God has answered so many prayers recently. I do believe that my faith has increased greatly as I have seen how God answers our prayers. I prayed for one of my friends to come into a room so that a much needed conversation could take place and sure enough, he came in within seconds, and a deeper level of friendship was reached. Kaleo had been praying for Kaitlyn, the sister of my good friend Nate for a long time now, as she has cancer. Many weeks ago I wrote on here, that there is a story that is not finished. Recently, we have seen another part of this story. Her cancer (said to be incurable by doctors and specialists) shrunk from the size of a golf ball to a marble! A man we met in our homeless ministry, Darryl was having hard times (that's all that he would tell us) and after a time in prayer for him around a fire, the next week we come back and the first thing that he says is, "It's happened." God completely lifted him out of his valley and his heart is full of thanks. I love this! I love seeing God work and it gives me so much hope and expectation for more of God's movement and providence.
Our last class, Christian worldview really opened my eyes to see that I do not have to think the same way that the world does. In fact, I shouldn't. While I understood that I must not conform to any pattern that the world is trying to force me into, I realized this week that in every aspect of life, my mind needs to be shaped in light of the gospel. I am still learning what this looks like, but I am starting to see life in a new light. Continue to pray for new vision, a vision that matches that of Christ Jesus.
Easter was a huge time for me. Good Friday was an incredible storm. Hurricane winds and rain coming down endlessly. Seemed like pathetic fallacy to me. I trekked out up a nearby hill carrying a cross, hoping simply to be moved by the day. I understood the significance but I simply wanted to feel it. The Lord invited me into the pain that took place many years ago as I found myself weeping on top of the mountain, clinging to the cross. I have never cried so hard in such a long time. I am thankful for that day, as it only made Sunday more joyous. Early on Sunday morning, four of us hiked back up that same mountain I had gone on Friday and read the easter narrative, worshiped and belted out prayers of celebration and thanksgiving. Down the mountain, I truly felt like a disciple, since we were sprinting down this mountain shouting that "He is risen!" and "Jesus lives!" It was such a change of mood from the somber march up the mountain.
We have been having a lot of fun these past few days too. Bunny catching at UVIC, hitch-hiking and longboarding on Saltspring Island, late night Star Wars movie nights at Jim's house, white water kayaking, and bonfires down on the beach.
Last night, my room, 211, went out for dinner for our final hangout time. It was a sweet time of laughs, encouragements and challenges for one another. I have really been blessed by God by these guys that I have been living with. At first, it seemed like we were the most random collection of individuals, and who knows, we may be. But at the end of this year, I know that I will deeply miss them, since they are my brothers. This is true for everyone here I have come to realize. We are a family and it will be hard to go our separate ways.
I have really been blessed by the homeless ministry that I have been part of this year. I have come to a new understanding about what it means to be committed to bring about change. Change takes a long time, and it takes a long time to see the fruit of what God has done. I know for a fact however, that God is working in Duncan and in the native communities. I am leaving Duncan with great hopes for what God will do. I know that this ministry has sparked something deep within me, that will continue long after this place. I have a heart to see the broken, oppressed and neglected be restored. Thank the Lord for the invitation to be part of his work in this way.
It was a sad, but satisfying feeling to say goodbye to my youth group and Church. It was sad since I have really grown to love the people in both places, and have established some great friendships. Not only that, but I have grown as a result of both, and have enjoyed being part of a new community of believers. It is satisfying though knowing that we have run the race well and are finishing strong, with no regrets or disappointments. It is satisfying because there are many ways that I have been encouraged about a revival in our churches through what I have seen at New Life. I am thankful that God has placed me in the church that he did this year.
This week is a week about tying up all the strings. Putting a close on this incredible journey is now my focus; pray that I will do this well. Pray that friendships will be filled with encouragement and thanksgiving. Please pray for this next week, as we will simply be spending time with one another. That's it. No agenda, just soaking up every minute that we have with each other. Thank you all for your faithful and effective prayers.
I'm sure that there will be more posts to come.
