The Adventures from Boat to Book

Hey all

It has been another week full of adventure, discovery, understanding and hardship. As most of you probably know but I will tell you anyways, we spent our week on the SALTS ship the Pacific Grace. Life on the tall ships had many its ups and downs. Being placed in very small quarters with many people and not having any personal space made relationships tighter but then showed the good and the ugly of people. I didn't like the close quarters but made it though without having any issues with anyone, everyone was quite respectful of everyone else s personal stuff.
So lets describe the living conditions a little better for you all so you can see how I lived and what you personally think of the style of life too. We spent a week on a tall ship that was 115 feel long. I shared this boat with over 30 people, including all of us Kaleo students, our leaders and the crew that captained us on the vessel. Most of the days were cold and rainy so that also made things cramped with people all desiring being inside the vessel which has less room than the top. So to get any time for yourself it is very hard, but on the other hand it is good because you are forced to get to know the people you are with. The one thing that made it hard to live on the boat was the fact that all of us had limited clothes and none of us were able to have showers the whole duration of the trip. So things got very stinking and uncomfortable. I found out though that I can manage to get by a week without a shower quite well as long as I am able to washy my face whenever I start to feel greasy. Not having a shower every day isn't the end of the world... but it definitely is nice to have them.
At the beginning of our SALTS trip I didn't think I would like it too much being confined to a small ship for a period of time but now after being on the ship I have really grown to love the way it sways and the life onboard. It if full of excitement and learning. I can see Gods beauty in the people on this ship and then also his beauty in creation on the sea and places we visited. It would be a great way to travel the world and to serve God at the same time.

This week has been full of adventure and learning through the SALTS trip but also through my book reading. Kaleo as we all know is not just trips but lots of book reading and school work. Two things I am not the most keen on but know are a responsibility I have to do while I am here. But the readings have been very good and beneficial. I have finished our book for the first course, "The Life You Always Wanted". It has been a great reminder. A lot of this book has very relevant things to say for our Christian lives and walk. It brings the bible more on a down to earth level to make it easier to know what God wants from us in our lives. Most of this book I have known growing up my life, thanks to the teachings of my parents and those who have been leaders in my life. It has been a real great reminder though. It is good to be told something continuous times so that it really sinks in, and also to refresh thing in my mind. It is like practicing for life-guarding. I may have the certification as a lifeguard but without continuous practice and preparation I will get lazy and forget. This book has helped keep my mind and heart sharp for what God has intended for me.
Now I am reading a book called the "Three Kings" a story of the life of David brought out in a more detailed way as well as brings a totally different perspective on the life of David and what we can get out of this story. After I am done reading this book and thinking on it I will tell you a little more about it. It is very thought provoking and good though, one I recommend.

In all of this learning I have faced some hardships that some of you may already know about and some may not. I will not go explaining what this but just being here at Kaleo God has provided me with a good group of people to be surrounded by and to lift me up in a time of doubt about myself and hurt. God is the healer and will take care of me. If you guys could just keep me in your prayers extra this next month, that I keep my focus on my experience here and God rather than my sometime very interruptive and selfish emotions. Pray for my ability to be a friend even when it is hard.
Thank you all for your concerns and aid in everything. I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing without the help of others.

God Bless
Aaron Denninger

First Week In

Hey All

So we have been at our new home of Qwanoes for a total of 1 week so far!! It has been a memorable and incredibly intimate time for all of us students and leaders so far; through "Get To Know You" games, reading groups, discussion times, prayer nights, and of course the intense hike we just got back from!
Yes we just got back from the peek of Mt. Albert Edward, one of the biggest summits here on Vancouver Island. We were split up into 5 groups of about 6-7 each and began our trek up the "hill" on Monday and it took us three days. My group hiked into Kwi Lake and camped for the night there, about 8 km from the base camp at Circlet Lake where some of our other groups where at. The first day in was sunny and fairly easy but long. The next day we left our gear and took our day packs to the base camp, met up with the other groups to start the climb. 4-5ish hours later we made it to the peek, for many it had been there first time ever to climb a mountain of that size or even one at all. Then we started the long and painful trek back down the mountain. I said painful because my knee started to hurt almost unbearably from a former sports injury where I have little cartelage, leaving the bones to rub constantly. But I made it alive! And we are here now today very tired and ready to just sit and do nothing... hence writing my blog now :P
That has been our latest adventure but there is more to come and there has been other things that came before that this past week. We have had lots of introductions to camp and college. The group of guys that I am here with at Kaleo are a great bunch of all kinds of abilities and personalities. Overall the group has meshed well through open discussion times down in the lounge, prayer times down at the dock in the evenings as well as many pick up sports, and just time to hang out and talk one on one. I am loving this place and the people so much already!
All of us have been sent out to our churches that we will be involved with for the whole year. Tom, Jeremiah, Kristy, Jesse and I are at Cobble Hill Church for our time here. It is a small church of 100 at most out in the town of Cobble Hill, pastored by Lech. He will be one of our professores this year for our Theology class. Speeking of Church, my group has a meeting with the Lech and Kurt tomorrow, for the bridge. That is the young peoples worship night that us as the Kaleo will be helping lead on Sunday evenings.
Well that pritty much wraps up my summery of this week; here are a few photos of our trip to give you a idea of the beautiful creation God has placed us in.