Long day after surfing with rugby buddy Kendra :)

Surfing in Tofino with my roomie  Lindsey :)

Pacific Grace in all her glory

Sitting in the sun on the SALTS ship, the Pacific Grace.

Who Will Lead Us?

The people wander around around, aimlessly, with no direction.  Nothing is getting done, no one is going anywhere, and everyone is getting frustrated. No one is stepping up to lead this group, and therefore the group just sits in confused static.  They need a leader.
Martin Luther.  William Wilburforce.  Joshua.  Nelson Mandela.  Deborah.
All these men and women are exceptional leaders of our history, stepping up to the plate when they were needed, whether they had great courage or not.  They saw that there was a need for direction, for them to lead in their society, and instead of backing down from this great feat, they accepted the challenge.
As I have been at Kaléo for a little under 2 months now, I have been able to see, through my church experience,  Qwanoes retreats, Bible classes and numerous out trips, many different qualities of a leader within our group.  Although there are many different attributes to a good leader, what has stood out to me thus far has been adaptability, putting others before themselves, humble service, encouragement, initiative, reliance on God and intentionality. 
As I've seen these qualities being portrayed by myself and others, I'm not going to pretend that it was easy.  In a community full of leaders, it's really easy to just become complacent and let others step up to the plate.  To stretch me here and allow me to serve my brothers and sisters, God has been stretching me in so many ways by giving me leadership opportunities.
During the Jrs Retreat last weekend, I was an "All Star" which means I helped run the games, as well as helping out doing dishes, actioneering for some of the morning Q-town (chapel), and running the milkshake hut.  It was really fun, and I was able to get to know lots of the kids who were there, as well as work on a few papers and books I had to read for my next class.  On Saturday evening though, right before dinner, the Head Counselor approached me and asked me if I would be willing to step in and help in a huge way.  One of the international female counselors from Australia had just gotten word that her grandmother had died back home, and would be in any state to counsel the rest of the weekend.  Could I help out and counsel her cabin for the rest of the weekend?  I know I was going to say yes, and even a little bit excited to hang out with a new group of girls, but at the same time I was apprehensive about connecting with them and the loss of my homework time.  The Lord works in mysterious ways though, having all of them loving me right from the minute I said hello.  They are so precious and God opened doors that night giving me a chance to explain heaven, hell, the trinity, taking God's name in vain and the gospel to a group of 11 year-olds.  He definitely challenged and stretched me to be adaptable and fully rely on Him.
This past week our group has been in an "Old Testament Literature" class with Prof. Don Taylor from Briercrest.  He taught us so much this past week, my eyes were definitely opened to the God of the Old Testament, and many different new truths, perspectives and ancient history that helps me see the Bible through different eyes.  At the end of the class yesterday, I was going to stand up and pray for him and bless him for coming to teach us after he had finished praying for us.  Everyone started getting up out of their seats and making announcements about the weekend and I saw the moment slipping away.  I wanted to thank him for all that he'd done in a prayer but I just felt silly because everyone was already leaving.  So I didn't.  I know that's not a very encouraging story, but just a way to show that I still struggle with qualities of initiative and intentionally in leadership.  I ask God that he would give me other opportunities just like that so that I may learn from last time and follow what God has asked me to do.
As a leader, you not only have to lead those around you, but also follow well. If you are not able to follow other leaders and show you are a good follower, those who you are leading will see your bad example and will not follow you.  When you are a leader, following can sometimes take a lot of humility, but it is necessary and good to teach you how to be a better leader.
A few weeks ago, we went on a tall sail ship, somewhat like the Bluenose (which is on the dime) with a program called SALTS (Sailing and Life Training Society).  We were taught how to be sailors, how to run a ship, how to sail and steer and live together in such close quarters.  It was a real eye-opening and learning experience since I'd never been sailing before and I had no idea.  I had to listen to the crew members and do exactly what they told me, especially when we were putting up anchor, or sail, or steering the ship.  It was a humbling experience, not knowing at all what I was doing, but it was exciting to be able to learn and be taught along with my Kaléo family here.
In my church, Warmland Community, my friends Michael and Evan and I were asked to lead the Sunday School on Sunday morning called Ten Ten, (from John 10:10).  We all planned the lesson together, and had assigned portions that we were going to lead, questions and topics we were each going to speak about.  During the Sunday school, some of the kids weren't really responsive during one of the times Michael or Evan was leading, so I interjected, and asked my own leading questions to try and make them think in a different way.  I felt super convicted after because I had been taking leadership out of their hands and I had been trying to lead myself instead of following and letting them take control.  It definitely showed me that I wasn't very comfortable with letting others learn to lead, and that I needed to be a better follower.
As I try to stumble around and perhaps sometime encounter what it's like to be a good leader, ultimately I can look to Christ who was the perfect leader.  He exemplified all the qualities of an exceptional leader, and he continues to lead millions around the world who call on his name.  I don't need to worry that I have not arrived, for no one will ever truly arrive until we come home with Christ.  I will continue to learn and grow and make mistakes, all looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.  To him be the glory forevermore.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won't become weary and give up." - Hebrews 12:2-3

Hands and Feet of Christ

If your house was on fire, I bet the only thing you would really be caring about saving would be your family.  Firefighters brave the flame and the blaze to look for those you love, those who you have invested your life into, not your sock puppet from the sixth grade.  Relationships are central to our existence here on earth, and I believe that they literally govern how we live our lives.  Days can be made and hearts can be broken by just a single relationships interaction.  Relationships take a long time to form and build trust, but can also be the most monumental thing in our lives.  As Christ has called me to serve in my local church of Warmland, he has also called me to start formulating relationships with those around me, in his body which is the church.  Every Sunday morning I attend the church service and every Friday I attend the youth group full of a small bunch of rowdy, lively young people.  As an outsider coming in, at first I felt a bit intrusive to their tight-knit community, but even after the first night, I felt so welcomed there.  All of the kids kept running around, talking to me, playing with my hair, jumping on my back, holding my hand.  I can't say that that was the most graceful acceptance into a youth group I've had before, but i definitely knew that it was there way of saying that I belonged.  A child knows you care about them if you remember their name.  Our names are our spoken identity, and it speaks volumes if you can remember a child's name.  Whenever I see the students on Sunday at church, I try to call them by name and engage them in conversation about their week, and even sit with them through the service.  When I see a youth at church who I haven't seen at youth group, I go up to them and ask them their name and try to get them to come out to youth group, even if that means talking to their parents.  Last week I got the chance to lead a small group of girls, roughly grades 6 and 7.  I got to go around and learn different things about them before we started our chat about life and faith.  It is definitely going to be a challenge working with these girls, but I know that God has placed me in this church to make an impact, and that is what I'm planning to do!
As part of a ministry team at any church, you need to intentionally connect with the leaders within the church and get on board with their vision.  It is such a privilege and a blessing to have Stevie-G, the games coordinator from Camp Qwanoes also be the Youth Pastor of Warmland.  I had already known him from the summers past at Qwanoes, and it was just the coolest thing to come on mission with him at his own church back home.  His wife, Alycia, is also my LinQ, my older staff connection from camp, so God has greatly blessed me getting to know this family!  Every Sunday after church, Evan, Michael and I, along with all the other youth leaders head over to Steve's house for lunch and a youth meeting.  It is so encouraging to bounce ideas back and forth, step up for leadership roles, but most importantly to get to know some of the other leadership staff who I am going to be working beside.  Another leader who I have gotten the opportunity to connect with would be Bryan, the Lead Pastor of Warmland and his wife Lana.  One Sunday after church when we didn't have a youth meeting, Bryan invited us to come over to their house to meet their family, and another family on the leadership team at church.  It was such a blessing from God to have hospitality given to us in this way, so far away from home.  Both families have such adorable little toddlers, and we were able to play Lego and other games with them before lunch, and we really saw the family dynamic of these strong Christian families.  As we talked with Lana and Bryan, and James and his wife, I was just so encouraged to have the opportunity of leading beside and underneath these wonderful individuals.  I felt a lot more comfortable talking with them about their lives and struggles, and telling them about my life as well.  As it turns out, Lana's sister lives in Coquitlam!  How crazy is that?  God works in mysterious ways...
As I get to know Warmland and its members more and more, I continue to see God's hand of blessing everywhere.  Putting me in this church was no mistake and as I continue to serve and connect with the body of Christ all around me, I grow in my love for his people and am able to give back what I have been given.  Even when I'm so far away from home, these people feel like family, and I'm so glad that I am able to be used by Christ in this way.
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." - Eph. 5:1-2