent of claims exceeding $1,000.

jwbell@tc.canwest.com

smcculloch@tc.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Video

Our Old Testament video assignment is up on the blog at kaleoseven.blogspot.com

A blast from the past-OT Lit.

Sir Don Taylor came by this week and tossed a tongs fill of burning coals in my lap. Hot, scorching coals of desire for more information on Old Testament Literature.

My expectations were low for this class at the beginning which I dub as something to be good in this case. It made for a greater increase of love for what Don invited us to learn. Even as I read scripture for pre-class work, I was gaining an appreciation for what this course was going to teach me. Because we discussed the entire OT in the time period of only a week, the depth was not, how would I say this, "deep enough". Though it gives me hope in that now I see clearly what I can learn through self studying of scripture by using the major and minor points that Don taught. I can hardly wait before getting time to read large passages of OT text and applying what I learned in my on studies.

During this class, we were asked to put together a film of the entire OT in an overview. The task was not exactly difficult but took a fair amount of time to conclude. The fun of acting and watching what other classmates ideas were made this assignment well worth finishing and hopefully it will make its way onto the kaleoseven.blogspot.com page. Here's a couple of photos

Lighting of the torches

Emma Furfarro

Group photo

Warrior pose

Jeremy Derksen

This last photo is essentially the most epic. Not only is it quite intense and almost straight out of something like the movie 300, but he is by far my best friend here. My first impression of Jeremy was when he was helping others carrying bags and I was already unpacked and just standing in the foyer. He walked by and introduced himself as Jeremy and I just stood there starring at him as he walked by. Not a great start to the year. His first impression of me was that I hated him because I didn't say anything and only starred at him. Pretty funny now. We have had some great conversations since then. Really, the first and definitely best one was when we were scheduled for night watch on the Pacific Grace during the week of sailing. It was a chilly, cloud scattered, moonlit night. Like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean, and we just poured out our testimonies to each other. Since then we have been able to have some devotions together, scripturally encourage each other, pray for one another, and have some great and crazy time like filming a movie about God.

This weeks prayer requests: I feel too comfortable. In some ways this is good. I am usually on schedule as far as homework goes. But in the beginning of the year, not being completely comfortable gave me more of a dependancy on God. I now feel like that dependancy has begun to lose its focus on God and shift. Pray that God challenges me or does something to bring back my focus and dependancy on Him. Also, that the friendship between Jeremy and I may flourish and strengthen to something like David and Jonathan, that is may hope and dream. Throughout this semester I have had a burden for the homeless and broken people in surrounding communities as you may have received through past blog posts. I hope do be helping them out through the rest of my life time in whatever place physically or job wise that I am in. What I'm getting at is that I have declined the olympics and will not be joining most of the Kaleoers on that missions trip. I believe I have felt the just Lord's calling towards some other kind of street ministry. We are unsure of the exact location at this time but it could be anywhere form Victoria to Mexico. There has also arisen the possibility that I may go to India after all as well. A Kaleo alumni group will be returning to India in the late April early May time of year. We have not much more knowledge than that to say though. Pray for the Lord's will be done.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Mark

Reading break, or cup of sake? I think I'll have the punch.

sake 2 |ˈsäkē| (also saki or saké)nouna Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice, traditionally drunk warm in small porcelain cups.
Actually sake has nothing to do with anything that has happened here but when trying to come up with a rhyme, this is what I got.
So yes, this was reading week. Many, were the plans that I had for this week. Travel here, go visit there. Yes, wonderful ideas, but alas, they are still ideas. What did I spend my week doing then? Well, reading of course. Writing pages for hermeneutics. Being as what Jim continues to call us, "far to studious". I know there are people who, right now, think I'm a ditz. I agree, but plans fell through. I think learning to roll with the punches is one thing God has been teaching me every once in a while lately. You still get bruised, maybe a little trickle of blood, possible loosen up a tooth or two. Though, when your face is in the mud, your able to see it differently. When your on the ground, sore, tingling with hurt, you realize you can get up. You've learned something. Something no one else know. Something you can't explain. It seeps throughout. Morphs within you. It does not consume your body, but you know, its their somewhere. You don't worry about it, you don't complain. You relax, it's apart of you and you don't mind. It excretes it's fruit through what you do and how you think. People begin to notice. Somethings not as they had seem it to be before. They ask. You think. The answer is difficult. Difficult because it is part of your life now. Yet easy. Easy in your mind. You see it crystallized. But it can be explained not. Not how they would understand it. All you know...is that its better. So much better than who you were before. I love being punched in the face by Jesus. Sometimes. Because getting the lights punched out of me usually means getting them replaced with a couple energy efficient CFL's. And just like the market of lightbulbs, theres always some people who are not totally convinced they really do what they say. So, after that analogy, how many more people think I've gone and jumped of the ditz end. Nevertheless, I did have a share of adventures. A day stroll about Victoria, an all morning walk in the downpour, some fooseball. Quite good, quite good. Yet with all of that time, there still seems to be more work to be done. I ask for prayer, that I may have focus. It doesn't matter how isolated I am, my mind can still resist concentrating on my work. Even this blog, I think it has been over an hour since I've begun. And just to prove how hard I've been trying, I've sent along some pictures...
Soli Deo Gloria
Mark

Everything this week was just “swell”

Monday morning we packed up and drove up to the lovely little town of Ucluelet(pronounced exactly how it is spelled, U-clūe-let). That afternoon, we spent a little while at a lighthouse where we watched waves crash upon the shore with almighty force. Jim later lead myself and several others to what is known as “the blow hole”. A crevice of rock at the edge of the ocean that funnels in the briny swells to a point where the water has no where to go but up.

The next morning I woke up to a day like no other. To list it off: Woke up, read some Bible, ate breakfast, headed down to North Chesterman beach to watch the Cold Water Classic - a professional surfing competition,

then came back for lunch, pick the rest of the group up for surfing at South Chesterman beach, had the most amazing time hittin’ the waves, and them hitting me,

stopped in Tofino on our way back, went in a surf shop and they gave us a near #1 pizza I’ve ever had while also getting some John Henry’s(that’s autographs of several pro surfers), met Mark Matthews who has one of the top 5 records for largest wave surfed being 42 feet high,

waiting for the rest of the group to come together in a coffee shop I obtained a free latte, then came back to the church we were staying at and told my testimony to the Kaleo’s.

God has just provided me with such an amazing experience. I hope to remember that day forever. Essentially, it should be that start of when things really get a movin’. The gates to the center of my being have been opened wide, transparency has settled in, and I wait so see what God’s next move is.

Saturday was ye ol’ Hallowed eve. Several Kaleo’s and myself dressed up in Winnie the Pooh characters. They got me to dress up as Pooh and of course my attire was not the original yellow and red but the natural brown and brown. We headed over to the costume contest in Crofton and entered for the family group. Our chances were good, cash prizes down to third place and only four groups. Not only that but our group was the only one co-ordinated and the elderly judges giggled as we walked passed. Through a glitch in fate and a miscommunication, we came in fourth place because we didn’t have “mummies and daddies”. Oh well, we hit the town, filled our pockets, and it ended with an experience I’ve never had before with friends.

As for prayer; that God’s move will be clear - either to me or to those around me, that the assignments that are due soon may not compiled without the input of God’s voice - that what I do is what is from God, and that I may continue initiating friendships or allowing others to initiate friendships with me.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Hermeneutics was indubitably a fairly good time

That’s right, I enjoyed hermeneutics while still being challenged by the words of Merrill Dyck. Having to do an assignment every night for him was stressing some nights and little time was spent getting anything done for our large essay for Spiritual Formation.

Oh!, it was last Sunday evening when the male intern(Justin Lenny) drove a couple of us Kaleo’s down to Duncan where the young adult’s leader from a local church meets with young adults from his church. Duncan has a large native community, and this group that meets focus on helping the poor and broken in Duncan which happens to be mostly those natives. We joined them for the night in which an experience of awesomeness. A native woman speaking her heart to Justin, myself, and two others, saying the absolute protection and safety she felt with us while we prayed for her after she was beaten up seconds before we saw her, weeping in a park. Just to know that Gentiles can feel the presents of God through us is exciting and inserts a desire in me to help out again and help out more.

This weekend I was signed up to help the Jr.’s Retreat with events. Basically, I was another hand to move stuff around, carry things, hide in the woods as a check point for some games, etc. The weekend went well, other that I was also put in the dish pit (dish pit is what they call washing the dishes) full time for the whole weekend as well. It was not bad but it did not give me any time to do homework.

This morning I witnessed a miracle. Lengths of fuchsia and yellow, separated by stretched puffy clouds, above an undulating dark mountain. All of this overtop calm reflecting ocean waters, filled with life, creating a glorious sunrise.

Our first essay is

due next sunday and with the surfing trip being this week, finding time and getting it done will be the big root of commotion on the proverbial tree. To ask for prayer... that God will guide my mind through how he wants me to work on this assignment and what I am writing. Also, that the weather will co-operate for the surf trip. (By the way, in the case that you didn’t know, on the Kaleo blog, kaleoseven.blogspot.com, there is a schedule of all that we do) The last time we heard, the swells were a beautiful 27 feet high. Perfect for wave watching. There is also a surfing tournament happening at a beach close by so weather un-permitting, we have some great backup plans.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

A bar we saw during the hike

Plans can change but the fun doesn’t stop

This week was we were supposed to take to the water and surf the high seas but the seas rose to high and drowned out our plans. They say eighteen foot wave are not the best for beginner surfers, though I would have been ecstatic to have just strolled around the rocks as the waves crashed against them.

Nevertheless, we set course in a different direction and decided to go on a shopping/caving/swimming excursion that first day. Shopping took place in the grand town of Cooms, B.C., where nicknacks were looked over, ice cream was enjoyed, and goats traipsed upon the roofs.

It was after that when we drove down the road some and came to a large rocky area. There we fastened our helmets, attached our headlamps, and entered the dark and mysterious dwellings of creatures unknown. It gave quite a different outlook towards the work of God’s creation, being my first time in such area of nature. Our clothes received a nice layer of dirt, the girls received a scare or two, and a good time was had by all.

Then, to clean up a bit, we went swimming. The Nanaimo Aquatic Center opened up their doors to us but may have regretted that soon after with the rowdiness in the pool and some of the guys chanting for the water slides to open. ‘Twas and interesting sight and fun to watch.

After a whole and half day of rest it was time for D.T.G.! (Ditch The Girls/Guys/Gender) Us men had an absolutely great time that was filled with manly things that men do with other men. And just to clarify, it was and hour of ice hockey with a departing the ice in a figure skating contest of course. It was a nice mix of experienced and first time skaters. Following was a game of ultimate frisbee and play structure tag. We returned to Jim Badke’s house for slabs of meat, curly fries, and iced cream. We ended the night off with a manly conversation, video games, and for a few of us, a game of rook. Waking that next morning brought an aroma of fresh waffles that topped off our time alone. But it seemed the experience wasn’t quite over when, upon our arrival, we were welcomed into our rooms which had been mysteriously cleaned by the wonderful women of Kaleo, with a poster on our doors of encouragement. My appreciation is not great enough for the thankfulness I have for those girls and what they willingly did for us, and what they all went through(literally) because they were bored that evening(or that’s what they say). I may have kept my area relatively clean but the stories I’ve heard of they other guys, oh boy.

This weekend I am in the midst of trying to finish off assignments that are due this sunday while working just about full time in the dish pit. A women’s retreat is happening now until sunday lunch and as a requirement, we are asked to work two full weekends and two partials. I got the partials out of the way the first weekend of school and scheduled myself to work full time the next two weekends to get it over with, giving myself more time later for homework. This weekend it the first of the two. Cleaning up and washing thousands of dishes over the period of time can become dull and hopeless but that’s way I thank God for reminding me early on of 1 Cor. 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” It sure makes it easier to dirty my hands in other peoples oatmeal and syrup when I remember that this is exactly what God has called me to be doing in service to Him. I have the privilege to not be in that place of wondering what God wants of me as He has laid it so plainly before me. His name be praise for such a blessing during this time in Kaleo. Please pray that I may not loose this focus during the hard and messy times that life with throw at me.

I do believe you have been waiting for some pictures so allow me to try and put some up for you now.

More pictures

Returned have I from the high seas of the Pacific

...and by high seas I mean fairly calm and beautifully weathered. The temperature was wonderful, snowless and positive double digits. Yes, I hear tell back home that the winter transition is being a little hasty. Anyway, the trip in itself was well worth going and I would go back in a heartbeat. Though the wind was not in our favour for the most part, or should I say little wind either way, the ships twin caterpillar engines kept us in a forward motion and desisted us from obtaining cabin fever. Nevertheless, the time was spent well, adventures were had and the food was mind blowing good. Twice did we board our dories and rowed to land for a stretch of legs on solid ground. Some people needed it though those same people had quite the challenge just handling being in rocking boats. We had different tasks throughout the week of which we rotated within. It was either bow watch, radio, standby, at the helm, stern watch, dishes, deck cleaning, night watch or a rotation of all during the corse of a day. I only had one night watch and it was a beautiful time except that that night was slightly overcast for any stargazing. We were allowed to climb the shrouds to the top of the mast and onto the netting ahead of the boat, both of which I did and enjoyed spending time there while I read over the corse of that week The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. I thought it appropriate. The crew members were really swell and I loved talking with them, hearing their stories of how they got to where they are now. The skipper taught me how to use a sextant, the first mate taught me some new songs, some others showed me some rope art and new knots, exciting. God also taught me some lessons on materialism. The first one was that we are not only to take care of what is give to us but not to become selfish and refuse someone whom wishes to use it, expecting it never to return. The second was a reminder not to become attached to what we have, anywhere from jackets, hats, and watches to pens, mandolin picks and touques.

I am currently becoming infected with the illness of a sore throat and bunged sinuses. Please pray that I may have clarity of mind through this time and be able to focus on relationships and homework.

May you be blessed in your times of communal thanksgiving and remember He who provides, Allelujah. Tell grampa Toews that I wished to have gone hunting grouse with him.

Grace and peace be with you all.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Mark Guenther

Post class syndrome

Yes, we have now "started" school and have begun working. This week was of spiritual formation with professor Marv Penner. It went really well but was short and packed because he could only come out for four days to teach. Through this time of education I was stretched in my prayer life as well as my ability to meditate in solitude. I was stoked to learn different things to help deepen my life with Jesus hope to continue doing such throughout this year.

'Twas friday when James Vanderveen, Kaitlyn Cey, and myself were invited to reunite with some of the fellow Cobble Hill attenders in a game of wits (aka study of the bible). It went well as we looked into Mark 2 and tried to determine what Jesus was saying about himself concerning the stories of the changing water to wine and overturning of tables. It was nice to see how others broke down passages and viewed scripture. It was a good time to fellowship with those we would be worshiping with through the months to come.

On Saturday we were asked to spend three hours in a time of solitude and retreat using some of the things we learned in class to fill the time. I, hearing from Kristie Voth, found a magnificent rundown cabin built on piers overlooking the ocean where I spent my time. It was beautifully spent in God's presence and nice to get away for a good chunk of time at the start of Kaleo. That evening was spent at a dance party. The consensus was that Haley and I rocked the house, and by rocked the house I mean kept our mennonite cool and stood at the back the entire time trying not to fall into temptation of sin.

Today started of really well as I woke up, ready to be a blessing in my adopted church. The legendary Lech Bekesza spoke on Mark 7:24-30. Saying that through this story we can see that God's grace is not only for His children but for everyone. The day continued in a slow and boring direction as we returned back to camp to be greeted by a lovely stack of homework. This afternoon especially, I felt the tension of the dragging down of homework, as questions that hindered me from going much further in my work were unable to be answered as soon as I was wanting due to lack of presence by my question recipients. Please pray that I may understand what is needed of me for each assignment and be able to schedule my time wisely.

Well, tomorrow we raise the main sail, hoist the anchor, and cast off in the beautifully crafted Pacific Grace, a 130' schooner. At the moment, God is showing us a week of just sunny skies. Hallelujah. Though I wouldn't mind powering through some 10' swell in a heavy downpour on the briny ocean. Ok, 10' might be pushing it but if I see Jesus on the water, there aint anybody that's going to be stopping me from jumpin' overboard and running to Him. Anyway, if I return, either on the ship or in a big fish, everything should be made right with God that wasn't and I will send another blog.

Soli deo Gloria,

Mark

Another thing...

27/09/09

If you would like updates on the entire Kaleo group as a whole, you can also go to kaleoseven.blogspot.com. This blog already has a description of most of the students and probably will be updated more, especially on group trips. It has some slideshows and videos of our camping trip if there be any interest.

Mark

First Impressions

25/09/09

Well hello folks. Here I am, the first twoish weeks into Kaleo and things have started off with rocks and rolls. Yes, I fell on some rocks, causing me to roll. I’ve also got myself stuck on a rooftop already.

Anyway, safely have Haley and I arrived here at school and fun experiences were had along the way(driving through thick early morning fog, visiting with friends and family, biking and hiking in Squamish, and getting lost on the island after being the last to drive onto the ferry). God safely brought us here and we praise His name for that.

During our first full day of school we had a beach party in the afternoon. It consisted of waterskiing, wake boarding, tubing, getting others into the water, and my favourite, sailing. Much fun was had during this time while we hung out with those people we will be living with for the next eight months.

It was the next couple of days that we really started to buckle down and get to work. That’s right, rock climbing, zip lining, swinging from eighty feet in the air. We were taught the gist of how to suit up and man the equipment while each one of us would also “test” out these activities. We were told that we would be helping out at these stations when guest groups would stay at the camp. One of the evenings we were able to head down to Victoria for any last minute shopping at MEC before our first out trip. While in Victoria we split into several smaller groups in which the group that I was in leisurely strolled along the harbour listening to buskers in the clear sky of eve. By the way, the starts here are magnificent.

Then is was Sunday. Previously we were asked to pray about a list of possible churches in the area to attend for the year. I had chosen Cobble Hill church, residing in a small town called Cobble Hill. The preacher’s name is Lech Bekesza from Poland and their website can be found at cobblehillbaptist.bc.ca. I went with two other Kaleo students and Kristie Voth, the student life leader. We were right away welcomed with open arms and I felt that even though it was said that this church will be challenging to us, I will enjoy getting to know these people and helping them in what ways I can. Please pray for me as I embark on a new adventure with this group, that I may serve them with all my heart but not become overwhelmed that I cannot maintain service to them, and my studies and work here at Qwanoes.

Our first out trip was to Strathcona park. It was a venture consisting of three days and two nights. Our group split off into five smaller groups which took two separate routes to two different camp sites(if that makes any sense). My group and another group hike seven kilometers through gorgeous countryside to a place called Kwai lake. There we pitched our tents, ate spaghetti and cheesecake for supper, and told stories before hitting the hay. The other three groups hiked ten kilometers to a different lake of which we hiked to early the next morning to meet up with them. From there, as one whole group, we hiked to the top and back of Mt. Albert Edward(roughly six thousand feet asl(above sea level)). Coming back down we swapped campsites with the other groups for the night before heading back to our transportation. During this trip I really got to know my fellow hikers in our group, ‘twas a very good bonding experience. I hope that this growing in fellowship will continue outside of these close outings but it will require an effort on my part. Please pray that God will give me such courage to initiate solid friendships. I also saved everyone from a brutal mauling of a black bear(not actually but we did see a nice sized boar)

Right now things are slow. I’ve finished some homework and am finishing others. One think I have ask of God which you may also pray for me, is that I may be able to discern between times to fellowship and have fun, and times to study and do work. We are coming up to due dates and a week of academics which could very well stress me out. Please also pray that I may understand what is needed of me and that what blows over my head during the course, the professor can make it clear to me through the answers to my questions.

As far as ministry goes, I am helping out with this weekends group,Trinity Western University, with activities and kitchen duties. Pray that I may be a witness to them through what I do and how I work. Concerning ministry through Cobble Hill, they are in a transition of buildings so youth group and such will not be starting up for a little while. Pray that when they do start up, that I may plug in well with the people and the kids. Pray that any barriers of resistance be broken and that we may grow as a close family towards the Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

The start, and to boot...

23/09/09

Hi there. This is the start of something I have never done before. Blogging. I usually would not do such a thing but nor would living in B.C. for a year be my normative, though I do love it here. As you can see by looking around this page, there is not much yet but soon should that change.

For now may I just ask that your prayers be for my wisdom in discerning the time to study from the time to fellowship with others. As well may you pray that my heart be directed towards the ministry I am about to partake in with my new church(Cobble Hill), and that I may love the people and serve them in any way I can. I appreciate your concern and prayers for me and may God bless you through my stories for you that have not yet come to pass.

Yours,

Mark