| a.day.in.the.life
First Semester Experiences Second Semester Experiences |
By: Luke Bonham, Albany, Oregon Day one began with the excitement of knowing I was about to meet 32 new people that I would be “forced” to like for the next 7 months. (It’s not that bad!) We wasted no time jumping into the site vans and took the afternoon to drive to Manitoba Pioneer Camp, located on an island in Shoal Lake. The next day was spent orienting ourselves on how to canoe, and I could tell some strong, life-long friendships were already being built. Day three found us setting off on our 4 day excursion pondering the question of where I have come from, and why I have chosen to give this upcoming year of my life to God’s service. Each day of canoeing progressed with adventures in portaging, seeing God’s creation, from eagles to squirrels, and time spent paddling getting to know your new friends. Each day had a theme and time to ponder scripture related to the subject. They were – growth, maturity, and transition – what do you want to leave behind, and what season are you entering into. There is a certain power in starting the year and relationships in the atmosphere of just nature and people. I believe God speaks so powerfully through both. The thing about this trip was that I saw right off the bat that everyone had a yearning for God in some way. The openness of the people here through these 4 topics helped me clarify my purpose in this year, and also helped me see that every single person here has a desire for growth, a passion that God will use in powerful ways. The trip, although it contained challenge and adventure, was most importantly about giving me life and excitement about the things God will do for us this year. By: Cale Robinson – Barrie, Ontario If there was one specific word I could choose to describe my impression of the Outtatown program it would be growth; spiritually, socially, emotionally, and in many other areas. When I first arrived at the CMU property I had no idea what to expect. All I had was an uncontainable excitement, but on top of this an apprehension and an uncertainty. I was uncertain about what the year would bring, what my role would be on the team, where or not I would fit into the group which would, in a sense, be my family for the next 8 months. I was also left thinking of home and what would happen to my family and friends while I would be gone. All of this doubt and uncertainty slowly peeled away as I began the journey. When I started talking to the other members of my site, I realized they also had the same thoughts as me and a few days into the journey people began to connect through casual conversation, serious conversation, and through prayer; the beginnings of a group connection with God this year. As the days went on the whole group split into 2 smaller ones for a four day canoe trip. In this short amount of time the group landed very closely and we began to see each other in many different lights. There’s nothing like a little fresh air and roughing it in the wild that brings out transparency in people. Personally, I am somewhat introverted, but I still love being around people and getting to know them at a deep level. But I truly loved the quiet times on the trip when I was able to sit down and just talk to God and worship Him. Never in my life have I desired to spend time with God so intensely as right now. The canoe trip really connected everyone and I could see a passion stirring for everyone to know God so much more. All of the experiences of Outtatown along with the amazing leaders on the canoe trip and the main site leaders have created an adventure of a lifetime for all of the students. A great way to start the year!
As a group we spent a day, September 21, in silence to allow ourselves to listen to God and reflect on what he has done in our lives. Here is the experience of two people. By: Eric Knapp The day of silence was… well, silent. Though difficult to some, it was a nice break from a constant verbal assault that comes with living in an outstanding community. The day consisted of a corporate venture in the woods followed by an afternoon of individual solitude, which finalized in a spiritual labyrinth created by Cheryl, 1 of 4 of our devoted leaders. So what did I find? Well, not much. It was frustrating because I was really hoping for revelation. I looked at the rocks in the river and tried to solve my romantic dilemmas. I compared ripples in the water to our coming and going in this world. I felt that maybe we should all learn from the trees; constantly stretching, reaching, and yearning towards the sun as humans should be yielded to their Creator. However, I did not find revelation. Nor did it find me. My discouragement soon gave way to a realization of what it is that God might be wanting. For us to stop running around in circles, craning our necks, and attempting to discover the outcome of the world in an acorn. To simply relax, be still, and listen. (Psalms 46:10)
By: Landon Erb Going into the day of silence, I wanted to cut the world out of my mind for one day. After a silent breakfast, I started to pray for my senses to be numb toward my environment. As I continued praying, I entered a trance of sorts, my mind shut out from the world. (I was lying behind the couch during this prayer.) Slowly drifting into a deep state of incognition. Then this state was broken by complete silence. In a sense nothing woke me from this trance, the of sound caused my mind to become aware of my surroundings. I arose from the prone position to find where this silence was coming from, and at that moment I noticed white vans leaving, taking my noise and new friends with them. I was meant to be in one of those vans, but I missed them. But I’m not late, no I’m right on time for something much greater. Being left behind answered my prayer, perhaps not the way I had anticipated, but answered nonetheless. Spending most of my time searching for God’s voice or at least the meaning to life, I get no answer. I ask again for God to speak to me. I hear no answer. But through the Lord’s silence, my answer was given more clearly than words could have ever put it. Forgive me while I try to explain. You see, through silence we can better understand sound, and because of the dark we appreciate the light. This is like how God has worked in my life. I ask for direction and He tells me to make my own decision. I pray for something and it is taken away to prove its true worth. Though it may feel as if God is not answering prayer he is slowly showing us more of the big picture. So my day ends and I go to sleep feeling great. But even in my sleep I cannot escape the experience of earth and it makes me think of how great heaven will be, to understand and see how awesome and wonderful God really is. I live in expectation of my final destination. Till next time, PEACE OUT.
By: Lindsay Schellenberg It has been a crazy couple weeks here at Camp Nutimik. This was our first stop of many as we learn about God and as we bask in His glorious creation. We, as a team have been in session for almost three weeks and it’s been so fun getting to know each and every one of the students this year. Our first week was spent on a canoe trip at Pioneer Camp in Ontario. And it was an experience I will never forget. I was petrified at first of tipping and all those other things that comes along with canoeing. God protected me and kept us safe the whole way. It was amazing to be in God’s creation, out on the open water and just look at the stars at night and look at the sunrise in the morning. We were woken up by our leaders’ loud scream, and it was a great start to our day. After four days and three nights, we headed to Seven Sisters, Manitoba where we have been at Nutimik Baptist Bible Camp for the past two weeks starting our classroom studies for the first semester. Pastor John Unger from the Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg was our first speaker, Murray Froese from the Meeting Place in Winnipeg, Pierre Gilbert who is a professor at Canadian Mennonite University, and Gareth Goosen who is the founder of “Make Us Holy Ministries,” have all shared with us their wisdom and insight on several different topics. I am sure that all of us students have been challenged by what these speakers have had to say. I know I have!! God has really challenged me just to be myself and to find that time to spend with Him. I believe that God has given me the best opportunity in the world, to travel and experience His creation in a whole new way. And I can’t wait to travel through Western Canada and bring the message of Christ down the people of Guatemala.
By: Erynn Wiebe After a crazy but enjoyable home stay weekend, Site 2 packed up at 5:30am and headed west for BC. When we arrived later at Schuswap Lake, energy was flying and everyone was excited about the next four days we would spend relaxing on two beautiful houseboats. Better than anything I had ever imagined, the houseboats were equipped with a beautiful living room, huge TV, a kitchen with an island, sleeping space for 22 people and two bathrooms with showers, and a hot tub, all packed into three floors of luxury. We were ready to soak it all in!!! As we sailed off in our boats, Hec 1 and Sunset Drifter, we marveled at the beauty God had created around us. We were surrounded by rolling hills covered in trees changing with the season. The view was spectacular along with the weather. It was almost like the summer we never had in Manitoba. During the day we would sail to our next docking spot, which would usually be a rocky or sandy beach, arriving there around lunch. Afternoons were spent exploring the shore or just simply relaxing and bathing in the hot tub. In the evenings our group would come alive as we ate supper together on one boat and planned the nights’ activities, including a Napoleon Dynamite Skills Challenge, a dance party and the Murder Mystery of Poobee, the beloved bear of Jenni Berkel. Each boat took turns hosting the other and providing the entertainment. This was something everyone looked forward to and delighted in. Needless to say it was hard to leave our luxury behind when we sailed back into the harbor at Sicamouse. However we left with the experiences and the memories we had that will always stick with us, never failing to make us laugh.
What God Revealed to Me in Vancouver When I first arrived in Vancouver, I felt anxious and excited all at once. On one hand I wasn’t sure how interacting and relating with a street person was going to be. But at the same time I knew that God was going to use our group and change our perspective into His. God did help open my eyes to people that needed Him almost every time I walked down the streets of Vancouver. From the street people who were panhandling, doing drugs, and woman prostituting themselves; to men and women in massive malls and busy office buildings only concerned with gaining more possessions and power. There are two experiences that really stick out in my mind where Go really revealed Himself to me. First of all, I decided to dedicate part of my day of service to panhandling. The reason behind this was to relate to people on the streets and see how people treated them. What I experienced was a lot of rude, self absorbed people who didn’t even acknowledge me. Through this experience God showed me how selfish and indifferent a lot of us are to the poor and needy. As Christians, I believe it is our job to express love to those in need and help them if we are able to. Another experience where God revealed himself to me occurred on the night we were split off into groups and went into different prostitution “strolls” in the city. While we were there we went on a prayer walk and we were instructed to pick one person from our group to give the rose to a prostitute. For whatever reason I didn’t really want to be the person to give the rose to a prostitute. But sure enough my group picked me to the give the rose, so reluctantly I went up to a woman and gave her the rose. Immediately her face lit up and she turned to me smiling and said “Thank you, may God bless you.” That experience taught me two things, first that God finds everyone valuable from the prostitutes to the pimps. Secondly, it taught me that if you are obedient to God in the little things, He will bless you and show you new and exciting things. Vancouver Our week in Vancouver was an intense week. It was incredibly draining, yet rewarding at the same time. I have been on mission trips in North American towns and cities before, but have never been so utterly overwhelmed by the level of poverty. They tell us Vancouver is “popular” for the homeless because of the climate – people won’t freeze to death in the winter. But I could and can hardly believe it. The streets are literally teeming with poor people. There are drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, and hunger … you name it and the streets of Vancouver have it. It fills me with anger and a deep sadness. One look into the glazed eyes of the people reveals a sense of despair and hopelessness. These lives have been stripped of any shred of hope, which is made evident in the way they live their lives. There is so much these people need. We spent a week downtown and gave what we could. They were hungry; we fed them. They needed money; we gave. They needed clothing; people gave their own. We have been blessed so that we may bless others. But what are they really lacking? Hope, faith and love. The people do not need to be preached at and condemned, they need to be loved – the greatest gift. We have this gift and we MUST share it! What good is anything we do if there is no love? Our love - the love of Christ - …must take action.
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