Introduction to New Testament!

This week the students are currently in class with Wes Olmstead, Ph.D., studying the New Testament. The students wrapped up their study of the Gospel of Mark yesterday and have moved on to Paul's letters today. 

This past weekend some of the students were serving here at camp in our Junior's retreat. Students had the opportunity to serve in all different areas of camp including counselling, kitchen, dish room, and program support. It was cool to see our students give of themselves so freely to a bunch of 8 to 11 year olds. 

Coming Up Next Week

This next week on Tuesday the students will be writing their exam for Introduction to New Testament. Also next week on Thursday we will be going caving! Hopefully the caves won't be flooded like there were at this time last year. In addition, students are gearing up for Love Crofton. Fingers crossed that they will have lots of opportunities to serve in our community. 

How You Can Be Praying

You can be praying for our students as they are currently in the most academically challenging class of this semester and they have much to do to prepare for their exam next week. You can also be praying for the students as they get things organized for Love Crofton, that they would be learning how to be good leaders as they prepare. You can pray for us as we go caving that our students would have courage to move outside of their comfort zone, that they would do hard things. Lastly, as always you can pray for safety on our out-trip. 

CAMP AND YOUTH MINISTRY

This past week the students finished off the first half of their Camp and Youth Ministry class with Sid Koop. Class went from Monday to Wednesday and Sid will be back in the New Year to finish off the second half of this class. Along with being in class this past week days the Students were also gearing  for class next week.

Along with class this past week the students were also gearing up for Love Crofton. Love Crofton is a service the students offer to the community of Crofton in partnership with Warmland Community so as to show the Love of Christ in their community. This looks like raking leaves, cleaning gutters, chopping firewood an so on. This will take place in two weeks from now but this week the students were handing out flyers so as to let everyone know so that the community can take advantage of their service. 

Coming Up Next Week and How You Can Be Praying

In the Following week the students will be in class taking Introduction to The New Testament with Wes Olmsted. This class will be one of the heavier classes the students take so you can be praying for them as they prepare with recourse work. As well you can be praying that the knowledge obtained in this class would would resonate in their hearts. Also you can be praying for the students as some of them are currently serving this weekend retreat with the Juniors Retreat. Pray that God would give them energy as they work with these kids and that even in this short weekend that they might be able to make an impact on these kids lives.

(Photo by Joel Cross)

SAIL TRIP WITH S.A.L.T.S.

This past week the students spent four days aboard a tall ship sailing around the Gulf Islands. In the past weekend the students participated in team building exercises at camp put on by Walden Darwin. Some of the exercises were as simple as a trust fall and were used to encourage vulnerability and trust amongst the group. Other activities however were more difficult, such as being lead through a low ropes course blindfolded or feeding a rope through every square in a cargo net without the one touching the other. These were used as a test to see how the students reacted and how they interacted with one another.

On Thanksgiving Monday we had our annual staff and student thanksgiving dinner. This was a nice time for the staff and students to connect, relax and reflect on things that they are thankful for. 

On Tuesday we packed our bags and met the S.A.L.T.S. Crew at the Victoria harbour to board the Pacific Swift, the tall ship we would be sailing on. Within a couple of hours of boarding the ship we were blessed with some strong wind and were truly sailing. It was an incredible experience to be on the ship as the ship keeled from the weight of the wind in our sails as it pushed us along the open seas. 

 (Photo by Julia Hood)

One of the many things we had to the chance to do on the boat was to climb the rigging that goes up to the top of the ship's masts. From the top of the masts one could see for so far out into the vast ocean. It was truly breathtaking. Also within hours of setting sail on the first day we had the privilege of having a couple of Porpoises come swimming alongside our ship. 

 (Photo by Julia Hood)

(Photo by Kaitlyn Willems)

(Photo by Joel Cross)

While on the Ship we were split into three watches. This means everyone had a time in which it was their duty to help in the sailing process. When a watch was on duty the members of the watches would rotate through jobs such as bow and stern watch, being on the lookout for objects or other boats in the surroundings, listening for calls on the radio, or even steering the boat. Also one of these responsibilities was being on anchor watch. This is where two partners stay up for an hour at night making sure the boat does not start drifting from its anchored spot. One of the benefits of this is getting to see the dazzling night sky. 

(Photo by Joel Cross)

On Wednesday and Thursday we paddled small boats called Dories to shore for a couple of short hikes. On Wednesday we hiked up to beautiful look out spot on Pender Island. On Thursday we hiked through the woods to small lake where a few of the students went swimming.

(Photo by Julia Hood)

(Photo by Jeremy Tiede)

(Photo by Joel Cross)

(Photo by Kaitlyn Willems)

On Friday we arrived back at the Victoria Harbour and headed back home to Camp Qwanoes! 

(Photo by Jeremy Tiede)

Comming Up Next Week

This Weekend some of the students will be serving here at camp during our Women's Retreat. On Monday the Students will entering into the first half of their Camp and Youth Ministry class taught by Sid Koop. 

How You Can Be Praying

You can be praying for the Students as they are heading into back to back classes beginning with Camp and Youth Ministry followed by Introduction to The New Testament. This will be one of the most academically demanding times of this semester so you can be praying for them in this time. You can also continue to pray that the Lord would give the students confidence and energy as they serve in their perspective churches.

(Photo by Kaitlyn Willems)

TOFINO SURF TRIP

The past three days were spent in Tofino exploring its beautiful beaches and the true western coast of Canada. Plus within the past week the students finished off their first class, Introduction To Spiritual Theology with Dr. Cal Macfarlane, writing their final exam on Friday afternoon. Following this the students spent the Saturday at the Island Youth Workers Conference, where the got to sit in on 3 sessions of various kinds to help them to grow in their ministry as well attending two main sessions lead by Geordon Rendle from Youth For Christ Canada. 

(Photo by Mark Jobst)

(Photo by Mark Jobst)

We embarked for the beautiful beaches of Tofino on Monday morning. On the way we stoped at Cathedral Grove, one of Canada's oldest tree sanctuaries containing trees up to 75 meters high and 9 meters in circumference. 

(Photo by Joel Cross)

Just along the side of the road there is a beautiful river, Wally's Creek, where we stopped for lunch. There is also a chain link fence here where couples "lock their love" by locking a pad lock to the fence with their names on it and throwing the key into river never to be found again, locking their love together. On the way home we did a corny version of this locking the love this group has with one another, representing the relationships forged here which will last a lifetime.

 (Photo by Mark Jobst)

Before we went surfing on Tuesday afternoon we stoped at a beach and Shane lead us all in a devo and the students had time to sit and reflect at this beautiful rocky beach in Ucluelet. 

 (Photo by Kaitlyn Willems)

 (Photo by Julia Hood)

(Photo by Julia Hood)

Once we got to the Cox Bay, which is where we were surfing on Tuesday morning, we had a campfire on the beach for lunch. 

 (Photo by Mark Jobst)

(Photo by Mark Jobst)

(Photo by Joel Cross)

It was very calm day Tuesday afternoon which meant the waves weren't awesome, however Wednesday morning was almost perfect conditions for our crew. After a morning of surfing we had lunch at the beach and headed straight home so that those who were serving at youth group would be back for that.

Coming Up Next Week

Tomorrow the students will be doing team building exercises which includes using our challenge course. Monday will be our camp Thanksgiving dinner and on Tuesday we head to Victoria, to board the Pacific Swift with S.A.L.T.S. 

How You Can Be Praying

You can be praying that our students continue to grow closer as a community. That they would be learning what it looks like to be leaders in their community and in their many ministries. Pray that the S.A.L.T.S trip would be a great experience and that their would be sun on our faces and wind in our sails!

A Special Message from Kaléo 2017 Award Winner (Last Years Class)

Although it is not the most appealing aspect to everyone, the Academic component of the Kaléo Program is an important one. The professors from Briercrest College are incredibly intelligent and knowledgable about their subject. They challenge you to really think about your faith and the Bible in a deeper way than before. The content itself is very interesting. I learned more about the Bible from these ten courses than I have in sixteen years. I discovered a newer and more in depth way of reading God’s Word and listening to His voice behind the text. Some courses taught me how to apply my faith and knowledge in a practical way in the real world; through church, missions, at camp, and in day to day life. I developed a deeper passion and excitement to seek God and continue to learn more about Him everyday. Questions about faith and why we believe the things we do, were answered for me for the first time. Every course was interesting and challenging and taught me things I will use for the rest of my life. 

The academics are hard, there's no doubt about that. But if you put in the work you will learn things you can use throughout all your spheres of influence. At times it felt like I wouldn't get it all done. But with the support of my peers, my leaders, and by relying on God's strength, I made it. Putting in the work is so worth it. I won't easily forget the valuable things I learned from all my professors. Thank you God for teaching me about you.

-Morgan Pépin