return from city/script

i have just returned from two weeks of intense scripture study at our annual city/script event. this was my first year being present for 2 weeks (the first week i participated in a study of the second have of mark's gospel, the second week i co-taught a mark 1 study). as usual, it was an incredibly fruitful and refreshing time in community that has left me with a crazy mix of energy and exhaustion.
i felt challenged the first week as i went through mark 8.31-16.8 for my second time (the last time i studied it was 2005) as i was reminded of the humility, mercy, and grace that Jesus embodies. it is a story full of second chances, loving discipline, and acts of courage, faith, and failure. mark does a beautiful job of warning followers of Jesus to abandon the game of wordly greatness and choose the pursuit of real LIFE. at moments it felt like i was looking at the text for the first time but also with a knowledge of how good Jesus is to us as we lose life for his sake and the gospel, only to have it replaced with LIFE. it was also a reminder to continue letting go of the parts of the sub-par life i am still clinging to, knowing that there will be pain and suffering in the process.
the challenge of the second week was simply having the energy to engage deeply and lead students through the text. a week at city/script is draining enough and two weeks certainly required me to depend on God for strength and focus.
i am currently gathering stories from students about their experiences of the week to put together in a newsletter but for the time being, here are some of my personal highlights from the week (including a few pictures).

week 1 highlights:
- over 100 students and staff from across Ontario studying together in 5 studies (3 mark 1 studies, 1 mark 2 study, and 1 genesis study)
- 11 mcmaster students eagerly engaging in scripture study and developing deeper relationships with one another
- celebrating 2 birthdays (Danielle and Jen Han)
- fitting everyone from the conference on one city bus on our return from our night walk
- partnering with and being led by other staff from around Ontario.



week 2 highlights:
- joining with University of Toronto staff and students, and having 2 MAC students surprisingly join us for the week
- partnering with Nicky, my co-teacher for the week, for a second year of leading together (i think we get better at it each time...)
- watching the group build friendships with one another
- being recognized by the cafeteria staff and being able to have more conversation with them through the week