Roseau River

September 22-26

(Written on Thursday, September 26th)

 

Sunday we got to Roseau River Bible Camp. You can only guess what the first thing I decided to do. Play basketball. Which soon lead to breaking my foot.

 

Yes. That's right. I broke my foot. My right fifth metatarsal to be correct.

 

I tried to shake it off, saying it was a sprain (despite the loud crack I heard as I fell). But my one leader Jon, who happens to be a nurse, knew I needed to go to the hospital. So I went. However, they ordered the incorrect x-ray and did not get a picture of the injury. So I waited. And waited. To be told to come back again the next day.

So while my team had their first Anishinabe learning day, I was at the hospital, waiting (and waiting some more) to get my second x-ray done. Which then turned into getting a cast. From my toes to my knee. Because of one silly bone.

Now I have to hop around on crutches and ask people to get my food for me and help me in and out of the vans. Which is difficult for me because I don't like being useless and incapable. But I'm learning to accept the help from others. It actually amazes me how helpful and generous everyone is. 

 

Since we are at the Roseau Reserve and learning about the Anishinabe, we are walking a lot, especially in terrain that is difficult to manage in crutches. So I've been struggling with that and my muscles are getting sore from so much work.

 

Right now I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving Home-stay Weekend, when I can just lay in my own bed without having to worry about trying to keep up to a group. 

But I'm done with my ranting and venting about my foot. I'm actually really lucky the break wasn't worse and displaced or anything. 

 

On Monday, Paul Peters and Cam Priebe came to Roseau to teach us a bit about cultures by playing a game. It was very interesting and taught us a lot about how to observe and include yourself into a culture without disrupting or being disrespectful. Then I had my first hospital trip to St. Pierre.

 

Tuesday was my second hospital visit. After, I went back to the reserve where I joined my team in learning about different Anishinabe traditions, clans, and spirituality. That evening we watched the movie "42" at the Bible camp.

Wednesday we toured a Sundance lodge and a home that was made completely by hand with logs, clay, and plaster, but still (at one point) had electricity and running water. After, the man who built the home told us a bit about his story. For lunch we went to this beautiful area that had a river, a few trees, and some different buildings that were made for certain Anishinabe traditions. There we ate and Coleen, our guide, gave us a bit more information about her culture and spirituality. Then we headed to a sweat lodge. A sweat lodge is similar to a sauna but it is a place where people may make a sacrifice (usually tobacco) to different spirits or the creator and give prayers. I was not able to participate because of my cast, so instead I talked with those who also did not join in the sweat lodge and some people who live in the area. It was a very interesting experience for those that participated. Once everyone was finished with the sweat lodge, we had dinner there.

Today we heard life stories from a couple who live in the reserve and it was an honour to hear their stories of being in foster care and residential schools. It was heartbreaking to hear the things that they went through and it gives me more compassion for Native Americans in Canada and what they have had to go through because of colonization. They have been through more than we know or could ever imagine. It has been incredibly difficult trying to find my opinion on certain issues concerning First Nations reserves, funding, and what God wants for this people group. I have been having many conversations with my leaders and fellow students and I think we are all in the same boat. I believe this year we are going to come across a lot of these situations where we are faced with deep, controversial issues and we have to do our best to theologically find an answer that is glorifying to God and how he wants us to view the world.

 

Currently I am in the dining hall, finishing up some homework and listening to some of my friends play music. It's a chill and "anti-FOMO" night, (FOMO: fear of missing out) which is nice after a busy couple of days.

 

It's only eight o'clock and I'm just about ready for bed.

























(The group at Roseau Reserve)

Gavin Hall and Wendy Peterson

September 15-22
(Written on Thursday, September 19th)

 

Right now I am absolutely and completely content and totally mystified by God's amazing grace and beauty.

 

It's been cloudy the past two days and the majority of us have been sick. So our days have consisted of giant dog-piled naps, drinking copious amounts of tea, and blowing our noses until they hurt. Finally, this evening the clouds began to clear and a full moon was shining bright. I just sat by the lake with Emilie Roussis and Caitlin Wiens and we spent some time in prayer and amazement of how glorious our Lord is. 

But now to this past week...

On Sunday the 15th, we went to a church in Gimli. It was a beautiful time of worship and gave us a glimpse into a small and gracious community. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday all looked pretty similar. We had Gavin Hall come in to speak to us about theology. In our spare time we play soccer, basketball and killer bunnies and swim in the evenings. Also, we have been reading through "Irresistible Revolution," which is our first book in our curriculum. It is nice to get into a schedule again and begin studying and learning.

Today we began our First Nations studies with Wendy Peterson. It has been interesting to see someone else's point of view. I'm excited to have my opinions questioned and to learn something new and as long as I keep an open mind and heart I know God will teach me something through Wendy.

Tomorrow Wendy is coming in to speak again.

Saturday is our first full free day!! Woo! I'm going horseback riding and then in to Gimli to do some laundry and hopefully thrift shop.

Sunday we are headed to Roseau River, which is in the very south of Manitoba. There we are going to a First Nations' reserve and learn more about their culture by participating in smudging and other traditions. I'm nervous but very excited. I hope to gain a better understanding of the problems Canadian Aboriginals face and find a way that we can solve those issues in a loving and just way that looks at all sides.

 

Every morning we get an hour of quiet time which has been so beneficial to me. I've been diving into the word with an unquenchable thirst and I've been learning so much and questioning everything. I've never realized the beauty of the Bible before and I love it. There are so much encouragement that challenge me to live a better life and have a more loving heart. I think I've read more of the Bible in these past two weeks than I did all summer. It's been fantastic and so rewarding. As a community, we have been having great controversial conversations that have got me questioning my beliefs and I am beginning to form my own opinion based on the word and the Holy Spirit. Our conversations have been in such a loving environment where our opinions are encouraged and appreciated. My leaders are always willing to share their personal input and experiences. 

Even though I'm constantly surrounded by people, I've been a little lonely and I'm missing my friends and family back home this week. So shout out to all of you.
 

(Doing some high rope trust exercises)

(Playing one of many vicious games of Killer Bunnies)

 

Canoe Trip

September 8-13
(Written on Friday, September 13th)

 

My first few days with Outtatown have been insane.
 

We started out on a four day canoe trip with Manitoba Pioneer Camp in Shoal Lake. We slept in tents, cooked over a fire, and had to do our business in the bush. Whether or not it was pouring rain. Oh, and this trip definitely didn't include showers. Or privacy of any kind. We told stories around the camp fire, sang hundreds of songs as we paddled about forty freaking four kilometres, ate fresh crawfish, made up cheesy puns, and just laughed until it hurt. God's creation is just so beautiful and glorious. Living in the woods, you really get to see the beauty in all the little things whether it be bugs and spiders or a giant lightning storm. It was definitely a learning experience for me because I have never done anything like this before. And along with that, I was doing it with 80 people I had never met before. But I did survive and would absolutely do it again.

After that excursion, we headed to Camp Arnes near Gimli, Manitoba. Here I feel like royalty. Even though I am sleeping in a tiny cabin with five other girls, I know I'm not going to have to wake up hoping that all my stuff and I didn't get absolutely soaked in the thunder storm and I don't have to painstakingly try to cook potatoes and sausage in a giant pot.

Most of all, I have loved getting to know the people here. We haven't even known each other for a week and we are like family. We do absolutely everything together and spend every waking moment together. And it's awesome. We laugh together and cry together. And the reason we are crying, is because we are laughing so hard. This is what fellowship and community really is.  I know God has handpicked each one of us to be here and He has an incredible plan and I can't wait to see it unfold.

One thing I am excited to do, well besides my laundry, is to actually start the learning part of Outtatown. Today we had our first "class," and we discussed what discipleship really is and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Even as our leaders talk about our future assignments, I get excited. Its crazy to think that this is my first year of university. It just feels like a really long summer camp. While all you freshmen are listening to boring lectures in stuffy classrooms with uncomfortable chairs for hours on end, I'm playing soccer and hanging out with awesome people and discussing interesting things in the wilderness. Its so spectacular.