Silent Retreat

We recently had the chance to experience an entire day of silence. We focused our time listening to God's voice in solitude by spending time in prayer, studying the Bible, going for walks, and doing nothing. Though it was a little uncomfortable for some of us, we agreed it was an excellent way of communicating with God. Many of us experienced God in a way we never had before. Some encountered God in a very personal and extraordinary way, which made us realize that He still speaks to people in this day and age.
Kevin Brandt

Lynele enjoying the beautiful Esperanza view.

Charlie and Chet chopping wood.

A sunny day at Esperanza, rare.

Janell and Aaron working hard.

Barkey looking confused.

Breanne, Katy, Kelly, Shayleen and Shaun

Chet getting squished by Shayleen

The ferry ride.

Aaron being superman?

Becca on the rope swing.

Esperanza

We left Camp Charis smack’n early at 5:45 Friday Nov. 7. We drove for a couple of hours and then got on a ferry for an hour and a half. Lori and I took advantage of the ferry and walked about the deck. Once we got off the ferry we drove all afternoon until we once again got on smaller boats this time with just our luggage and food for the week. A twenty-minute boat ride later and we were at Esperanza.

It rains a lot in Esperanza! Thursday was the only day that it did not rain the whole week. We had class in the mornings and work duties around the camp in the afternoons. We chopped wood, stacked it in different woodsheds, helped with a house they are building, did some cleaning and leaf raking as well.

The staff at Esperanza taught us about the First Nations and their history. It’s really interesting to hear Canada’s history. Back in my high school we were never taught Canadian history, so I had never heard about the residential schools. It was kind of shocking to hear all this history.

This week I was complaining about the cold, damp, and rainy weather. I was staying in a cabin called King’s Palace with Kris, Lisa, Natalie, Tristan and Breanne. Our cabin was the only one with a dehumidifier, so each morning our clothes, towels and shoes were dry. God told me, look how blessed you are Kelly. You have a heater, a warm cabin, warm sleeping bag, rain gear plus the only dehumidifier in the camp. I realized that I couldn’t complain about my circumstances.

Kelly McCoy, the Iowan

Week Two at Charis

This week we had two really good speakers who both got us really thinking about our relationship with God and our families. Our first speaker, Steve Klassen (not our site leader, an older Steve) really focused and valued how to embrace a healthy lifestyle with God. He taught us how we need to listen to God through his word, at work all around us, in silence and solitude, and through our hearts. This was a big focus in his teaching since listening to God is so important and many of us don’t spend the time to just sit with God.

Our next speaker was Dan Unrau who spoke about family systems. He focused on the balance of families and how we only change once our families become unbalanced. We talked about secrets and triangles within families and how they are unhealthy, while differentiation and playfulness within families are healthy. Overall we had a very interesting week learning more about ourselves and learning more about God.

Anneke

Knowing Yourself Week

Following our week of urban adventure in Vancouver, we traveled to Charis Camp just outside of Chilliwack, BC. Charis is a cozy and beautiful place, which is pretty much our home base for the rest of the semester.

Our first week at Charis was a week for class, assignments, mentoring and reflection. We explored the topic of “knowing yourself”. We took a personality test, discussed the importance of values and explored different “love languages”. Not only did these exercises help us to understand ourselves, but also we learned more about each other and how to be better friends within the community. We also spent time with our small groups. We met for a bible study, focusing on the concept of grace.

We had time to relax, play games, explore the wilderness, or just hang out. The small group challenge put us head to head in a variety of skill testing activities. Rolling down hills, collecting leaves, relays and more.

It was also a fun week of growing both in self-awareness and friendship, and we topped it all off with a sweet Halloween bash.

Michelle