Chapter 6: Books to the Ceiling

Well another week has passed here at Kaleo, with new experiences. This week we had Don Taylor come to teach us Old Testament Literature. I really enjoyed it to be brutally honest; I am a history geek. Even though I had read all these stories before I was definitely seeing it in a new light, and how many times God's grace is evident throughout the Old Testament, which was something I had definitely missed before.
This week we had an evening chapel sort of a majig. It was based on confession. So many people shared what they had to confess, and it was really enlightening and in some ways heartwarming. After that chapel and throughout this week I have been questioning myself because so far I feel like I have barely been challenged or felt uncomfortable, and I was starting to really question myself. I came to Kaleo to be challenged, and so far I feel like I haven't. I feel like I don't have big problems compared to some, and I feel like something is wrong with me for that... well of course there is something wrong with me, I am only human. It seems I have heard so many people say that at some point they wanted to go home or leave, and I'll be honest, I am loving it here and haven't had any thought of leaving. I remembered at one point Jim told us that we really shouldn't have expectations for the year, and I am starting to see that. I was talking with some friends, and I realized maybe this year isn't meant to be a life-changing, radical, and challenging year for me filled with exponential spiritual growth. I might be here just to be in a more supporting role, learning, and growing gradually spiritually. Plus, I might be just impatient, maybe and probably God will challenge me in time. We'll have to see how the year unfolds.
As I write this I'll be honest, I am having a rough time. I feel like I am caught up in responsibility, I know what I am doing is right but I feel alone in my decisions a lot, and missing out sometimes. Also, I am really confused by friendship, I have made really great friends, don't get me wrong on that, but I feel like I haven't really connected strongly with any of the girls here yet that I can always share what is on my mind without some strain on it and just always be able to have meaningful and deep conversations with them or just be completely fun and crazy with no inhibitions. I think this reading break is really needed for me, but I feel like there is not enough time, it is already Sunday, and Thursday we all come back together again and Tuesday we are helping with S.A.L.T.S.
On another note, I went to Salts spring Island yesterday! A few of us walked down to the ferry terminal in Crofton, took the ferry and then made our way to Ganges which is on the other side of the island. There was a little bit of a fair going on there, and we had a really delicious meal which is a nice change. Then we took a bus back to the ferry at Vesuvius. I really loved Salts Spring, so artsy and such! I bought a lot of soap... lol.
Lastly, our mission trip options have been revealed: Garwhal, India; East Vancouver + Duncan; or Argentina. I would ask that you would pray that I would be able to discern God's voice in making this decision, and put time into thinking about this. We have to make our decision by the end of the week. Thanks a bunches!

Chapter 5: When Darkness Falls

Hello once again!
Well this week was filled with a camp ministry course, some Coombs fun and good old time off. Our first few days we did a little bit of our camp ministry course with Sid Koop. I felt like I was losing passion for God and the people around me, but Sid really made me realize what I was passionate about and how God has put those things in my heart for a reason. On Wednesday we went to Coombs and did some shopping along with spelunking (when you go caving), which was pretty crazy! When your in the caves and if you shut off your lights, there is no light at all, it is completely black, there is no way your eyes can adjust to the dark. It really made me think of light and darkness when it comes to biblical terms and such and how we are the light to the world.
This weekend I served at the retreat at Qwanoes again. I served on the Friday night at Club Coco, where they later had Q-town. I stayed for a little bit of Q-town-for the worship part. It really made me miss LBC back at home, and just being a counselor. I did get to play with children though this week at Kidstown on Sunday. It rained the whole time but to be honest, it is the most fun I have had so far there, and I am starting to get to know some of the kids personally.
I am just so impassioned by the people around me, so many great things are happening in the Cowichan valley and I am so fortunate to be able to see it happen and able to partake in it. There is so many opportunities here to be the hands and feet of Jesus here.
In a way I really want to move back to the Island after Kaleo is done, sometime in my future. I just love the people and the environment here, but I really fall in love with every place I ever go to it seems, haha. I think the Island is really influencing me in my lifestyle already, I am finding myself buying fair-trade, natural and organic everything it seems, -don't worry dad, I still eat meat-, I find it rather funny.
So that is all for this week. Bon voyage!

Chapter 4: Blue Crush

This week involved another one of our out trips. We went to Tofino for a three day surf trip. It was so awesome! I'll be completely honest, I was not exciting for surfing and nervous, but the morning before we went surfing I was able to watch a little of the Coldwater Classic which is a surf competition. It actually made me excited to surf, and as it came closer and closer to go actually surfing I became more excited and less nervous. To be honest, I love surfing! I didn't stand up- I got onto my knees- but I never really tried to hard to get onto my feet. It was so much fun though, and I even enjoyed being pummeled by the waves. The first day was a little rough, and I swallowed so much saltwater, not a nice feeling. Even better, on the second day I felt like I really improved and I didn't swallow salt water once! I am really glad I was able to do it, and so glad I pushed myself to go the second day.
Anyways, at Tofino we were camped right beside the beach; so beautiful. Chasing the waves along the beach made me feel like I was fulfilling a childhood dream. One of the nights, Jim gave us time to either chat with people or have some time to ourselves. I chose some time alone. I walked along the beach and looked up into the sky. It was great time to just talk with God and slow down. I am finding it so hard it seems to have time to slow down and have solitude time.
So after our trip we came back, and lo and behold, I was serving at the Women's retreat this weekend. So I worked at the challenge course for an afternoon. I was slightly nervous having to talk to the women and such, since I am shy, but it was actually pretty easy. I didn't have any deep conversations or anything but it was good to talk a little to the women here. Oh! I also got to try out the skyscraper... 3 times! They needed an extra person to go with them so they could do the ride, so I was able to try it out. I'll admit, it is in some ways more nerve-racking than a rollercoaster.
So I again I did the Kidstown ministry through New Life. The first week was good but I found it hard to get involved. This week I found was easier and this week there was also a puppet show. I am starting to learn some of the girls' names and getting to know them, which is so exciting! I really hope that I can continually keep going to Kidstown and being able to get a glimpse into these childrens' lives.
Oh! Lastly, I don't know if I mentioned this before but I was really worried about my grandpa who was diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago and was going into surgery. My grandpa had a little rough patch after the surgery but he is doing so great, which I am so thankful for.
That is it!
Have a great week.
P.S. I got a gnarly rash/scar thing on my neck because of my wetsuit during surfing, it looks like someone tried strangling me!

Chapter 3: Nautical Knots

Ahoy!
Well this week was based on an adventure at sea. The Kaleo crew sailed with a group called SALTS on the Pacific Grace for 5 days. You may wonder how big this vessel must have been to be able to fit the whole Kaleo crew plus the SALTS crew (which numbered 5 people), well this Pacific Grace was 115' in length and.. really tall. I learned a few crazy and awesome knots, and also where the stern is and the bow, and which side is port and which is starboard, but also some more crazy terms like broad reach, booms, or binnacle. We slept and ate down below along with the galley (kitchen) and two heads (bathrooms). It was such close quarters to everyone but I loved every minute of it -other than when I was tired... or had a headache. We also had to do night watch with one other person during the night... obviously, haha.
It was great time to just chat one on one with people and get to know them better. I found that this trip was really a time for us as Kaleo to grow closer and get to know each other better, and I can say now I consider everyone my friend, not just an acquaintance anymore. I really love the community of Kaleo too, it is so open, trustworthy, and non-judgemental where we can share our lives and ideas with one another.
As for thanksgiving, I spent it with the few people -I think around 8- who didn't go home for thanksgiving. They are now my adopted family while I am on the Island, actually the whole Kaleo and Qwanoes staff is. But we went to Duncan last night for supper and had a few thrift store and deer-hitting accident adventures along the way. Also this Sunday I went for the first time to Kidstown that is a program run by New Life and is on Boys Row on a reserve in Duncan. I totally loved the children, they are so excited to play with you and just chill. In some aspects the children and the environment reminded me of Mexico, which for the most part is not good. I had never experienced the reserves like that before, but it doesn't seem right that people should be living like that in a nation like Canada. I really hope I can go every Sunday and get to know this kids. One of the leaders of the group said something along the lines that in our Kaleo classes when our profs talk about the kingdom of God, well we had just witnessed, right on that piece of cement on Boys Row.
Oh! And did I mention that I am a junior sailor? No big deal or anything, (I'll be using that on my resume from now on). Haha.
Until next time!

Chapter 2: We are Responders

Well hello once again!
It has been another crazy and full week here at Kaleo, and definitely a spiritual and emotional roller coaster.
This week was my first college class! Our professor was Cal Macfarlane, and he taught us our Spiritual Formation class. Anyways, this course changed how I look at my spiritual walk. I will be completely honest, I thought I was doing pretty good in my faith, but this week has definitely opened my eyes, and really has taught me humility which is something I have been asking God to teach me. I realized that I was missing out on some very fundamentals parts to my faith like softness of heart, and gratitude to God. Also strangely I was able to work on embracing suffering and knowing that I am not abandoned during hard times. Just the beginning of this week I was told by my grandma and my mom(via telephone conversation) that my grandpa had a tumor. This is/was a devastating blow, it was one of my greatest fears come true. But strangely, even though I am incredibly sad I had this strange peace over me which can only be from God.
Something else we did with our Spiritual Formation was a day or solitude and fasting. It was a time for us just to spend time with God; no distractions. For me, it was a time of relaxation and refreshment. I spent most of the day under a tree that was by the docks. At points I became frustrated with myself because I would lose concentration and think of other things. It was probably right after during one of these time I cleared my mind and started praying. I decided to try out Psalms but as I was flipping my way through, the word clay popped up- clay was something that Cal had used pretty often as an analogy. So out of curiousity, I stopped. I read the verse but it seemed incomplete to me, so I decided to read the whole chapter. It was Job 38. It spoke so strongly to me. It is hard to put in words the emotions that I felt when I read it but they were something along the lines of awe, humility, joy, etc. During the solitude time I was also able to think over my grandpa situation, and really just put it into God's hand, and really feel the peace of God.
Alright, so one last thing. Qwanoes does a road tour to connect with campers from the summer and just to invite other kids to hang out. On Saturday night most of the Kaleoites went to it, along with myself. It was actually pretty sweet, and it was a glimpse to see what the summers look like at Camp Qwanoes. It made me think a little bit about LBC back at home, and the kids there that I worked with through the summer.
Adios amigos!