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.