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