WOW, my last post before Christmas break! It's really hard to believe that I've been here as long as I have.

This week went by quickly, with lots of Christmas-y things going on. I learned a new skill so I could prepare my mother's Christmas gift, and I learned how to snowboard at Mt Washington (which i LOVE). Mostly I've just been hanging out here at Qwanoes, working on some final papers and enjoying the company of my new friends.

As far as ministry goes, here's what my week looked like: I volunteered to return to assist the couple who we helped pack in the moving process. They rented a storage bay and we moved a boatload of stuff from their home to their storage compartment. Youth was cancelled for Friday due to the annual Christmas Banquet, so unfortunately I didn't get to see the youth one last time before I head home for Christmas. I'll certainly be praying for them; some of these kids are going through rough times. It's been so cool to get to know them. As our relationships go beyond a surface friendship, some of them have begun to open up and confide in us. This, coupled with what I can read between the lines has painted a picture that sometimes isn't so pretty. You coudl especially pray for two brothers, Erik and Charles. They don't show up consistently every week, but I know that they need a good influence very much.

Today (Sunday) I got to help out with the Sunday School program, which was fun. It was good to be able to bid farewell to some of the kids, and it was very touching when one of the younger boys, Brendan, gave me a rock he painted with the word peace on it. It was an exceptionally fitting gift for me at this time, although I'm quite certain he was not aware of the deeper conotations it had for me. It will go in my carry-on as I travel home.

I'll miss my Kaleo family over the break. We've really become a pretty tight-knit community. I'm looking forward to going home and seeing family and friends, but I'll be ready to return to BC when the time comes.

Laterdays (see you soon mom!)

-Rob

here we are, another week in!

This week I was in the middle of my church ministry class. Once again, we spent many long hours every day taking notes, writing papers, etc etc etc. It was a really good class, and as usual I've come away from it a wiser man than before. We talked alot about spiritual gifts and how thye are used in the church, church history, effective church ministry, and current trends in the church. It was pretty broad, and a lot of information that I will be digesting for some time.

Youth Group on Friday night consisted of some cookie baking and decorating, some games, and lots of good times. A guy from New Zealand came in to leads the devotion. Unfortunately I didn't get to sit in on it; I was preparing the kitchen for cookie-making madness. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves though, and it was a nice way to finish off the year. There will be no youth group this Friday due to the church's Chritmas Banquet.

On Saturday it started to snow, and it never really stopped until late Sunday night! Church was cancelled (these west-coasters cant handle their weather very well, I've driven from Minto to Fredericton in that), so a few of us Kaleo gathered for some worship in the lodge here at Qwanoes. Unfortunately, all of the snow was followed by a tonne of rain, and a lot of folks are dealing with flooding. We got wind of a couple who's apartment had a lot of water damage, so we went as a group and helped them pack all of their things so they could move quickly.

OH! and like a week ago I helped for a partial weekend at the men's retreat. this part is solely for Amanda's benefit....ya catch that Amanda?

anyway, It's a blast and a half here and I love it, but I'm looking forward to getting home for Christmas and seeing friends and such. peace and love amigos!

-rob