TREK training has been described as a waterfall. This metaphor works on a number of levels. Essentially, it is a time of God pouring into you before you head out into the field. It is also a time of  refreshment, drinking deeply of the spring of living water and letting burdens from the past be washed away. Training can also be overwhelming at times, due the the volume of information being dumped on you. The beauty of the program is that you then have the next 3 1/2 or 7 months to digest and process it all, and the holy spirit brings it back to mind when you need it.
 Our two-month training phase is based out of the Mark Centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Single TREKers stay in beautiful new dorm-type rooms of three to four people; couples and families stay in suites.
During training, we have our regular curriculum, as well as a few special events, like a weekend silent retreat: just you, God, your Bible, and your journal for 48 hours. This is a highlight for many people, and extremely difficult for others! There are also other team-building trips, like casual hikes and a bit of sight-seeing, since many TREKers are from out of town.
Two weeks into the training, TREK leadership will spend an evening discerning the team groupings, team leaders, and assignment locations. Click to see team pictures of the Fall 2006 and Winter 2007 TREK groups.
At the end of the two months, there is a commissioning evening where friends, family, and alumni are invited to celebrate what God's already been pouring into you, and to cover you in prayer as you are sent out to your respective assignments.
Archives...
Fall 2006 Training
Welcome Fall TREKers!
The 2006 Fall TREK group has arrived in Abbotsford, at last! After months of studying their profiles and photos, we are finally getting to know them face to face.
As can be expected, this year's 15 TREKers are a bundle of fun. I mean, how can anyone not be cool when they've decided to give a year of their life to missions and coming closer to the Lord?
We met Monday morning to reflect on the past week. The TREKers had already enjoyed an "intense" session with Randy Friesen, reading the entire book of Mark over chai tea with Steve Klassen, work duties, and Whistler, with laughter and tears in between. No one could believe it had only been one week since we first said our nervous hellos!
The TREK leadership is already praising God for this hilarious group of young people, who are already so willing to be vulnerable before each other, and so expectant of the good things God will be doing in them in the next months.
Week 2 of TREK Training
Above: Jon learning a thing or two from Matt
Below: Cheyla chillin' with Jesus on the silent retreat
This week we heard from TREK alumni, Matt Unruh on the topic of worship, as well as Eden Jersak on hearing the voice of God. TREKers were excited to put into practice what we had learned on the upcoming 48-hr silent retreat.
Afterward, a few TREKers shared that going into silence, they had expected some huge revelations... a look into the future, perhaps. But instead, God simply met them where they were at and spoke of his personal and unconditional love for them.
It was encouraging to see how the steady, faithful hand of our Father touched each TREKer in a different way over the weekend, tugging at the roots of our heart issues.
Tears and Giant Mud Puddles - Week 3 Highlights
Below: Esther and friend, Linda
 One highlight for TREKers this week was a visit from Esther Corbett of William's Lake, who spoke and blessed us with her gifting in prophecy. In her words, prophecy is simply speaking words from God to people. Some were brought to tears as he spoke tenderly and individually to each of us through Esther. Many were able to set up one-on-one time with her, and she met with them until late in the night to pray specifically into their lives. Thank you Esther for the meaningful time you spent with us!
Another highlight this week was the much-anticipated team announcements. Teams going to Thailand, India, and Peru, as well as team leaders, were discerned Tuesday night by TREK leadership, and announced Wednesday morning. Reactions varied from one man jumping into another's arms, to a nod and smile!
Below: Conquerors of Cheam
Finally, this Saturday, TREKers hiked to the peak of Cheam for a staggering view of the Fraser Valley. Weather was great, and the 4x4 road to the trailhead was enjoyed by all. Picture 1 giant mud puddle and three young men behind the wheels of a Jeep, Suburban, and Bronco. I'll leave it up to you to fill in the blanks.
Claiming the Power We Forget We Have - Week 4
Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. -Matthew 16:19
 Keith Martens flew in this week from Fresno, California and taught on praying with the authority of Jesus. He compared being a Christian to being a police officer. By way of example, the person alone has no authority, but once he has been commissioned, he is given a higher authority. So when he sees a problem, he doesn't sit in his car and call the dispatcher to come direct traffic. Instead, he uses the authority given to him, puts out his hand and gets the job done.
Keith encouraged the TREKers to search the scriptures for how Jesus and the early apostles did miracles. As a group, they discovered it was often a command to a demon to "Come out!", or to a cripple: "Get up!" And the key of course, was their association with the one who has authority over all things: "In the name of Jesus."
Above: Keith Martens
Below: Cheyla and Jessica searching the gospels
It was a lot to chew over, but very exciting for the TREKers as they realized the signs that "will accompany those who believe" (Mark 16:17) are still entirely available to believers today, when we will claim all that God has for us!
Saturday found the TREKers in Richmond for the day on a "Temple Tour." They were led through a Jewish Synagogue, Buddhist Temple, Hindu Cultural Centre, Sikh Temple, and Muslim Mosque. TREKers got a peek into some of the major religions of the countries to which they are headed.
Finally, on a less serious note, TREKers celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Friday, since they won't be able to celebrate it together in March
Exercise - Reflections on Week 5 of Training
This week began with an inspiring visit from Steve Lightle, who, in the words of Luke Haidle, "knows his Bible better than anyone I've met to date."
Below: Steve, with a circle of TREKers around him at lunch, telling story after captivating story.
Steve led us through the Bible, speaking of the amazing things that happen when we simply listen for God's direction with even the smallest steps in our lives, and follow his lead. He encouraged the TREkers to embrace all that God has for them. The thing that intrigued many of us was, where were his notes? Every scripture passage he had us look up came out of his memory. This led to a new addition to the daily schedule: Bible memorization, a sort of spiritual excercise. The TREKers were all for it, and have already been boldly blazing this trail into TREK history.
Wednesday morning found the TREKers dancing to some African music in a giant circle around the Great Room... a primer for Bryan Born's talk on intercultural ministry. Bryan himself was a missionary for a number of years with his family in Botswana.
That same day, Christy Best helped the TREKers to stretch their cultural ideas of language, giving some tips on teaching English as a second language. This will likely come into play when the TREKers get to their assignments.
And finally, Blayne Greiner led us in a brief session on Friday morning, and then to the Sasquatch Caves in Hope, for an afternoon of adventure, squeezing through small gaps and exploring by the light of our flashlights. There were one or two attacks of claustrophobia, but everyone came out victorious and unscathed!
Culture, Team, and Firefighting - Week 6
Below: Team India, deciphering a word puzzle.
 This week we heard from Sam Owusu on cross-cultural ministry. Sam pastors a multicultural church in Burnaby, and was able to share from what God's been teaching him through that. Just two weeks now until TREKers will be placed in cross-cultural settings of their own!
The next day, Ray and Judy Harms-Wiebe shared words from their experience as missionaries in Brazil, as well as what God is teaching them now.
Left Below: David dominating at catching Skittles in his mouth.
Right Below: All three teams waiting for the same bus. It's anyone's game!
 
Finally, all day Saturday was this year's "Amazing TREK." TREKers competed as their teams: India, Thailand, and Peru, racing for the grand prize. Somewhere in between the Sikh Temple, MCC Thrift Store, Firehall and Corn Maze, they were able to learn a lot about themselves and how their teams function, what worked well, and what to improve on their assignments together.
Below: Carrie and Joelle persevering. They must knock over a plastic cone 5 metres away with a heavy fire hose before the teams can move on.
A Week of 24/7 Prayer - Week 7 of Training
 Week 7 began with a day of enthusiastic teaching with Karen Padgett, who works with an organization called 24/7. With Karen's help, the TREKers were inspired to set up their own prayer room up in the chapel at the Mark Centre. There was a sheet on the refrigerator, where TREKers could sign up for 1-hour prayer slots. The week was soon booked right up, through the nights and the days, whenever we didn't have sessions.
After brainstorming as a group, TREKers set up a paper shredder for confessions, world maps, art supplies, various musical instruments, writing utensils, cushions, a hymnal, and my personal favourites: a washing bowl and tic-tacs at the door for the symbolism of purification.
Above: Karen sharing her passion.
Below: A collage someone put together as an expression of prayer.
By the end of the week, the room was plastered with the combined prayers of all. Karen returned the following Monday to debrief the week. She took the time to hear a story from each of us, and blessed us, saying well done. Even the stories of frustration and dryness, she turned around to show us where the heart of God is in these times. She told us our prayers are a mosaic. Each piece in a mosaic is broken and imperfect, but together we make something beautiful.
It was awesome to be reminded of just how simple and enjoyable prayer is meant to be. These lessons will be helpful to the teams as they begin their assignments in just one week. A key component to all of life and ministry is prayer. The India team specifically will be helping to set up a prayer room in New Delhi.
Left: A clothesline for artwork,
written prayers, poetry, and scripture.
A New Season for our TREKers - Wrapping Up Fall Training
 As of this Monday evening, our Fall TREK teams have been commissioned, covered in prayer, and sent out. Praise God that all the teams have arrived safely!
We are now left with an empty Mark Centre, but full of eager anticipation as we wait to see what God will do this year, continuing to transform these 15 individuals and in turn, the worlds they are stepping into. The holy spirit is the best teacher. He knows exactly how each of us learns best and when the lesson needs to be reiterated, and he is astoundingly patient and gentle. We as TREK leadership are convinced that our teams are in good hands!
To the TREKers: we are proud of you guys. May God carry on to completion the work  he started in you. (Phil 1:6) We know he will!
Above: Commissioning the India Team
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