Learning to Love

This year God has been teaching and maturing me so much. Participating in camp and church ministry has been an overwhelming contribution to this. 

During our class with Cal Macfarlane, Studies in Christian Worldview, we talked about how a better depiction of one's knowledge and learning is to see what they are learning to love. This better describes where their heart is. 

With this in mind, I have been learning to love relying on God's strength and ability when I do not have it together. Full schedules and last minute plans make youth group and Sunday school an adventure, that's for sure! Whether it's trying to remember all the Bible songs I sang when I was in Grade One, or planning an event or Bible Study, I am recognizing God's hand in everything. 

I have been learning to love growing in areas where I am weak. In seeing places where I need to change I am understanding how my attitude and character needs to be shaped to follow Christ's. At the same time, God reveals his perfect nature to me. 

Most of all I have been learning to love God's gifts. One way this plays out is valuing and enjoying small opportunities for conversation and "shared experience". In working with youth from the Ladysmith community I’ve witnessed the importance of using “one-on-one” instances to connect with youth. In attempting to be intentional in every situation I sometimes have really neat chats with some of the girls.

On a Friday not that long ago three girls asked me what the different between Jesus and God was. Instead of brushing them off or giving them a quick answer so we could get back to doing whatever it was we were doing, I gave it some thought and took time to explain it to them. It was amazing how my time in classes all throughout the year actually assisted me in giving them a full, well-rounded understanding of God’s original plan, the process through the Old Testament, and then Jesus’ entrance as our Saviour and Bridge back to a full life of living with and for God.

It’s always nerve-racking after a discussion like that: Did they catch any of it? Was it over their heads? What did I miss?

Nonetheless, there are not very many things more encouraging than a young girl nodding her head and communicating, “Yeah, I think I get it. It did not make any sense before but I understand better now”.

As I leave Vancouver Island in a few weeks and work with other ministries later, I hope to carry with me the things I have been “learning to love”. I want to continue to look inward and notice things I can improve on, while looking outward to see how I can glorify and serve God by relying on Him and taking what I have been learning and using it to speak Truth into other’ lives. 

Comparing, Contrasting, Applying

Family Night

With the "Say Yes" (After-school Tutoring) Children 

Organizing the Community Centre @ Potter's Place 

During our missions trip we partnered with two ministries: New Beginnings Baptist Church and Potter’s Place Mission, both in East Vancouver where single mother homes, drug and alcohol addictions and brokenness are prevalent. Compared to camp and Oceanview Community Church in Ladysmith, these ministries have many differences, yet similarities can be found between them as well.

One of the greatest differences I noticed between these contrasting ministries in East Vancouver and The Cowichan Valley is the literal approach to being in “full time” ministry. The pastors and even volunteers at New Beginnings are seen at the church daily. It was very common to find them organizing street sales, running programs, talking on the phone, cleaning, and leading prayer meetings and services. Likewise, Potter’s Place has dedicated volunteer staff who appear numerous times throughout the week (or even the day!) to help in their designated areas, or with whatever needs doing. This is very different from ministries like Oceanview and Camp Qwanoes where staff have set hours and are not often found working onsite during their time off. The church is not even open every day for people to be there even if they wanted to!

On the flipside, I see godly people at both places and notice their faith in God to provide their needs, whatever they may be. For camp it could be things like staff and campers, where at Potter’s Place and New Beginnings finances are of great concern.

The things I learned from the missions trip that I can apply to ministries on Vancouver Island are numerous! Some of these include the importance of taking the small opportunities and random conversations to speak truth into children, youth, and adults’ lives. Whether that appears in the form of encouragement, harsh love, or God’s good plan for them, I know that the personal, unplanned times are of great value. I also learned that “just because something is different does not mean it is wrong.” Some approaches to ministry on the Eastside were a little bit foreign to me, yet I know that God uses his followers in unique ways all the time. Similarly, trying new things and thinking outside the set box of North American ministry has its place at Camp Qwanoes and Oceanview Church too. Lastly, I saw the great value—and necessity, actually—of sharing and demonstrating the gospel side by side. Not only do our actions and words have to line up, we also need to boldly proclaim the Word of God.

Overall, this Vancouver trip opened my eyes to see and trust in God’s sovereign plan that includes all. He is in the business of drawing people to him, and also revealing His love and power to them.

His Team

On Wednesday, 15 of our Kaleo group will be leaving for the mainland where we will be working in the Eastside of Vancouver for two weeks. (The rest of our group left this evening for Mexico!). We will be helping an organization that works among street people and with a church doing children's and youth ministry. Our schedule isn't super planned out yet, but there will be lots of things to do while we are there!
I'm looking forward to our two weeks. I know they will stretch me and teach me how to be flexible, for sure. I don't have expectations for the trip, but I know that God is going to do some really cool things in and through us if we are bold and faithful. (Step Out!?)
The best part is knowing that He was in Vancouver before we will get here and he will be there long after we leave. Really we are just joining God in spreading the hope and freedom He offers through Jesus. I am excited to be on Him team.
Thanks for thinking of me. You can continue to keep me in your prayers.

Bits and Bites of Ministry

Before Christmas break I and the other Oceanview Church students headed to Youth every Friday we were available. We had the amazing opportunity to be very involved in some of the activities (leading small groups, helping with games) and planning a youth evening when the other youth sponsors were gone. 
"Minute To Win it" games were quite fun to play; the youth really enjoyed them too. Who doesn't want to slide a sticky oreo down their face?! Tanner and I lead Bible Study and we slip into girl and guy small groups after. Going alongside our theme of "Minute to Win It" we dung into Hebrews 12 -- running the race with Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faiths. It was sweet seeing the youth share and pray for each other in debrief groups. Overall, it was a really interesting experience to plan and run a youth event at OCC. We learned lots about working together and ways we can improve next time. We are looking forward to leading more Bible Studies and games in the future. The church even has boxes of leftover ice cream sandwiches to boot!  

Last night Paul (youth volunteer) drove down from Ladysmith and we had a great (and long!) meeting about this year's Fridays. We are excited to take advantage of all the times we spend driving with the youth by having small groups in the vehicles. 
We are thinking of calling it "Shot Gun". 

We traveled to the Nanimo mall with Youth Group for a
"Mall Scavenger Hunt".
(Elderly Woman, Punk, Janitor, Goth, Aerobics Instructor!) 

One Saturday morning we helped at the
 Crofton Community Centre for the Junior High's "Breakfast With Santa".
Mike and I were in our element greeting people at the front doors.
"Welcome to Breakfast with Santa...!" 

This month has turned out to be our "Missions" Month. We are heading to MissionsFest Vancouver tomorrow (which I am really looking forward to) and then, starting on Monday we have Theology of Missions classes with Tim Stabell. For the classes I have started praying for a country around the world each day. I know God has incredible love for all the nations so I've decided it's time I get excited about what He is passionate about - the world! Although we only have to prayer-log for 1 month I'll be praying for a new country every day until I'm done. I really am praying around the world! 
Preparing for the missions trip to Eastside Vancouver following that has been going wonderfully. I've raised finances to add to the groups collection that we hope to give to people we meet up with we could use some help. 

OCC and Beyond!

This past week we finished up our Foundations of Church Ministry class with David Ernst. For my course research paper I wrote on women in church leadership and what the Bible may be saying regarding women being pastors, elders, or deacons. When reflecting on my “home” church this year I was encouraged by the numerous women that assist in significant ways within the programs and activities at Oceanview Community Church. Although the majority of them have bypassed a church “title” they use their talents, gifts, resources and time to build up the congregation and complement other member’s abilities.

The realization that God equips all believers to impact his kingdom in many different forms reminds me of my personal responsibility in the local church wherever I may be. 

For example, Ladysmith is having their Ladysmith Light Up, a Christmas festival of lights tonight. The Oceanview Kaleo students are helping in the parade to hand out 10 000 Joy to the World music sheets with the youth.  

I have the opportunity and privileged to contribute in small and large ways where I am needed and gifted at OCC and beyond. 

Retreats: Teamwork is a Powerful Thing

   

Here at Camp Qwanoes retreats are run during the fall for kids and youth to get another chance to experience God at camp after the summer season is done.

A few weeks ago I helped in the kitchen one Saturday morning during the Juniors Retreat. My hours in the kitchen revealed God’s awesome grace to me once again when my alarm clock malfunctioned, pushing me behind schedule. Not only was I reminded of how important it is to be reliable, but I also learned the significance of working as a team even when it may be behind the scenes cutting lettuce and grapes and panning chicken.

Last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I worked the full Jr. High Retreat weekend. Although my role may sounds unusual, I had the time of my life. I was the red team’s mascot: Go Blaze Blasters! I was on the “All Star” team running games and initiating team spirit. 

If God showed me one thing important it was that some camp positions might not seem as impactful when it comes to camper’s spiritual life. However, those jobs enable other staff to impact campers. Maybe being wacky “Madame Strawberry” didn’t allow for many opportunities to talk about “important things”, but my role let kids relax and have fun, facilitating other staff to share with campers in their cabins.

During camp retreats I see God working in so many cool—usually small—ways. Retreats have encouraged servant hood growth in our student body whether that is corporately or as individuals. Working alongside one another in the “dish pit”, Challenge Course, or maintenance has given us so many opportunities to get to know each other. Other roles like counseling aid us personally in using the tools we have learned from classes, sessions, and community life.

Throughout the retreats God has also been developing relationships between the full-time staff and Kaleo students, like me. To give a few examples I worked with Fiona at the Waterfront, Henrique at the Challenge Course, Ruth in the kitchen for a partial weekend and during the Jr. High Retreat I operated closely with Stevie G. and the rest of the All Star team. I wouldn’t necessarily have had the chance to see how they lead their sections of camp unless I was right there beside them. This is one reason why I have enjoyed the chance to be involved in various aspects of camping ministry. 

Oceanview!

Over the past few weeks I've had some pretty neat times at Oceanview Community Church. Different things that I have been learning in the Kaléo program have influenced my view of ministry and my perspective as I get involved. 


From "Camp and Youth Ministry" with Sid Koop we learned about the honour and responsibility it is for leaders who instruct and work with children. God holds us to a new standard and that needs to be taken seriously. This reminder has encouraged me to lift up the children and youth I see every week in prayer.  

On another note, Makayla found out that October is Pastors' month so we thought it would be sweet idea to get Pastor Darrin a fun gift. I work with his wife, Lori, in Children's Ministry so I got the scoop on what he likes to snack on. After trying to break into his office at youth two weeks ago (fyi: if a bobby pin fails, boldly ask the elder who's in the office next door for a key), we cleared a spot on his table and made a pyramid out of three cases of Dr. Pepper. (Why get only one, when they are on sale, right?) He loves dark chocolate so we decorated the pyramid with chocolate bars and placed a handmade card on top with an inspiration poem I wrote:

"Roses are Red
 Violets are Blue
 Because you're our Pastor
 We're not a Disaster. . .
 or something like that!
 Happy Pastor's Month!"

(Okay. I understand that I could have come up with a better rhyming scheme. It's the thought that counts?!) We had leftover cans so we hide them around his office room. Who doesn't want to find a warm Dr. Pepper in the paper shredder or behind your family picture frame in 2 months?  

I'm realizing the dedication and sacrifice of leaders in the Christian church. A little encouragement can go a long way. Encouragement and apprecaition is something I can pass on. Giving is always better than getting. 


If you were looking for me last Thursday evening I was at the "Ladies Fall Tea" with Stacey and Makayla at church. We had the wonderful privilege to lead the group in a few worship songs. Earlier that morning while we were preparing, it was very clear to us that Stacey was still getting over her cold and I had just caught one. I was reminded from reading about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the dessert in one of our "Spiritual Formation"class books (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero) that--although we could have sounded a lot better--our identity wasn't in our performance or what others thought, but rather God’s incredible love for us. "Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul."