In this issue:

Devotional Thought
By: Paul Kroeker, Director, Outtatown

Last week, Marcus, Deanna, Melanie (student working in our office and doing very well) and I were together for a time of sharing and prayer.  We all noted some things that we could pray for; like the sessions taking place with aboriginal people groups, the energy, wisdom and grace needed to be a site leader etc.  Then we took the time to pray for the leaders, for the Holy Spirit to be at work in the lives of our students and for the many other logistical concerns that can arise in this program.

For our devotional time together I read from Matthew 11: 28-30, where Jesus tells us the following: "Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

First of all, notice the invitational approach Jesus provides as an example for to follow – come unto me – arms open wide - no judgment indicated - no need to identify that I am a sinner saved by grace – just an invitation to come to Jesus.  It was a reminder that I need to be open to others, avoid the judgments that proceed from unforgiven events of the past or preconceived notions of what a person “looks like” and simply invite relationship.  We tend to think of this as naïve sometimes, and our current culture does not have much respect for naiveté, and yet this is not a gullible stance but an intentional approach to express love and trust, knowing that there are times we will be hurt or rejected.  Naiveté that is chosen and intentional can be a very beautiful thing.

Secondly, the invitation is to share our burden with Jesus, in fact to exchange our load of worries and concerns with a new, “lighter burden” of service and joy.  Marcus indicated that this passage had been a mainstay of his work as site leader, especially in his second year in Africa where the concerns about logistics, and his worries about what to do could have paralyzed him at times.  In this passage he took comfort in the fact that he was not alone – he was partnering with Jesus – and in doing so he needed to do his part - but it was the lighter load and God would do the rest.  Then, he needed to make the phone calls or do the work, but without the burden of worry that he had felt before.

For all of us, there are times when we feel the weight of the load.  Remember that Jesus is partnering with you.  You are not alone.  In fact Jesus invites you to exchange loads – to take the lighter burden – and to exchange it for a joy-filled burden of being faithful.

Please note that I am not just saying this for your sake but my own.  Even this weekend, some of the issues and concerns seemed to be raised in ways that caused undue anxiety on my part and I needed to remind myself that I am not alone – God is with me – Jesus is inviting me to exchange the oppressive load I was experiencing for the lighter, joy filled load of daily obedience, trusting that when I do my small part, God will do the rest – the results are not up to me – God is in charge of the outcomes.

Take care my friends – Jesus is walking this road with you.

Love in Christ,
Paul Kroeker

5 Things I wish someone told me when I was 18
By: Marcus Fowler, Assistant to the Director, Outtatown

Okay, so I probably was told some of these things when I was 18, but for some reason I didn’t always listen. Have you ever thought about what you would tell your younger self if you could travel back in time? I think I would start by smacking myself upside the head (you know, to really get my attention) then sit myself down to impart some solid words of advice from someone worth listening to – me, the guy who lives out the consequences (both good and bad) of the decisions made on the whims of an adolescent.

While many people tend to learn their biggest lessons from their biggest mistakes, life is always a little bit better if you can master the art of learning from the mistakes of others. If you’re an 18 year old, or you’re a parent of an 18 year old, or you know an 18 year old (you get the point), this list is worth thinking about. And, if I were you, I’d pay attention.

1. God is not boring.
   I grew up in a very conservative, stuffy church. I don’t mean to be judgemental, but that’s how it always felt to me. We would show up on Sunday mornings to listen to boring sermons, sing music I didn’t like and go to a youth group I didn’t connect with. Sound familiar to anyone? I felt like my church = boring, therefore God = boring. However, when I was 20 I got a job working at a Christian summer camp. What a difference! There were tons of other young people – many from churches like mine – who had created a community totally on fire for God that was anything but boring. Through camp I got connected with a different church that was ‘alive’, traveled to Eastern Europe four times to work with orphans and street children, and now work for an adventure discipleship school. God is anything but boring.
   
2. Embrace community.
   I am a firm believer that life’s biggest lessons are learned in the context of community. Patience, flexibility, and acceptance of others…these are things that I’ve learned I lack at times. Whether it was growing up in a big family, living with roommates, or traveling with thirty 18-year olds as an Outtatown Leader; somewhere along the way I transitioned from being frustrated by others interrupting my selfishness, to falling in love with community; frustrations and all. Donald Miller said it well in his book, Blue Like Jazz, “Living in Community made me realize one of my faults: I was addicted to myself.” Embrace community. Practice dying to yourself and practice valuing others.
   
3. You are not the centre of the universe.
   I know, I know…your mom has told you this your whole life. But it’s true. Living a life intentionally focused on generosity, service to others and concern for those around you will be way more satisfying than a life that’s self-obsessed. This even ties in to point # 1: God may feel boring if all you do is focus on yourself, but if you follow Jesus’ call to serve others, you will see faith in action and it will come alive.
   
4. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
   There’s a book with this title by a woman named Susan Jeffers. I haven’t read it. I just like the title. It’s great advice, and perhaps the greatest successes in my life have come when I’ve felt the fear - whether it’s failure, humiliation, inadequacy or getting hurt - but I’ve been able to avoid being controlled by it. After all, even the bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
   2 Timothy 1:7
   
5. Accept what you cannot change.
   You’ve probably heard this frequently quoted prayer: God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Pray this and live it.

If you could impart some wisdom to an 18 year old, what would it be? Please email me at mfowler@cmu.ca with suggestions to add to this list. I will compile responses from our newsletter subscribers and publish an updated list next month.

Come on an adventure with Spiritual depth and meaning—an adventure for the soul!

Itinerary     Cost     Tour Organizer     Registration     Contact

Imagine . . . awakening your senses in Antigua, Guatemala—“land of the eternal spring,” a veritable garden of Eden.

Imagine . . . exploring the issues of wealth and poverty, beauty and chaos, the contradictions and complications of Guatemala, heart of Central America.

Imagine . . . sharing this event with a select group of travelers who are looking at issues of culture, faith and personal renewal—and the challenge of both the beauty and brokenness of Central America.

Imagine . . . An Adventure for the Soul in Guatemala!

CMU’s Outtatown program has been involved in the transformation of Guatemala for the past eight years.
Now, for 10 wonderful days from February 15 – 24, 2008, we are inviting a small group of adults to join in this “adventure for the soul”—to come see this beautiful, challenging country that we have come to know and love.

Hosted by Paul Kroeker, Director of CMU’s Outtatown program, the tour will give you a chance to visit some of the 40 students and staff who will be learning and serving in Guatemala from January to April. You will hear stories of how this experience has changed lives, and you will see first hand some of the ways God is at work in this remarkable part of the world.

Itinerary

Antigua

We will begin in Antigua, Guatemala, the ancient capital city that is nestled in amongst live volcanoes. It tells the story of the past five centuries in its architecture, its cobblestone streets and the eyes of the people. It is here that you will have a chance to have supper with the students in a village home; explore the many cathedrals, streets and cafes; and consider the many arts and crafts that are available in the area. All of this while staying in a hotel that is five star for its gardens alone!

Guatemala City

The story becomes more complex as we visit Guatemala City, staying in more modest accommodations and hearing about the issues that face Guatemala today. From the slums that line the valleys, to the upscale malls; from those who live off the garbage of the city to those who live in wealth and leisure—this is a city of contrasts. Evening discussion will centre on what it means to live in a global economy and to heed the call from Jesus to “love your neighbor.”

Tikal (optional event at additional cost)

A day trip to Tikal will introduce us to the ancient Mayan people, a significant part of the population today. You will have an opportunity to see the breath-taking evidence of the complex societies and profound accomplishments that preceded the “discovery of America.”

Panahachel and Lake Atitlan

We will spend time together exploring the area of Panahachel and Lake Atitlan, where the beauty of this inland jewel is contrasted by the severity of mudslides that decimated entire villages during heavy rainfalls a little more that a year ago. This is an area known for crafts and the rich traditions of the original people of Guatemala.

Visit to a local farm

Agriculture is often at the heart of a country, and Guatemala is no exception. It is said that almost anything grows in this diverse biosphere; no visit to Central America would be complete without a good opportunity to see a local farm. The accommodations will be rustic, but both the ancient and contemporary farming methods may surprise even those who feel they are on top of what is happening on the best farms in North America.

Antigua and farewell

And finally, it’s back to Antigua where we will also be able to  gather our thoughts, conclude some of our conversations and form fond memories that may take years to process—and a lifetime to cherish.

Cost

Cost of the trip is $2,900. It includes all ground transportation, breakfast and evening meals together as a group and entry to all local tours and attractions—plus great memories! It does not include the flights or shuttle service to Antigua.  Daily lunches are at your won expense, which you can find at a café of your choice.  Nor does this fee include some of those wonderful paintings, woven crafts or rare memorabilia that you will surely want to barter for along the way!

Tour Organizer

This tour is arranged in partnership with Sherryl Koop of Bonaventure Travel, http://www.bonaventuretravel.ca who has planned all flights and logistics along the way.

Tour Registration

Once you decide to go (and you will want to!), you will need to send the application form and deposit to the Bonaventure office. Mail to Sherryl Koop, Bonaventure Travel, 428 Academy Rd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0C3.

Contact Information

For more information, feel free to call Sherryl Koop at the Bonaventure Travel office, or Paul Kroeker and Deanna Loeppky in the Outtatown office.

Sherryl Koop: (204) 488-6653 or 1-888-550-8998. E-mail: sherryl@bonaventuretravel.ca

Paul Kroeker: (204) 487-3300 or 1-877-231.4570. E-mail: pkroeker@cmu.ca

Deanna Loeppky: (204) 487-3300 or 1-877-231.4570. E-mail: dloeppky@cmu.ca