some much needed updates

hello hello!

I arrived safely back in Canada almost 7 weeks ago, and hit the ground running!

Almost immediately after returning home, I began prepartions for my move to my new place at Landsdowne and Davenport where I live with two Inter-Varsity staff workers at UTSG. Prepping the house for the move and the move itself was strenuous, but in the midst we began building community with each other and with our IVCF staff neighbours.





In between the preparations for the move, which included puttying holes, priming and painting our bedrooms and scrubbing the kitchen and bathrooms; we attended the VCF August Staff Conference which took place at Ontario Pioneer Camp during the week of August 17th - 22nd. The week was my first introduction to the richness of staff life. We studied 2 Timothy, and it was led by the leader of my GP to Zambia. It was an interesting experience to study a text I am well versed in within a vastly different context! I still managed to walk away with something new from the text and with more strengthened relationships with my fellow staff from across the province.



After the conference we moved into our new place and began the process of settling in. Shortly after that I began preparations for work on campus. The rules of my internship state that I can't actually do any ministry work until I am fully funded, but I am VERY close. So my first few weeks on campus were fun as I got to meet new students and reconnect with others, but also frustrating as there wasn't much I could do on campus in regards to ministry.




However, this past weekend, our fall retreat, an exception was made and I was able to lead the manuscript study for the weekend! We studied John 3:1-21, Jesus' interactions with Nicodemus. There were 26 students that attended the retreat which made for some lively discussions during the study! I really enjoyed teaching and felt comfortable doing so. Along for the ride at the retreat were my housemate and one of my team mates from my Zambia GP. It was such a blessing to have them both there as they are part of my strongest support system outside of my Ryerson Inter-Varsity community, they were amazing cooks and amazing support during my preparations for leading the study!

There are so many more stories to share, including many from my time abroad, and they will be posted soon.

Til then,

Peace and Love,

~A

Off to the Motherland I flee

After months and weeks of preparation, the time has finally come, I will be leaving on the Zambia Global Partnership on wednesday night!

I am excited to see how God will use me in this experience. I feel that though I am in a similar place, I have grown and transformed immensely since my last Global Partnership trip to Malawi.

The set up of this GP is drastically different, with a much larger group (20 in all) and a focus on manuscript study and discipleship. Also there will be more integrated travels with the partnering students rather than team outings.

In addition, I feel I have a better understanding of how I will be viewed in that society. As well, I have more of a blessing to go forth from my parents as they feel more comfortable travelling to somewhere they've lived and established contacts rather than somewhere they only vaguely know by association.

I am getting more excited as the reality of my departure sets in.

Internship

My Inter-Varsity internship officially began on May 1, 2008 at City/Script 2008, a week-long conference where students and staff study either the Book of Mark or the beginning of Genesis in a manuscript-style study (see left).

In addition to being my first official act as an intern, it was also my first time attending the conference (I avoided it in the past few years by travelling during the month of May). It was an intense week that was full of ups and downs, but was very growthful. I have never studied that much scripture in manuscript form, other than NSLC (which resulted in me deciding to intern with InterVarsity).

After city/script, I decided to partner with one of my students to lead a book study of Rick Richardson's Reimagining Evangelism throughout the summer until I depart on the Zambia GP. I have seen some amazing things come out of our weekly discussions and am excited to hear what happens while I am away.

The remainder of my time as an intern has been spent fundraising, meeting with my supervisor Jess, going to GTA staff meetings and retreats and sorting out my housing situation where I will be living with two IVCF staffworkers.

As things as slowly transitioning and developing, I am excited to see what happens next, and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

The End of An Era + New Beginnings

As much as I try to prolong believing it, I suppose now it is true:

I am a University graduate.

Today, I got my photographs from convocation printed, and the reality sunk in.

My convocation came and went on June 9th, it was followed by an Ontario VCF staff luncheon and an evening spent at an Inter-Varsity staff conference.

In the two months since I have completed university, I have jumped into my next life adventure, namely working for Inter-Varsity for a year as an intern and preparing for my upcoming Zambia GP (more info on both of these to come).

As I spend time away from school and my pace of life begins to slow down, I start to appreciate my time at Ryerson. Though the years had many ups and downs, there were some moments of sweetness amidst the bitterness. For instance, after four long years finally having a piece of work in the Year End Show was a huge accomplishment; especially considering the long and often painful process to complete my final project to meet the show's standards whilst staying true to my vision.

I am sure as more time passes, I will look back at my Ryerson days with more fondness, but for now I am relishing in my freedom as I embark on the next phase of my life.

Updates are coming...

Hey all,

Sorry I have been so slow on updates, I promise I will be more proactive about blogging in the future.

Peace and love,
the Arch

Welcome!

You have reached the blog of Ryerson's Inter-Varsity Intern!

Check back for updates about my internship experience and my upcoming Global Partnership to Zambia!