Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Leadership and discipleship in the Wilderness 2007

June 2-July 3—Georgian Bay—Ontario, Canada

We are going on a journey—a pilgrimage of sorts—a sea kayaking adventure with 11 college students this summer. LDW has traditionally been held in the Wyoming mountains, but this year while CCO is training new mountaineering instructors, we will pilot a new destination for this summer program. Nate Tiefenbach, Charity Haulbrich and Emily Bean will join Joy and I in leading this 32-day voyage. During the trip, students will focus on 5 areas of discovery– Spiritual Disciplines, Leadership, Community, Knowing, and Servanthood.

In the story of Israel, God tells his people that he led them to the wilderness for an attitude check and a time of discovery (“to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Deut 8:2). Over the years we have found that this is still true. On LDW, in the quiet of the wilderness, students have a chance to reflect on their lives on campus and to hear in a new way the still small voice of God calling them: “Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you…” (Isaiah 43:4).

Unlike the powerful mountaintop moments that mountaineering offers, a

150 mile sea kayaking journey gives a chance to experience what Eugene

Peterson calls “the long obedience in the same direction”- the perseverance

and discipline that are needed for a life-long journey of faith. Please pray for

us and the students as we engage on this pilgrimage.

Monday, May 28, 2007


Moving and Packing
We have spent the last few days packing and moving our belongings to our new house. We have a few days of preparation now before we leave for the Georgian Bay in Ontario to lead the LDW trip for a month. Please pray for our safety and that we may teach and learn all that God has in store for this time.

Bomber Biscuits and Lattes
Last week we spent our mornings making breakfast and espresso drinks for the CCO staff at our annual Spring Institute training week. It was a successful fund raiser for our renovations at the new Equipment Room (see that blog). Francois learned the art of making great lattes and cappuccinos from a man on staff whose been in the business for years. Joy adapted great breakfast recipes from camping to the regular kitchen. "Bomber Biscuits" are garlic and cheese biscuits with sausage, egg, and cheese. Here are a few pictures of our fun.


















Group Games and Instructor Training
During the Spring Institute week, Joy taught CCO staff two sessions on games and group initiatives to use in their work with students and other groups. Francois taught up and coming wilderness leaders valuable experiential education teaching techniques and how to grow people in their judgment and decision making. Here is the group in an activity that facilitated good communication and teamwork called "Toxic Waste".