Oh Deer!

If you've never heard of Pinawa, Manitoba, I wouldn't be surprised. The town is pretty silent and few people are even on the beach or at school, but the streets and parks and front lawns of Pinawa are certainly not dead. They run rampant with wild, though very approachable, deer. They are literally everywhere, alone or in small groups, staring at you as you tip-toe past them. Never in my life have I seen so many deer!

But staying a week at the Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre in Pinawa wasn't all about the deer (though they did provide a lot fodder for jokes and photos). We were well-fed (roast pig and cheesecake – jealous?!) by the kitchen staff, well-soaked in the hot tub, well steamed in the sauna, well-sunned by the phenomenal weather and great places to be outside, and well-connected to God through a transformational morning of silence. Body surfing and tubing at the rapids at a nearby dam were a definite highlight, as were numerous games of near-professional or entirely disgraceful volleyball.

During the week, we had two guest speakers lead us in a number of sessions on topics that forced us to know God, know ourselves, and know the world. On Tuesday, Gavin Hall, youth pastor from Assiniboine Community Church in Winnipeg introduced us to the topic of theology in his 6 two hour-sessions on “Thinking Theologically, Living Faithfully.” Through structured debates, cool videos, and interesting lectures, we were exposed to both sides of sticky issues. We addressed these questions from the perspective of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: by considering Scripture, Reason, Experience and Tradition. Gavin also described the three central Christian images of kingdom, community and creation and related these images to other Scripture passages, to our everyday lives, and to issues of concern in Guatemala. He was not only extremely informative and very engaging but he gave us a lot more questions to chew on throughout the week.

On Thursday and Friday we also had the privilege of Gail and Alex Zahradnitzky give us a thorough understanding of Guatemalan geography, history, and culture while exploring the opportunities and privileges presented by each. In their 15 trips to Guatemala with the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, they have not only learned many of the tips and tricks of travelling through Guatemala, but have also developed a love for the people and landscape which they were eager and ready to share with us.

Both speakers gave us valuable information to absorb and ponder over the course of this semester and next. Turns out there was more to our stay in Pinawa than a ridiculous number of deer!

By: Ally Siebert