Kaleo Ministry

Another week has come and gone. I know some of you are thinking "Finally the girl has actually started working". Yup, that's right, we  had our first class/course of the year. It was called spiritual formation with Dr. Marv Penner. 

He was such an amazing teacher...and I learned so much from our discussions in class, my many questions, and the times when he sent us out to find a place of solitude. 

I don't really know what I should tell  you about the class. We learned a lot about prayer, meditation, scripture memorisation, friendships, sin, relationships and so much more. 

The verse I memorized for him was James 1:5,6 

"For any of you who lacks wisdom, ask God for he gives generously to all those without finding fault, it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, for if he doubts he is like a wave in the ocean tossed and blown by the wind."

As apart of class we had to lead worship in our groups provided for us. Everything went really smoothly for each group and at times was really deep on what was being said. It was really enjoyable to see students lead worship, and lead in talking. Friday we had 2 hours of solitude to talk to God, write in a journal, read the bible, and listen to music, and after that we partook in communion.

Besides the awesome week of school I have also been having a lot of fun with everyone here- wow I bet you wouldn't have guessed that eh?- hahaha

Here are a few things I did this week

Monday-dressed up  with Kylie to prove to 2 guys that I owned a dress and I did dress up from time to time...also had an amazing time of worship, scripture reading and a testimony with Just the Kaleo students Monday night. We sang songs so late into the night!

Tuesday-Played some volleyball, and then got owned in a sand fight with Tom...basically I was the stubborn sister who couldn't let her "big brother tom" beat her down without getting him back....unfortunately I got COVERED in sand. Also had an amazing time with three kitchen staff at their house with Ryan and Paul doing "fireside". Its when Kaleo students are invited over to Staff's house for a time of eating, talking, and community! We had CHOCOLATE FONDU! yummm and everything possible to dip it in.

Wednesday-Had dish pit duty-I actually like doing dish pit...kinda fun (just wait for a few more weeks then ill be tired of it I'm sure)...made our extra bunk bed into a couch at the bottom...so now we can crash any time without having to climb our latter to our bed....and went down to the dock and chilled with a bunch of friends. Miranda and I stayed behind and almost got eaten by something with big yellow sly eyes.....We screamed our heads off!

Thursday-Soccer training by myself, and went into Duncan and bought a small C.D. player YAY!

Friday- Played soccer in Q-town until 1 in the morning. I was way to into it:)

Sat- Called my bro, went to Qwanoes Road Tour with my youth group. This is an event that basically brings Kids from the summer together to have some more "summer like fun" throughout the school year-worshiping God, playing games, listening to talking and such-.

It was really fun to hang out with my kids, play silly games, and dance with the crowd. I really enjoy seeing them, getting the numerous amounts of hugs, and seeing how pumped up and energetic they are!

Besides having a good time with them in Victoria (for this event), our power was out at Qwanoes and all over Crofton, so of course we played night games and once everyone was in their room...Miranda and I go into each girls room and scare all the ladies with a scary mask I put on. IT WAS AWESOME! lol. So for 2 hours Miranda Leila and I are all laughing in our room about peoples reactions and just being weird with our head lamps and the darkness!

Sunday- Another day at church. I must say I am praying for the Lord to keep me back. I had a good talk with one of the Staff members who used to go to Ladysmith (my church) and we both broke out in frustration. I am doing everything to hold my tongue...I just feel as if this church will die once the older generation has passed on. I know that sounds horrible, but the way they are feeding their young people is not strong nourishment at all. I pray to God that this will be a time of change, and the Older generation will open their eyes to the young!

Besides that, I really enjoy the older couple that drive us to church...they are in a way "upbeat" and they think I am funny for some reason-they said I was a rebel- haha is it true?

I worked on a paper for Camp Ministry all day, and still hate it! The paper is not my thing, and I am helping edit others, I can just not form my opinion into educational paper. After many frustrating hours, and motivation from Jon and Jer, I played some music and enjoyed the company of my roomies laughing away the stress. 

I guess I should stop talking now...I always say to much! There's just so much to tell you all, and this way I don't have to write massive individual emails! lol!

Life is amazing, and I'M SO BLESSED TO BE HERE!

Please pray for my church, for unity and openness.

Please pray for a friend, who is having family struggles.

Thanks for reading again, and keeping me in your thoughts!

I love you all, and where ever you are throughout the world 

KEEP SMILING!

FISH---deb

P.S.- I just finally  figured out how I can tansferr Items to put pics up here

pic one is of Jer and I tieing knots so I could finish up my orals to become a Junior Sailor and picture 2 is my hiking group at the top of the mountain! (Albert-Edward)

Ill have to add some more next time:)

Kaleo Ministry

Hello ALL!

Another week of Kaleo has come to a close. I can not believe I am already 2 weeks and 3 days into the whole Kaleo experience! This is quite amazing. As most of you already know, I have been gone for 5 days on a S.A.L.T.S. sailing ship (called Pacific Grace). It was such an amazing experience! On Monday we took the bus down to the ship and waited to be invited onto the vessel by the skipper and first mate. From there, we were educated about the ship and went straight to sailing after putting our bags on our bunks. We got some sweet wind our first day with some good waves and beautiful sun. It was so nice to see the boat half tipped over and flying through the water. Raising the sails is quite the experience and takes a lot of man power. We all got turns throughout the trip to be the main heavers and also the backup line who pulls what the main heavers pull down ( if that made any sense lol). Throughout the 5 days we were fed very well (especially desert), sang tons of songs, worked at all different areas of this ship, played numerous amounts of games, and laid around talking and sleeping. We had 3 days of rain but that was fine, because we got to see sea lions and slide around up on deck. 

We spent one day with the dories and paddled to shore and went for a nice long hike. Our last day was foggy which was really interesting trying to avoid all the other ships on the ocean. 

There is just so much to say about the whole trip!

It was really exciting to see everyone work so hard together, and when we had chats down below deck in the hold before bed, we were all really encouraging. It felt as if some things said to each other were truly moments from God.

Probably one of my favourite moments was going up on deck to do night watch. The stars, phosphorescence and wild life were amazing, and talking with my night watch buddy Miranda was sweet too. 

I can't believe I actually now have my junior sailors license, which I totally was not expecting to get, and I can actually say I'm missing the head (the small toilet in the girls hold) ....hahha what an experience:)

Besides so many stories that I could tell you about, this weekend was pretty good too. We got back Friday night and I went straight from supper to youth group for my church. We are a real small crowd, but I am totally loving the kids. They are so loving and interesting. They are a real cool bunch and I've only seen them twice, so I'm really excited for this year that's for sure. I pray we have more kids show up throughout the year though. It would be more encouraging to the leader and the kids I'm sure. 

I had a good time doing dishes with some Kaleo kids here...we are all getting to know each other more and more each day. Plus its just more energetic doing chores with people that are friends.

Life is going great, the night sky is amazing, and classes start tomorrow. Please pray for my church, the youth, and the stress of next week. I am off to enjoy this sunny day!

Happy Sunday

as always, keep smiling

Deborah --- aka FISH! 

Kaleo Ministry

Hello ALL!

For those of you that don't know, I am starting a Blog for school in order to communicate to my supporters how you could all pray for me and my ministry experiences this year. 

I have been at Kaleo for one week so far, and wouldn't change my experiences so far for the world! I arrived with many anticipating butterflies, but instantly they were swallowed and overcome. 

I have two amazing roomies (Miranda and Lelia) and a whole bunch of new tight friends. It has been amazing to see how quickly we become tight with each other here (Must be God's Blessing!).

Besides getting to know the camp (which I still haven't had a full tour yet), having a few quick informational meetings (getting to belay students is one of those testing/meetings we took also), having some great sports games (ultimate frizbee), having a beach day ( COLD water), doing some pre-scheduled homework, and spending an evening in victoria, I have been able to meet my church and have quite the experience climbing Mt. Albert-Edward.

My church (Ladysmith) will definitely be a stretch for me, for I am used to 

hanging with a younger generation and a more modern age of music, however 

with many prayers and a positive attitude I am willing to learn from God whatever 

he has to teach me at this church. I really pray that everything works out and that 

I not only see a positive change in the church but also in me.

Climbing the Mt. Albert-Edward was like NOTHING I have ever experienced.

First off I had a cold, so I had to go straight into being sick to climbing a mountain

and honestly I think it made me a stronger person. We got all geared up and

packed the night before. The drive out there was filled with much anticipation and a

little bit of sleepers:) Kaleo students were all seperated randomly into groups of 

5-6 and split up to hike in your group. It took about 5 hours to reach where we 

were going to spend the night (and thats with stops for pictures, breaks for people

like me to breath, and for lunch). I must admit reaching base camp was awesome 

because carrying a pack that long is REALLY tiring after a long time! After eating,

and talking/games we fell asleep in our clothes we hiked in and woke up to get 

ready to hike as the full 28 students to the peak of Mt. Albert-Edward. 

Thank-goodness we only had to take our day pack filled with some food, a rain

jacket (don't worry it was perfect weather the whole 3 days) and some other items

if needed. Reaching the top was pure bliss! Everyone felt emotion, because the

whole hike up there was nothing but beauty( the scenery) and pain (our muscles).

All of us felt some sort of push by God. To either peruse through the pain in 

sickness or fatigue, or to look around and experience just a glimpse of God's 

splendor. It was pure MADNESS (in a good way!). After all the emotion of working 

together as a team to reach the top and giving each other support, we climbed

back down (after about an hour or so) and took it slow to the bottom. I made

a snow man, and a few snowball fights and many good talks with the group. 

Once we were down from the main hike we spent the night at base camp again 

and took the next day to pack up and go home. I love it, and am so proud I 

climbed up huffing and wheezing with a sore throat! My legs are so sore, I have 

blisters, and I slept in the same clothes 2 nights in a row but it was all worth it

to see the beauty that I did.

God has such an artistic side eh?! He is constantly reminding me to be still and 

observe the pure pleasure in all the beauty of my surroundings.

Tomorrow I will be helping belay students from the rock wall, and hopefully on 

Friday I will be helping out with the first youth even at my church. Please also pray

for the up coming SALTS trip next week (22nd-26th)

As always,

keep smiling

Deborah Fisk