ministry and hermeneutics!

This week we were all in class with prof. Merrill Dyck (not Dick, like I did on one of my papers) learning about hermeneutics. To say the least it was pretty sweet and intense. With hw every night along with tons of pre-course work for OT LIT, post-course work for spiritual formation and even pre-course work for the next class after OT Lit! I don’t think I got to sleep before 1am this week. But this was a week of immense learning and gaining knowledge, it was unbelievable. I don’t think I’ve yet fully absorbed all of what I learned this past week, and I for sure haven’t applied I’ve all I learned to my bible reading. We also got into some pretty heated discussions about some stuff, mainly baptism. If people got into a heated discussions about baptism, just think when it comes to pre-destination!

During the week of class I still was involved in my church and camp ministries. Here at camp I was again in the kitchen cutting up peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and the such. This week a bit bigger than last week’s but not very much so it still wasn’t so bad. Some of the Kaléos did counsel over the weekend. And some again in two weeks for another retreat. Yes we are getting into retreat season until like December, so please keep Camp Qwanoes in your prayers and that everything can go smoothly and we will be either the first encounter they will have with god, or maybe we will be the last deciding factor in their faith.

Pastor Darren is now the senior pastor of Ladysmith Fellowship Baptist. The church seems to be quite happy with him, and God is providing Darren and his family with a home in Ladysmith and three offers on his current house. I think the idea that me and the other kaleos came up with coincides perfectly with Darren coming into the church. Since the “high schoolers” I say that because they aren’t really in high school, more like middle school, but they always go to a Sunday school, and we thought that they should be in service at least once a month and then we could talk to them after the service about what they learned, or what the sermon was about. And with Darren being younger, they will be more inclined to listen.

This week at youth group we watched a movie, and then one of the leaders, Vince, set up three chairs. One for Ellie and I the other chair was for him. The situation he gave us was that me and Ellie were Christians and he was an atheist and we’re on a plane that has 2 minutes left until it crashes and we all die. We were supposed to convert him in that time frame. It’s safe to say that “atheist Vince” is not in heaven. It reminded me that in a few months we will be in the Olympics, sharing the Word of God. Although we can’t do it explicitly, we are able to make connections with fellow volunteers and share them our story, and who knows where it will lead from there?

It was just a reminder that I have no idea what kind of situations I will be thrown into, but that I have to put my full and complete trust in God the Father.

busy week all around

This week was rather unexpected. It all kinda caved in on us. It was supposed to be the surf trip at tofino, but that was canceled due to bad weather and too big of waves. Instead we had a combination of things to replace the surf trip. First we went shopping at “Goats on the Roof” in Coombs. We then proceeded to go caving, which an awesome experience. Singing songs in the cave with all our lights off was pretty sweet. Then on the way to the nanimo pool Kristie who was driving the fifteen passenger stops on a wet wooden bridge and yells, “alright Chinese firedrill” but since no one really wanted to do it, no one moved. A few seconds later there comes a jolt and a loud thud from the back of the van. Justin who had been driving a pt cruiser with a few other students slammed into the back of the van because they weren’t able to stop because of the bridge. Who’s then to blame? Bo. Bo a fellow kaleo student had apparently been praying for a car crash. I don’t know why he was praying for that, but he got his prayer answered.

Another shocker for me was that we had thanksgiving the previous day. The guys had quite the array of dress on. Some in short shorts and tank tops others in semi-formal and others in formal dress. I was among the formally dressed with a few more guys. A good time was had all around by everyone.

Our moderately frequent chapels of which we had two were awesome. These serve as a more personal get-to-know-you time. It’s just a great way to bring the whole kaleo class together both socially and spiritually.

The other event that was planned instead of the surf trip was DTG. Ditch the Gender. The guys went and played hockey, played on a playground, a little bit of parkour, ultimate, grilling your own steaks, ice cream, Mario kart 64. Lastly we had four women come over so as to ask them questions from a girls point of view. This at first seemed a little weird, but it wasn’t as if we didn’t know them, so it all worked out. It was actually a really good talk that gave me a new perspective and how women view Christianity and their role as a woman of God.

Lastly this weekend I had the opportunity to serve in the kitchen and dish pit. I was scheduled for the challenge course (zip line, ropes, giant 80 foot swing, etc.) but it was pouring rain so they didn’t need as many staff. But being in the kitchen really gives you a bigger and better understanding of exactly how much work goes into preparing and making the meals. This weekend we only had 50 in the guest group. Just imagine cooking for 300.

this has been one of the fuller weeks I’ve had since coming here because on top of all this we had homework to do.

Because of my camp ministry I wasn’t able to go to church, but they were voting on the new pastor, hopefully Darren will be voted in. he will bring many talents to Ladysmith Baptist that they having been lacking for a while. In all I think that all of kaleo needs prayer for patience and calmness with our hermeneutics class starting tomorrow, the girls fighting bed bugs, our homework for the next few classes, our church and camp ministries and our personal walk with God. Keep these in mind.

-Ben

kaleo ministries

So this past week due to thanksgiving (i know thanksgiving in October?) there was no youth group this week, which was quite fortunate because we were just returning from our S.A.L.T.S sailing trip. this whole past week we were on a 130 foot schooner on the pacific ocean sailing. although we didn't get to see any whales, we did see seals and porpoises. It was another opportunity to get closer and bond with the other kaleo students and with God. looking out on top of a 80 foot mast and seeing God's glory is quite an experience. just being able to be in an even closer community then back here at camp qwanoes with other christians is just an awesome time for learning and growing.

today we were invited to eat with a couple from church, who their daughter was a previous kaleo student. luckily they had thanksgiving yesterday and so we had basically a thanksgiving meal. it served as good get-to-know you and a more familiar face in the church. I honestly don't think that getting to know people will be a problem. Ladysmith is a very friendly and welcoming church, so being an outsider has already started to dissipate.

unfortunately our surf trip has been postponed until who knows when. the only good that comes of this is more studying time, if you can call that a good thing.

Church Ministry

Our trip to the nanaimo pool went swimmingly, the kids weren't hesitant at all, they just dove right in. It was really fun, all the kids are quite out-going, not a single shy kid. At the pool, one of the other Kaleos, Katie, attempted a dive off the high dive, and wound up doing a belly flop. i went next and did a half-graceful dive, but when i came up, my swim suit had two huge tears in it, luckily nothing was showing, except my chicken legs. I consequently spent the rest of the time in my towel.

these kids are quite easy to like, albeit a little off-the-wall, but they give so much love to you, it's hard not to love them back. This past friday we were at the church for a "normal" youth group, which consisted of pictionary, relay races, shaving cream and corn pops, eating food off fishing line, and shrink wrapping all the kids. Safe to say that all the kids and leaders had a blast, and that i look forward to the next youth group.

Because of the kids' love and quick acceptance of us, hopefully we will be quick to be the influence and the role models that these kids need in their lives, to see what a man or woman of God looks like.

Our church is in transition since they have had an interim pastor for the past several months, and today they had a prospective, but from what i can see, the new pastor at Ladysmith baptist. Please pray for the church to follow God's leading and prompting on whether or not to accept Darren as senior pastor.

On a more home front base for me, we had Trinity Western University leadership group come through last weekend. I was set to help out with the kitchen in the morning, not knowing it was a 7am start. Me and 7 in the morning don't go together real well, so i ended up waking up at 9am (missing 8:30 breakfast). fortunately i was able to help out after lunch with cleanup, which actually worked out because another kaleo, who will remain nameless forgot to go to her shift.

Off to SALTS!