Centennial Church Family and Parents,

Today was one of the most challenging days physically for the students and for the leaders. A common theme heard was how everyone was pushed to their limit and had to rely on God for his strength. Tonight's (Friday) end of the week sharing was amazing! Everyone had the opportunity to share about how God impacted and transformed their lives. It was so evident that God has truly changed all of us and we will not be the same when we come home. As I look back on the 17 years of bringing students to Canada, I am amazed at how God continually uses this trip to transform students and adults lives. I praise God for the privilege of being the student ministry pastor at Centennial Covenant Church and seeing so many students lives transformed through our student ministry and trips like this Canada discipleship trip, it is truly a blessing to serve the Lord.

Thank you for your continual prayers as we travel back to Littleton on Saturday and Sunday. Our hope is to be back at Centennial Covenant Church by noon.

Christ's servant,

Randy Stensgard - Student Ministry Pastor

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This week has been totally awesome. At the beginning of the week I said I didn't feel close to God. This week I grew much closer to him. My prayer partner Matt Biniki and Matt Haran and Ian Conner taught me a lot. I also grew closer to him through worship like the song "Empty Me".
This has been a blast,
Nic Lowthian
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It's been...well a challenging week. God really has been teaching me a lot of patience, reliance on him, and humbleness. I have had lots of fun on all the excursions and I love having my sister here. She is doing so amazing and is growing up in the Lord. The reason I say that God humbled me was because on Thursday, my group had mountain biking. I started out the day in a really sour mood and was just not in a good place. Well, God looked down and saw my selfish and prideful heart and said, "Hey Sarah, lets go for a little bike ride ey?" Pretty much I hit every single hole and fell into every single puddle and sunk into every pile of black sludge there was possible. But the more I got frustrated with my bike and wanted to throw it off the cliff, the worse I did. I had to tell myself positive words and tell my self that I will succeed, and depend fully on God for strength. I finished the ride covered in mud and in a very peaceful and humble place. I will tell you all so much more, but its been truly a very impacting trip and I love all the kids. See you soon.
Love, Sarah Yount
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Hey guys! I haven't written since the first night but I'll just talk about the last couple days. I have done so many fun things!! I traversed, rock climbed, did work projects (such as brushing and picking up trash by a highway), hiked two different hikes, mountain-biked, and repelled. Yes it was very fun; but also very challenging. I think I've gotten a bit more muscular...! Even more than that, it was challenging spiritually. I was able to relate a lot of things I did to my walk with God. I think I understand better what it means to trust Christ and now I am going to be trying even harder than ever to do that. God challenged me in another way this week. He has shown me things about myself that I didn't know before. This trip has had a very big impact and I will never forget it.
Love, Kathryn Hardin
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Hey guys it's me again. I have had such a great time on this trip. It has made such an amazing impact on me. Today I went hiking on the coliseum, and it was AMAZING!! Even though there was some intense fog I still had an amazing time. The hike was wet, muddy, rainy, haily, and very steep at some points, so I was pretty tired towards the end. There were times where the fog would clear up and when it did you could see for miles, and the sights were amazing. It's so awesome to see how wonderful god's creation(s) really are. I just praised god with wide open hands. After we got to the top it was blowing wind and hailing like none other. But at the top there was a cross and that cross meant so much to me cause there have been times where I felt that god wasn't there but when I saw that cross it showed me that god was everywhere. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is there always and forever.
Brother in Christ, Ian Conner
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Well hey there people of the United States. This has been such an indescribable trip. I looked forward to this trip ever since the last Canada trip. I had come and now it's over but not before the bus ride home. ( one of the best parts) anyway, yesterday was my mom's birthday and I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I sure hope that no one broke anything.  (again). This place at frontier lodge is one of the hardest places to leave for me because while you are here, you get this huge spiritual high and when you come back to the states, it's hard because you are really challenged with your relationship with god.
In Christ, Dallas Jenney
Romans 4:7
" Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."
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Hello! This is David Bearss, guess what no dislocations this year, yes. So far we have made it without having to go to an emergency room and to me that is a huge feat. Well, it has been raining very much up here yet it has still been a really good week. Anyway we didn't make it to he Mall or even Kootney Plains that was sad but we had fun anyway. Oh I might have torque my knee a little bit on a hike today but it is very minor. (Don't worry no
emergency room bills.)
~David Bearss
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So I am talking about yesterday. I didn't have time. Yesterday was hard but amazing to me, I got a sprained angle on the day before from a hike. I really wanted to do this day because I love rock climbing and traversing. So  first they taped up my leg then we were off. The tape really helped me and in a way it is like god if you're hurt or scared to do something he will secure you and the tape was there all day so he was there all day. I made it through the day and it really challenged me like none other. God gives you challenges to make you stronger in the end; he makes obstacles for you to jump over. This has been amazing and really has challenged me physically and emotionally and he has made me stronger in my walk with Christ!!!  It is a great feeling to know where you are going and know Jesus is with you and that you can trust him!!
~*Kate Brooks*~
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I have been doing do many fun things this trip. I have been traversing, extreme mountain biking, and white water canoeing. I have met so many great people. Some of the new people who I have met are Liz, Rhonda, Flo, Meggis, Skittlz, and many other staff members. They are also so nice. I truly believe that God blessed them all with hearts of gold. They are all so nice and encouraging. God has really shown me that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I have tried so, many new things and I had a blast doing them. I can't wait to raise money for next year to come back.
Katey Gooderham
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I think today was fun because everyone got to do what they wanted to do.
When I went up to wapiabbi, we got to repel into a cave about 60 feet deep and then climb back up. It was fun to go. I can't wait till next YEAR.
PLS: VERY TIRED
Brandon Gingrich

Greetings Centennial Family from Canada,

Today was a fantastic day of adventures in the morning, followed by an incredible time after dinner of 6 baptisms in the lake, and worship and sharing around the campfire. Today, praise God, the rain finally broke, the sun came out, and we made the most of it by continuing our rotation with the four groups participating in rock climbing, Tyrolean Traverse, repelling, and mountain biking. The events are challenging, and it is so encouraging to hear the students stories of pushing through and overcoming. They have the most indelible bent toward making hard things fun, and finding joy and laughter in every situation. They are truly amazing, and we continue to watch them grow and build relationships with each other, and go deeper in their Christian journeys. Tomorrow is a student-pick day where each can select their choice from hiking, caving, mountain biking, or canoeing.

Baptism Testimonies:

To me getting baptized was a way for me to show my devotion towards Christ.

Getting in the chilly water was a small price to pay to wash away my sins that have been on my shoulders for years, and to strengthen my walk with Jesus. I did this because I wanted to be dunked in a peaceful lake and I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and I want to follow in his footsteps.
-Tanner Zitek
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So I got baptized today. At first I was a little apprehensive about it because I was worried about how cold the lake was but as it got closer to when I was actually getting baptized I realized that it didn't matter how cold the lake was. I was going to publicly show everybody how much I loved God. And that is all that matters. I had Janet and David baptize me. I chose them because they have both influenced my life so much. So when we first walked into the water it was freezing like none other. Then Janet & David held me by the shoulders and dunked me under. When I came up I gasped for air and I felt warm and happy and me and Janet holding my hands. When we finally came out of the water I just felt kind of floaty and weightless.

Like a huge weight had just been lifted off my shoulders. I just feel like I can do anything right now, just because my relationship with God has been strengthened.
Love,
Mara
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For me getting baptized at Frontier Lodge was indescribable. Not only was it in front of a group of people I'm so close to but my dad and my best friend Sarah were the ones to baptize me. It was seriously incredible to be able to publically declare my faith and show physically that I am a child of God, His servant and my life belongs to Him. God is so awesomely captivation and glorious and I feel so blessed to have shown my belief in Him in one of my favorite places on earth. Also because God is just so incredible this was the first day we had sunshine, God is crazy awesome!
-Mandee Mramor, Daughter of Christ
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My experience tonight, being baptized, was amazing. Amazing is even too small of a word to describe the feeling. Sharing my testimony with all my new friends was a little hard but it was as if God was speaking through me and sharing my story of my growing faith and relationship with Him. When Randy asked me why I wanted to be baptized I said "I felt like I needed to do this for myself and that it was just a new beginning with my walk with Christ." Sharing that with everyone was a bit overwhelming but Frontier Lodge has really changed my life and my relationship with God. Getting baptized here will stick in my memory for the rest of my life.
-Alyssa Morell
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I must say that baptism is a totally different step on my walk with Christ.

When I was stepping into the very chilly waters of the Canadian lake, I was wondering what this would all really mean to me as soon as I finished and resurfaced. After I was baptized I decided that it was nothing more then a bath but instead of washing away dirt and germs from weary travels, it was washing away the rest of the weight from my sins. I must say, that was one cold dose of reality from my walk with Jesus.
Jonathon Durbin

Students have been very real and honest with where they are at with Jesus. We then have students share what they appreciate about each other, it is inspiring to hear some of the students share how they appreciate each other.

Thank you for your prayers for the trip. Tomorrow (Thursday) we hope to be able to baptize 5 students at the lake here at Frontier Lodge.

Randy Stensgard – Student Ministry Pastor
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Well hello Colorado folk! We be doing fine here in Canada eh. I don’t know what other people think but I love this weather here! Rain and puddles and mud…everywhere!!! It’s very fun especially when on the Hoo doo Hike; at least for me it is. So it was my birthday today and I had a blast doing dishes with matt. We have to do them every meal…we got in trouble…not. The cool thing really though is seeing everyone being so loving and caring. All of the testimonies are deep and have brought tears to many eyes. And even the affirmations are so uplifting and motivational. Love is ever present here in the Canadian Rockies. We were called to follow what Jesus said to be the greatest commandment and have done so through our loving. God is number one here and it is His will, not ours. I ask for your prayers for the weather so that we might be able to camp at Kootenay plains and also that the soreness and fatigue not make us too irritable. Work projects were quite hard but we always make a huge dent in the load for the staff here. God is here dwelling in our hearts and we worship Him alone. Talk to you guys later.
P.S. Hi Jon Haron. I miss you.
Aaron Zitek
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Today was probably the wettest day possible. But since when was that a bad thing when you have a sweatshirt a coat and a poncho. I saw God today in several ways, first and foremost is that awesome view of the wide lake in the valley enclosed by two mountains absolutely covered in pine trees. But the second is more personal, and probably more important. Although Mom and Dad may kill me, I scaled a rock wall with the slope of an italicized I without any protection, and I reached the top, hanging on to a tree, and I thought 2 things of God. One is that God is like that small tree, rooted in the ground, and I can use it to keep me safe. The other thought was that there was no way that I could have climbed that without God’s help. Looking back, I saw hidden scree, unsteady rock, and just general nastiness that I had some how woven my way through. I finished my thought, moved on, and slid my way (carefully!) down.
Ryan L
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The Canada trip has been very enjoyable for me so far. We have been very active and the students have been wonderful! They truly are great kids.

Strong, helpful, fun and willing to doing anything, even in the pouring rain. The rain has been a lot, seems like all it has done here for the last day and a half. God has been keeping us safe, opening our hearts and giving us opportunities to grow. I am really glad to be here and be able to experience this with our High School students. Can’t wait to sit in the sun and 90 degree heat!
Todd Nice
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Hey everybody, Canada trip has been quiet the adventure so far I have manage to soak most of my cloths because I fall to much. Today we went up Hoo-Doo creek it was so much fun there were some many picture perfect moments. When walking up the river I was amazed by the beauty God had made and the time it must of took to make such a beautiful world. It was also a wonderful time to talk with new people and make new friends. When we stop for lunch there was a cave about a half a mile up on a hill of sliding rock, I tripped a lot (yet it was quiet fun surfing down the rocks). In the end God helped make sure that no one got hurt (a couple scratches here and there). As a final note I have to chipmunks are really smart…may God watch over us
Angelica Powell
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Camp has been a great experience so far. Although the weather is extremely wet I’ve still had such an awesome time. I love listening to everyone’s testimonies at the campfire, and learning about what God has done in their life. Everyone’s story is different, but they are all are so interesting. My favorite activity so far was rock climbing. We got to get hooked up in harnesses and climb up a huge side of the mountain.

When we reached the top there was an amazing view of the lake. I was so sore the next day! I have made so many new friends. We are all having a fantastic time.
Amanda Heiser
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Today the bus came back… fixed, which was awesome. We now have a way around and the bus driver is really awesome to all of us. I saw God today not only through the bus and Driver but also through the Hoo-Doo creek hike. When we got about half way up, the rain cleared and we had an awesome view of the mountains and lakes. Also no one had to go to the hospital which is nice.
-Matt H.
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Hi people. So yesterday we did work projects. It was a lot of fun to work with the Frontier Lodge staff. I think that the person who impacted me most while we were working was Aaron. He wasn’t even part of our group, his group left him. He just worked so hard. He never stopped. I really like working with Flo. He was really fun to talk to and he taught me a lot about fallowing God in everything I do. The Hoo Doo hike was ok. It was for most of the time. But we got to see all of the beautiful scenery. I have been having tons-o-fun here in Canada.

And I am completely talking like a Canadian now eh!

-Mara Lopez
P.S. –I love and miss you Rachel!
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Today we hiked up Hoo Doo Creek. I woke up this morning and I didn’t want to do anything. It was cold and raining. On the way to the hike I was just praying that I could get through the hike and have fun. The way up was very nice. It was cold to begin with, but once you started hiking you warmed up. At the top I went to a cave and it was amazing. When we were at the top it started drizzling. Then it started raining really hard. I stood under a tarp with Amy, Mandee, and Deon. I was under the tarp for a while, but when I came out we were engulfed with fog. It was stunning! You couldn’t even see the bottom of the mountain. It was raining really hard once we started heading down the mountain. It was horrid. I was so cold. As I was walking down the mountain I thought about God. The fog was so thick in some places that you couldn’t even see 20 feet in front of you. I thought about how now I couldn’t see the stunning lake below the mountain, because the fog was covering it.

Sometimes you can’t see the whole picture, but God will give you a stunning end, like the lake. And sometimes you can’t even see where you are going but God knows and he will make sure you get there safely.
Canada is AWESOME!!!
Katie Biniki
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This trip has been amazing & wet. I never knew it rained so much in Canada, although I’ve been told that it’s not always like this. Everyone has been really patient and kept such a positive attitude through the nasty weather & that is really encouraging. God is definitely at work here. He is challenging me to trust Him completely and let Him run my life, not me. He’s got a plan & I’m just along for the ride. Canada has taught me that you can’t plan for everything, but God’s got it under control and it’s going to be good. He’ll never forsake you no matter what. Even as I write this, God is letting the sun shine for the first time in 3 days. God is faithful no matter what.
P.S. Rachel I miss you! Wish you could be here!!
Logan Smith
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Grace and Peace to you all from our Lord Jesus Christ through His disciple in Canada. God is good all the time. I look forward to this trip every year because of the amazing things God does here if we are only willing to let him. With the immense beauty of creation all around us, and the close fellowship of everyone daily, I can’t help but see the glory of God. This is my favorite place on earth because I have had many close, personal encounters with God. I can actually hear Him speak to me every day, instead of every once in a while when I find time to sit in a quiet corner somewhere. It’s like reuniting with a best friend that you only get to speak to on the phone. It’s so much better to see them face to face. Today God taught me that He has a different path for everyone.

We were hiking Hoodoo creek and Emma was directly behind me, following in my footsteps. I crossed the creek at a particular spot that was quite easy for me, but Emma almost fell in. While it’s good to follow upright examples, everyone has a path that’s best for them.
~Janet

We had some technical difficulties with the bus and such on the way here, but we arrived safely at Frontier Lodge in Nordegg, Alberta! When we got here on Sunday night, we didn’t do much of anything but get settled in and go to bed. But then, yesterday, we went on some wilderness adventures! My team went repelling next to a giant waterfall in the morning, ate lunch, and then went mountain biking until about 5:45. After that, we had an awesome night of worship. I shared my testimony (the story of my walk with God, for those who don’t know) along with a few others, and then had affirmations. That night was really cool and you could feel God’s presence in the room. I shared about how I felt completely and utterly secure backing off a 300 foot cliff and riding across bridges that were creaking and wobbling underneath us because I constantly was asking God for aid and for safety, and He gave it to us. Then today we had a morning of worship like normal, ate breakfast, and then headed out to do work projects on the camp grounds. My team was clearing brush and just cleaning up the forest in the morning, and afterwards we were splitting and stacking wood until 5:00. I’m exhausted right now, and I miss all you Denver-ians…? But I’m really excited about what God is doing here, and what he will do. Until next time.
Jake Nice signing out.
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Hi Coloradans!!! This trip has already been incredible!! It has not gone exactly according to the set plans and has varied so much but every bit of it has been a new way that God has taught me something. It has been raining a bunch, but it has taught me not to be so uptight about having a pound of mud on my pants/shoes! Today I was struggling with really connecting with God because of all the distractions on the trip. I was feeling sick and overwhelmed and a lot of other things running through my mind so I took a walk and sat right next to the lake on a cute little bench with a table. I sat there and just let go, starting to cry. I started to pray and just asked God to relieve me of my feelings because I was tired of those dumb feelings. I was at the point where you are gasping for breath and you just can’t cry anymore. Just as I was about to let out another cry I looked out into the lake and a loon popped out of the water and scared me. Then I just sat looking at the lake and the clouds in the mountains. I sat and found that I couldn’t find a way to see God in it. I was so clustered with other things that I couldn’t focus. Then I looked at the lake and 4 loons were sitting out there popping in and out of the water and I just felt God was trying to tell me something. I sat and waited and got frustrated again with the other poopy thoughts. I started praying that God would bring me peace. Then all of a sudden a loon cried out and I just stopped thinking. I couldn’t breathe. This time It wasn’t because I was crying. This time it was out of fascination for creation and I felt the Holy Spirit just lifted me up. Then the other 3 loons started talking in their calls. Then a falcon circled around the lake and I was filled with the feeling that Jesus will carry me on wings like eagles and that I have nothing to worry about. I sat there for a little more and it started raining and I was so filled with peace and joy that I cried for joy this time. It was truly an answer to prayer. Jesus is peace.
Sincerely,
Susie















 

Thank you for your prayers.

Randy Stensgard – Student Ministry Pastor
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Wow! Canada is amazing eh, So much to see and do. Today, I traversed across a river over 100 feet down it was sooo intense and such a thrill at the same. Later after lunch we went rock climbing and that was an even more intense thrill than traversing I got up the hardest one and I felt so accomplished then when I was down on the ground, I looked back up and it looked as if it was impossible to get up