Sept,24,2012
So far I have been at camp Qwanoes for just under two weeks. I was a little nervous getting here, but I soon got to know all of my amazing classmates and staff who I can now call my close friends and second family. The first out trip that we got to participate in was hiking. I was excited to go, but my reasoning for my excitement was for selfish reasons. I realize now that the hiking experience was to glorify God and to appreciate his creation. While on the hike I began to realize that I am not strong enough to climb the mountain on my own. The more I climbed the harder it got. I could not of climbed to the top without the strength of God working within me. As soon as I realized I was no longer relying on my own strength, I began to grasp more energy as well as feel the presence of God climbing the mountain with me. When I had finally reached the top, I looked at the amazing view around me and realized, that the work I had to go through to get here was worth it. For in the same way our struggles in life end up being worth it in the end when we get to finally see Jesus.
Since this is a leadership program, of course I am going to tell you about my journey of becoming a leader. So far I have had the chance to lead at youth group and at Qwanoes during a retreat. Each student was assigned a different church that they will have an opportunity to serve in as well as attending the services. The church I was assigned to is called New Life which is located in Duncan. I really enjoyed attending this church because It has a significantly larger population than the churches that I am used to. I enjoy going to the smaller churches in my community but I really wanted to try something new and to see what it is like to be apart of a larger church family. New Life has larger youth group than I am used to as well. At New Life they have two different groups that spit up and do different things. They have a senior high youth group and a junior high youth group. I was able to help out and lead at the senior youth group this Friday. I was a little scared at first knowing that the youth group is larger than what I am used to, but I was also nervous because I was their leader and I have never lead a group of kids before, I didn't know what I was doing! Then I find out that I am also leading the grade ten girls devotions! Luckily, the topic of the devotion was already chosen. Though I still felt Gods presence during the parts of the devotions that were not planned out. The holy spirit within me allowed the proper words flow right out of my mouth! I really enjoyed the experience and cant wait for more to come as I grow and become stretched in my faith.
Camp ministry is one of the other ways that I am doing ministry and contributing in leadership. At camp there are many retreats happening during the fall and I get to serve during those retreats. So far there has been one retreat that I have had the opportunity to serve and that was when the student leaders from Trinity Western University came, for the weekend. I got to help out and serve during the weekend by helping out at the boat house. While at the boat house my job was to hand out life jackets and help people out with the kayaks and paddle boards. For me it wasn't just a job but it was also a chance to talk to and get to know some of the students from the university, while helping them out during the retreat. The last way I got to help out at the camp, these past two weeks, was when I was put on dish duty. Once a week every student will be put on dish duty. Nobody actually likes doing dishes or at least I have never met anybody that does,but its a chance to serve and that is what I am here to do serve and glorify God at the same time. I dont mind doing the dishes because I know that its the right thing to do and it helps me to grow in becoming a leader and a woman of God.
So far the Kaleo program has been great. I had the opportunity to meet lots of great people and to become a part in this wonderful community. I encourage you to keep on reading my blog to find out what else god is doing in my life and what crazy adventures he has for me.
