What? I just did this?

 

Hello, everyone!

These two beautiful girls beside me are my roommates. Danika is on the left and Lydia is on the right. God has blessed me so much by placing me with these two girls. I already love them so much. We have shared many special moments together. We have cried together, prayed together as well as laughed together, sang and danced together. I ask for your prayers as we live and grow together and in community with the other girls here at Qwanoes.


The very first week here at Qwanoes we went on a 3 day hike up Mt Albert Edward. It was an incredible experience and God taught me so much. The very first day I had moments where I didn't think I could do it but God used my new friends to encourage me and cheer me on. It was so incredible to see everyone helping each other and encouraging each other. Also I found my backpack heavy and my group took a few things from my backpack and placed them in their own backpack; helping to carry my load. Someone later mentioned that this is how the Kaleo community works, we support each other throughout the year, helping to carry each others burdens.

The second day was when we got to summit the mountain. God gave me a picture of the Christian walk. If I looked ahead at the trail, I got discouraged, realizing how far we still had to go. So I focused on taking one step at a time knowing that each step was one step closer to the summit (the end goal). In life I need to live in the present (taking one step at a time), but still pressing on for eternity (my end goal). Getting to the summit felt amazing. It couldn't believe what I had accomplished. It was foggy so we couldn't see the view but God gave us snow! So cool!

Our whole group at the summit

 

Anna and Rebekah

Taking a break for lunch

  























Last week we had our first class, Intro to Spiritual Theology. Briercrest professors fly out for the week to teach our classes. I really enjoyed the class and learnt so much. One thing I learnt was about how much God loves me. I am his beloved and nothing I do is going to change that. When I fail he still loves me and my good deeds are not going to make him love me more.

'The Truest Thing About Me' is not what I have, desire or do but what Christ says about me and my position in him.

Thank you for your prayers. Tomorrow we head out for our SALTS trip. I'm super excited for this new experience.

-Sabrina

Ministry Opportunities

Hi Everyone,

     I can't believe its been almost two weeks already! I want to share with you some of the ministry opportunities I will be involved in this year. Here at Camp Qwanoes I will be helping with many retreats, both partial and full. The church I am going to be attending is Warmland church in Crofton. I will be involved in their kids ministry. In both camp and church I will start off helping and will eventually be leading different activities and events.
     The heart of Camp Qwanoes is their summer camps, so they have told us a lot about what happens here. The only camp that I have ever gone to is Valley View Bible Camp in Manitoba so it was cool for me to hear and see how a different camp runs and operates. One thing that really stuck out to me is that when a camper makes a decision to follow Christ, the camp will connect them with a local church. Then they 'follow-up' on the child to keep in connect with them as they start this new journey. In a few days some of the staff will be taking a tour to these churches with the effort to help and encourage these kids who have dedicated their lives to Jesus. Now during the school year there will be many retreats. Last weekend I was belaying at the challenge course. Tomorrow I will be at the camp store. During other retreats I may be doing dishes, in a cabin as a counselor, or being involved in various other activities. I am very excited to be a part of this camp and to see what goes on during the "backstage" months. In a week and half we will be starting our 'Camp and Youth Ministry' class. I hope that through this class and being able to experience first hand what camp ministry is all about and the rewards and struggles that come with it, that God will show me whether Camp Ministry is something I should pursue in my future. I know that this won't be easy either. There will be times when a retreat is scheduled but I have tons of school work to do, or times when I will be overwhelmed by my involvement in the retreat, or there is one particular youth that drives me crazy but I know that in all things God is good and I can put my hope and trust in him to bring me through any stressful times.
     I'm super excited for the church I will be attending. It is a small church, probably less then 100 people. As soon as we walked in, we had people coming to introduce themselves. I felt very welcomed as I entered this new church environment. As I said earlier I will be involved in the kids ministry. Warmland's focus is their kids and youth. This Sunday I will be leading a Sunday school group (not sure the age yet). This will be during the sermon. I will be on schedule once a month for Sunday School. On Wednesday evenings they have a kids event too! Its called AWANA (hopefully I spelled that right :) and it will be 3 Wednesdays a month. I was surprised at the how many kids are at Warmalnd. I am excited to get to know them and build relationships. Working with kids is my passion. The kids of Portage have taught me so much and I am excited to see how God is going to use the kids of Crofton to teach and bless me. I know this will have its hardships as well. It isn't always easy to keep a child's attention for a long time and trying to teach them at a level at which they can understand, will present its struggles. All in all I'm super excited to see God work this year and I pray that I will have an open and willing heart that is able to be molded and shaped by him. Thank-you for your prayers!

-Sabrina