i just like to thank everyone for there prayers and words of advice in chapel today, I love how on the first time we are able to just come out and say whats realy been on our hearts so we can work threw it together as brother and sisters in Christ.

one of my favorite versus in the bible..probably the one thats had the biggest impact in my life and its the verse "Its no longer i who live but Christ in me" and this verse has just given me such empowerment everytime i think of it. My friend calebs dad told me a quote "If God is with you why not.." and hes is absolutly right, like if u look around and think about the all powerfull God that made everything starting from the atom all the way up to the very galaxy we exsist in! and then if u think about how mercyfull and perfect HE is...and then you mix these things with "Its no longer i who live but CHRIST IN ME"...that exact all powefull God who made everything who loves everyone.Who does not fail! and He resides in you. So why not climb this rediculously high mountain,why not pulll a cord that will send u flying down from a high hight, why not even change the church forever..why not save a soul, i feel alot of people in this world are missing this kind of mentality where when you have God backing you who can stand against you.The song our God says it perfectly " and if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us and if our God is with us then what could ever stop us"

so if you are ever having doubts thinking if u can do something or what if it dosent work out just keep having faith and trust that OUR all power God is backing you up and that you are not alone.

Stephen wants YOU!!

Stephen Wanhella wants YOU to enjoy Kaleo!!

im at kaleo hanging out with tyler

Kaleo 8...

IS HERE!!!

An Intriguing Journey

I am intrigued with this year of Kaléo! Already, before you have arrived, it has been an interesting journey, and I look forward to what God has in mind for us. A number of people here have said to me that this will be a “year of grace.” That sounds good to me, and I am excited to what how this year will play out and what God will do in it.

I have a couple of news items for you, in which God’s grace will continue to show itself. First, this is the statement that was made to the Qwanoes staff team on Monday morning:

A decision was made by Qwanoes, and accepted by Jim Badke, Kaléo Leader, that Jim will continue to serve as the Kaleo Leader until the end of May, and he has agreed to train a new person during the year who will become the Kaleo Leader after that point.

Jim and Qwanoes hope to maintain a close relationship in the future, which could include working in cooperation for possible new opportunities.

This current Kaleo year will look similar and be run similar to past Kaleo years. One difference will be that Qwanoes will be seeking to hire a potential new Kaleo leader as soon as possible. The plan would be for that person to observe and learn, and gradually become more involved as the year progresses.

Both Jim and all the Qwanoes leadership look forward to this new Kaleo year and are excited about how God will work in the lives of these new students. Jim and the Qwanoes leadership see this year as an opportunity to model a good transition for all involved.

Just to clarify, it means that I will walk through this year with you as your Kaléo Leader, beginning to end. Someone, yet to be identified, will join us at some point and learn the role over the year, taking it up fully in the Summer of 2011. I will conclude my time at Qwanoes at the end of May, and move into whatever it is that God has next for me after a break this summer.

On to the second news item. A little while ago I told you that Amanda Rubert will be our Student Life Leader this year. Yesterday Amanda told us that, as much as she wants to help with Kaleo, she had made this decision on her own without clearly hearing what God was saying, and now feels that she needs to move back to the US this year. So sadly she will not be with us this year. She is hoping to visit early in the semester and meet all of you, and assures us of her prayers throughout the year.

We are in the process of finding someone to take up this role and will appreciate your prayers. In the meantime, we are as ready as ever to welcome you here, and we know that (in this year of grace), God will provide! To assist us, our Assistant Director, Jay Kennedy, will come alongside Tyler, Janet and myself in the role of Assistant Kaléo Leader. Jay is a Columbia Bible College graduate with a Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation Leadership, has ten years experience in senior leadership and adventure programming, and will be a great help to the team. Plus, we have the fulltime Qwanoes staff team. Please free to contact me if you have questions.

See you Wednesday! So far, we know we are picking up Mike, Jordana, Heidi, Sarah, Erik, Nathan, Josh, Brent and Anna M. If you are expecting a ride from us and are not in that list, please call me ASAP (250-210-0364). Can’t wait for you to arrive!

Three Cheers!

Hip-Hip Hooray! Kaleo is in only three more days guys, I hope you're as stoked as I am! Pack up soon if you haven't already, and hopefully you guys have all the stuff that you need. We're going to be starting our incredible journey real soon :)

Fore? No! Four!!!

well, ladies and gentlemen, it is now four, that's right, four sleeps (yes, i still count by sleeps!) until our worlds are turned upside down. are you ready?!

what are other four things, you might ask? well, four is: the number of Gospels, the number of seasons, the number of suits in playing cards, the number of years in a Presidential office term in the US, the number of Beatles (though not still alive), and the number of years between each Summer (or Winter) Olympics!

some fun trivia for you!

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog If I Want To...

Yikes! How did it get to be September 10th, five days before the start of Kaleo Eight? I hope the whole year doesn't go this quick!

I have some news for you! A while back I sent you an email to let you know that (sadly) Kristie Voth would not be returning as Student Life Leader this fall. Kristie is doing well and is anticipating the new opportunities God is opening up for her. Though she is sad to not be with you this year, she knows that - in everything - God moves to bring about good for those who love him and are called by him, and that he is already doing that for her and for Kaleo.

We now have someone in place to take up the role of Kaleo Student Life Leader, and it is someone who has the role before! Amanda Rubert was the SLL for Kaleo Three, Four and Five, as well as Head Counselor at Qwanoes for several summers, and she has agreed at this late hour to step in and help give direction to the program this year. She brings with her not only Kaleo experience but a deep sensitivity to what God is doing in the world and a active interest in and love for the young leaders he is raising up in our culture. She is an English Major student and will be a great help to you with academics, but she is also an excellent mentor and listener. You will love having Amanda as one of your leaders this year.

So, here we go! We are so excited to have you with us until April! What will happen in those seven months?? "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

5 days!!

There are no other people doing count down posts so as long as I don't get too lazy it's up to me!!


I know your all expecting a picture with a five but too bad!! Get it? It's the circle of fifths; so funny no? We've got all year to crack bad jokes.

Ohh yes on the side note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!There's your picture with a five in it :P