Friday night was “the hunger” for our youth group and I got to share a little bit of my life. I talked about materialism, and how it relates to us as a very blessed nation. My ipod broke a week ago that that's where my inspiration came from partly. I talked about how the motives of getting more things and spending more money are so important. And also how you deal with your things, are they purely for your own self, or are you willing to share even though they might get broken and stuff. It was just really cool cuz I didn’t really know what I was going to say, and after I didn’t think it had gone great, but then I got to talk to a bunch of the youth about it and it was a super sweet thing!
I'm heading home on Wednesday, so I’l be away from youth/chuch here for a while and I will miss it, I think it will be good to get away and then come back ready for some more!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Christms Decorating
This week we decorated our church for Christmas. They had us building Christmas trees, stringing lights, painting windows and so much more. It also started snowing that day when we arrived and so driving for the next 2 days was, for me, really fun.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Victoria, Oceanview, Youth, and the Men's Retreat
Last Friday at youth we made Christmas presents. There were 4 different stations; there was tree ornament painting, and the making of cards, chocolate truffles, and also beeswax candles. As Kaleo guys we were in charge of the candles. And it went surprisingly well, especially based on the amount of experience the 3 of us had in candle making. Nevertheless, it was a really fun time and a bunch of candles were made, but much more importantly we got to hang out with a whole bunch of kids. Its so fun getting to know the youth and to see their passion for life. It’s a very fulfilling and rewarding time, and the 3 of us involved in youth comment on the fact that we love this ministry and look forward to is each week!
This past week I, with Kaleo, have also went to Victoria to meet homeless people and also visited a Care home for Alzheimer patients.
The Victoria trip we stretching for sure. I had heard stories from the group who went to day before, and so was excited about meeting interesting people and hearing their stories, but as I was on the street looking for people to talk to it was not quite as I had hoped. There were definitely people around once we found the right place, but many of them although friendly, were not overly willing to talk. I enjoyed hearing about the others experiences and the people they met, but I myself did not get to have the same experiences. Also though, this type of ministry (handing out stuff they need and talking to them) is not my cup of tea. I don’t make conversation easily, I don’t really like to come in for a moment and then be gone again. It was a great thing to do, but not very easy for me.
Oceanview on the other hand was a much more enjoyable experience for me. I was able to talk with several of the ladies, and we even played with a beach ball. It was just really fun to be with them, cuz they are so relaxed. One woman during tea time commented that it was too hot but then she said “If I sit here long enough then it will be cool enough”. This is a very basic and true statement, but one that speaks to me. This place is so free of the busyness of the world. It is a very refreshing experience to be there, both because of this lack of busyness, but also because of the joy we can bring to the residents if even just for a short time.
I also helped out at the camp with the men’s retreat this weekend. This had me working in the kitchen and also working at the challenge course.
So, that's the past week, it was busy but good and I hope to visit Oceanview more often This week is our Church Ministry class and with that comes a fair amount of work. Other than that, it is nearing the Christmas break, and it even snowed today!
This past week I, with Kaleo, have also went to Victoria to meet homeless people and also visited a Care home for Alzheimer patients.
The Victoria trip we stretching for sure. I had heard stories from the group who went to day before, and so was excited about meeting interesting people and hearing their stories, but as I was on the street looking for people to talk to it was not quite as I had hoped. There were definitely people around once we found the right place, but many of them although friendly, were not overly willing to talk. I enjoyed hearing about the others experiences and the people they met, but I myself did not get to have the same experiences. Also though, this type of ministry (handing out stuff they need and talking to them) is not my cup of tea. I don’t make conversation easily, I don’t really like to come in for a moment and then be gone again. It was a great thing to do, but not very easy for me.
Oceanview on the other hand was a much more enjoyable experience for me. I was able to talk with several of the ladies, and we even played with a beach ball. It was just really fun to be with them, cuz they are so relaxed. One woman during tea time commented that it was too hot but then she said “If I sit here long enough then it will be cool enough”. This is a very basic and true statement, but one that speaks to me. This place is so free of the busyness of the world. It is a very refreshing experience to be there, both because of this lack of busyness, but also because of the joy we can bring to the residents if even just for a short time.
I also helped out at the camp with the men’s retreat this weekend. This had me working in the kitchen and also working at the challenge course.
So, that's the past week, it was busy but good and I hope to visit Oceanview more often This week is our Church Ministry class and with that comes a fair amount of work. Other than that, it is nearing the Christmas break, and it even snowed today!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Spaghetti!
This past Friday was the annual Fundraising Spaghetti Dinner/ Auction for the youth group, and it was a huge success raising $6400.00! It was a great time of the youth working along side the leaders and serving the people of the church. The sanctuary was transformed into a pasta palace with servers in aprons and everything. I myself worked in the kitchen doing what needed to get done. At first I was at a lost, not knowing to do because it was my first dinner at the church, but as soon as things got going I was in there stirring stuff, running around, and washing dishes! It was a very fun time! The youth were amazing too, working super hard with out complaint! Even when it got down to the final cleaning, they were there!
Then, today we had a joint lunch at the church with the Capernwray Students and people from the church. It was a really sweet time of getting to know everyone. Our schooling programs are in some ways very different from each other, but it’s neat, because we are all going to something we want to go to.
Then, today we had a joint lunch at the church with the Capernwray Students and people from the church. It was a really sweet time of getting to know everyone. Our schooling programs are in some ways very different from each other, but it’s neat, because we are all going to something we want to go to.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
"God Party"
This week has been fairly full as I was working on Saturday for the camp during a retreat, and then youth on Friday too.
Youth on Friday was amazing, it was a swet "God Party". We had it in an old hall and the basic premise of the night was hang out time, praise and worship, a leaders testimony, and then stations set up for the youth. Each station was based on a psalm and involved a different way to worship. It was super crazy, because the kids have lots of energy, and are often everywhere, but tonight they were really into the singing and jumping around. And throughout the night they were listening, then when it came time for the stations, they all got right too it.
I was praying with Joel for them and it was great. As I was praying, if I looked around at them, I felt that it was not working, that they were not getting anything out of it. But when I prayed without looking, my heart KNEW God was there in a huge way. I found it really interesting how the spiritual world can work that way, Satan tried to get me down, and unfocused, but my heart knew better. Later talking about it, we as leaders were stoked, cuz we had kids praying and crying and trying new ways to worship God. It was truly amazing.
Also, this weekend I worked in the kitchen, did dishes, and helped make biscotti and peppermint patties. It was a pretty sweet time! I also was hall patrol Saturday morning, and so I go to hang out with all the guys and try to prevent random pillow fights and such, but it too was a good time.
Please pray for:
Leaders of youth, that we can help stretch the youth in their relationships with God
Us Kaleo students, that our time with God would not be only be in our academics, but as a relationship still.
Youth on Friday was amazing, it was a swet "God Party". We had it in an old hall and the basic premise of the night was hang out time, praise and worship, a leaders testimony, and then stations set up for the youth. Each station was based on a psalm and involved a different way to worship. It was super crazy, because the kids have lots of energy, and are often everywhere, but tonight they were really into the singing and jumping around. And throughout the night they were listening, then when it came time for the stations, they all got right too it.
I was praying with Joel for them and it was great. As I was praying, if I looked around at them, I felt that it was not working, that they were not getting anything out of it. But when I prayed without looking, my heart KNEW God was there in a huge way. I found it really interesting how the spiritual world can work that way, Satan tried to get me down, and unfocused, but my heart knew better. Later talking about it, we as leaders were stoked, cuz we had kids praying and crying and trying new ways to worship God. It was truly amazing.
Also, this weekend I worked in the kitchen, did dishes, and helped make biscotti and peppermint patties. It was a pretty sweet time! I also was hall patrol Saturday morning, and so I go to hang out with all the guys and try to prevent random pillow fights and such, but it too was a good time.
Please pray for:
Leaders of youth, that we can help stretch the youth in their relationships with God
Us Kaleo students, that our time with God would not be only be in our academics, but as a relationship still.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Family Movie Night
This week at youth was our family movie night. We watched Meet the Robinsons at the church. There was a really good turn out, and we were able to make some money for the youth group by running a concession stand. My role for the night was partly helping run the concession stand, and then helping clean up afterwards and setting up for a wedding the next day. It was a very neat event because a large amount of our youth come from un-churched families, and this was a way to have them bring their family along. Also, now that those families have been to the church, there is hopefully a better chance of them coming back again.
The clean up was also pretty sweet, because it was a great team effort between the leaders, the youth, and the others who had come.
Overall, i’m really loving the youth group, and am getting to know the kids better each week, which is really exciting! Please continue to pray for me as I’m with them, that God could be with me and that I would be able to help them where they are at.
Thanks and God Bless,
steve
The clean up was also pretty sweet, because it was a great team effort between the leaders, the youth, and the others who had come.
Overall, i’m really loving the youth group, and am getting to know the kids better each week, which is really exciting! Please continue to pray for me as I’m with them, that God could be with me and that I would be able to help them where they are at.
Thanks and God Bless,
steve
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Mission Explo
This Saturday, my youth group went to a mission explo in Victoria. It was a very long day, filled many challenging speakers, worship, and a time of mission outreach. While the day was not completely what we had expected, and was much longer, when I reflect on the day, it was a very positive experience.
One thing I took out of the day that was mission based, was regarding the many homeless and underprivileged people and how easily we, with much, disregard them as people. We forget how real they are, how they have hopes and dreams…and how we are only a few dollars from being where they are.
My favorite thing about the day we simply getting to hang out with a part of the youth group in a different setting. I definitely got to know so many of them much better and really love it!
I also felt a large sense of assurance of God’s placement for me in this church and youth group. During the day many events small and large, helped me realize this. Events like, having a map when we got lost, being able to help keep the youth in-line due to my previous knowledge/experience, and even just in the many times of relationship with them all.
God very much answered my prayer for the day of getting to know the youth better, and I have faith he will continue to help me in those relationships, and to daily make me more aware of what he has in-store for me.
One thing I took out of the day that was mission based, was regarding the many homeless and underprivileged people and how easily we, with much, disregard them as people. We forget how real they are, how they have hopes and dreams…and how we are only a few dollars from being where they are.
My favorite thing about the day we simply getting to hang out with a part of the youth group in a different setting. I definitely got to know so many of them much better and really love it!
I also felt a large sense of assurance of God’s placement for me in this church and youth group. During the day many events small and large, helped me realize this. Events like, having a map when we got lost, being able to help keep the youth in-line due to my previous knowledge/experience, and even just in the many times of relationship with them all.
God very much answered my prayer for the day of getting to know the youth better, and I have faith he will continue to help me in those relationships, and to daily make me more aware of what he has in-store for me.
Monday, October 15, 2007
First Jr Youth Night!
On Friday was our first “official” jr youth, and it was a blast. True, it was scary, because I still feel like I don’t know many people and didn’t know where to go, but once we were in the right place things took off. There are about 30 kinds, and lots of boys with lots of energy! We were playing giant board games (trouble, checkers and spoons) and it was a good time. Once people were out of the game I was able to talk to a lot of them. It was really neat because they were madly running around, but once I sad down and started talking to them, they totally calmed down and we got to discuss things. I'm learning their names, and am very excited about the relationships forming.
Its good to feel needed because there’s not a ton of leaders, and its also cool because im younger and somewhat crazy (like the kids), and so hopefully can reach kids who might not talk to someone else.
My favorite part of the night was by the end of it, being able to name a bunch of youth (even when they started telling me made up names for a lot of them).
Its good to feel needed because there’s not a ton of leaders, and its also cool because im younger and somewhat crazy (like the kids), and so hopefully can reach kids who might not talk to someone else.
My favorite part of the night was by the end of it, being able to name a bunch of youth (even when they started telling me made up names for a lot of them).
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Road Tour Time
This weekend I was able to help in the Qwanoes Road Tour. What is it? Its basically a way to reconnect with kids who went to camp this summer and their friends. I happened at a church, and it involved singing, games, food, and a speaker. I was helping with the games (which were crazy fun) and then with clean up afterwards. During the games it was a good time to get to know a few of the kids on my team.
It reminded me of my summer at camp, being with kids and having fun, singing and playing games. It was a blessing to help the camp in this way, as they get to reach out to many campers and continue to work in their lives. Many campers look forward to this day from the day they leave camp in the summer.
We did not have youth this weekend, due to it being thanksgiving, but we are back on Friday for our second night. I'm very excited for that and would ask that you would continue to pray for the relationships that will be formed there.
Thanks again,
God Bless
It reminded me of my summer at camp, being with kids and having fun, singing and playing games. It was a blessing to help the camp in this way, as they get to reach out to many campers and continue to work in their lives. Many campers look forward to this day from the day they leave camp in the summer.
We did not have youth this weekend, due to it being thanksgiving, but we are back on Friday for our second night. I'm very excited for that and would ask that you would continue to pray for the relationships that will be formed there.
Thanks again,
God Bless
Saturday, September 29, 2007
First Youth!
Friday was the first youth night at my church, and it was a great time. Admittedly, I did not always feel at ease due to the amount of people I did not know. But I joined a few in a basketball game for a bit, and got to talk to some more throughout the evening. The night was called “The Hunger” and it involves a bunch of singing, and some speaking, this time one the of leaders shared part of his testimony. The kids are a LOT of fun, and are very into singing, which is really great to see. It’s a beautiful thing to see young kids, grades 7-9 especially jumping around and lifting their hands, voices and hearts to God in worship! I'm very excited to get to know the youth more each Friday and form some great relationships. I will be dealing with a LOT of jr high boys, with lots of energy, so that should be fun!
I also enjoyed this time to get to know some of the other leaders as well. They seem like a great bunch of people onfire for God, with a heart for the youth!
Please continue to pray for boldness in me to go and talk to youth I don’t know, and that God would guide me to the right place at the right time, where I can be the greatest help.
I also enjoyed this time to get to know some of the other leaders as well. They seem like a great bunch of people onfire for God, with a heart for the youth!
Please continue to pray for boldness in me to go and talk to youth I don’t know, and that God would guide me to the right place at the right time, where I can be the greatest help.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Loving the Life
I have been at Kaleo just over a week and a half, and already we’ve done so much! We had a training session for the challenge course on Fri and Saturday. This enables us to help the camp during retreats and rentals. I went to church on Sunday. Then we were hiking from Monday-Wednesday and when we got back there was school group at the camp. On the weekend Trinity Western University brought their student leadership team for a retreat. Then today, I was off to church again.
I'm attending the New Life Community Baptist Church with 4 other Kaleo-ers. I'm also gona be getting involved in the youth program on Friday nights. I'm very excited about the youth program because is is a group of up to 80 students and the programming is very set, leaving opportunity open for creating relationships with the youth.
There are many opportunities for ministry at Qwanoes (the camp I’m at) including things like preparing the site for rentals, helping at activities and even just doing dishes and helping in the kitchen. It’s really neat how so many parts of my life before coming to Kaleo have prepared me for what I’m doing. For example, my experience at the climbing wall at WBC enables me to slide into an activity spot more easily here. Even my dish washing experience from Boston Pizza lets me be a better help to the kitchen crew.
I'm very excited about the sense of family among the group already, and I’m really excited to see what God will do with us all over the next few months.
Thank you for your prayers, and I’m praying for you as well. Some specific requests for prayer would be:
• That I would continue to bond with the Kaleo group
• The I would be able to make good relationships with the kids in the youth group
• That I would be able to push myself out of my comfort zone and do what God is calling me to do on a day to day basis
• And also, safety for our group on Monday-Friday as we are sailing with the S.A.L.T.S. program
Thanks again, please feel free to leave comments or email me. Also, check out the kaleolife blog for more information
(http://kaleofive.blogspot.com/)
God Bless you!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Here's whats up!
Hey everyone!
First, thanks for all your prayers.
This blog is part of my Field Education Course, but is also a way for me to let all of you in on what is going on in my life. I will be posting for sure once a week, probably on Mondays, so feel free to check back often.
First, thanks for all your prayers.
This blog is part of my Field Education Course, but is also a way for me to let all of you in on what is going on in my life. I will be posting for sure once a week, probably on Mondays, so feel free to check back often.
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