Kaleo Ministry

What a week! Oh boy, where to start?
The surf trip was rad, I caught a few waves when I was near Phil (who has an expensive camera and was braving the sea to capture some magic moments of us). The weather was good and the beach at night was spectacular.
We have had a few days of Camp Ministry class now with Jim as our professor. The class is interesting, I am not sure camp ministry is something I am interested in or called to, but it does sound like an important part of the lives of many Christ-followers.
The homework is starting to catch up with all of us I think. I have to write a two page report on my participation in the last class we did (Spiritual Formation), then I have to write a three page report on how my time in solitude went for the same class. After those I have to write a research paper on proverbs, focusing on "the heart." Meanwhile, I need to prepare a presentation with a group about how we would re-invent the "group discussion" aspect of a camper's experience (this is for Camp Ministry, the current course). I also have weekly (approximately) reading assignments and discussions for Camp Ministry with the same group. Furthermore I will be preparing to interview Isaac (the camp's tech support guy) on his position at camp for an hour. At the same time I am doing the pre-course work for Hermeneutics. This involves reading a 246 page book and writing five pages on it, reading the epistle of James once a day for seven days (readings must be done in one sitting and the days must be seven days in a row), and I have to read a text that I haven't even received yet and complete assignments from that text.
I know what you're thinking, that isn't too bad at all, right?
I also need to prepare a bible study at Cobble Hill this week, and prepare one third of a sermon which I will present at the youth worship night, and then again on Sunday morning(!!!).
Oh yeah, and I think next week I am working for Qwanoes at the women's retreat.
This is all pretty daunting, but I am excited to see how God gets me through this. I know He will!

Kaleo Ministry

This last week went by especially fast. Our days were filled with our first class, Spiritual Formation. The class focused on building up our strength in the faith by teaching us spiritual disciplines. These disciplines included prayerful reading of scripture (lectio divina), times of solitude, meditation, fasting, and scripture memory, among others! The class has not been hard. We spent much of our class time sitting in 'sanctuaries' and praying or meditating or reading. Spiritual Form. is not meant to be a information filled course, however, the goal of the course is giving us ways to examine our own lives, grow spiritually and learn how to be disciplined in our worship.
Most of my Qwanoes oriented ministry has been working in the kitchen and dishpit. I find doing long, repetetive tasks is actually beneficial to my own spiritual growth, and hopefully to the relationships I am forming with the other staff members. While slicing ham or drying dishes I can meditate on what God would want me to be doing, or I can pray for those around me. How much better conversations are when they are started with prayer!
At Cobble Hill Baptist, our gang is getting ready to put on the first Bridge (youth worship night). I dont have much musical talent so all I will be doing is reading scriptures or manning the overhead projector. This week I will be preparing for the bible study that will happen next Wednesday. I am fairly excited about that, as I recently found out that most of the attendees will be the youth in the church. Last night all of the youth of the church, as well as us Kaleo students (Tom, Jesse, Aaron and I) got together to run around the neighborhood, watch movies, eat snacks, and camp out in one of the church portables. This morning we had breakfast at the old church, and then made our way to the new building (still under construction) to have a service there. After the service there was an agape feast but us students had to miss it so that we could shower up and nap a bit before the practice for the Bridge tonight.
In a couple days we leave for the surf trip! Woo Woo

Kaleo Ministry

Another week gone and another adventure under my belt. On Monday everyone woke up ridiculously early to get on a bus and head into Victoria. I had had a rather late night prior to the morning and hadnt found the time to pack. But that will become more important later.
After a little more than an hour we pulled into the Inner Harbour. After grabbing our packs we walked down to the pier and found our new home.
The wind was great so we set sail pronto. Our watch did not begin for some time so Tom and I harnessed up and climbed the main shrouds (The rope ladders that go to the top of the main-sail). We didn't know at the time, but climbing shrouds in high wind is a little bit foolish. The wind was coming at broad reach, meaning that it is hitting the back corner of the ship first. This causes the waves to hit us at an angle, which makes the boat rock. While on deck, this rocking may cause mild nausea. While perilously hanging off ratlines at the top of the main-sail (which by the way, is about eighty feet above deck-level) this rocking motion becomes more like getting snapped back and forth on an elastic band.
Thankfully, we were blessed with no more wind after that first day. Perhaps this was a mixed blessing, however, because we were under engine power for the rest of the trip.
The first night was interesting, as I found (perhaps not the right word) that I hadn't brought my sleeping bag. Luckily, however, I brought a faux-fur coat. In the middle of the night, Tom and I awoke to tackle the peaceful duty of Night-Watch. Being extremely familiar with the night, I took to the duty like a pool shark to a seedy pub. That night we were anchored between North and South Pender Isles. The sea was calm and the stars were beautiful. As I lay on deck the songs we learnt that evening replayed themselves in my mind. I was reminded to be Jubilant at the thought of our God, to thank Him for giving us the things we need, and to have peace knowing that I am in Good Hands.
The next day was beautiful, we cruised. We studied sailors terms and skills. We played and climbed and enjoyed the sea.
The third day it rained. I realized that I hadn't remembered my rain pants. I will try not to bring it up everytime I think of it, but suffice it to say this once: my jeans were permanently soaked for the rest of the trip.
On the fourth day we had our tests. We had to know the boat from keel to top-sail. From bow-sprit to aft-quarters. From bob-stays to counter-stays. I can proudly call myself a junior sailor.
On the fifth day we came home. Jesse caught some jelly-fish in a bucket. My hair got braided.
Somewhere in that trip we went swimming. It was cold.
I really enjoyed being on the sea, and I think I could see myself doing it again. I might sign up to volunteer with them this summer.
In church news, we had our first practice today. Well, I should say all of the musically talented members of our team practiced. I drew a bit. Soon I will be leading bible studies. I am looking forward to this.

Godbless you all! Thanks for your prayers - I am growing, hard-core-like.

Kaleo Ministry

Hey friends and family,
This is my first update from Crofton, really, so I will first acquaint you with exactly what it is I am doing here. On September 10th, I began my stay at Camp Qwanoes. I will be here for the next eight months, and while here I will finish my first year of Bible College. This semester I will complete five courses, and possibly earn a boating license. It has been about a week and a half, and so far I have learned to belay (rope people into harnesses and then hold them back from plummetting to their doom), climbed a mountain (mt Albert/Edwards, near mt Washington), and met 26 other students and four leaders whom I already love dearly like brothers and sisters.
Furthermore I and three fellow students have committed to help organize and lead a youth worship night at my church (Cobble Hill Baptist). I will also be leading a bible study once a month (Probably on the gospel of Luke).
Because our latest trip was up the mountain, ill post some photos...

the mountain from part-way up...


the boys...


the ladies...



the celebration!

In conclusion, I would love to ask a favor. If you pray, pray that I learn about God and love and encourage my peers at every opportunity. Whether you pray or not keep in touch with me! I want to hear how everything is going back in Victoria, too!

Oh Lord, create in me a clean heart

In eight hours I will be driving up to the next eight months of my life.

Father, guide me, be my light and my bread.
I know now that what I know in my mind will not help me love You or others. I must solely rely on the love of Your Son that has been placed in this heart you have built for me. You revealed this to me again, since I knew once, but had forgotten, and Your revelation was timely.
May Your love flow through me Lord, may I see my sin and may I act always with the heart you have blessed me with, so that my mind may grow towards You. May my intellect be shaped by Your love.

Kaleo Day 1: Jess falls in stink hole, Jess falls off roof, teaching her to climb is progressing slowly.

A Shadow Under The Sun

I love God, I love what He's doing.
I am still trying to die and to Live, every day has little struggles and little victories and little defeats.
The past is my biggest enemy, it keeps coming back to haunt me.
My prayer is for closure, or forgetfulness.
God keep me sane. Keep me focused on my service.

Living In Grace

Dear God, how can I be such a hypocrite? How can I claim to believe in Your power and love and not live with my life devoted to You? How can I speak of the blessings of Your way and walk away from You at the same time? God, You gave me my life, now please, take it back. I can not handle the responsibility! Ah but God You know best what I can handle. Please Lord, I will gladly be Your slave if only You give me the will. Help me to fight this body.

When I am ready to take the yoke completely I will rejoice under it's weight and lightness. Lord let me be ready soon.