Mount Washington Skiing and Snowboarding

Hello Everyone!

This past week has been quite the week! We have been on the slopes for the past five days  at (as the title suggests) Mount Washington Alpine Resort. This mountain is one of the only ski resorts on Vancouver Island. 

(Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

The first two days were full of skiing and snowboarding. On a little bit of a down note, we were also met with slush and rain as the temperatures rarely dipped below -1°C. This did not stop the students from having a blast on the mountain however! Everyone was having a great time despite the poor conditions. The second day, the weather was so uncooperative that the many of the locals did not even bother coming to the hill that day. As a result, that afternoon the mountain was basically ours to use! 

(Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

After two days of shredding the mountain, we had a rest day. All of the students appreciated the time off because it was a great way to connect and relax sore muscles. The day was filled with card games, good conversations and some course work. 

On our fourth day, we were able to go and hit the slopes one last time. The weather was a little more cooperative, as it was a bit colder and was not raining! This made for a great last day skiing down the mountain.

(Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

On the last day, snowshoeing was the chosen activity! We all rented snowshoes and took one of the lifts up to the top of the mountain and our guides (Claude, Thomas and Wyatt)  brought us down the backside of the mountain while teaching us different skills about living in the wilderness, particularly in the winter months! Snow caves were built, navigation was taught, and snowshoe races were had. It was a great day enjoyed by all. 

 (Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

(Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

On Thursday we are heading to Vancouver to participate in a conference called Missions Fest. Everyone is looking forward to listening to the seminars and scouting out the plethora of booths at this conference. We will be sure to tell you all about it next week!

Isaiah Moffatt

Kaléo Intern

Finally Back on the Island

We're back! Sorry for the late post... the start of second semester has been a crazy time and some things have been neglected - this blog being one of those things. Our apologies! We will now resume our weekly posting.

The students arrived back on Vancouver Island about two weeks ago and were met with joyful hugs and full hearts from their well rested friends. Soon after the arrival on the Island, the students hopped right into their first class of the semester - "Introduction to Christian Theology" with Merrill Dyck, MA.

In class, the students learned that a relationship with God is so much more important than the knowledge of God. They also learned that no one can truely understand the Trinity and that to explain the Trinity in any sort of human reason would be heresy; the Trinity cannot be understood, just accepted. Another part of what they learned in class is that the virgin birth is paramount in knowing that Jesus is God.

On the last day, the students were pitted against each other in theological debates, where they had to defend their side of an issue. Students were put into teams and were assigned an argument to defend. The students then researched why their side of the issue was the correct view, despite what they personally felt about it. The issues that they had to debate on were "whether or not punishment in Hell is eternal," and "does praying change God's mind." It was a good exercise in defending your belief when people challenge your views.

This past, week the students had time to finish up their assignments for the class. Also during this week, the students and staff were able to have a good evening of fun at fireside. Fireside, if you don't remember, is where staff invite students into their homes and have an evening away from camp and assignments, playing games and eating snacks. It is a fun change of pace and a great time was had by both the staff and the students.

  (Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

  (Photo Credits: Kyle Bauman)

 Also during this homework week we went curling! On Wednesday, all the students had the opportunity to experience curling. Although some students have preconceived notions of what the game would be like, everyone enjoyed learning how to curl and even had time to play a few ends of the game!

 (Photo Credits: Michaela St. Louis)

 (Photo Credits: Peyton Arnold)

  (Photo Credits: Peyton Arnold)

To end off the week, the students led a valley-wide youth group night for all the churches in the Cowichan Valley called "One". Youth groups came from all the churches in the area to have fun and learn about God. The night went off without a hitch and great fun was had by all!

 (Photo Credits: Beth Vliet)

 (Photo Credits: Beth Vliet)

This week, we are heading to Mount Washington, for our week long ski/snowboard trip! Please be praying that no injuries happen on this trip and that everyone is able to enjoy their time on the mountain.

Until next time,
Isaiah Moffatt
Kaléo Intern

Church Ministry and Cow Bay

This past week, the students had a great time learning about Church Ministry from  Dr. David Ernst D. Min. He takes a different approach to class as his classroom is a tech free zone. That means any and all notes that the students wish to take must be taken with pen and paper. 

The students enjoyed being in the class as they learned the various parts that make up church ministry. There were some great discussions that were held both in class and out of class as the students discussed various topics about church ministry such as: spiritual gifts, women in leadership, homosexuality, and social justice.

On Wednesday, the students and Professor Ernst took some time off in the afternoon to go an adventure. Almost the entire class went to Cowichan Bay to explore and have fun as a group. The weather was beautiful and made for an excellent study break.

Saturday was supposed to be the Guys/Girls day where both groups go out and have fun along with their respective genders. Unfortunately, the weather was not as co-operative as was hoped and the roads were atrocious. No one was able to succeed in their plans so the afternoon was split into girls/guys, and during the evening, we all came together and had supper while watching a movie, it was a great time to sit back and relax. 

(Photo Credits: Isaiah Moffatt)

This coming week is the final push before the students go home for Christmas break and they are working diligently to finish all of their last assignments. Please be praying for motivation and strength for all the students to push through these last few days and to finish well.

Isaiah Moffatt

Kaléo Program Intern

Tis the Season

The environment this past week in the Kaléo Program was one of preparation and relaxation. The students have been hard at work preparing for their last class of the semester “Foundations of Church Ministry” with Professor David Ernst, D.Min., and finishing up final  projects from their previous classes.However, the students had several opportunities to step away from their homework to enjoy each other’s company. On Tuesday, we switched up the chapel scene by hiking up Maple Mountain, singing praise songs as we walked along. At a lookout, in front of three wooden crosses, we listened and were challenged by Shane Pickel as he taught from the Word. The hike was beautiful and chilly but just what the group needed.

                                                                                                              (Photo Credit: Rachel Nelson)

                                                                                                            (Photo Credit: Rachel Nelson)

On Thursday, everyone got into a festive mood as we held a day full of Christmas preparation. The day started with everyone pilling into the vans and going on a hunt for two perfect Christmas trees. Once we arrived at the tree farm in Duncan, the tree hunt turned into a game of presentation and playful debates of who had found the best tree. 

                                                                                                               (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt) 

                                                                                                    (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

After our successful find we spent the afternoon making our own Christmas tree ornaments, and popcorn and cranberry garlands to decorate the trees while watching The Nativity Story. The festivities continued into the night as a few of the students planned a surprise Christmas party for the rest of the students at the Camp Qwanoes Guest House, complete with games, food and great music.

                                                                                                     (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)
                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                           (Photo Credit: Hannah Ayton)

The students are now eagerly preparing to learn more about the Church and who they are in relation to it as they reflect upon class teachings and experiences in different ministry areas at church and at camp.

-Rachel Nelson, Kaléo Program Intern

The Week of Prayer

Prayer is an essential part of having a deep and meaningful relationship with God. This past week the students were able to partake in an awesome part of the program called the week of prayer.

(Photo Credit: Rachel Nelson)

 (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

During this week, the students signed up for different one-hour time slots of prayer throughout the week. We set up a special room for the students to utilize while they were in prayer for the hour. The students were really enjoying their time focused on God. Throughout the week I would hear students say things such as:
- I never thought that I would be able to pray for that long but the time flew by.
- I wish I had more time in the room before I had to leave.
- Can we keep the room set up like this all the time?

Needless to say, the week was extremely impactful on all of the students.

Also during this week, the students were able to partake in an exercise learning about themselves and each other. Merrill Dyck, MA, a professor of Briercrest, came out to camp for a few days to do the Birkman Assessment. The Birkman Assessment is a personality test that has been proven to be quite effective at finding out and listing people's personality traits. The test tells you your strengths, weakensses, learning styles, and other traits. All the students took the test and learned more about themselves as individuals and how they interact with others. They now have a better understanding of who they are and how they work most effectively.

(Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

This coming week, the students have more time to relax; but that doesnt mean that they have nothing to do. They are working on pre-course assignments for their next class which is "Foundations of Church Ministry" with David Ernst, DMin. Please be praying for them as they head into another class soon.

- Isaiah Moffatt
  Kaléo Program Intern

A Step Back In Time

This past week the students were challenged to dig deeper into biblical history through taking the class “Introduction to the Old Testament” with Professor Don Taylor, DTh. Don’s teachings challenged the students to read scripture differently. They began to see how the Bible is not two separate books, but rather, it is a narrative as a whole. 

                                                                                                                               (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

One of the students, Peyton Arnold, remarked this about the class:

"I loved this class. I now feel more confident in my biblical knowledge. It was helpful to able to understand the timeline of the Old Testament and how it can help me understand how it relates and connects to the New Testament. It helped me to solidify my understanding of the New Covenant that was made through Jesus in the New Testament."

                                                                                                      (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

This week also turned out to be very hectic but fun for the students as they retold the Old Testament by script writing and directing a video project. On Friday their hard work was displayed for all, as the staff were invited to join the students to watch the directors cut of the film.

                                                                                                                              (Photo Credit: Isaiah Moffatt)

                                                                                                  (Photo Credit: Rachel Nelson)

At camp this week the staff and students were able to bond over Tuesday night’s community

fireside. The night was filled with good food and good company as we all gathered together in Club Coco to enjoy some pizza and games. It was a well needed break from all the busyness of student life.

-Rachel Nelson, Kaléo Program Intern

                                                                                                                            (Photo Credit: Rachel Nelson)