Go West Young Man
Hello family!
I'm so excited about what's going on right now, I've got to tell you all. But first, let me catch you up on what's happened so far.
Last I wrote, I was working at a school with 'the tough kids'. That ended up going really well. I learned a lot, and felt like I was making an impact on these guy's lives just by hanging out with them (and making them do homework). There was a radical shift that took place in my life during that year. I went from being apathetic towards people, to really loving them, and believing a fool's love (in the best biblical sense) can change a person. My outlook on what I wanted to do with my future changed completely. Before, I wanted to do something that would make me feel good. But I began to realize that shouldn't be my goal if I wanted to serve Jesus. I needed to sacrifice what I wanted to do and rather think what I can do to serve Jesus and love others.
I began to search for ways that would allow me to fulfill Jesus' prayer of "thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." I spent hours pouring over mission organization websites and programs that college age people can do. In the end, I found exactly what I was looking for, a way to express my love for Jesus in a practical way. But this was not before the "oh-no-what-am-I-doing-next-year!" panic struck and I enrolled at Briercrest.
(Intermission) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwGFalTRHDA]
It was such a sick year! I think I learned a lot (I'll find out once the hype has passed and real life kicks in) and made some good friends. It feels like a blur, but a good blur. Now, here I am, finishing exams tomorrow. I go home for two weeks (and a 4 day stint in TO to visit my bro, anyone in that area want to hang out for a bit?), then rip out back to the Q to be the photographer again this summer.
I'm stoked for whats happening after summer the most though. It will be the hardest for sure, but it's what I want to do. Remember the organization I found right after I enrolled for B-crest? It's a small program called Urban Promise. [urbanpromise.ca] This is a Vancouver based not-for-profit organization trying to help those in need in inner-city Vancouver. Mostly it runs after school day camps for elementary kids, but it also does other things (which I'm not sure of yet until I get there). It kind of has the feel of Metro I think. So that should be fun, but I also don't know what I'm getting myself into. If any of you guys want to pray for me over this next year, that would be much appreciated.
So that's what I've been up to. Maybe I'll try to do more posts with less info-dumping in the future. I hope all you guys are doing well. Ellie, you and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers! I wish I could have come out.
Oh man! It's 1:30! I have an exam tomorrow! Night all...
Anticipating the future eagerly,
Joel
I'm so excited about what's going on right now, I've got to tell you all. But first, let me catch you up on what's happened so far.
Last I wrote, I was working at a school with 'the tough kids'. That ended up going really well. I learned a lot, and felt like I was making an impact on these guy's lives just by hanging out with them (and making them do homework). There was a radical shift that took place in my life during that year. I went from being apathetic towards people, to really loving them, and believing a fool's love (in the best biblical sense) can change a person. My outlook on what I wanted to do with my future changed completely. Before, I wanted to do something that would make me feel good. But I began to realize that shouldn't be my goal if I wanted to serve Jesus. I needed to sacrifice what I wanted to do and rather think what I can do to serve Jesus and love others.
I began to search for ways that would allow me to fulfill Jesus' prayer of "thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." I spent hours pouring over mission organization websites and programs that college age people can do. In the end, I found exactly what I was looking for, a way to express my love for Jesus in a practical way. But this was not before the "oh-no-what-am-I-doing-next-year!" panic struck and I enrolled at Briercrest.
(Intermission) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwGFalTRHDA]
It was such a sick year! I think I learned a lot (I'll find out once the hype has passed and real life kicks in) and made some good friends. It feels like a blur, but a good blur. Now, here I am, finishing exams tomorrow. I go home for two weeks (and a 4 day stint in TO to visit my bro, anyone in that area want to hang out for a bit?), then rip out back to the Q to be the photographer again this summer.
I'm stoked for whats happening after summer the most though. It will be the hardest for sure, but it's what I want to do. Remember the organization I found right after I enrolled for B-crest? It's a small program called Urban Promise. [urbanpromise.ca] This is a Vancouver based not-for-profit organization trying to help those in need in inner-city Vancouver. Mostly it runs after school day camps for elementary kids, but it also does other things (which I'm not sure of yet until I get there). It kind of has the feel of Metro I think. So that should be fun, but I also don't know what I'm getting myself into. If any of you guys want to pray for me over this next year, that would be much appreciated.
So that's what I've been up to. Maybe I'll try to do more posts with less info-dumping in the future. I hope all you guys are doing well. Ellie, you and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers! I wish I could have come out.
Oh man! It's 1:30! I have an exam tomorrow! Night all...
Anticipating the future eagerly,
Joel
posted by Joel at 11:51 PM
6 Comments:
Joel I am soooo excited to see what God has done in your life, I can already see how you have matured in your faith in just this blog! I can't wait to hang out in a couple weeks!
Hey Joel,
I'm a Kaleo One who just happened to stop by this blog today (coincidence? not?) and I've been involved in UrbanPromise for years now. I went as an intern in 2004-2005 (right after Kaleo) and it totally changed my life. Went back the following summer, and eventually moved to Vancouver to live in the same neighbourhood. It's a really awesome place.
You're in for an amazing experience. And I already know that they're quite excited to have you! May God bless you in this endeavor, challenging as it may be at times!
Julie
oh no you didn't! i can't believe you posted that video.
ps: we miss you like crazy out here. im done exams now, and would give anything to kick your butt at rook again...
lol the title made me laugh as i though of Stephan Curtis Chapman... And then The Truth was wonderful to read and so refreshing! Thank you for shairing!..
Bahahah that vid made me laugh! at first i was confused but then i read the intermission part .. and then i got it.
I love you and i hope to see you sometime this summer so we can actualy chat! i'm not going to be at camp sadly .. But i'm not that far away!
I love you Chole! thanks for the post!
Meesh do you mean Micheal W smith?? lol i love you!
haha, thank you sheri, great correction.
Joel - first off, that was the greatest intermission of all time!
Julie - that such a cool God thing that you check the k5 blog and saw joels post. God is so BIG!
Joel - i' m so pumped that you are so pumped! i'd love to see you some day that you're back, we'll have to plan that. keep on rockin!
Steve
Post a Comment
<< Home