Well, it has been eight weeks living in Canada and I am
slowly getting used to my new life. Even though I live in an urban city the pace of
life is slower than you would imagine. People are always going places, but they
stop to smell the coffee. (Unless it is exam week, then the zombie-like students
roam from class to class.)
Since I am not a student but live on a university campus, I
have had to be creative on how I get to “hang out” with students. For example,
I have been given several books to study on “what ministry on a campus looks
like” so I have joined students in the library for “homework parties” where
they do their homework and I do mine. If students need a caffeine pick-me-up or
a snack to keep their stomach from disturbing others around them, I will bring
them fruit and granola bars. It is hard to think about your immediate needs
when your mind is full of your “To Do” list and deadlines. I know, I have been
there! I would have probably starved if God didn’t send people to provide for
me! (Shout out to Mama T for the food and the random library guy who brought me
coffee!)
You might be asking, “What does a typical week look like for
you?” Good question, because I am still trying to figure that out! I will share
with you a rough outline of what it typically looks like.
Sundays- I wake up at 8 a.m. and
prepare for church. I meet the “set up crew” (they need a better nickname,
because they are superheroes, let me tell you!) to unload the van with the sound
equipment and instruments. The worship team arrives and sets up the stage and
speakers. Meanwhile, the Yoon’s and I set up the breakfast table, Welcome
Table, Connection Table, and fold bulletins. We stand at the door and welcome
people as they enter, making sure they have pens and connection cards to fill
out (they return those to us at the end of service.) Usually I am in charge of announcements
in the service, which has taken some getting used to! We worship together and
chat with people after church. Every Sunday, we have an average of 90 people
with different people each week! Praise the Lord! A few times a month we have a
workshop after church that discusses topics like, “How to Study the Bible” or
“Time Management Tips”. I usually try to get a few students to go to lunch, but
it’s a busy point in the semester.
Mondays- Usually I take this day
off until Alpha meets at 5:30 p.m. This semester I had the privilege to join
united Alpha night every Monday night from 5:30 to about 7:30 p.m. We share a
meal together with our assigned tables and get to know our group. Then we watch
the Alpha video and discuss questions about the video or what we got out of it.
It is so interesting to hear the different perspectives and experiences we all
have!
Tuesdays- This is my day to take
time to pray for my Grace Team partners and do some book keeping. I am currently
a part of the prayer team from Origin so I meet with two other students to pray
over each other and those who fill out connection cards.
Wednesdays- We (Craig, Peter,
Michaela and I) meet for staff meeting (unless this happens on Monday). I keep
my schedule open to have lunch or coffee with students I meet with that week.
In the evenings, I go to the first year residences and run a “Soularium booth”
with another student from Origin. This is a fun time to have conversations with
students on their views of life, God, and spirituality.
Thursdays- I meet with students for
lunch or coffee, grocery shop for week, attend TNT (Worship night) with UCM
(University Christian Ministry, and sometimes fellowship at their community
house after.
Fridays- I usually spend the morning
catching up on reading and planning for the weekend which varies week to week.
I also host a Life Group at my apartment where I provide a meal and a warm
place to build relationships with students who live on campus and attend Origin.
Saturdays – This is a unique day where
students take some free time to go into town to eat, visit some touristy places,
or go see a movie. It’s also a great day for hiking, cooking together or
hosting a game night! I think Saturdays were designed to build relationships while
having fun with others.
There you have it, just a rough outline of what my life
looks like during the week! One thing I have learned is, flexibility is crucial.
God is in the details of every day!
It has also been challenging to adjust to a life with no set schedule, policy, or hours. Like, I have to write my own job description! Not only that, but personally I am adjusting to life as an "adult." Do you know how strange it is to live on a university campus and not be a student, teacher, or intern/worker? It's weird. Those are all roles I am very familiar and comfortable with, but figuring out what God wants me to do on a daily basis?! (I know what your thinking, "tough love" right?) All of this transition and change has beckoned me to ask the question, "Who does Jesus say I am?" That question leads me to a better question, "Who do I say Jesus is?" I am still on the journey to find the answer to both of those questions.
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