For our Christmas party Deanna and Gerald cooked us a sumptious turkey dinner, we all dressed up in formal wear. After that we sat around the fire and shared our Christmas traditions and memories.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Christmas Party
For our Christmas party Deanna and Gerald cooked us a sumptious turkey dinner, we all dressed up in formal wear. After that we sat around the fire and shared our Christmas traditions and memories.
Charis Camp
Charis is located near Chilliwack B.C. It is surrounded by lush greenery and small waterfalls. Our first week here was a week of sessions with Jodie Smith. She talked to us about the Old Testament. Our final class with her was building an alter to God. We were each to gather a stone and bring it to the group when we added it to the pile we were supposed to share one thing that God was showing us. For some it was beauty, others it was worth, still others were realizing just how important making God a priority is.
Another really sweet thing Jodie challenged us to do was to write a psalm to God. For some this was a completely new experience for others this was something they had done many times before. So we all ventured a hand at writing a psalm.
For me this was very powerful because words are one of the strongest ways I communicate. Writing allows me to express my thoughts in such a way that it brings me peace and I can go back and reflect upon what I was thinking and feeling at a specific time. It is especially helpful to me in my conversations with God because then I can look back and see his hand upon my life, shaping me, challenging me, and molding me into his image.
We came back to Charis two weeks later and were joined by sites 1&2 for sessions. Our Speakers were Nathan Reiger and Craig Ginn. Craig talked to us about Old Testament history and how to read out of scripture instead of into scripture. Taking it in context.
Nathan shared with us many stories from his life as a pastor at Winnipeg’s Vineyard church (where we stayed for Urban Plunge). He was speaking to us about idols in our lives. He talked to us about how when we experience great hurt in our lives and replace God with idols how we freeze up in layers like a river. He went on to say how we need to be surrounded by enough love to thaw, but even thawing can be a somewhat gradual process and it isn’t always pretty, but if a person continues to be surrounded by enough love then we can completely experience life again.
I know for me personally Outtatown has been a place with enough love to start healing and thawing in my life. God keeps putting circumstances in my life where I am challenged to grow and deal with specific issues. Along the way though he makes sure to place people to love, protect, and hold me accountable as I work through life. It is so humbling to realize again and again just how passionately the God of the universe loves me a wretched sinner.
Joel 2:12-14
“Even now-
This is the Lord’s declaration-
turn to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping,
and mourning.
Tear your hearts,
not just your clothes,
and return to the Lord your God,
For he is gracious
and compassionate,
slow to anger,
rich in faithful love,
and he relents
from sending disaster,
Who knows? He may turn
and relent
and leave a blessing
behind Him,
so you can offer grain and wine
to the Lord your God.”
The grace of God is such a powerful concept especially when we acknowledge how completely undeserving we are and how holy God is.
Praise God for all that he is and all that he has done for us. Blessed be his holy name.
---Brittany Abrahamson
Thursday, November 22, 2007
South African I.Q. Test
Victoria, BC
The week of October 27-November 3
As a group we spent much of this week learning about South Africa, it only makes sense to understand more of the history of a country before you go to visit it! We were divided up into groups to research different eras of South African history. We could just tell you what we learned, but instead we’ll…
Test your South Africa I.Q. (True or False)
1. Africa is often referred to as “The Cradle of Humankind”.
2. The first people to live in South Africa were the Portuguese explorers who landed at the Cape of Good Hope.
3. The Dutch East India Company set up a ``refreshment Station`` in the South for ships to stop in.
4. 1948 was when the Apartheid began in South Africa.
5. Nelson Mandela was the third President of South Africa.
6. South Africa is known as the “rainbow nation”.
7. South Africa will host the Olympics in 2010
8. Kruger National Park is home to many animals in South Africa.
9. Our group is getting very excited to be in South Africa very soon!
Answers
1. (True, some of the earliest forms of civilization are found in Africa including cave art from African Tribes some 28, 000 years ago!)
2. (False, there are many tribes of Africans such as the Khoisan, San, and other Bantu people groups. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in South Africa in 1488 CE.)
3. (True was the beginning of the Dutch colonization of South Africa and the birth of the Afrikaner people and the Afrikaans language).
4. (True, Apartheid means “Apartness” and became an official political system in 1948. This segregation separated South Africans on basis of race and skin colour and lasted until 1994).
5. (False. Nelson Mandela was the first elected president in the new Democratic Republic of South Africa in 1994.
6. (True, South Africa is a beautifully diverse country with many people groups and 11 official languages).
7. (False, South Africa will be hosting the FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament in 2010. Vancouver, BC will be hosting the Olympics).
8. (True, Our group will be going on a safari drive there to see some of Africa’s spectacular animals including; lions, elephants and zebras, to name a few).
9. (True! In less than 2 months we will be enjoying South African summer).
The week of October 27-November 3
As a group we spent much of this week learning about South Africa, it only makes sense to understand more of the history of a country before you go to visit it! We were divided up into groups to research different eras of South African history. We could just tell you what we learned, but instead we’ll…
Test your South Africa I.Q. (True or False)
1. Africa is often referred to as “The Cradle of Humankind”.
2. The first people to live in South Africa were the Portuguese explorers who landed at the Cape of Good Hope.
3. The Dutch East India Company set up a ``refreshment Station`` in the South for ships to stop in.
4. 1948 was when the Apartheid began in South Africa.
5. Nelson Mandela was the third President of South Africa.
6. South Africa is known as the “rainbow nation”.
7. South Africa will host the Olympics in 2010
8. Kruger National Park is home to many animals in South Africa.
9. Our group is getting very excited to be in South Africa very soon!
Answers
1. (True, some of the earliest forms of civilization are found in Africa including cave art from African Tribes some 28, 000 years ago!)
2. (False, there are many tribes of Africans such as the Khoisan, San, and other Bantu people groups. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in South Africa in 1488 CE.)
3. (True was the beginning of the Dutch colonization of South Africa and the birth of the Afrikaner people and the Afrikaans language).
4. (True, Apartheid means “Apartness” and became an official political system in 1948. This segregation separated South Africans on basis of race and skin colour and lasted until 1994).
5. (False. Nelson Mandela was the first elected president in the new Democratic Republic of South Africa in 1994.
6. (True, South Africa is a beautifully diverse country with many people groups and 11 official languages).
7. (False, South Africa will be hosting the FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament in 2010. Vancouver, BC will be hosting the Olympics).
8. (True, Our group will be going on a safari drive there to see some of Africa’s spectacular animals including; lions, elephants and zebras, to name a few).
9. (True! In less than 2 months we will be enjoying South African summer).
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Week in Esperanza
Esperanza, British Columbia
October 22-27, 2007
One of the joys of being a Site Leader is having the chance to return and visit places two years in a row. For me it was an honour to be able to go back to Esperanza again this year as it is one of the most unique places I have ever visited.
Nestled in the mountains of the west coast of Vancouver Island it is a centre with programs of rest and refuge for Native families and individuals addressing issues of drug and alcohol addictions as well as crisis in their lives. The name Esperanza, means “hope” and that is what it has been for many who have visited and left having experienced healing, and a sense of renewal.
We helped out with many preparations for the upcoming Family Session. We found ourselves doing all sorts of service work including: general maintenance, massive loads of laundry, cleaning and doing inventory on the homes that families would be staying in, cleaning up the beach after a series of major storms, and splitting, moving and stacking a winter’s worth of firewood. It was quite something to see some people in our group driving by on tractors to pick up another load of firewood, or the day a group of guys decided to turn splitting wood into something of a “lumberjack competition”. We all worked hard and were tired at the end of everyday, but it was a satisfying feeling to know we had been able to help out that week.
Let the "Outtatown Lumerjack Games" begin...
We took turns cooking for the group all week. Here Johnny's small group shows off their meal!
T.J., Brent and Dave moving wood
More firewood stacking!
A week on Outtatown would hardly be a week without adventure. With that in mind we had many adventures this week. We all got a twenty minute boat ride, as Esperanza has only water access. The brave ones went out in the boat on the open ocean and saw a host of sea lions, seals and other sea life. When the tide went out some of our group were able to find beautiful starfish, salmon and even a sea cucumber! The salmon were spawning that week as well, which meant we were also able to see them, as well as a bear! One night Al, a man who recently came to stay at Esperanza, served up a large batch of clams that he had dug up out of the water. It was a new experience for some, and a tasty experience for all!
In addition to the service work and adventure we had the chance to hear the stories of some of the people that live and have devoted their lives to the ministry at Esperanza. Dean shared with us about both the positive and damaging impacts of Christianity in the colonization of North America and in other areas of the world. As well, he was able to share stories of how he personally had seen God at work in redeeming and healing relationships between the Aboriginal people group of Vancouver Island and Christians.
Ivan, a Regalia Chief, spoke about different cultures and the protocol of those cultures. He spoke of the ways in which the white colonies enforced their culture upon the Aboriginal people. It was heartbreaking to hear the damage and pain that was caused to some many individuals, often children, as they were removed from their homes and sent to Residential Schools, when they were expected to take on “English” names, learn a language foreign to them, and many endured abuse.
Ivan told us about his own journey with both Regalia Aboriginal and Christian beliefs. After wrestling with uncertainties and feeling pressured to choose one or the other, he eventually came to realize that both influenced and informed his Spiritual journey and belief in God. One evening after our group thanked the folks at Esperanza for hosting us Ivan, his wife Victoria and their four sons did a ceremonial song for us. It was powerful to see the way they honoured their traditions and worshipped God at the same time.
All in all, our week at Esperanza was a meaningful chance to see the work of God in many ways, from the beauty of Creation to the stories of redemption and healing in the hearts and lives of his people.
Dana Honderich
October 22-27, 2007
One of the joys of being a Site Leader is having the chance to return and visit places two years in a row. For me it was an honour to be able to go back to Esperanza again this year as it is one of the most unique places I have ever visited.
Nestled in the mountains of the west coast of Vancouver Island it is a centre with programs of rest and refuge for Native families and individuals addressing issues of drug and alcohol addictions as well as crisis in their lives. The name Esperanza, means “hope” and that is what it has been for many who have visited and left having experienced healing, and a sense of renewal.
We helped out with many preparations for the upcoming Family Session. We found ourselves doing all sorts of service work including: general maintenance, massive loads of laundry, cleaning and doing inventory on the homes that families would be staying in, cleaning up the beach after a series of major storms, and splitting, moving and stacking a winter’s worth of firewood. It was quite something to see some people in our group driving by on tractors to pick up another load of firewood, or the day a group of guys decided to turn splitting wood into something of a “lumberjack competition”. We all worked hard and were tired at the end of everyday, but it was a satisfying feeling to know we had been able to help out that week.
Let the "Outtatown Lumerjack Games" begin...
We took turns cooking for the group all week. Here Johnny's small group shows off their meal!
T.J., Brent and Dave moving wood
More firewood stacking!
A week on Outtatown would hardly be a week without adventure. With that in mind we had many adventures this week. We all got a twenty minute boat ride, as Esperanza has only water access. The brave ones went out in the boat on the open ocean and saw a host of sea lions, seals and other sea life. When the tide went out some of our group were able to find beautiful starfish, salmon and even a sea cucumber! The salmon were spawning that week as well, which meant we were also able to see them, as well as a bear! One night Al, a man who recently came to stay at Esperanza, served up a large batch of clams that he had dug up out of the water. It was a new experience for some, and a tasty experience for all!
In addition to the service work and adventure we had the chance to hear the stories of some of the people that live and have devoted their lives to the ministry at Esperanza. Dean shared with us about both the positive and damaging impacts of Christianity in the colonization of North America and in other areas of the world. As well, he was able to share stories of how he personally had seen God at work in redeeming and healing relationships between the Aboriginal people group of Vancouver Island and Christians.
Ivan, a Regalia Chief, spoke about different cultures and the protocol of those cultures. He spoke of the ways in which the white colonies enforced their culture upon the Aboriginal people. It was heartbreaking to hear the damage and pain that was caused to some many individuals, often children, as they were removed from their homes and sent to Residential Schools, when they were expected to take on “English” names, learn a language foreign to them, and many endured abuse.
Ivan told us about his own journey with both Regalia Aboriginal and Christian beliefs. After wrestling with uncertainties and feeling pressured to choose one or the other, he eventually came to realize that both influenced and informed his Spiritual journey and belief in God. One evening after our group thanked the folks at Esperanza for hosting us Ivan, his wife Victoria and their four sons did a ceremonial song for us. It was powerful to see the way they honoured their traditions and worshipped God at the same time.
All in all, our week at Esperanza was a meaningful chance to see the work of God in many ways, from the beauty of Creation to the stories of redemption and healing in the hearts and lives of his people.
Dana Honderich
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