 |
INfocus
with Diane Bear
Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute Student
|
All my growing up years were spent on Big River First Nation (Cree),
Saskatchewan. I was a middle child in a family of 14 children. My mom
stayed at home to raise her children and my dad has been on Band Council
for 18 years.
By the time I was about eight years old, my brothers and I often had
discussions about Christ. We had a Bible in our home and occasionally
attended the Roman Catholic church.
When I was a young teen I found a brochure at school for Higher
Challenge Wilderness Camp. It looked like a fun way to get away from
home, so my older brother and I went. That was the real beginning of my
knowledge of Christ.
Through the sharing time at campfires and the lifestyles of the
counsellors, they proved that Christ was real. I wanted then to accept
Christ but I wasn't sure what my brother would say. Since I didn't
have a relationship with God, all I could pray at that time was, "Lord,
give me strength."
The next summer I attended a second Higher Challenge camp. During
that camp I became convinced that I was wrong in thinking, "I'm good
enough to get to heaven." Still, I held back from the Lord.
The following spring I met NCEM missionaries Lori Hildebrandt and
Dione Lacendre at "Youth Blast" at Big River Bible Camp. The speaker
gave an invitation for salvation, but my pride kept me from going up.
Later, at home, I lay on my bed and cried to the Lord, "I don't want
to live without You anymore."
After that I became very involved in Big River Bible Camp, Higher
Challenge Wilderness Camps, as well as Lori and Dione's youth ministry
on the reserve. Their friendship and encouragement has been a big part
of my life.
I had to deal with pride, thinking that I already knew everything
about being in God's Kingdom. Partly I thought that because I had
never touched alcohol and drugs -- I always knew it was wrong. I'm
very thankful not to have had those experiences.
After graduating from high school in 2002, I applied to several
colleges for nursing and was accepted at most. Instead I chose Bible
school because I had a desire to be grounded in the Word of God. I was
familiar with Key-Way-Tin through attending a NorthQuest youth retreat,
and year-end graduation conferences several times.
I have enjoyed studying the Scriptures on my own. And in class I have
learned a lot from seeing the teachers' love for God. One of the neat
things I've been learning about my Christian walk is to move my
knowledge of Christ 18 inches ... from my head to my heart! This means
serving Christ not because I have to, but because I want to.
Click here to meet other
Key-Way-Tin students
Back to Northern Lights magazine
index
|
