November 25, 2012
I have now been in the Kaléo Program for about 2 1/2 months and in this period of time I have had some time to experience working a little in the ministry field. These areas that I have worked in are at Departure Bay Baptist Church and at the events here at Camp Qwanoes. While I have served in both of these ares and taking my Foundations to Church Ministry course, I have come to appreciate the work that is done at the church back in my home town. I have become to appreciate the work that both the head pastor, the youth pastor and the board of deacons and elders do.
Before taking the Foundations of Church Ministry course and listening to the discussions panel of pastors of different churches, I had no idea how hard of a career being a pastor was. I think that during the discussion panel my eyes were opened up to that. This also gave me a new appreciation for the pastor and his family back home. I came to realize that they, as a family, sacrifice a lot to follow God's call and take care of our church family and the community. Also within the class and my observations at Departure Bay Baptist. I came to appreciate the deacons and the elders of the church, before I never realized how much responsibility they had and how much effort they put into those responsibilities.
The third thing I have truly come to appreciate this year is my youth pastor from back home. As I have been serving in the youth group this year and Departure Bay, I have come to the realization of the great responsibility the leader of a youth group has. They have to look out for the well being of all those (Might i say, rowdy) pre-teens and teens. that can be a pretty scary thing. So I am so thankful for the great youth pastor I had in my home church. Altogether, I have come to appreciate all of the areas of work that our but into the church, but these three have stuck out to me especially. 

November 11th, 2012

I’ve been here, at camp Qwanoes, for about two months now and I have been working in my church of a little less than that. Over these past two months, I’ve seen God work through my ministries areas. The area’s that God has been working in is; in me, my fellow students, and the Children we are ministering to.

                First of all I’ve noticed change in me. through my ministering areas and my classes God has been teaching me so much. I think especially in the area of patients. I’ve really noticed this in trying to work with my youth group. The nights are pretty crazy and by the end of a Wednesday night you wonder if what you were trying to accomplish was just a waste of time because the night was complete chaos. Things, I believe, have slowly been getting better. We, (Elita, John, and I) have been learning so much in the area of trying to stay organized and trying to get through to kids who ultimately just want to screw around. When first beginning to work in the youth group, I was excited to work with the kids and to begin a change in their lives, but I believe God didn’t just put us three in the youth group to teach the youth but also to teach and change us.

                Next the work that I see God has done in the children at the retreats has been wonderful. I remember counseling in the Jr. High retreat, on Sunday morning Johnny Mo asked those who wanted to commit or recommit to Christ. At first the room was silent, no one moved, then he asked again, and one by one they started to stand. It was amazing to see how God had worked through these kid’s lives that weekend and how they were ready to make a stand no matter what their friends thought.(see what I did there?)

Saturday, October 27, 2012

               Through my experience hear at Qwanoes I have had many opportunities to not only participate as a leader but also follow and observe other leaders in action. I’ve come to recognize different qualities in leaders that make them good leaders. Some of these qualities are such as good listening, adaptability, and friendly confidence.

                These qualities I have noticed in many of the excellent leaders here at Qwanoes and in the Kaléo Program. But even though these are excellent qualities for a leader, for a follower sometimes they can be hard to follow. In a group of people usually everyone will come into the group with their own agenda and opinions. It’s a good thing for the leader to be adaptable but they can only adapt to a certain point, and sometimes it can be hard for followers to help out and also be adaptable. I know this is certainly true for me, I know I struggle with thinking my agenda is the best way to do things and sometimes that can make me into a bad follower. Another area in which I think I have followed badly is by not following instructions entirely or by slacking off. I think that there have been occasions in which I've not been prepared. One example this year was during the women’s retreat I was assigned to work in the Kitchen and because I didn't understand the schedule and I didn't ask questions I ended up showing up to work in the kitchen at 12:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 am.

                I think a  good follower needs to respect the leaders in the authority. This is an area that I think I have done well in. What I try to do to be a good follower, is to do what is asked of me right away and with a good attitude. Personally I think I have done with well within the area of my everyday life here at Qwanoes . I try to do everything the leaders ask of me right away and with a good attitude.

             October 11, 2012

In my church I haven’t had much of a chance to connect with Kids from my youth, as seeing that I have only gone to two youth groups and most of the kids in the youth do not go to church on Sundays. But the ways that I have tried to connect with them is in small group time. I have learned most of their names, but really haven’t had a real conversation with them as of yet.

                As for the pastor and people in other leadership roles, I feel as if I have made better connections.  Every time we walk into the church I feel very welcomed, there is always someone that takes interest to make conversation with us. I feel like we have made some good connections with the pastor’s son in which we have had good conversations with and he has become more like our friend.

                Overall I feel like the connections really need to be made to with the Youth, I also think that it will be the biggest challenge of this year to be able to get to know the kids. My experiences that I’ve had over the last two youth groups are that the kids are very out of control and that in this atmosphere it is really hard to make those one on one connections, especially when you are putting all your efforts in to trying to calm them down. My hope for this year is that I will be able to make connections with the youth and be able to share with these kids. As for our connections with the ministry groups in the church I think are great and I hope they continue that way. 

    Hey there fellow friends and family! Within these last two weeks that I have been in the Kaléo Program I have already been given many opportunities to serve at Camp Qwanoes and my new church. The church I have been placed, Departure Bay Baptist Church, on a Sunday morning, is quite similar to my own church back home. The size is about the same, which is very small, and there is also a greater quantity of older members. The church itself is very welcoming, on our first day many of the members made an effort to introduce themselves to us and to make us feel welcomed!
   Although we haven't been given specific jobs in our church yet, they have already started putting us to work. This last Sunday, Elita and John were thrown into the children's Sunday school, while I read the week's passage scripture to the congregation. Also, we are helping in the youth group on Wednesday nights. The set up for Wednesday youth nights, I believe are going to be very stretching for me, they are nothing like what I am used to at my own church back home. The entire youth group is consistent of all 11 to 12 year old, energetic boys and girls. Our first night with them was a little rough because it was hard to keep there attention during worship, the lesson, and small group time! But I will be praying that God will give me and my two Kaléo companions the ability to not only share our lives and Christ's love with the youth but that he would also grow and stretch us throughout the year.
   Another part of the ministry I have been involved in so far is helping with the Trinity Western University retreat. For this weekend I was able to serve at Ice cream island were i learned the ropes in the small, little building. Although, since the weather was a tad bit chilly, we did not have very many customers, but I still had good conversation and tasty treat! :) Im excited to continue serving in the camp in the upcoming retreats this fall, and my church! here's to a great year!