Terminus

Thank you So much for praying, don't feel you need to stop.

(James, Lech, Mark, Kristie, Kaitlyn)

Done

Life at home...with Mark Guenther

Twas my birthday today and I thought it appropriate to give this time to you in sharing my thoughts and experiences thus far. This has just been copied from the kaleoseven blog page.

My flight upon return consisted of sleep and tears, sad for such experiences that I would never have with you again. Kaleo is a once in a life time opportunity, yes, but it is also an experience that will only happen once in our live in such a way that it did for us. Never again will life be the same as it was during Kaleo. The years beyond can become terribly worse if we are lazy, selfish, slobs as is the world or can become unimaginably far better than anything experienced in Kaleo through every single aspect if we work hard and serve in the way that God has called us to where we now live. Not to say that it will not have its share of strains and difficulties but it will not be comparable to the tragedy that comes with not being like-minded with Christ.

My time home has not been that different to the time I spent home during the Christmas Break. I have no work schedule to keep me busy nor enough time home to settle down and organize my stuff. My room has never looked more worse than it does right now, half of it would usually be kept in storage but knowing I will need to pull everything out in a week leaves me with the thought that I will keep it in a place where I know someone will not move it and loose it. Last year I was working during this time so it didn't feel weird when people were still in school but now that I've come home from school and have nothing to do, it has been difficult to spend time with friends who are either working or in school. Being out of the loop with my friends has left me where I usually miss the get-togethers and having to leave so soon for tree planting has not given motivation for either them or I to get back into the loop of contacting and informing on such happenings in Steinbach. One of my best friends and another friend are still in New Zealand for education and so that leaves me with less than a handful of close friends to talk with.

Most of my mornings post waking up are spent training for tree planting. It usually includes a run and some specific exercises. I have spent some time with my youth pastor who has planted before and he has introduced me to the some of the best and most efficient techniques of planting. This has been a great help in how to prepare both physically and mentally for the adventure ahead of me. The more I focus on the physical aspect of training, the more I understand the challenges and struggles I can and probably will be facing, mentally as well. I am leaving on the 11th of May with training on the 12th and a probable start date being the 13th. For the next 3ish months I will be put through the most difficult scenario I have ever faced. I view this worse than being enrolled into the military (I would far rather go through such boot camp, that would be fun compared to this). I have no idea weather my body will hold up, or my mind. I doubt I will die, Ha, and some days I am really really excited for this but the only logical way that I will make it to the end of this summer is to trust in the Lord and receive the strength that comes from Him. My hope is that when I see many of you this fall, that I will be able to say just that. Much of my excitement for wanting to go comes from my desire to see how God's will unfolds in me through this, what He teaches me and how this forces me to grow in Him.

Large amounts of the rest of my time at home have consisted of golfing (broke 100 every game thus far), reading books (Scripture Alone by R.C. Sproul, Forgotten God by Francis Chan, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton), reading my way through Isaiah, and praying for you guys. I am overjoyed to say that I have continued quite regularly to read God's word and pray. Looking back at the 2 weeks I have already spent at home, it would definitely not have been as good without it. Staying in the word has made this time bearable, I would have been too much of myself in the bad sense to have enjoyed this time home to rest and have good conversations with both you guys and people here. Looking ahead in the week and seeing nothing planned makes me excited to have time to just sit and read and pray. But that is rarely how it ends up, isn't it. The next day comes and as soon as I wake up, because my dad knows I'm not working he fills my days with work to do around the house. So no, I don't have a steady job right now like some of you where time to read scripture is cut down some, but yes, the devil still tries to draw me completely away from devoted time with God with distractions. Not to say jobs or my dad is a tool of Satan but if we never set time aside to devote that which is God's back to Him, then something has a grasp on us and we need to break free with God's gratuitous grace. May we never forget our first love.

"Who amoung you fears the Lord

and obeys the voice of his servant?

Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God." Isaiah 50:10

Soli Deo Gloria

Last one?

Well, because there is no due date for any more blogs, my last one should be coming tomorrow. I'll need more time to conclude this blogging experience well.

WHITEWATER...floating

We were given the hopes of whitewater kayaking this week. It turned out to be a float parade down the local water street. I have had some experience with class 4 rapids but even those who had a fear of going before hand came back some disappointment of how wild those rapids actually were. I realize there is nothing that can be done with how the river chances from time to time but personally, I would have far rather stayed back and worked on our last paper and project before the years end; mostly because of a painful strain in my neck due to carrying the kayaks down to the stream. (I've recovered since then)

I have been working on my homework every waking moment otherwise. Not so fun, a 2200 word essay for Christian Worldview and a creative project for Field Education. They're both coming along and I should be done them by Sunday night so I can have the entire last week free for mischievous behavioural ideas (I doubt it, it's me, Mark Guenther).

I am still stoked to leave this Kaleo program but looking ahead to what can feel like an unknown levels out my feelings. Super excited for peoples family to start dripping into the camp atmosphere and begin to meet faces with names. There is a retreat this coming week before graduation, I'll let you know how this week goes next blog post (the last blog post). Until then, keep fit and have fun with Hal Johnson and Joanne McCleod. Pray that we may finish the last week well and focus on Jesus through everything we do.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

P.S. Check facebook for surfing pictures, I've given up remembering

The truth I was taught in elementary, junior high, and high school were lies.

This week we studied Christian World by Cal Macfarlane. It was different then what I was expecting; both good and bad. Because it turned out to be more of a philosophical class then what I initially thought, a lot of what what was taught flew right over my head. It took much time to understand the idea of the main theme I would classify the course as difficult because of this lag to me. Nevertheless, I understood a great deal about where the world has derived its mindset and way of thinking and how Christians need to break free from that fast-paced current of destruction.

One of the topics that we discussed was 'What is truth?' and how the modern way of thinking has taught me all growing up that facts are truth. False. Not all facts are truth but truth can be facts. Truth is Jesus. There is no other way to put it. What we learn, the things we know, they are not truth, they are simply facts; and those facts that do not point to Christ are not true.

We had the last bridge last sunday so this past sunday I went back to Duncan in the evening with the homeless ministry crew. I have been thinking lately and I am not sure why God wanted me to go that night, maybe just to be reminded of what I did all first semester. We may see.

I ask that you would pray that I continue to seek guidance, advice, sustenance from the Lord as Kaleo winds up. I don't want to leave the friends here not knowing when I will see some of them next but I am ready to leave this place. In the words of Bilbo Bagends, "I think I am quite ready for another adventure."

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

P.S. I'm still working on those surfing pictures, hold on.

Meh

So this last week incorporated the adventure of surfing once again. It was a wonderful time though I was not able to enjoy the second day of surfing due to a pain in my shoulder. Nevertheless, the time spent on the furthest west of coast was great.

As far as what has been happening in my life lately, it has all been quite bland. The food, the weather, my thoughts, and ambitions. There is little motivation to finish off the year within the three week time period. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to learning what Cal Macfarlane has to teach us this week and for the times of fellowship with friends before we disperse. The educational focused year is winding up and I'm ready for Kaleo to be done. I want to continue with my life, I want to get out of this bubble of a greenhouse and move on. I love it out here, I don't miss Manitoba, though I do want to reunite with friends and prepare for tree planting.

This last Sunday, the youth lead the morning service which went really well. It was also the last Bridge of the year. The time that was spent helping with the Bridge and fellowshiping with the community of Cobble Hill Church was quite a growing experience as far as being so connected with everyone. Being apart of that community taught me what a tight interconnected body of believers means and looks like in a 21 century church setting.

I could use prayer for the energy to serving these last weeks. The focus to be studying both school work and the Book intertwined. For excitement with people, for people and to continue to engage in people's lives before the Kaleo exodus.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

(surfing pictures coming soon)

The orb of confusion (the continuation within the 'off' position)

Sure, this last week has had its fills of adventure and fun like snowboarding, rock climbing, bouldering, steak, races, gospel's exam and paper, camp ministry paper, cutting my hair, etc. but the lesson of the week comes from last night.

Missing The Bridge last week put me in a position where I had no idea what was going on this Sunday. The entire week I was fretting over whether I was supposed to do something for the Bridge or if someone else had taken care of it. It came to Sunday morning and I was hoping that Lech would come talk to me about that night but he never did. I confronted him after the

service and by the end of the short and rushed talk that Lech he gave at me (yes, 'at', that's how any conversation happens with him), all I found out was that we were practicing for the Brid

ge at 4:30 that night. When the afternoon passed and the time to practice came, nothing more was settled and I sat before the preparing worship team and began to read The Cost of Discipleship for the second time in about 2 years. Thirty minutes before the Bridge started and I am still sitting on the same chair, reading Bonhoeffer, feeling lazy, not wanting to help with anything, and not looking forward to serving that evening. At this point, I came across Bonhoeffer writing how the grace that Jesus gives us costs us everything and how living a life by grace that is cheap leads to damnation. He talks about how it is tough to serve, to live the life that God calls us to, and easy to dilute His commands, to let life drift by. Quite shortly after that, a rough schedule is put into my hand with the request to chose prayer, scripture, and people to lead us into these things. Though it did not come easy to do this task, I was quite glad to have just been hit with such wise direction that it made the evening bearable and beneficial. I have been trying to keep those words in my head ever since my "epiphany" and am hoping that reasoning for such living will n0t leave me.

Please pray for a strong life serving attitude to continue within me. Pray that I may be able to show and explain such a lifestyle to believers and unbelievers alike. Pray also for safety as we head out surfing this week once again. Whoooo!

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

P.S. I have hated my long hair ever since I started growing it over a year ago. I very much

disliked the last surfing trip so I cut it off myself before this one. Here's my artistic abilities:

Before-

After-

If you are not firm in faith, will will not be firm at all. (Isaiah 7:9)

The events of this past week are know to some of you, though I will fill everyone in with my side of God’s story in my life.

Before last weekend I received an e-mail from my mother saying that my grandfather on my father’s side will probably not live past the weekend. He recently had surgery and his physical state after that point did not want to recover. For the next several days I continued with pre-course work with this issue rising up in my mind periodically. His body became extreamly tired and communication and even acklowledgement between the family and him decreased to nearly nothing. One day while he was the most disalusioned and unresponsive, my mother sat by his side alone. As she began to sing Great Is Thy Faithfullness, he hears her voice, opens his eyes, turns his head towards her, and stares at her watching her lips as she continues to sing until the last verse. As she stops, she says to her, “God is still good, isn’t He?” My mother replies with, “He sure is” and he returns to the state that he was in before. Through the pain and the agony that this journey entailed for him, we believe God protected his mind from what could have been. Even the medical staff were amazed as how he lived his last couple of days. I got a phone call Monday after class knowing full well what news was comming to me. My grandfather died at 3:05pm that day.

We were privilaged to receive this week’s class, studying the gospels, with Mr. Wes Olmstead. An amazing man he is and being gifted with such an intelligent mind, I was honoured to study under him. Studying the gospels gave me such light to main theams, message, and mission of Jesus. Being able to see stories of Jesus side by side the other gospels and finding out why some authors change, add to, or not have at all a story about Jesus gave me useful insight in how to better read scripture. The main piece of knowledge that I received from that class is why and how to live a life completely devoted to God. What is better than to keep the words of Jesus and glorify God in this life and the next because of it. Tools complementing this idea were gained all throughout the week

I left Thursday afternoon along with Haley(my cousin) to catch our flight back home for the funeral the next day. The day of the funeral was difficult to grasp the reality having to wait a couple years to interact with my grandfather again though, since he was first diagnosed with the tumor on his liver and esspecially this last week and following days, I have been swamped in an excitement and joy for him to be in a place he has been desireing for many a year. My tears came when thinking about the events of my life that I would have wished for him to be closer for and for those who loved him dearly and would have a tough time living with his absence. As one of his grandsons who may not have hung out with him often enough, I knew him well enough to know that he lived the most God fearing and hounoring lifestyle that I have ever see on a personal level. I was one of several who was asked to give a tribute at the funeral. I post now the words that I spoke then:

Who was Ralph Guenther to me, he was grampa. He was a man whom in my mind never looked back. Rather, he looked forward to what had not yet come to pass. He worked hard for a solid financial state, taught his children morals of honour and Godly ways of living, and he desired that his grandchildren that would walk in the ways of Jesus Christ. Grampa was a man who may not have lived a perfect life, but nor have any of us. Though through all that he did, his aim was for righteousness. “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss of the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Phil. 3:7-11). Grampa knew what this life entailed. He knew that it would have its challenges and trials but he also knew what it would take to live through them as he lived in the kingdom of God. As Matthew writes in his gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”” (Matt.13:51-52). Those who study God’s word, as we know full well that grampa did, train in the kingdom of heaven by living according to how the treasures of both the old covenant and the new covenant have instruct us to live. As for the old covenant, remember Jesus’ words as he says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:17-18). Jesus says this as he presents the new covenant not only by the words that he speaks here in the sermon on the mount but through his life as well. The entire gospel of Matthew presents this overall theme of eternal life both future and present through the key word of righteousness. We are not saved by acclamation and verbal acceptance of Christ. Rather, it is by how we live the remaining days of our lives in response to God’s glory by the goodness that he gave us through death on a cross. “And from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17). John here echoes what is written in the Old Testament scriptures, “And God said, ‘I will make all my good ness pass before you and will proclaim before you m name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (Exodus 33:19). It was not hard to see grampa live every aspect of his life in light of God’s goodness that God revealed to him. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Phil. 1:21-24). Grampa has died and left. He has gain far greater than he ever could have received here on earth. During the time that he was here on earth, his presence was necessary on the account of those he lived with and came in contact with. He now lives in the presence of the All Mighty. How do I now carry on his name? First I need to ask, ‘What named did he bear?’ I know for a fact by the way he lived his life that the name he bore was Christian. In Greek, Christian literally means “little Christ”. Therefore, as grampa took upon the yoke of Christ, so too shall I carry the same yoke. The name of Ralph Guenther will fade away like the flower. “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Ps. 103:15-19). Thus, to me at least, for this entire procession not to end up in vain, I am to carry on the name of Christ, not just by what I acclaim with my lips but how I step within the footprints of Jesus with my life. For only then will I find true comfort and peace. “For thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an over flowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounce upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; you bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.” (Isa. 66:12-14).

Please pray that I may still be able to collect my thoughts in a way that makes sense with this significant change in my life. Pray that myself specifically but that all of the family my see the glorification of God's name in what we have experienced. Pray also that I may be able to get done the papers that I have a slightly less time to work on as well as the gospels exam coming up that I need much time to study for. I thank you greatly for the prayers that you have already lifted up to God on my behalf.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Reading Break: Round 2

This past week has been packed with adventure like a can of tune with nothing to wait for but the smell of mayonnaise. On 3rd of March, a small group of us Kaleos went to duncan and walking near a used book store I entered in and found an old poetry book by Robert Service. I recognized his name through seeing some of his work on the Mt. Washington ski trip and so I added the book to my bookshelf here in my dorm. The next day several of us boys hiked up to the top of Mount Zuhalen in the evening to catch the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen descend behind the mountain range on the other side of Duncan. After we hiked down, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up some necessities such as steak strips, beans, alphagetti, peppers, havarti, and some goat cheese. Upon arrival back at camp, we made some bannock dough and hiked for another 40 minutes to "The Point", a rocky outcropping at the edge of the ocean. We settled down on a nice large rock where we made a fire and ate a gourmet steak dinner, far better than anything camp has to offer. A further distance up, away from the attracting fragrance of food, we set our sleeping bags down and slept under the wonderful array of stars. Waking the next morning with dew on our faces and a warm sun overcoming the mountainous horizon we hiked back to camp for breakfast and to prepare for the vans leaving for Mystic Beach shortly after. Now Mystic Beach is a beautiful place which requires a 30 minute walk through a wonderfully forested area on dirt paths and steps carved our of a 150 yard tree with a chainsaw. Then you get to the sandy beach with large, climbable boulders and caves to your right and a waterfall to your left with ocean everywhere in front and forest behind. We spent much of the day there, exploring, on the rocks, playing frisbee or soccer. The next morning I woke with Tim Everett and rushed down to the dock to see another glorious sunrise. Not one that consisted of as many colours as what I've seen but rarely does the sun rise over the mountains here where it is not blocked by clouds as it rises over the mountain top, today it did.

All of these days have been filled with sun and warmth. It has made it difficult to get homework done but homework is being accomplished nevertheless.

The Lord has also been gracious to me this past week and in very short time from applying, I was accepted onto a tree planting crew based out of Prince George, B.C. with a solid Christian foreman.

This week, the interactions I have had with people in a relaxed and natural setting have been well needed and beneficial for continuing to grow as a community. I have felt very comfortable with all the people here at camp lately and am quite enjoying everyones company. Maybe I've just had too much sun. Pray that we will be ready and equipped for Gospels coming up this week and that our friendships may continue to grow strong and Christologically.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Mexico: Dangerously Exciting

Hello again! I have safely arrived home from Mexico. It was a well needed adventure.

It started with the trials of travel; cancelled flight, lost baggage and a non-English speaking chauffeur. It quickly brought the story to me of Jesus' temptation in the desert before His ministry with the people as God's testing for the qualification of Jesus. All of these troubles worked themselves out through prayer due to the thanks of you!

We spent the first night in Juarez, Mexico at a bible college which hosts several people from the canyon as they partake in classes. The next day we drove down to the base camp of Rio Chico. There we painted both the chapel and the dining hall in fervent Mexican colours: bright orange and yellow. The following day was spent driving five hours to the village of Creel, where we stayed in a hotel, visited tourism shops and ate dinner at Pollo el Gordito (hefty chicken). The day after that was our final day of travel in which we went off-roading with a fifteen passenger van on cliff edges and hiked four and a half hours into the village of Quecivo in the Copper Canyon.

Our time in the canyon was spent carrying bags of sand and gravel down the side of a cliff to mix cement for a fish pond floor and walls as well as trucking large rocks from higher up in the canyon down to be used for a wall. We also made crafts with the children and distributed bags of food to the Tarahumarian people that had travelled as far as three days to receive it.

The work that we did for these people never seemed to have a reason behind it or a use in the near future. We would often only spend about an hour and a half in the morning working until they would break for lunch which wasn't for several hours and then return to work in the afternoon only to work another hour and a half before they called it quits. It was difficult to understand our work during this missions trip to be beneficial to the people there. What they asked us to do would end up with them telling us that what we just did would probably be unusable or a long time before it is completed (we had enough man power but there was no motivation by the Mexicans) It was only about half way through the trip when God revealed Habakkuk 3:17-19 to me through a morning devotion time. This verse helped me to realize the importance not on what we do physically for the people but rather what we do for the kingdom of God. Another bible passage that was helpful was Hebrews 11:1. To me, this trip meant being faithful to God by doing the work that was asked of me and being assured that what I did would benefit the kingdom in one way or another eventually. Even if the physical aspect of what I did does not create progress, I have hope for their future within my prayers for these people.

The return journey had some adventures of its own. I lost my passport for which God gave us a miracle in bringing it back. Then we came home and I took a retreat on the top of Maple Mountain the next day to think things out.

Please pray that I may continue to understand and process what has happened in my life these past two weeks.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Off to the great cold south...Mexico. (Hovering around 32F)

This past week has been quite the slow moving, uneventful, tarry, good week. It was...Intro to Theology. The classes where mellow, unexciting, and going over most stuff that I already new. My upbringing was just that good I guess. Don't get me wrong though, I loved going deeper from what I believe to why I believe it and where it can be found biblically. I was a well needed course and really helpful, just not as 'upbeat' or 'riviting' as some of the others classes(sorry Jim Paulson, you had your funny moments though). The time in between class was mainly spent on the same old sleeping, eating, and homework. Life as a collegeer. Because of said homework, I have not had the chance to become excited for Mexico still. Nor has there been extravagant amounts of financial support come in. Actually, I'm sitting around $150, just $1100 to go. However, I'm more worried about the other students support than mine. We still have till Thursday so that gives God some time if He need use it.
My continuation of discontent feelings towards the future have stayed the same so here I sit and here I pray. Waiting. Lately I have been pulled to and fro from different options. It is like eating dinner in the hull of the Pacific Grace all over again. Not getting to the point of throwing up, but surely making your head spin.

The Bridge last night worked really well. Lech had very little part in the organizing the set up of it. James and Kaitlyn picked out the songs and I worked at figuring out the prayer sessions and the times of reading scripture. The fluidity of the evening was smooth, even with some things which changed during the progression of last night. I am feeling more comfortable with gathering together the material that is needed to help out everyone with The Bridge.

I ask prayer for the Mexico trip for sure, the safety of travel as well as the connecting with people to gain relationships with them. Pray for the homework needed to be done will be completed well and that the focus on my time scheduling can be heavily enforced when needed. We just received the pre-course work for Gospels - before the first day of class, six books, two major papers, and a couple minor papers need finishing. With Mexico taking up most of the time in between, it will bring great difficulty. Pray that I will not be stressed out over this.

Thank you for prayers thus far.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Mark

Emma is so cool and my mom and Kristie

This past week has been an adventure. You know those times when much was done but little happened. Or could I say, it progressed as time does but the day stood the same throughout the week. I tell you this, Saturday morning with enervate eyes, so it may very well be understood little sense of meaning.

The time that was not scheduled with something or another was spent reading. Reading, reading, reading and what better book to read than Christian Doctrine (slight sarcasm). I very much enjoyed reading about the principles of what I believe but when a large quantity of material is given with a quick approaching deadline, it does not typically endorse the enjoyment that comes with recreational reading. Nevertheless, I had a good learning time.

On Tuesday and Thursday, time was spent within the class of Camp Ministry with Jim Badke again. Two more days of unexcitement were had while trying to understand where this might fit into areas of life that are not held in a camp situation. These past classes were very much applicable to the business aspects of the world and it was helpful to see from a camp ministry perspective.

There is not much to write about this time. Lately I have been feeling a sense of pressure and urgency with the school work that has been given to us. This along with the fact that the Mexico missions trip is coming really quickly. I have had very little thought towards the Mexico trip lately. In the wholeness of everything, my discontent has been with knowing where the Lord wants me, the summer after Kaleo, the next school year, career-wise. Not that I haven't been trusting Him but that I havn't been hearing from God at this point. I have been wrestling with myself in trying to figure out who I am in God's eyes, where I stand before Him, what is my purpose on this earth to bring Him the most glory. Trying to understand my views towards this world and towards what the world believes. (As I write this, I am becoming excited for Christian theology) I find myself in the midst of confusion, waiting, learning, praying.

I ask now that you pray for guidance in my life, clarity of direction, of thought and minor issue belief. I am excited to see what God brings about in the future.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

To shred the gnar or not to shred the gnar?

Yes. This past week was spent on the slopes of Mt. Washington. Monday morning, we wake up at 4:30 am(not too bad, I can handle it) to a power outage(makes the entire morning better, seriously) eat and pack up to head off. Two and a half hours later we arrive at the rental place. Being an avid skier for seventeen years, I questioned the quality of this hill. Heading up the chair lift brought back wonderful memories Guenther family ski adventures. I was excited to be back in a pair of boots in hopes of finding some jumps and fresh powder in the trees. The first day was all un-ridded trails, layered with heavy powder that just got more and more wet as the day moved on because of the falling slush. The second day was an extremely wet day and all powder had been tackled. The third day was a most wonderful day, filled with snowshoeing from the top of the mountain to the bottom, amoungst building snow caves and watching how to relocated Kristie's shoulder(she's doing well). From then on the days got better as far as the snow conditions. The last day was the best with freshly groomed trails, some powder in the trees, the park open, and the sun a-brightly shining. That was the day I hit a few bigger jumps, ground some rails, and did a 360, first time for every one.

The evenings consisted of eating, hot tubbing, and having chapels. The chapels were especially good, encouraging others and agreeing upon a name for every person. I was gifted with the name David for some of the qualities that the biblical David and I share as well as characteristics that I may grow into. To this name I feel that it will be good for this group of people to, in a sense, be 'accountable' to me for the development of growth that this name challenges me with.

It was wonderful to be back in the creation of God, away from the familiar, exploring something new, seeing new, amazing, beautiful sunrises on the side of a mountain with the ocean to my back and good friends to my sides. Overall, this last week was refreshing and rejuvenating.

Yesterday was 'The Bridge' for the second time. It was really good, my part this last time was to publicly pray for a revival of these people. It went well. Almost too well, Lech is really pushing for me to show my "pastoral" skills in the service and authority in the bringing together of the evenings.

This leads easily into my prayer requests. I would like to ask prayer for the strength and courage to take up this position in co-leading The Bridge. For the right words to be spoken in appropriate timing, and for the Lord's will to work through me to glorify His name within this ministry. Also, may you pray for and well completed set of assignments that are due in short time. Projects that are difficult to get content for and the amount of time spent into it...is coming very slowly.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

(sorry for not pictures, I didn't bring my camera. Facebook should have to do)

Slow and steady wins the race?

This past week has been quite the slow and uneventful time period. Amoungst reading books and working on papers, we also had two days in class taught by the Jim Badke himself. We sat through the first couple classes of Camp Ministry with not much enthusiasm. I will not speak on behalf of the others but here are my feelings. I was not excited for this class because of the fact that first, I went to camp for one week previously...loved it...never wanted to go back (it just wasn't my thing), and just coming out of an intense week of missions, my levels of interest were not that high. Fortunately for myself, God gifted me with a good attitude towards these classes and I began seeking ways of apply what I was learning to situations around me, in what I may do, different possible scenarios. It was great. My attention was able to focus on what was being taught and it lead to a more enjoyable time learning.

Ooo, this Sunday was the second "Bridge" of the year and the first one that involved us Cobble Hill Kaleo attendees. I understand so much better what 'the bridge' is after witnessing one. I think the best was to describe it is, an evening service put on by the youth and Kaleo's of Cobble Hill, where anyone and everyone is invited. It helps to develop the leadership skills to lead a church into worship within the company of absolutely anyone. I was asked to invite the congregation into sharing needs of people they know of their own needs for other people to pray for them. This became another of the few experiences of which I spoke in front of a group of people. I was a slight bit nervous for this, mostly for closing in prayer. Praying for much of the time before, it didn't go completely as smooth as I would have liked, nevertheless it did go well.

I have been desiring a stronger fellowship with those members of Cobble Hill. I ask for prayer towards this obstacle, that I may feel compelled to engage with these fine people. Pray also for a comprehension in my studies as this next semester will be heavy laden.

Soli Deo Gloria

Mark

Mission: God-possible

Well, the first week back and it could not have started in a better, more providing, more encouraging, more challenging way. The class was Theology of Mission by a man I knew nothing about, Tim Stabell. To give everyone my opinion of him, his way of teaching was repetitious, long, he isn't really gifted as a fluent public speaker. On this encouraging note may I also say that he was by far my most favourite teacher I have had the privilege to be taught by yet. I write such things because of his deep, deep, love and passion for what he teaches and because he does not just come, teach and leave. He lives out exactly what he is strongly encouraging us to live out, through his class. Stabell's desire for mission and furthering the kingdom of God is so evident in his life that I could not concentrate on anything but his words. I actually gave the analogy once that 'I felt like a sponge soaking up his words, yet too small to soak up enough'. Throughout this week I was feeling a sense of urgency towards my part in the furthering of the kingdom. My desire for overseas missions once again arose but this time it was accompanied by a question of my place as of where I am now. What can I do here at Kaleo to help in the fullest way possible?What will my role be in the short future? It seems I understand my role less when I am here than when I am in Colombia, Rwanda, Burundi, or Myanmar (top country choices at the moment, not in any order). At the end of the week during Missions Fest, the Spirit granted me an answer through prayer, by prayer, of prayer. Simple yes, but not easy. I have always struggled with praying for the un-detailed and as of late, I have struggled praying aloud for situations in which words do not come easily to my mind. I am hesitant to consider this as a sort of spiritual warfare because the lack of feeling depressed as what often comes in dark times.

I did experience a time of prayer freedom as many of the guys gathered on the dock to pray early thursday morning. First of all, the sunrise was absolutely magnificent. Within the top 3 for sure. As we gathered as a group, I was able to pour my heart out in opening up the time to pray. This was a real blessing.

Coming home on the ferry from Missions Fest, 1/2 hour into the ride a elderly man has a heart attack and the ferry is turned around to port back in Vancouver. (The man was safely transported of the ferry, I know nothing more) This made the ferry ride a good 3 1/2 roughly. It was truly good. The extended time to just chill, relax, read, and converse made for a lovely restful time.

There was a cougar on camp property wednesday night. Coolio.

Prayer that I may ask from you would be that I may be able to pray, learn to pray, and to be disciplined in prayer/by prayer/for prayer. Pray also for a leading direction for the future, job(tree planting), next college(briercrest, prairie, ...), possible career(Avant, MAF, Solo, AME, ...), etc. Also pray for this "darkness" to come to pass.