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I am finding it difficult where to start this month's update. Certainly not for the lack of things that have happened this month. But instead, as I sit at UNBC and watch the sunlight move across a giant palm plant, I am faced with the question, “where do I start?” And as I process this while typing, I think I will simply write the image I think of when I come onto campus.
Just as the Hobbits in Lord of the Rings have second breakfast, we in the North have what I've affectionately called, “second winter.” Unlike second breakfast, second winter is much less delightful. The days turn from sunny hope to dreadful cold with the unpleasant combination of mud and salt on our vehicles. And then, when the sun finally brings the spring, it uncovers piles of rocks, the dead plants and dry earth left by the winter.
Being on campus reminds me of the overwhelming sense I feel when I look at my garden after second winter. There are weeds to pull, fences to fix and the soil to till at to prepare the ground for the seeds.
Ministry has certainly changed because of Covid. Reflecting on my time on campus the last two months, I am reminded of how like second winter, Covid has left the garden on campus in need of a great deal of work. And this work, I need to remind myself is not about running big events or programs. Instead, as I've been praying for wisdom in how to overcome these unique challenges, I've found the very act of praying itself has been the tool the Lord has given to work on the ground left by second winter.
It has been the times when I've walked through the halls of UNBC prayerfully that the Lord has opened doors to then walk alongside students. It has been the time of private prayer, I have found while the moment, feels simple and unproductive, it in fact brings the most fruit.
In February, our executive leaders held and planned their first worship night. As we were asking students how we could serve them this semester, the common reply among all of them was “worship!” And so, our team partnered with a local church and invited the students. That evening I was blessed with leading a set alongside one of my student leaders. In the middle of the night, I then lead the students in a time of Lectio Divina and read through Isaiah 55.
We had over thirty students attend! And afterwards, we where asked when we would hold our next worship night and if it could be longer. I was surprised that they wanted it longer as we had sang for two hours and my voice was so hoarse by the end! What I loved the most about the evening was hearing about what the students had heard from God as we read through Isaiah 55. Many spoke about how it was an encouragement for them, for some to abide and others to remember God's sovereignty in the midst of their circumstances.
During the last two months, I have been having many conversations with students about theology, questions about suffering and decision making. It is these on-the-ground conversations that have created the bulk of my ministry. For now, as we work on the garden that Covid has left us, there is a sacred ministry of listening. Listening, not just to the students but to the Lord for direction. It has been the times where I've seen a nudge from the Spirit turn into a lifting of burdens on the shoulders of the students. The times of a simple question that opens up a new perspective on their situation and the times of purposeful silence where the Spirit brings life.
And it hasn't been just me that has been having these conversations. We have had three different Bible studies led by different student leaders. These studies have turned into small groups where it seems like every time, the students come with hard questions about faith and Christ! It has given the student leaders a chance to work through these questions with their peers.
As a IVCF staff team, we are beginning our preparations for our upcoming Scripture Camp. This year, we will be taking a group of students down to Thetis Island to work through the book of 1 Corinthians together. My own preparation for this camp will entail preparing Bible Studies and navigating the tough (and incredibly relevant) topics Paul works through with the church in Corinth.
As I reflect on these last two months, I have sat and been in the presence of many tearful students as they process the last two years of the pandemic. Recently, after a conversation with a young lady, I came across this quote from Lord of the Rings, and it seemed applicable to my current ministry with InterVarsity.
"I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.”- Gandlaf;Return of the King
In all these things, it is the prayer of our ministry partners that I greatly covet.
Pray for:
1) Wisdom for myself and the executive leaders as we have difficult conversations around the pandemic and grief with students.
2) Pray that the Gospel would be preached on Campus. Pray for courage for students as they interact with their peers.
3) Pray for our monthly worship nights. We will have two more, one on March 20th and a year-end worship night on April 10th. Pray that it would be a place for students to encourage Christ.
4) Praise I found an RMT for my neck and am working on reducing my migraines!
And for this month's Olive Update:
We have been having fun on our frozen swamp out behind the parsonage. While our road is on a heavy truck highway – it is difficult to go for walks so we have had to find alternative routes. A walk around our frozen swamp has quickly become one of Olive's favourite past times.
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