From September 12th through 19th, the CLBI community partook in a great outdoor adventure to learn about God’s love, grace, and mercy, all in the splendor of His creation. We prepared with great anticipation and eagerness, making up for inexperience with enthusiasm and anxiety with faith. God, the knowledgeable staff, and our experienced second year leaders calmed our nerves, and we were ready to dive in headfirst when the moment came.
Our adventure began bright and early on the morning of the 12th, as we gathered to have one last meal together before the sun came up. Then we said our goodbyes to the girls, along with what little concern for gentlemanly behaviour and personal hygiene we had in the first place. We boarded the bus with our over-flowing yet artfully packed backpacks and set out for the Nordegg area, where we would be spending three and a half days on one of the most beautiful hiking locations the province has to offer.
The first day of hiking started off wonderfully, with radiant sun and a cool breeze. However it quickly and suddenly took a turn for the worse and before we knew it, we were caught halfway up the mountain in the middle of a blizzard, surrounded by snow, hail, and fog. Unsure of where to go or what to do, many of us became disheartened and afraid, seeking refuge under a tarp we had set up. It was then that we came together as a family through prayer and songs of praise, putting our worries and cares in God’s hands. Lots of leadership was shown by the staff and second years, and before we knew it, Landslide Lake, where we would be camping, was in sight. Although the weather had barely improved, our morale and enthusiasm were replenished and we were filled with a newfound sense of hope. It was amazing how, once we relied on God, the most negative period of the trip became the highlight for so many- truly a mountaintop experience.
The second day of the trip was a well-needed day of rest, and a chance to explore the surroundings, both geographically and spiritually. After wringing out our clothes, sleeping bags, and backpacks, we spent the day sharing in God’s word as we began our study of the book of Joshua. It was a time to discuss what it means to be a leader, and how each of us would respond to God’s call to leave our comfort zones and live Christian lives on the edge. We also had a lot of free time this day, which some used to do extra hiking, build a sauna, or chase allegedly seen wildlife with makeshift weaponry. It was a beautiful day, and I won’t soon forget the beauty of the frost as we unzipped the tent that morning, or how the formerly hidden mountains were suddenly visible through the fog. The community building and spiritual discoveries that took place kept our spirits high as we prepared for our hike out the next day.
After a filling meal and a morning campfire, the troops were off and we set out for our next campsite, 16km away. Fortunately for us this distance was stretched on reasonably level ground and we were blessed with gorgeous weather. After several hours of fun and laughter we arrived where we would be spending the next night. We set up our tents, cooked supper, and met for a group campfire, in which we sang cheesy campfire songs and discussed what we wanted the CLBI community to look like in terms of relationships and inclusiveness. We enjoyed our night in this beautiful spot, asking questions and offering answers as to how we as individuals can work as servants for God’s greater plan. Our food was nourishing and our sleep, restful.
This was the final day of hiking as we marched the trails for only a few hours, finding our friendly busdriver ready to take us to an alumnus’s nearby farm for lunch with the girls. This stop was an eventful and necessary stop, as we traded our hiking gear for the girls’ canoing equipment. It was awesome to hear so many great stories from the girls and to tell some of our own at this mid-point milestone.
That evening we learned some knots, distributed life jackets and paddles, and prayed for safety. Then it was time to launch our canoes into the North Saskatchewan River and, led by Stephen Kaack and Greg Rokos, we embarked on the next half of the adventure. Between the two blessings of God’s abundant grace and the fact that we were using different muscle groups than for hiking, we made great time and were able to have a lot of fun along the way. I was amazed at how quickly and how seamlessly we made the transition between hiking and canoing, with no serious incidents or issues whatsoever. It was a great evening of paddling through the sunset, laughing and learning along the way.
After spending the night on a beach along the way, we cooked and packed up with our Discipleship Groups and we with a word of prayer, we were on our way. Today was our first full day canoing, and therefore a much more physically demanding day than the one preceding it. Still we met it with a renewed energy and were open to any rapids God through our way. The sense of community and fellowship was building quickly and quietly, as if it was a by-product of being outdoors and relying on one another. At campfire we discussed what we would do if we had God’s guarantee of success, as well as how traditionally we have failed time and time again when we work only for our own goals and with our own motives. We learned from the book of Joshua, however, that when God is with us we can do all things through Him and His blessings will be upon us. It’s comforting for me to know that although I don’t have my life all planned out and know where I’m headed, God does and will be with me each step of the way.
Wednesday, our last full day of the trip, was by the far the most fun for me. It was fast-paced and exciting, with rapids and surfs at every turn and as a group we really pulled together and helped each other out. We also had the opportunity this day to swim a set of rapids, which was a real rush and a great way to work up an appetite for lunch as one shot through the water as if through a horizontal waterslide, careful not to clip too many jagged rocks underneath. All in all there was so much joy and togetherness this day, and I felt as though I ended it with more friends than before. That night we also had our highly anticipated Band of Brothers campfire, at which we were given the opportunity to share a strength, weakness, and symbol encompassing the two with the entire community of men. I remember thinking long and hard about what and how much to share, and I’m glad I did open up because I realized that this group is extremely trustworthy, will hold each other accountable, and will support one another beyond what is humanly capable. This night united us all as one body, and we had the chance to learn where we fit, how we could draw strength from others, and how we can be of service to those in need. Just as Joshua did not conquer cities and cross the Jordan on his own, neither can we overcome obstacles in our paths without the help of God and our friends.
Finally we had the opportunity to sleep in a few hours as we had covered this day’s workload the day before. Aside from those of us who woke up freezing and started making breakfast at seven out of an ability to get back to sleep, we were all packed up and ready to leave by around eleven. Boarding the bus was a feeling of great relief to everyone, disregarding the fact that we were made acutely aware of just how much we needed to shower. Nevertheless the ride home was an opportunity to catch up on some sleep, finish up any homework we still had to do, and debrief about what we got out of the trip. For myself it meant finding a sense of belonging in the crazy, wild world that is CLBI. Coming to school here not knowing many people has been difficult for sure, but at least now I know that we are, metaphorically speaking, all in the same boat. Sure there will be trying times to experience here, as with any place, but if the rest of this year will be anything like the trip, it will be one to remember.
