A New Chapter

As the year comes to a close I cant help but reflect on how much God broke me down only to be built into someone completely new. I came to this place to broken and empty and now I am satisfied and full of life intending to live for Christ. Got stripped me of all I once knew I am not who I once was and it is beautiful to see that God can redeem those who seem hopeless and lost. This truly has been a year of grace. I was so worried about going home and feared I would return to my old self, but I know now that I am strong enough to go out into the world. In a few weeks I will return to camp and work as the head water ski instructor. I cant wait to be a light to kids and have at least a small impact on their lives. I am remembering to be committed to Christ and accept that I truly am Beloved.

Seek first the Kingdom of God

Jojo

Mission Trip-Copper Island

Before I go on explaining about the second half of my mission trip, I forgot to mention in my last post that we were mainly working with First Nations people. The First Nations community is full of brokenness and pain because these people were stolen from their families and forced into residential schools. Being abused by these so called "God Loving" people, made the First Nations people hurt and defensive against any white person. I thought going on this trip would be very difficult to connect with these people. They were at first tough on the outside, but once they saw the light we had and love we had for them, they opened themselves up to us.

Now onto the second half of the trip...

After we spent a week in Vancouver, the team and I had about 18 hours until we headed out to Copper Island. Copper Island is not the actual name of the Island but I forget the actual name and will continue to call it Copper Island. Anyways, we drove all the way to the Banfeild road (dont know about spelling) which is a logging road. The big white van we traveled in began to fall apart on every bump and we got lost, showing up an hour late to the boats. We were greeted by Aaron and Bob, two men we would be working with for the week. We then took a 15 minuet boat ride over to Copper Island. We arrived and got a tour of the camp, meeting two young men named Nolan and Jezerin (sorray about spelling) and then a few of us held a "mini chapel" on the beach because it was Sunday. The next day we woke up for breakfast and began cutting and stacking logs which would be our main job for the remainder of the week. In the evenings we would learn about the history of First Nations people. The first night the two boys shared about how residential schools mistreated family members, friends, the community and the effects it had on them. It broke my heart to hear a testimony of a woman who was once in such an evil place and I had a new found respect for these broken people.

Our daily routine of cutting logs, stacking wood, raking and occasionally petting the coolest cat ever named Felix. It was hard work which was physically demanding, but a great break from the spiritual and mentally demanding week we previously had. In the middle of the week, one of the workers named Russell, said that we deserved a day off, so the directer of the camp offered it up as a learning day. We lounged around all day enjoying fabulous food by a missionary named Ann, and then we got to go crab and prawn fishing. We caught a lot of Crab. When we pulled up the prawn traps, Aaron took the prawn right from the bucket, ripped its head off, then offered it to us to eat. So naturally, I took it and ate it. It was so fresh and good. I proceeded to rip off another ones head, of course doing it wrong having the guts go everywhere, but at least I tried. Tyler also dared me to eat one of the prawns ugly eyes. I introduced a wager being that if I ate one of the eyes, he would have to eat the other. Agreeing, we both ate the eyes. I can say that I dont think I will eat another one again. It tasted like salt and ink. It was just nasty.

For the rest of the week, we continued on with our work, doing more than they ever expected us to. It was amazing being far away from all public on that secluded island. The camp is run by heat from the wood we cut. All the hot water and heat comes from the firewood.

Though it seemed at times like it was pointless to do this, it helped keep the camp running and even the small things are significant in life. I was reminded of the love and beauty God has. I also grew closer to everyone on the team and enjoyed all their company. I was inspired to do missions because Ray and Ann had been missionaries most of their lives. It was awesome to see the commitment they had to Christ and I aspire to continue the passion and fire I have for God. I hope to continue being a light to people.

Praise Him

Jojo

Mission Trip-Vancouver

So much has happened since I last wrote and because I have neglected to write, I find it difficult to recall what has happened over these recent weeks. I will do my best to recollect all that has happened.

After arriving back from reading break, I had an ongoing addiction to cake. Everywhere I went, I wanted cake. The night before the gospel course began, many of the Kaleo's and I went over to the guest house having the motivation of cake eating. There we met Justin L one of the old Kaleo's and chatted with him while we were feeding our addiction. The next day, we began taking our next course which was Gospels. It was so cool to hear and interpret the gospels but it was so difficult to focus in class because of the long hours.

After this course, we had our mission trips. The Argentina team left first followed by the India team leaving us, the Vancouver team (Meghan, Heidi, Lynnea, Jocelyn, Tyler and Nate), to stay behind and have team building before we left for our trip. This consisted of us lounging around, finishing up any assignments and spending time together. We left for our trip Saturday (I think) and began working once we had arrived in Vancouver. The team and I helped out with Inner Hope, which is like foster care, but in a Christian environment and the kids grow up and live there until they move out. We split up, some of us babysitting and some of us cooking and decorating for a life skills program put on by Inner Hope. I assisted in babysitting some of the cutest kids ever. The next day consisted of us going to church at the wrong time, and then attending a church service at the church we were staying in. Monday, we painted at the house and helped out at Union Gospel Mission (UGM).We held a chapel service for the homeless there playing worship music and having a woman who grew up on the streets tell her testimony. I was so nervous to sing in chapel, but the crowd was very good. It was so sad to see the lifelessness in their eyes and I just prayed for each one while I was singing to find life again. After we were done the service, we offered to pray for people in the crowd and one man came forward. It was so cool to see that we impacted at least one person. After prayer for this man, we said hello and talked to the homeless as they walked out.

The rest of the week is kind of blurry, but certain instances that stuck out for me were working at the UGM thrift store, the New Beginnings Youth Group and walking down East Hastings. At the UGM thrift store, we split up again and I worked in the basement sorting and hanging clothing with Tyler. A man that was in charge of the thrift store began talking to us and told us that 60% of everything they receive from people gets thrown out because he believes that less fortunate people deserve better than something old rags. It was incredible to learn that that much is thrown out but was so amazing to hear that this man believed these people have worth and deserve more. New Beginnings church is full of brokenness and my heart cries for these people who have lost so much and have been through hell basically and have the passion and perseverance to go on and find new life in Christ. Walking up and down East Hastings was mind blowing. There were crowds and crowds of homeless people. Their eyes empty and I could sense the brokenness among them. These people could see the light in us and wanted some of it. We also got tours of homeless shelters and churches who fill their whole sanctuary with beds to house these people. I wish we could have done more street ministry with these people.

At first I wasn't looking forward to the trip because I didnt know what to expect. After the Vancouver portion, I was so amazed at what God does through people and was inspired to continue being a light to the world, especially if they were looked down upon by others. I want to and intend to continue ministering to the homeless. I applied to volunteer at the Mustard Seed in Calgary, but they had too many Volunteers so I have to check back in with them when I go home. Being on this trip was spiritually draining and I learned to rely on God in every circumstance and to be in constant prayer. I cannot express this trip well enough and this post does not do it justice.

I will post the second half of my trip shortly. I just need Coffee.

Jojo

new post

This past week everyone returned from reading break. For my break I went home to Calgary to visit friends and family. I mostly worked on my paper, but when I wasn't suffering from writers block, I hung out with my family. I have never been so happy around my family as I was during this break. The fellowship that we shared with each other was priceless. At the end of the break, I was picked up, and Tyler, Josh, Nate, and I all started the long drive back to school. I was neither excited to come back, or disappointed, but looking forward to these last opportunities and moments we all have together here at Kaleo.

After returning back to school, I worked on more homework and my days were very uneventful. Friday night was youth night as usual, and after that Tyler drove me and Sarah to Dairy Queen then after we decided we didn't want Diary Queen and went to McDonalds instead which was gross but satisfying. I have a lot more love for the students at youth now and I enjoy being there just hanging out with the kids.

new post

This past week everyone returned from reading break. For my break I went home to Calgary to visit friends and family. I mostly worked on my paper, but when I wasn't suffering from writers block, I hung out with my family. I have never been so happy around my family as I was during this break. The fellowship that we shared with each other was priceless. At the end of the break, I was picked up, and Tyler, Josh, Nate, and I all started the long drive back to school. I was neither excited to come back, or disappointed, but looking forward to these last opportunities and moments we all have together here at Kaleo.

After returning back to school, I worked on more homework and my days were very uneventful. Friday night was youth night as usual, and after that Tyler drove me and Sarah to Dairy Queen then after we decided we didn't want Diary Queen and went to McDonalds instead which was gross but satisfying. I have a lot more love for the students at youth now and I enjoy being there just hanging out with the kids.

Rebuilding

Outside looks oh so inviting as I sit here pulling my hair out attempting to write yet another paper. I’ve looked at my blog posts and how they lack in complete detail as to how I'm changing and what God has been doing in my life. I guess I’ve just been lazy. And by that I mean I have been really lazy. Now that I'm procrastinating with my paper, I might as well write a good blog post. I’ve been looking back over this year thinking how this all came about. I cant imagine where I would be without this year at Kaleo, and I don’t really want to. God has been doing some amazing work in my life. I’ve been surrounded with some of the most amazing people ive ever met. These future leaders that I get live with are incredible.

I started out this year with a horrible attitude and over these months, God has torn down my defensive walls and begun to rebuild my heart. At times I have tried to build them back up but my defences are not strong enough to do so. I'm slowly accepting the fact that I am loved and though I'm still learning, I'm trying to love myself too. It’s a constant battle for me to surrender my tears and accept that it’s okay to be vulnerable in front of others. "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 this is something I need to constantly remember. I'm stoked to see how God will rebuild and shape my heart.

This year truly is a year of Grace. It's very difficult for me to fathom and I know that ill never fully understand it I just need to learn to accept it.

On Sunday I think it was, my mission team went to Uclulet (i dont think thats spelt right) it was a great bonding experience for all of us and we defiantly got closer. The ocean is just amazing. plain and simple.

I'm pretty worried about next year. I have been praying for God to direct me where I need to go for the summer and the whole year. I've thought of traveling or going to do Snowboard Ministry in Fernie, but whenever I feel I'm called somewhere, a few days later I doubt that. I'm just really praying for clarity on where God really wants me. But as of right now, I'm clueless. Hopefully reading break will open doors up for me.

Im also scared because I don't know if the roots of my faith have grown in deep enough. actually know they aren't. I don't want to get even close to my old ways. Im scared of no support, no follow up, Everyone just going back to their own lives and forgetting. I dont want to forget what happened here. (I hate spilling my feelings out cuz i feel like im so needy.) I don't have any Christian community at home. I still want to grow spiritually and need to remember that we are all growing constantly in our faith. I haven't ever had a group of friends this close and I feel like im going to lose that and be left with old memories and photographs. I will just have to trust in God.

I am so thankful that this is not the end yet, and we still have a few months left together. I pray that by the end, I am ready to journey back into the world.

Jojo

ANOTHER POST YET AGAIN

This week I went over to missions fest in Vancouver. I wasn't very stoked on going at first because I had no idea what missions fest was. The first day I went to one seminar then walked out because it was pretty boring and after that I went to a documentary on persecution in Egypt called Freedom Fighter. It was pretty crazy to see everything that is happening in the world because I had no idea that any persecution of Christians was going on. I had heard of it in the past but just assumed it was over.

The second day I put a bit more effort into the sessions. I had a bad attitude going into missions fest and I was naive about the whole thing so I prayed that I would get something out of this weekend. Later, I went to a really good seminar about film production and there I met Chris Atkins. We talked for a brief while and I asked him how I could get involved in helping out persecuted Christians. He told me about a website where you can pledge your support to the One Voice Movement. http://www.onemillionvoices.org/ (You should check it out) So it was just so cool to meet Chris Atkins and talk to him about filming and to learn from an expert.

I'm kind of interested in going to film school but ill see where I end up. I'll just have to keep praying about next year and see where I'm lead to go.

Today Mel had her baby so Nate and I went to see her and Kevin and the baby of course. it was so tiny and squishy and apparently she ate her own poo. but it was so cool to see her. Her name is Rose which suits her because when she cries her face scrunches up and she turns red. But i guess the name works any time because there are pink roses out there too. Anyways I've gone on for long enough

Until next time...

Jojo

MOUNT WASHINGTON

This week has been one of the most amazing weeks at Kaleo. We all got to go up to Mount Washington to shred gnar for a week. On the first day, conditions were crap. it was so icy when we first went out. The second day I decided to go to the training park with Nate and Ryan. I thought it would be a great idea to go off some jumps. I went off the first one no problem then fell right away. but the guys didnt even see me go off! the second i fell again right away and the third i landed right on my tail bone and it really sucked. i couldn't sit down for a day and a half. after that we had a day off to snowshoe or cross country ski. i had to sit out that day cuz my tail bone hurt too much, but i was back out thursday and i was so glad because there was such sick powder out that morning. it was amazing to shred through.

i got alot closer to the guys this week even though we hang out all the time, and i reconnected with a lot of other students. I already miss being out on the hill and want to go back as soon as possible.

Jojo

Back for round 2

Well most of us are back for second semester here at school. i wasnt really stoked to come back because my break wasnt too great and i had a pretty bad attitude because of what went on. my mindset coming back was horrible. im trying to change my attitude and take notice to change it everyday and it's been a battle but there have been improvements. i recently got sick, so today i feel like poop, but its only a lame cold so im pretty sure ill pull through.

Lately, im much happier with the people around me and we all seem to be getting along better than ever. As much as i want my room to be cleaned, i cant be bothered because im lazy and theres always something else to do. but i feel a roommate cleaning day coming on. so it shouldnt take long if we all chip in. (I seem like a neat freak, but im not at all)

im super stoked to go snowboarding with everyone and shred some gnar.

-Jojo

week unknown

this week was a week of class. we had church ministry. it was good to learn about all the different aspects of the church and all the different denominations. it was a long week full of class.

my room sucksa. i've cleaned my part of the room but everyone on the right side, (right side being when you walk into the room) is really messy so i always trip and almost fall every morning because i cant open my eyes well when i wake up. i wish they would clean. Sorray roommates.

I went snowboarding for the first time this season at Mount Washington. it was sick to get out again. it was so sunny and the base was 165 cm. i followed a trail into a creek and then got stuck in all the powder. it took me a long time to get out of all the snow. but i was glad it was there, because if it wasn't i wouldn't be able to snowboard. that sucked.

-Jojo

Homework week

This week was pretty boring and I don't really have anything much to mention in this entry because I haven't done much worth mentioning. I have been continuing to keep my spiritual journey up and be renewed almost by putting time aside for God which has kept me going through the week. Everyone else's stress from homework finally got to me and a long talk with my intern made me realize that as much as I am a people person, I do need time alone just to rejuvenate myself. So my goal is to set time away for myself everyday and just write down my thoughts and relax.

I have been writing many papers and often dream about going snowboarding. And when I say often I really mean all the time. im just getting frustrated with all my homework and the way i understand things but im getting help in that area so ill be A okay.

I have also involved a couple of my friends in pointless adventures which end up being a fun riot and we just goof around and cause havoc. and when I say havoc I dont mean mess things up.

I am and im also not looking forward to Christmas holiday. since there has been a lot of change happening in me, I dont know if ill be confident enough in who i am now to show that at home. im stoked that i get to see my friends and snowboard though, and i love christmas dinner so that will be sweet to have again. ya i just really want my families cooking again. people here have been really frustrating and we are all sick of each other at this point. so thats also a bonus of going home. i dont have to deal with that.

i just really want to be able to drive again...and snowboard

Jojo

Prayer

This week in class was a week of prayer and homework. Everyone had at least 7 sessions in the prayer room. The Prayer room was just one of the unused dorms we had and it was all lit up with cute lights and at eye level there was every students picture. Below that there were pieces of paper with our names on it. throughout the week everyone wrote on each others paper with encouraging notes and our hopes for them. it was cool to see how supportive everyone was of each other and I really feel accepted.

I enjoy being with everyone here. we all have such a deeper level of friendship and understanding compared to what my previous friendships were like and I know the relationships I have here will last.

Spiritually I have grown so much. Previously, my spiritual life was basically dead and I never took anything in from what I was learning because I had no desire for lack of understanding. Now I am hungry to read, learn more and ask questions. I have bombarded my one intern with so many questions.

This week was a good one for me to grow. I had such peace everytime i went into the prayer room at first. and i cried for the first 4 and then the last three i was so tired and fell asleep in mid prayer. but i had a really good time during this week.

another one for the interweb

This past week we had Hermeneutics. It was pretty sweet to see scripture in a different light in a way that you think of how it was written and who wrote it and who the message was for. Everyone was also so sick this whole week so it was really annoying to hear everyone cough every five seconds and I just felt bad for them cuz they all looked so miserable.

I was talking to my intern yesterday and he was telling me about the snowboard ministry he had worked with in the past. it sounds like an amazing thing to be apart of and i'm pretty interested in getting involved if thats where i'm called to go. but this is looking like a sick option to choose from and it sounds like an awesome way to minister to people.

I've also been thinking of going to Hillsong International Leadership College but it's really expensive so i would deffs have to work hard to go there. I want to go to do the worship music program but i dont know anything for sure yet.

I forgot to mention in my previous posts that all of us students have mission trips we go on. the options were camp ministry in Argentina, Prayer ministry in India and a ministry in Vancouver working with Local Native children that are mistreated and are living in broken homes. Vancouver stood out to me right away, and i did not want to go at all because i would be so uncomfortable going and i wanted to go somewhere awesome. but i knew that i had been called to go to Vancouver so i was pretty angry at first but now i'm looking forward to serve and help others in need. so i hope i get to attend the Vancouver trip.

I'm looking forward to this week coming up. were having a prayer week and it should be pretty inspiring. I can't wait to see what happens for everyone.

Jojo

reading break

This week for reading break I didn't really do much. I went to my family friends house in Victoria which was pretty relaxing. I just did homework and studied most of the time. On Tuesday I mentioned the Watoto thing, but I also went shopping with Anna and we met up with Bret and had coffee. We had a pretty sweet talk at the shop about how much all of us have changed already. Anna and I also hung out at SALTS and helped clean the ship with a bunch of other Kaleo's.
The rest of the week was pretty boring activity wise, all I did was homework. I actually missed so many people here at school. I don't really miss people at all so that was weird. so that was my week here.

Watoto-Raising Future Leaders

This morning (Tuesday) I had breakfast with founders of Watoto as well as children from Gulu Uganda that had been affected by the war. These children had been abducted, beat up, forced to murder innocent people, and robbed of their childhood. All these things were caused by Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance army). Their lives were drastically changed for the worst, until an organization called Watoto. Watoto took all of these troubled kids in and gave and taught them new hope and forgiveness. It was crazy to meet these kids this morning and later that night hear some of the stories they told. At breakfast Marilyn Skinner, (one of the founders of Watoto) spoke of how we could bring anyone to the event that evening. At that point I felt very convicted to go talk to the other students in town and get them to attend that evening. I felt it could impact them greatly and they would benefit from hearing all these stories. I was so nervous asking them because I didn’t think they would be interested, but they all came which was so cool to see. This day was such an impact and a great reminder that forgiveness is the antidote to bitterness.

3 or 4 years ago when I was in Kampala Uganda, Gary and Marilyn skinner spoke at a Sunday service about helping child soldiers in Gulu. It has been amazing being able to witness the progress and success that has come for all these people. I am proud to be the tiniest part in changing lives in Kampala, and my hope for Uganda is that they would be a successful, prosperous country, and to stay strong in their faith.

http://www.watotochurch.com/

Week NUMBER 6

This week I had class all week from 9-5. It was our Old Testament class and we learned about so much. it was almost too much information to take in to my mind. By 3:30 it was too hard to focus but I pulled through. we also had to film a video for this class. We had 13 scenes from the OT and only 3 days. It was a lot of late nights and early mornings but we all finished it. I helped film and acted in some scenes. we all kind of clashed during the whole project, but when it was all done, we came together because of what we accomplished.

Youth has been really a struggle for me. It's hard for me to stay enthusiastic when there are hardly any kids showing up. I've only been to big youth groups and i just feel more comfortable in larger groups. but i really need to focus on the kids that do show, and show a bigger interest in them. I've also been asking the church about doing worship and last night i finally got things going. so soon ill probably start singing in either the youth service or Sunday service.

Week Sayısı beş

So this week all of us Kaleo's went caving near Horn Lake. It was pretty sweet seeing all the formations of the rocks. we turned off all of our head lamps and it was complete darkness in the cave which doesn't sound cool right now but it was at the time.

Earlier in the week we had the first part of our camp ministries class. it was really cool learning how we can minister to youth and children about God. I feel like I am more confident in dealing with difficult circumstances in regards to youth.

The day after the camp ministries class, we all got to go shopping at a place called Goats on a Roof in Coombs. the store reminded me of Europe and i bought a sweet french press coffee maker which i enjoy thoroughly every morning.

Its been a tough go this week with all the homework and disagreements with friends, but everything is sorted out now and i love life here in B.C.

Week nummer fyra

This week at Kaleo, we went surfing in Tofino. While we were there, there was a surf competition called the Cold Water Classic. It was an amazing time seeing all those surfers on the huge waves. when I was surfing i was so focused on it. it took up so much energy and i have never swallowed that much salt water. I picked up surfing pretty quick because i carried my boogie boarding skills over into the mix. it was just a blast learning something completely new. and on that trip i got closer to a girl named Bret. She is pretty great. i can tell she will be a great influence on me.

This weekend I helped out at a woman's retreat. I worked in the kitchen and got to see the other side of camp which was good to see. My shifts were from 6 in the morning until 3. It was sooo hard for me to get up but I enjoyed drinking coffee that much more in the A.M. I got the meet the staff and learned more about them. it was really hard for me to keep a good attitude just because im not too awake in the morning, but i got over myself and loosened up a bit.

during thanksgiving i stayed back at camp and went into town with a bunch of the students and our intern. we had a sweet time hitting up thrift store's, and went out for a family meal. we were all on our way home when my intern ran over a baby deer and it eventually died.

That was my week here at Kaleo
Pce

week Zahl drei

Well this week was awesome
all of us kaleo's went sailing on the pacific ocean near the gulf islands on a vessel by the name of Pacific Grace. I loved being on the ocean. it was so nice being free from phones and the rest of the world. the life of a sailor is totes legit. it's so chill i may just have to take it up for more than 5 days next time.
With such closed quarters, I got to know so many people a lot better, so I feel much closer to everyone here.
The first day was amazing. I climbed to the top of the mast and saw porpuses which are dolphin like things that swim in the water. it was so sweet to be so close.

the food was most brilliant. every meal was pretty delish. me and a couple of my friends helped make pizza one day. it was so much fun. and the pizza was pretty good too.

on another day, me and my friend Anna decided to make a game cuz we were kinda bored. the game was to figure out what role every student and leader would be in a movie. That occupied us for a good hour and a half.

A bunch of the students went off the ship to go pick apples one day and they were the freshest apples ive ever eaten. they were sooooooo good. The cook used those apples for apple pie for breakfast the next day. sooo good :)

I not only learned a lot about everyone else, but a lot about myself on this trip and that was deffs a good thing for me.

week numero dose

So this week was a long one. We had our first week of classes which meant waking up early.
our class was on spiritual formation. it was pretty intense.

last night I went to an event called road tour. road tour is a bunch of kids from camp meeting at different places on the island to join together in the fall after they had all been there in the summer. its just a fun event for them to be free to have fun in a controlled environment.

last week we had our first night at youth group. there's about 25 kids that attend. they are a pretty good bunch and im looking forward to seeing them grow throughout the year.

our church is pretty sweet too. everyone there is really welcoming and so nice. im thankful for such a positive place.

im sooooo excited because tomorrow, we are all leaving to go sailing for 5 days. we get to learn how to run the ship. im looking to get closer with all of the students here. we've already bonded so much. I can't wait to see how this whole year turns out for all of us as we grow and change.
have a good one
-Jordana