Mars Hill Newspaper Vol 20 Issue 2 by Mars Hill Newspaper

october 7, 2015

THE

TEAM

TREVOR MCMAHAN managing editor

LUCAS KOEHN visual editor

DAVID PUNNAMMANNIL

DARBY ARENS

LARISSA TENORIO

HEIDI RENNERT

photo editor

web editor

MATT RUBULIAK

advertising & finance manager

MARS’ HILL

Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national and international issues.

layout editor

chief copy editor

SIDSEL RICHMOND illustration editor

MISSION TO MARS

The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR Loranne Brown

SPECIAL THANKS

Kat Grabowski for the team photos

The stuff of snails

In middle school I broke the Guinness World Record for most snails on my face. At the time, the record sat at eight snails, and I made it to nine. Technically, this achievement was never proven, but I will swear on the memory for as long as I live. My childhood home neighboured a small park that was laden with all manner of snails and creepy crawlies, so the convenience factor was prime. Snails never grossed me out, despite their mucus and tendency to end up on the bottom of my shoes. And so, on a particularly quiet summer day, I decided it was time to break a record. My brother and I attempted the soda cracker challenge, but we failed miserably. We tried bunny hopping with bicycles and ollying with skateboards, but were unable to accomplish anything of substance. And then the thought unanimously occurred to us— snails! We gathered snails from trees and shrubs and filled the bottom of a sand pail before set-

tling down in the grass under the afternoon sun. For one glorious minute, I laughed the kind of laughter that only comes in moments of ridiculousness. Or, in hindsight, maybe that is just what I assumed the laughter would have been. As fond as I was of snails, and even more so, competition, I was probably thrilled with the prospect of those snails and the pending record-breaking. I sometimes wonder when I stopped picking up snails or setting out to break records. Somewhere between losing all of my baby teeth and getting asked to grad, I lost my visceral nerve. I grew soft and sweet and altogether lovely—or so I liked to think. In this new pursuit of maturity and independence, I ceased to explore. As we delve into the theme of exploration in this issue, it might be helpful to think about the last time that you explored. Was it in a class? Was it in a relationship? Was it on your own? My last exploration involved a third-story window and a rooftop overlooking the sunset. It wasn’t always that way, though. So often I’m tempted by the safety of sedentary living because there’s no risk of losing anything. I’ve come to argue the opposite; safety is

EDITORIAL POLICY

CONTRIBUTORS

mackenzie

cameron

Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University. Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.

Abigail Guthrie Tori Nikkel Casie Gano Tobin Voth Cordelia Shan Charlotte Elgersma Eleanor Felton Jake Noble Jessica Hurel Josh Dauer Amy Neilson Amy Viser Amy Kobelt Amy Karol Taylor Graham Cheyanne Makelki Jake Lanki Allie Klassen Joel Friesen Ryan Sclater Brian Garries

Where have you been? “Mom! Leave me alone” – Trevor McMahan

sometimes a loss of opportunity for growth and raw challenge. This last summer, as I was out of the country and away from my home, I felt the unavoidable urge to explore. It wasn’t out of a need to rebel or repel the person into whom I felt myself shifting. Rather, it arose naturally from within me. Perhaps it was that young girl who broke records and gathered snails. Exploration is this pivotal part of childhood that gets cast to the wayside in adulthood, along with imagination and honest expression. Jesus asks us to be “like little children” (Matthew 18:3)—and for good reason. The curiosity of a child is unquestionably sincere and straightforward and innocent in its pursuit. As we go forward this semester, let us challenge one another to a deeper course of exploration. May we approach others with a curiosity for their stories and their undertakings. May we approach the land with a curiosity for its origins and mysteries. May we approach our culture with the kind of provocative curiosity that helps us to change the stuff of which it is made. And may we approach ourselves with a graciousness that cracks open the tight places and frees us to head out into the world. 7600 Glover Rd, Langley, BC, V2Y 1Y1 604-513-2109 marshill@gmail.com www.marshill.com This issue brought to you by pudding pie and Taylor Swift. What more you really need?

October 7, 2015

MADELINE GALLARD

LAUREN KRUEGER

Daughter of the light

taylor

graham

On my first day at Trinity Western University, I arrived at Douglas Hall as a nervous, wide eyed student who, like many students during O-week, knew no one and was terrified by the thought of entering the new world of university. The only person I knew was my friend Lauren Krueger, a bright eyed, blonde-haired girl who possessed a rare compassion, grace, and authentic love. On Friday, September 25th, my friend Lauren passed away due to sudden and unexpected medical complications. On my first day at TWU Lauren greeted me with a warm hug, told me she was glad to see me, and, from that moment on, campus felt a little more like home. As I would soon come to realize, I was only one of the many people on TWU’s campus who felt the impact of Lauren’s amazing friendship, kindness, and the earnest imitation of Christ’s love which she humbly pursued. As many people who knew her

can attest, Lauren had a presence that put others instantly at ease. She had a laugh that, as her freckled nose crinkled, could make anyone smile along with her. Her singing voice was exquisite and could render a crowd speechless. She could often be caught singing sweetly to herself on sunny days while she studied in the Douglas courtyard, wearing her big glasses and absentmindedly twirling her long hair. She loved basketball. She absolutely loved her family, her little brother, Evan, and her two amazing parents. She liked the rain but hated clouds. She loved comfy clothes. She loved chocolate covered almonds. If I was going on a hike, Lauren would be the first person I would invite. She loved a good sale. She loved tea. She really loved tea. She loved to look at the stars. Lauren was studying Linguistics and it was her dream to become a speech therapist for children with speech impediments. For her, spending a life working to help people made more sense than anything else. She loved to help others. She loved to listen. She was honest. Her ability to be real is a rare thing in this world. A supernova is a stellar explosion that briefly outshines an

entire galaxy, radiating as much energy as the sun or any ordinary star is expected to emit over its entire life span before it fades from view. These past few days, I have seen the impact Lauren had on so many of the lives she encountered. In a way, Lauren was somewhat like a supernova. She was brilliant, beautiful, powerful, and bright. She was radiant. If one thing can be said about Lauren, it is that the life she lived brought light to the darkness around her. And just as a star lives and dies in a vast universe of uncertainty, we can never fully know why Lauren was taken from us. But what we can know is that, just as God in his unfathomable greatness, holds this universe, he held his daughter Lauren and holds her now in eternity. Our friend Lauren will be greatly missed, and on some days the world will seem a little less bright for her absence. But on a clear night, when I look up at the stars, it is beautiful to know that she is with her Father, the One who holds the stars and who forever holds us. “For the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn; shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18

Where have you been? “Right over there” – Alec Gloanec

october 7, 2015

All things pre-law

jake

lanki

My name is Jake Lanki and I am a fourth year Political Science student. I have aspirations to enter law school after my undergraduate studies, so admittedly I was upset when TWU’s law school plans were put on hold. I wanted to get involved with helping promote our future law program, and God has allowed me to participate in this by blessing me with this year’s law assistant position for TWU’s pre-law program. I am excited to be leading things with the executive director of Trinity’s law school, Earl Phillips. I have been working with Earl to prepare a designated law space in the Northwest Building. We hope to have the space completed and finished by midOctober, where a grand-opening will take place to allow students formally to tour the area. There

Fail boldly

cheyanne

makelki

Performing is a real fear. To be in front of a large group of people and simply act ridiculous can in itself be ridiculous. But just as skydivers get a rush from their jump, performers feel the adrenaline pumping through their veins when they step onto the stage. It is not about getting over the fear, because even professionals get stage fright now and again. It is about controlling your nerves to work for your benefit. That, my friends, is how to thrive in improvisation. When trying something new, our biggest fear as humans is to fail. I felt the same way when I began improv. I was scared of looking ridiculous in front of a crowd of judgmental strangers. Originally, my SOS leader overheard me talking about my improv

experience and, as the Improv Coordinator that year, invited me to try out the improv workshops held by 11:07, the Improv team at TWU. At first, I rejected the offer. I was used to high school improv and felt far from ready for a university team. I was afraid that I would go to the workshop, do something absurd, and utterly fail. Little did I know at the time that everyone else in improv was even more absurd than myself. Everyone has heard the wellknown saying, “Confidence is key.” Performers not only have to act confidently on the surface, but must also face their fears within by feeling confident. But what does that look like? Basically, performers have to use their nerves to their advantage. Once they begin to act confident, they begin to feel confident. Once the adrenaline begins to flow through them, they exhibit boldness—and that is what the audience wants to see. The theatre department—my beloved home for my first year—has a motto that is not well known to the outside world: “Fail Boldly.”

will be resources available for students interested in law school, such as L-Sat prep books, exam date schedules, law school information, and legal texts ranging from case studies to dominion law reports. Since TWU’s law school have been delayed, this is a solid alternative for students interested in getting a head start for their law career. The pre-law program’s ultimate goal is to prepare Christians for the legal career that they desire. God calls us to glorify Him in everything we do. This is exemplified in Mathew 5:16, which says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.” We need to take this example to heart, and being a lawyer is no different. Our identity is rooted in the image of Christ, and this means exemplifying this in our identity, wherever we go. As a university, we look forward to developing strong, professional lawyers who are ready to work for the kingdom of God. This is an exciting time for our school and I am proud to be a student with

such an amazing opportunity. The space will be available most hours during the day and will have a resource and boardroom where a pre-law society will meet. This pre-law society will be a club that is student-run, and we are currently looking for students interested in spearheading the society. Dr. John Dyck, our faculty representative, would be happy to connect with any students interested. His office is in second floor RNT and he can be reached at his TWU e-mail. The idea behind the pre-law society is to provide students with opportunities to hear from lawyers in the field, get LSAT advice from students currently in law programs, and, most of all, gain a sense of what law school is really like. It is a big step forward from undergraduate studies and we want to make sure the transition is smooth and comfortable. The more prepared you are, the better chance of success in your next set of studies. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I would be happy to get back to you.

After persistent invitations, I finally made the trek to RNT 237 on a Tuesday night for my very first workshop. Utterly terrified, I walked into the cleared and spacious classroom filled with what felt like celebrities. I remembered seeing these people in the 11:07 show I went to as a preview student the prior spring. These people were hilarious. Naturally, I was intimidated; they all were friends beforehand and were so confident in everything they did. When the workshop began, I sat watching the funniest people on campus make jokes with a breeze. I sat in awe at their ability to pull lines from thin air and weave them into elaborately improvised scenes. It was that night that I knew I wanted to be just like them. I began going through all the steps required to succeed at improvisation: I researched online, asked for advice from the players, sought for constant feedback. Everywhere I turned, I was faced with the same general answer: do not be afraid to fail. After finally letting this sink in, I went

to my next workshop prepared to participate. I felt nowhere near ready, but I knew I had to try. I volunteered for every game I could. I stood up beside a fellow TWU improv celebrity and gave it my all in front of everyone in the room. I failed. However, I wasn’t embarrassed. Instead, I learned from my experience and worked hard to improve. I was told later that my determination was what caught the two improv coordinators’ attention. Confidently failing in front of everyone only inspired me to learn more about developing my craft. I wanted to be like the pros. After diligent

Where have you been? “I’ve been to purgatory” – Joel Austin

work, I soon became the first freshman on the improv team that year. Fail boldly. It is not about being the best, nor is it about being perfect. Life, and improvisation, is about giving it your all no matter the outcome. Do not be afraid to fail. You will never regret failing confidently, but you will regret never taking the chance. That is what improv is about: taking chances. Controlling your nerves, working through them, and confidently acting ridiculous is how to thrive in improvisation. I am still not nearly as funny as my fellow players, but I will never regret taking the risk to fail in that workshop. Once the adrenaline gets you going, you forget about the fear. Is it really failing if you do it boldly?

What is ESS?

allie

klassen

English Student Society (ESS) is a club for anyone that wishes to promote literature in an active way. While our group is comprised primarily of English majors, we promote diversity across cultures and faculties. Our members come from varied majors such as art, communications, theatre, psychology, and philosophy. We also pride ourselves on being culturally accepting, and desire to learn more about different places; we believe that the more you know the better you read and vice versa. The club is not only academic but also highly social. We hold a

variety of events anyone can participate in if they so choose. Poetry slams are an event we started last year, and, with luck, will be held in the campus bookstore. The first slam should take place in late October, and the other will be held at the end of January. You do not need to be a good poet to

October 7, 2015

come and attend. You are more than welcome if you enjoy simply listening to poems being recited and performed. Additionally, this year we also want to hold a literary night. We plan on filling an evening with literary games like Scrabble, Lit W!t, and the Lord of the Rings deck building game,

as well as a competition with people to perform short plays for prizes. Anyone with a heart for words, literature, theatre, and tomfoolery is invited. Once we have a set date, we will post this event on walls and will talk about it on any media platform we can find, so be on the lookout. On the academic side, we run a Symposium for which we fundraise throughout the year. This year’s theme is “Crossroads,” so if you would like to write an essay, or any other kind of composition, about change in life or things

coming together, feel free to submit an abstract of your piece before December 1st to estudentsociety@gmail.com. There will be a vetting process, but it will be short, so those who are accepted have ample time to write their piece before February. The Symposium is great for your academic resume and will give you a small taste of what it is like to present a piece of work to an audience and commentators. Last year’s Symposium included a guest speaker and a short play. The English Student Society would be happy to accommodate more members. We meet in the English Department Faculty Lounge on Wednesdays at 1pm and usually run from 30 minutes to an hour. Come out and enjoy the conversation and planning. We will appreciate the comments of new voices and ideas, and all are welcome to join our ranks.

not the problems themselves, but the inability to serve as an advocate in order to deal with them directly. “We got to the point where, even when you were bringing forward a general matter that affected all residents, Housing wanted to hear from the residents themselves,” Mullan noted, meaning that Mullan and others like him were effectively prevented from doing their jobs. All this is to say, however,

ful use of resources. “Inverting the status quo within resident councils is not something we’re used to.” Resident councils, whose members are elected and serve for only a year, struggle to make meaningful change before election season rolls around again. Added to this the relationship between resident councils and UBC Housing administration, which is often incredibly stilted. “The bureaucratic process is a big, big, big mess from where I see it,”

Game of homes Issues of undergradate residence

madeline

gallard

Jake Mullan, after graduating last spring with a BA in Psychology from UBC, has not been silent about his time as President of the Ponderosa Commons Residence Association. (Mullan’s role was comparable to that of a Resident Director on Trinity’s campus.) Far from bidding his alma mater goodbye, on September 4th, 2015, Mullan put himself in the line of fire by publishing a Letter

to the Editor in the Ubyssey entitled “The Residence Hall Association is Gratuitously SelfIndulgent.” Relying on his background in advocacy for undergraduates, Mullan has similarly written letters addressing, as he sees it, the problems that plague undergraduate residence, including the inefficient nature of maintenance and general repairs in Ponderosa, as well as the slow, bureaucratic processes required to even allow residents to give input into necessary improvement.

Mullan is certainly not alone in his concerns about residences at UBC, or indeed, residence at any big university. “Issues that were in UBC residence last year were an issue of... mainly the affordability aspect,” Mullan explains. “There was a 20% increase on 8 month contracts in housing.” (Reports from the Ubyssey note that more than a hundred students on UBC assembled to protest the increases while they were still in proposal phase.) While this number alone is shocking, what is more of a concern is that this lack of affordability in student housing is not an isolated incident. Mul-

lan noted the rationalization for the increase at UBC was similar increases in residence costs at two of Canada’s other largest universities, University of Toronto and McGill. “Vancouver is unaffordable itself in terms of housing, but the problem is that UBC justified its increases because other universities--namely McGill and U of T--have higher rental prices than UBC.” Mullan rightly suggests that resident councils at UBC found this justi-

fication “unjustified,” particularly in light of incidents at both U of T and McGill. One particularly disturbing story—as reported in U of T’s Varsity in June—alleged a U of T student, who graduated top of his class, was forced to live in homeless shelters to deal with his rising education costs. Affordability issues in UBC undergrad residence are coupled with crippling bureaucracy and unresolved maintenance problems—in Ponderosa because of the

rushed nature of the new building— posing a serious threat to students at large. “A lot of things were incomplete or not working in the first place,” Mullan notes. “Mainly, the fact we constantly had elevator problems for about two years... one problem was an elevator that free-fell a floor and wasn’t properly investigated by the university.” Yet the primary frustration, in Mullan’s eyes, was

that the biggest factor impeding improvement is the dual issue of continuously changing councils, and the tonedeaf views of UBC Housing Administration. “I’m a part of a minority,” Mullan explained, in reference to his comments in the Ubyssey, in which he identified significant spending on sending resident councillors to leadership conferences as a waste-

Where have you been? “This whole time?” – Graham Gibson

Mullan said. While resident councils attempt to intercede on behalf of residents by presenting alternative methods to the board in lieu of a fee increase, Mullan didn’t see the board as taking council seriously. “We were just there for show.”

october 7, 2015

CAM THIESSEN

Finding purpose in wanderlust

tori

nikkel

The word “wanderlust” can be defined as “a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.” I believe that this concept has been romanticized greatly in the past decade through movies, TV shows, novels, and mass media. The idea of exploring a place you have never visited, experiencing a culture you have never seen, or tasting a delicacy for the very first time, seems idyllic in the least. With growing social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, the sharing of an individual’s experience becomes a convenience, subsequently allowing the people across the world to see new places and beautiful imagery right from their couches at home. What we can find from this is an over indulgence of material aspirations. Many individuals develop the mindset that they are meant to work until they can retire and only then are they free to live the

life they have always dreamed: relaxing on a white sandy beach in the Bahamas or soaking up the endless hours of warm sunlight somewhere off in the middle of nowhere. In reality, they are missing the point. When you break down the word “wanderlust,” you can effortlessly find its root word: wander. The word “wander” can be defined as “roaming without a definite purpose or objective.” The idea of traveling without a purpose or objective, as sublime and heavenly as it may sound, often comes short of what we imagine it to be. I have been on a few of these grand adventures that seemed desirable from afar, such as Rome, Paris, Zurich, and London (all of which, admittedly, were pretty neat), but none of them changed my life as much as when I was sixteen years old and served in Mexico alongside a few members from my church. In San Quintin, Mexico, just a few hours south of San Diego, we built a home for a family of nine. Never in my life have I witnessed such joy and vitality from a household that had

so little. The day before we left, this family offered to make us a soup dish that they ate only on special occasions, called Posole. They gave generously to us, despite their own need. I was in awe. Christ’s love was so visible in and through them, and upon returning to Canada, I felt that my understanding of true joy had drastically changed. This experience in missions had awakened me to the significance of serving for the Lord through my travels and explorations. I want to suggest that, instead of focusing on simply a desire to travel and rove about, you find a purpose worth

travelling for—that is, the longing to see, experience, and serve God through your explorations. I believe that every Christian should love God with an open Bible and an open map. Through this, a strong innate desire to explore then transitions into a strong innate desire to see things through God’s eyes. This is the beauty of living out your faith, the ability to make your experience, whatever it is, that much more fulfilling and wonderful. We must have a willingness and openness to God’s spirit. His call may be for you to stay where you are and explore your own city, or to reach those who have not yet been reached with the Gospel. Whether here or there, you are serving, learning, and exploring new things, all the while giving God the glory, which is ultimately more rewarding. Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China, famously said, “God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow him.” As a Christian in the 21st century, it is increasingly easy to get caught up in

just wanting a break, an escape, a rest from our daily lives. This looks different for many people, whether it be hiking, camping, lounging on the couch, or tanning on a beach. But what if instead of asking God for a break, we trust Him to simply renew us each day, to take us on the adventure of a lifetime? Our faith will grow as we learn to put our trust in the Lord. If we give Him the lead and allow Him to guide us through the exploration He has planned, we have reached the ultimate goal, which is the wanderlust for God’s will, no matter where the journey may take us. That is where the real adventure is found. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Where have you been? “Climbed the Eiffel Tower, stood in Shakespeare’s Globe. I’ve been all over” – James Faley

october 7, 2015

Why english?

cordelia

shan

I was eight years old and it was a Saturday morning in winter. I was sitting in the living room of my music tutor’s small apartment, holding my clarinet while in tears. It was snowing outside. My tutor, a young college student, was hanging his head in resigned silence, and I knew that he did not want to talk to me. After a while, he lifted his head. I looked into his eyes. There was only disappointment and nothing else. Three weeks ago he gave me a very basic piece of happy and playful music, but I still played it very brokenly. We both were aware that I had never practiced. After looking at me coldly for a long time, he finally asked, “Shan Chuanye, tell me, how much you hate music? How much do you

hate clarinet?” “Sir,” I answered, “I love music, but I hate playing the clarinet.” Few Chinese children would tell an elder what they like and what they hate. A good child is supposed to obey what the elder says regardless of his or her personal feelings. “Then, what do you like?” he asked angrily. While he was asking that question, my mind was thinking about the book, The Secret Garden, which was left still unfinished on my side table at home. “I like reading books. I like to read English literature.” “Can you understand English?” “I cannot. I am reading Chinese translations, but I am trying to understand English better.” He sighed. He must have believed that I was telling him a joke, because there was no eightyear-old Chinese child like me who could understand and engage with Western literature. But he didn’t speak any more. He turned around, took an enve-

lope from the locker behind him, and held it in his hands. The envelope contained his wages from my music lessons. He turned back to me, looked at me, handed me the envelope, and said decisively, “Shan Chuanye, please promise me that you will go study English, that you will not give up learning English.” I was surprised and nodded. Studying English as a major was not my original plan, and yet, here I am. While it has been a difficult learning process, I continue to keep reading. For a while, I had considered switching my major to something else, such as science, but, for various reasons, I never have. Once in a while, people ask me why I chose English as a major. People always tell me, “English is hard,” “You won’t have a good job,” or “You will never compete with native speakers.” I have fallen in love with English, because it is more to me than just simply learning a language. Through English literature, I am learning

to love the nature of human beings. Studying English lights up and enriches my life. It is difficult, especially because English is my third language. My brain hurts when I cannot delve deeper into my papers. I sit in despair in the library by myself. So why English? Whenever I try to answer that question, it reminds me of the cold Saturday morning of my music lesson. That day, as I was holding the envelope in my hand, sitting in my father’s car, my father looked at the

When maps go out of date

tobin

voth

Have you even seen an old map with a bunch of weird countries on it, or countries in the wrong place, or countries not there at all? Why does the map change? How do countries come into being, and why do they fall apart? Unfortunately, as with many things in politics, the answer is subjective. The answer will vary according to the way you view the world or to what school of thought you subscribe. I hope to outline the reasons that I personally believe are responsible for state formation and disintegration. Many of the modern states we know were established, at least in part, at the end of World War II. Before and during the war, the world was dominated by large colonial empires. At the end of WWII however, decolonization was in full swing. Some imperial powers were far more interested in releasing their colonies than others, but, nevertheless, the process moved

forward. Unfortunately, this process did not always go smoothly. Various conflicts and small wars cropped up around the world as people vied for control of the newly independent territories. Often, the imperial powers would divide up their territory according to their own interests, paying no mind to the territory’s ethnic composition or geographical division. This resulted in leaving people groups who had been at war for centuries to decide who should run the government and how it should be run. Think of the atrocities of Rwanda or the former Yugoslavia, all caused by cultural and ethnic conflict. This arbitrary and disastrous divvying up of imperial holdings is what I consider to be the root cause of modern state disintegration. There are, of course, other events that could bring about a state’s demise. In modern history, there have been several instances where extremist groups have brought nations to their knees, and, in one case, have even established a new state of their own. The state to which I am referring is Israel, which was formed by an extremist movement known

as Zionism. Zionism is a movement that seeks to establish a homeland for the scattered Jewish people. This movement came to prominence after the atrocities of the Holocaust became known to Europeans and North Americans, and it culminated in the formation of an Israeli state in 1948. In combination with deplorable colonial involvement, Zionism caused the destruction of a state (Palestine) and incredible instability throughout the Middle East. It should be noted that, regardless of your views on Israel, the forcible expulsion of a people group from their land, and reoccupation of it by others, can never be viewed as moderate. Another extreme group that is now threatening the Middle East is the Islamic State (IS). IS has declared its intention to take over all of the Middle East and form a new state governed by its extremely radical brand of Islam. Unfortunately for IS, there are a lot of states that currently

make up the Middle East. Thus, in order to establish themselves, they must attack and topple several large and powerful Arab states, which they are currently attempting to do. Two of these states, Iraq and Syria, are in major crisis and, without continued support, would not have survived up to this point. IS has created instability throughout the Middle East as well as effecting the entire world through the refugee crisis that it, along with the Syrian conflict, has created. The world is often a volatile and unstable place. We know

Where have you been? “There and back again” – Jordan Rendle

envelope and then angrily slammed the car door. I was shocked and my eyes filled with tears. My father said, “So far you have never finished one thing.” I felt like he believed I would never achieve anything. But I have. I am about to finish my Canadian BA degree in my one true passion: English.

from history that the world has been in flux since the dawn of civilisation and that it shows no sign of slowing down. Another thing we observe is that as a state fails or is destroyed, its culture often dies as well. This is a tragedy not to be overlooked. When a state is destroyed, it may not just be a political system that is ending, but an entire way of life.

october 7, 2015

Thinking about heaven outside of heaven

abigail

guthrie

Picture this: You’re walking up to the pearly gates and, as you’re about to sign-in, you reach for the writing plume, you realize that you’re an ungulate, a hoofed animal, say, a goat. We have no idea what heaven will be like, the possibilities are endless; perhaps the idea of being a goat is not that far-fetched. Because there is no biblical support, Christians tend to limit speculation regarding heaven and the divine. For example, ideas that there could be a universe parallel to ours that is run by either our God or even a different god—one that is neither above nor below ours, but that just simply exists— are considered sacrilegious. But, if there were another universe,

it would not use the same Bible, because its history and its needs would be vastly different from ours. There is no harm in exploring different possibilities of what could lie beyond our galaxy. Recently, the idea that God could be a female has been brought up by various contemporary Christian thinkers. This concept is not often discussed or accepted in church, but it shows that we are constantly trying to fit God, heaven, and the divine into mankind’s minuscule range of thought. When we do this, we diminish God and confine Him to what we know. God is a divine being and there is no way we will ever be able to understand Him thoroughly. For some people, the idea of not understanding discourages them in their striving to know God more. Personally, I find it exciting. My mind is God-created, so if I can dream up the insane, then it follows that heaven and the divine must be even more out of this

world, which is probably the best way to describe God. Our small adjectives cannot contain Him. This fact fills me with hope, as I go through life simply in wonder and awe of Him. Despite knowing that I am unable to put God into a box, I still frequently reflect on the possibilities of what heaven is like. I have noticed that I am constantly qualifying heaven against the universe as though both were two different physical places. Calvin Townsend pounds it into us that there is a major difference between the natural and the spiritual world; the natural world is temporal, merely a shadow of the divine. Scientists try to understand creation and try to determine from where the universe emerged. We are all caught up in the same mindset: that the universe was created from p re - e x i s t i n g physical matter. This mindset is all that makes

sense to us, and we are unable to wrap our minds around anything else. However, assuming that the spiritual world is a physical place also presupposes that God works merely through natural forces that mankind understands. So, if the spiritual world is a physical location, then who created that world? Once again, we limit God to a box of human concepts. Only when we bridge the gap between the biological and the spiritual by abandoning rationalism and reasoning and by resting in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of divine love, will there be a possibility for our questions to be answered. Throwing around ideas of heaven should always cause excitement because it is for what we as Christians strive—it is

towards what our time here in the natural world is working. It is always nice to think of heaven and have a picture in mind. Perhaps it looks like Narnia, perhaps we will be specks of light floating around, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. We should not limit our imaginations just because we know that we will never fully know what God and heaven would be like. We should continue dreaming and be excited to know that it is going to be even better than our imaginations. We need to be satisfied with knowing that we will never really know.

will never go where no man has gone before. “I keep looking for the edge of the earth but someone with a selfie-stick always gets there first,” Andrew Mills reflects. In fact, we don’t want to get lost. It wastes too much time. Smart phones route our every step then broadcast our movements. We have rewired the way we see the world through a selfconscious-online-image. We have

put insight and wonder through the meat grinder of instant gratification. We are hardly explorers. If we refuse to get lost, we won’t find much. Older generations call us the Lost Generation, and this is precisely because we refuse to get lost.

We are the (can’t get) lost generation

casie

gano

So you have that wanderlust, as they call it? Which way is North? Ask the person beside you and I bet you’ll point in different direc-

tions. Headed into Van? Probably going to plug it into Maps. Going on an “adventure” with some friends? Probably going to use your GPS to get to the trailhead. To be an explorer these days is to explore the illusion of places untouched. Realistically, Google Earth has been everywhere we could ever fathom to go. Is there really any great frontier left to find out? I think not.

The explorer mandate has been woven into colonial North American genes. Divide and conquer. As a third or fourth generation Canadian or American, you are one of the pioneers. GO. EXPLORE. But now we are in a strange state of nostalgia, trying to maintain our great-grandparents’ identity and revive it in our time. The thing is, we are not explorers in the original sense. Most of us

Where have you been? “Somewhere over the rainbow” - Esther Owobowale

october 7, 2015

ADVENTURE WORD SEARCH

Adventure Authentic Breathless Climbing Coast Collective Community Compass Creation Creek Desert Discovery Encounter Excavation Expedition Experience Explore

Extravagant Foothills Forest Frontier Great Hiking Journey Jungle Lake Landscape Live Mountain Navigation Neature Ocean Origin Outside

Peak Presence Rainforest River Seascape Sightseeing Significance Spelunking Summit Travel Trip Valley Voyage Wanderlust West Wilderness

By Levin C. Handy (per http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.04326) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You don’t have to sit in school to stand among greatness.

› Thomas Edison: The world’s most extraordinary failure never gave up. Thank goodness. *Mars’ Hill, as a TWUSA subsidary, is strictly non-partisan and does not endorse a candidate or an official party

Where have you been? “Oh my gosh I’m not that witty” - Tori Nikkel

open. online. everywhere. go.athabascau.ca/online-courses

october 7, 2015

o r l e r p x e f l e s p e e d e th

josh

dauer

I believe there’s a type of explorer that is far too underrated in modern society. It’s the self-explorer (or the deep-self diver, if you will)—the contemplative individual who synthesizes the world around them in a way that challenges his or her dearly held beliefs. When I first came to Trinity Western University four years ago, I hoped to gain an affirmation for my disbelief in God. Strange as that may seem, I thought if I could hear all the arguments for why God exists, I could effectively counter them at the source. It would be a

“

I hoped to gain an affirmation for my disbelief

”

comfort knowing my beliefs (or lack thereof) were sufficiently challenged and wouldn’t cause a crisis later in life when my ideology didn’t match my experiences. I was going to be the most proficient yuppie on the block, able to effectively reduce all spiritual matters to mere psychological phenomena. To the detriment of my comfort, the last few years have given me an incredibly wide range of experiences, some near-death, some traumatizing, and some akin to a spiritual ecstasy, all of which came from seizing opportunities to step through the doors opened in front of me. Each has taught me an incredible amount about myself while also raising enormous existential questions like, “Why am I here?” Granted, I’ve been unusually #blessed with free flights to anywhere in the world over the last few

years, but if there’s anything I’ve learned during that time, it’s that traveling itself doesn’t ignite growth—exploring does. Now, there’s nothing wrong with taking a vacation for a vacation’s

sake. As far as personal growth goes, however, you’d be better off exploring anywhere in Africa with Google street view than you would sitting on a private beach along some exotic coast. Growth is never painless, and it never should be. Perhaps it’s time we stop dreaming of all the exotic places we can adventure to in the future and start considering how we can explore the infinite depths of ourselves and, subsequently, the depths of every human being. Some of us aren’t as inclined to reflection as others—I get that. But the growth that comes from either leaping or being pushed out of one’s comfort zone profoundly influences one’s life. Exploring doesn’t have to be some extravagant venture into the wilderness or going full Walden. It can be as simple as taking a stroll into nature to be alone with

Where have you been? “[singing] Where have you been all my life” – Mary Uher

your thoughts. While taking a personal exploration trip through the Back-40 last year, I found a swimming hole and a shelter where I could spend time reflecting in solitude. (I challenge you to go find it.)

“

Traveling is like sex or drinking

”

Traveling is like sex or drinking; the people who brag about how often they do it usually aren’t doing it for the right reasons. Muhammad Ali once said, “A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” People love flooding their social media with the pictures of the places they visit like it’s an infant they want to show the world.

october 7, 2015

v e l a i r n t g n o and wha s t h g u o th t e a b n o e t x p lorer it means

Rather than writing this off as inherently pretentious, we should consider the internal reasons for why these experiences impact us so greatly. Travelers commonly return to where they started only to realize the incongruity between how they fit there before and how they find themselves fitting post-exploration. This period of adjustment is crucial to one’s overall growth. The traveler will try to share their experience with the people they love in hopes of

closing this gap between where they are now and where they were before. It’s impossible go back to a place and find it exactly how we left it. Change is a constant, and more often than not, it’s in ourselves. After experiencing continual frustration by individuals who pulled out the “because God told me” card, I finally tried opening myself up to experience it personally. Little did I realize that genuinely listening to God would lead down the rabbit hole that my life has been these last few years. It’s amazing how much God will speak to us when we make the effort to change our perspectives and challenge the notions we’ve held close our whole lives. Opening up to conscious exploration has led me to some of the most beautiful, spiritual, and humanistic insights that have undoubtedly shaped my worldview. (Damn. Almost made it through this whole article without mentioning worldview.)

When I look back, it’s surreal to think how much my ideas and views have changed through these experiences that were entirely outside of my comfort zone. One such example is how working and living in

“

Change is a constant, and more often than not, it’s in ourselves

”

the West Bank drastically shifted my political awareness and understanding of the notoriously complicated Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I won’t go too deep into how much this experience affected me, but I will say that none of it was easy; there are things I have seen that I hardly talk about, and,

subsequently, I am no longer capable of feeding my blissful ignorance in this regard. I have chosen to become a voice of truth on the matter because our conscience should never be silenced by popular opinion. Instead of searching within ourselves, it’s far too easy for us to choose to be cynical, to resort to anger, or to justify our lack of action, but is that really how you want to look back on your life? Or would you rather lead a fulfilling life that you can be proud of? One that you can help to inspire others with—one that can suggest answers

Where have you been? “Like in the world?” – Rylee Buchanan

to the existential voids we all have to fill. Choose to live your days as though they were a second chance at life, and seize the opportunities for exploration that are all around you. I ask that you, the reader, take the risks necessary to step outside of your comfort zone to find something greater than comfort.

october 7, 2015 inspired by

[spaces] WELCOME TO [SPACES] LITERARY JOURNAL

TWU’s official literary journal, [spaces], is entering its tenth anniversary volume! As part of our celebration, the Mars’ Hill has kindly agreed to dedicate one page from each issue to feature some of the finest pieces that [spaces] has published over the years. We invite you to submit poetry, short stories, essays, dramatic works, artwork, and photography for publication to volume ten. [spaces] is an edited and peer-

reviewed journal, and this is a wonderful opportunity to see your creative work in print! The theme for the tenth volume of [spaces] is “recurrence.” The submission deadline is November 5. For more information and specific criteria for submitting, please visit www.twuspaces.com. Please send your submissions and any questions you may have to spacesliteraryjournal@gmail.com.

Loss of Sight Night to night, my eyes revered the stars, And a fire tore through me to reach their height. But then the sky erupted with the bizarre. Violent colors of all degrees were my blight; These sights barred me from knowing the stars. The fire was a virus, which infected my eyes So with cold water I doused the flaming source. But lacking my heart, the eyes withered and died. Weeping with pain, I tore them out with force, And with our Science I built steel eyes. And then those intruding colors left my mind, Only black and white, and clear as bright day. But towards the stars my interest grew blind. From hidden heavens they became astray, And fell to earth, killed by the steel eyes of my mind. Jake Noble (Vol. 7)

In an inhabited space - Jessica Hurd (Vol. 8)

SUBMIT YOUR PROSE, POETRY, DRAMA, ARTWORK, AND PHOTOGRAPHY TO SPACESLITERARYJOURNAL@GMAIL.COM BY NOVEMBER 5, 2015 Where have you been? “Oooohoo yes” – Cam

october 7, 2015

matthew wigmore

chantal

new

The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford is currently offering the fresh program Emerge. Graduates of TWU’s art program have been heavily invested in Emerge, including Chantal New, who has lots to share about this exciting program. Emerge, previously The Young Contemporaries, seeks to do as its title suggests: assist new art-

ists into the professional sphere. The program accepts members ages 16-25 for an annual $25 membership fee. Although Emerge does not seek to disengage with recreational artists, New explains that it is targeted, and would be of greater benefit, to professional artists. The defining features of the program are three simple tenets: Mentorship, Exhibitions, and Programming. There are two types of exhibitions with which members can become involved. One, “Art on Demand,” which is

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Lelum Presentation: 4/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: $4.47 Total: 6/10 Significantly smaller then the other PSL’s. The staff recommend the pumpkin pie latte, but we wanted to stay consistent. Super bitter (tastes burnt), but whip cream helped.

a rotation of members’ works in the Windows Gallery. New explains that many TWU students have featured work in this space. Two, the annual exhibition. If chosen by the jury, members have the opportunity to exhibit their works in the Great Hall where many national and international artists have also been exhibited and which is a great addition to any artist’s resume. Workshops include “Upshot” talks where guests working in the professional visual art realm pass on some of their experience and wisdom

to Emerge’s members. Programming incudes the aforementioned exhibition opportunities as well as the ongoing programming at The Reach, which features nationally and internationally exhibiting artists. “Knowing people and getting contacts—that’s how you get a job,” says New. A big part of Emerge is the leadership opportunities it offers its members. Although hosted by The Reach, Emerge is run solely by its Leadership Team and membership. During her time with

Emerge, New has been able to take on volunteer opportunities, assist with the installation of exhibits, as well as teach art classes. If you are thinking of ways to build your CV or portfolio, check out this fantastic program. If you are unsure of how visual arts will develop in your life or career, head down to The Reach for an exhibition and check out their website at thereach.ca/emerge. For more information, you can contact Diana Hiebert, a TWU Art + Design alumni, at dhiebert@thereach.com.

Tim Hortons Presentation 1/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: $3.50 Total: 3/10 I spat it out. Damn you Tim Hortons for ruining everything.

Wendel’s Presentation: 2/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: $4.00 Total: 6/10 Tastes like how a PSL should taste; a well made PSL. No frills: where is the whip cream?

Starbucks Presnetation: 4/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: $4:50 Total: 9/10 The perfect balance of sweet without loosing the pumpkin. The price reflects the generous amount of espresso. Starbucks gets it.

Mattu’s Presentation: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: $4.46 Total: 10/10 Amazing taste. Beautifully presented by the friendliest of staff. Worth every last penny.

Where have you been? “Where was I supposed to be when I wasn’t?” – Cate Felton

october 7, 2015

Imperfect moments of happiness

charlotte

elgersma

Eyes roll, fatigue sets in, and, once again, one by one, we line up. Another bloody line-up. Europe is beautiful, but its line-ups compete with selfie-sticks as one of the most irritating things encountered on trips. I dreamt of attending this travel study for three years. Three years of saving, planning, wondering, imagining, and waiting. Ultimately, all my efforts only created unrealistic expectations of the perfect trip. I have always struggled with unrealistic expectations. I blame my mother. My mother could always create the most magical and over-the-top experiences. My parents had managed to announce to me in the most elaborate way that they were expecting my brother; three months later, we were living in France for the summer, because, apparently, a new brother was not enough excitement. My high expecta-

tions developed throughout my childhood, and my mother began to recognize that she had, unintentionally, instilled in me the tendency to set unrealistic expectations for myself. I do not just dream big. I fully expect my dreams to come true: no script changes, no mistakes, and certainly no line-ups. My gremlin of great expectations appeared bright and early on a beautiful, May morning, assuring me that my day in Versailles, France would be beyond perfect. It felt like a dream, getting ready in a quaint abode in Paris which was located two blocks from the Louvre. My roommates and I were greeted by our sleep-deprived and irritated travel-group awaiting our arrival. As I walked to the metro, I imagined getting lost in Versailles’ expansive gardens, learning about bygone French design, and walking through rooms that countless

royalty had once inhabited. No one’s fatigue or irritation was going to spoil my anticipated love affair with Versailles. My vision of perfection was immediately shattered. I learned that the group tickets we purchased would not allow us to skip the three-hour line. The excitement began to fade with the dreariness of waiting. This confrontation with reality was difficult. I realized that the day I had fantasized about—complete with the perfect soundtrack—would not unfold the way I had hoped. The palace was crowded with tourists. My irascible gremlin was roused to anger. He—for I believe all gremlins are men—spitefully whispered into my ear, “This day is only going to get worse.” My cold feet shuffled through the palace and I saw nothing but selfiesticks and tourists. I entered the Hall of Mirrors,

which, naturally, was the most crowded room in the whole palace. Suddenly, out of some unknown impulse, I began to dance. I cannot recall how this dancer from within took over, but there I was, spinning through the crowds of people and trampling my gremlin beneath each step. The sunlight, the mirrors, and the history all culminated in what C.S. Lewis would call a “surprised by joy” moment. Something deep within me said, “Remember this moment, this is how to live.” I stepped outside into the world-famous gardens only to find a modern piece of artwork being installed in the middle of the grounds. Before my friends and I could complain about how it blocked so much of the natural view, how it had no relation to Versailles or its history, the four of us began to giggle. As we continued through the gardens, we stumbled upon some

rowboats. It occurred to me at that moment that I had never found myself in such a disparate group, each one of us a strong personality married to an equally stubborn worldview. We laughed, fought, soaked ourselves in the water, and created a magical afternoon far better than anything my imagination could have expected. Although filled with frustrations and imperfections, cocooned within this afternoon were moments saturated with joy and laughter. My posse and I cycled through the palace gardens, and, pedaling past the giant modern art installation, I recognized my gremlin glaring at me. Nothing gave me more pleasure than passing him right on by and continuing into an afternoon filled with imperfect moments of happiness.

sotrinitybarbie So blessed to have this man of god in

sotrinitybarbie Figuring out some new outfits… stay

my life. It’s only be 4 hours, but I’m so excited to see

tuned! #darling #fallprep #river #fisherofmen

what lies ahead for us #futurehubby #mcm #mog #cuteness #blessed sotrinitybarbie Just spending some Jesus time #parallel #coffee #caffeinatedchristian

Where have you been? “Umm, I’ve been at my apartment” – Brynn Kaas

In person: eleanor felton

matthew

wigmore

Eleanor Felton is a Vancouver theatre director and graduate of TWU’s BA in Theatre program in 2014. During her time at TWU she directed Building Blocks for SAMC Theatre’s New Generations and The Pavilion, which she produced with her peers. Since graduation she has apprenticed with Pacific Theatre and, most recently, directed Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice for the Vancouver Fringe Festival, which the Vancouver Sun rated 5/5. I had the pleasure of engaging with Eleanor this past week. What have been some of the highlights since you graduated from TWU? EF: The apprenticeship I did at Pacific Theatre! I met so many brilliant and humble artists, and got the chance to intensively practice everything I learned at TWU. Also moving into a house in Vancouver and growing up a LOT. What gave you the idea to participate in Fringe Festival? EF: Becky MacDormand and Phil Miguel (both Trinity grads) were talking about Fringe Festival, and I was like, “Hey, I should do that.” I researched and realized the deadline was that week. I talked to Brandon Bate (my coproducer) and we submitted. This was before deciding on a play. What is something most people wouldn’t expect goes into creating a production for Fringe? EF: Doing publicity was a huge learning curve. However, I think the most challenging and scary

october 7, 2015

decision we made was choosing the play. It wasn’t a typical “Fringe” show - it had a large cast, it was a tragedy, and it involved weird tech elements like rain. I seriously questioned whether people would come, but I loved the script, and I wanted others’ reactions to the script. Would you do it again? EF: Yes and no. Yes, because It is an amazing opportunity for young artists. If you market right and have a good show, the people will come! No, because it was extremely stressful and un-fun at times. That’s not a very good reason, though. Plus, I’ve done it once now, so surely it’ll be easier the next time around, right? So probably yes. Describe your time at Pacific Theatre. How has it affected you as director? As a theatre artist? EF: I started out the season last year by assistant directing The Rainmaker with Artistic Director Ron Reed. It was invaluable to sit that closely on a production, air my thoughts, and be evaluating “on the spot.” I became a far more patient and observant director from that experience. I was most affected by stage managing for Ins Choi from Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto. He is incredibly generous sharing in devoting time and listening while asking the cast and crew questions. He was chatting to us backstage before a show one night. We were being a little silly. There was a mini door from a previous show and Brandon said, “Do you think I can fit through that.” Ins said, “Just start.” And you could tell that he meant that more as a philosophy for artistic practice than anything. It completely empowered the rest of my year. I would have an idea, think “Just Start” and then I would.

How do you see the integration between Theatre and Faith? EF: All I keep thinking is, “they’re both about life.” If faith teaches you how to live, so does theatre. This year I produced or directed five shows: one about love, one about torture, one about sexism, one about the process of creation, and one about death and memory. None of them talked about God or faith specifically, but they’re all extremely important. This is why attending theatre is so crucial. Live theatre teaches us about a world bigger than ourselves; a world that is subjective. There are real people with stories and reasons behind actions. Our honest exploration of these stories can shift us closer to a Godcentered perspective. If you could direct any play/musical what would it be and why? EF: I have many on my list. Play? The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl because the script is gorgeous and hilarious. Or, The Russian Play by Hannah Moscovitch because of the pure honesty that

comes from a very brave girl. Musical? Kiss Me Kate because it’s hilarious or The Lion King because of the music! For TWU students who may not necessarily be interested in Theatre, why is it important to still take an acting class? EF: Because theatre is life, and life is theatre (or something…. Ask Angela Konrad, Chair of the Theatre Department). An acting class will teach you to be a better observer of human interaction. It will teach you about yourself in a way that no other class can. It will give you greater empathy. It teaches you confidence and boldness and that failure is important. What is the biggest frustration you find as a director? EF: The single most frustrating thing is when you suggest something to an actor and instead of attempting they just tell you why it won’t work. Dear actors, I’m not trying to waste your time. Just show me and I’ll cut it if it doesn’t work. I promise I’m trying to make you look good. Just trust me.

Are you wanting to pursue anything other than directing, or do you see yourself, first and foremost, directing? EF: Director. For sure. I decided that in Grade 11. I will also pursue acting professionally. I love acting, and it makes me a better director. I also find neuroscience fascinating. I’d love to do a degree in it one day. What are some of your career aspirations? EF: I want to do my MFA in Directing in London, UK, hopefully within the next five years. I especially want to study Shakespeare and physical theatre. Then I want to travel the world and direct plays. What is on the horizon for you this upcoming year? EF: My first professional contract! In April I will be directing A Good Mother by Kathy Parsons at Pacific Theatre. It will be a staged reading (script in hand presentation) of a fantastic script. I am very excited.

The Diary of Anne Frank

By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 7 Tues-Sat 7:30pm | Sat matinees 2:00pm Tickets $10 - $18 Book online at twu.ca/theatre or visit the box office in RNT Questions? Email twuboxoffice@gmail.com Featuring: Joel Austin, James Faley, Jenessa Galbraith, Veronica Hargrave, Keenan Marchand, Steven Simpson, William Tippery, Mikayla Wust, Joelle Wyminga, Shelby Wyminga

Where have you been? “I’ve been around” – Farren McDonald

october 7, 2015

KATIE MARYSCHUK

Giving cancer the red card

joel

friesen

When the word cancer is brought up in conversation, nearly every one of us immediately thinks of at least one person in our life who has been directly affected by the disease. The tragic reality of cancer has become all too prevalent in TWU’s men’s soccer team. Over the past number of seasons, the effects and weight of cancer have had a heavy presence among Spartan soccer players. Family members of both coaches and

players have battled the disease, and while some have emerged victorious, others have tragically passed. As a team we have all felt the weight of these events on behalf of our brothers. Countless practices and games have either preceded or concluded with times of prayer for our teammates, coaches, and their families. The battle against cancer has, in a way, become part of the identity of what it means to be a member of the men’s soccer team. Out of this reality came the drive to do something that has reach and meaning beyond the locker room. We want to see cancer cut out, eliminated, and sentoff. Anyone who has watched more than a few games of soccer

probably knows that players get yellow cards when they commit major offenses in the game; two yellow cards result in a red card, which means immediate and complete expulsion from the game. Cancer has already earned its yellow cards, and a red card is the only appropriate response to what this disease has done to countless families around the world. At the remaining Spartan men’s soccer home games, there will be packages of three wrist bands on sale (two yellow and one red). All of the proceeds will go toward organizations that work to eradicate cancer and improve the lives of those who are suffering from

Definitions

t h e condition. We want to invite you to join this fight alongside us because the comfort and strength that a team offers to one another is something that we all need as we deal with the pain and confusion of cancer. When you wear these bands, you wear a powerful and hopeful declaration on your wrist. The yellow bands are marked with the claim from Romans 8:37, “more than conquerors,” which is our belief as well. Christ has overcome the world so that the things

of this world no longer have any hold. In boldly wearing this declaration, we move towards giving cancer the red card. In doing this, we acknowledge that Christ has already done this—death does not have hold on those who trust in Him. Contact me at joel.b.friesen@ gmail.com or come out to the Spartan Men’s Soccer Teams for more information. The last home games are on October 13th, 16th and 17th, all with 7:15 pm start times.

Seahawk: An ocean bird commonly known as the osprey.

MLB postseason: The period of the season after regular league play is complete; a series of games where MLB teams fight for a spot in the playoffs.

FISU: The international university sports federation, founded in 1949

Bonspiel: a curling tournament

Walking wicket: a very poor batter in cricket

Upcoming sporting dates: October 9th – Men’s Basketball, UFV vs. TWU, 7PM October 10th – Men’s Hockey, SFU vs. TWU, 7PM October 10th – Cross Country, Western Washington Classic @ Bellingham, 10AM October 13th – Men’s & Women’s Soccer, UFV vs. TWU, 5PM ,7:15PM October 16th – Women’s Soccer, UWinnipeg vs. TWU, 5PM October 16th – Men’s Hockey, Eastern Washington vs. TWU, 7PM October 16th – Men’s Soccer, UNBC vs. TWU, 7:15PM October 17th – Women’s Soccer, Manitoba vs. TWU, 5PM

Facts: There are six MLB teams who have yet to win a World Series: San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers. Jordan Spieth (golf) won approximately $60,000 less at the 2015 Masters Championships than Arnold Palmer won during the entirety of his career. Roger Bannister of the UK previously held the world record for the 1-mile race. John Landy of Australia broke that record just 46 days later. The Triple Crown of horse racing has only been won four times since 1950, the most recent in 2015. Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky starred in a Saturday-morning TV cartoon series called “Pro Stars” in 1991.

Where have you been? “Literally everywhere” –Brian Yoon

october 7, 2015

The big five update

katie

maryschuk

Now that fall has finally arrived, the sports world is experiencing shifting seasons as well. For starters, Major League Baseball is gearing up for the postseason with Toronto, Kansas City, and the Dodgers having already secured playoff spots. This season has proven to be quite exciting for the Blue Jays, who have rolled off two eleven-game winning streaks and ended what seemed to be a long dry spell of seasons past. After collecting a playoff seat in late September, the Jays progressed to win the East division on September 30th. They continue their postseason charge into mid-October. Let us stand behind our Canadian team and hope that Encarnacion, Bautista, and Donaldson can lead the Jays to victory. On the football front, the nearby Seahawks are off to a shaky regular season start. Though they fell to both the Rams and Packers early in September, the team seek to secure wins against the Bengals and Panthers in upcom-

katie

maryschuk

Tell us a bit about your sport and how you got started in it. MK: I started cycling about two years ago, and it quickly became a passion of mine. While growing up, competitive swimming and running were my main sports, but once I quit swimming after high school, I decided to take up cycling in hopes to start doing triathlons. If you could change anything about your sport, what would it be and why? MK: I would somehow make it easier to cycle in the rain. Although many people stick it out and cycle in unfavorable c on d i t i on s , I am

ing games. It is important to note that the Hawks still boast a plethora of senior players, including Lynch, Chancellor, and Sherman. Interestingly enough, the assistant coach of the Seahawks for the 2013-2014 season, Dan Quinn, has been appointed the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Considering Quinn’s history with the Seahawks successful franchise, it is no surprise that he has already led his team to a 3-0 regular season. The Falcons, however, do not play in the same division as the Hawks. On the contrary, the Arizona Cardinals are currently running a 3-0 regular season and do play in the same NFC Western division as the Hawks. Let us hope it is not a foul season. The CFL teams have gotten off to a quick start already, and the local Lions do not seem to be faring well. They sit in the middle of the West division, and are currently at a 3-game losing streak. Calgary and Hamilton have pulled ahead with early division leads. The NHL will soon enrapture the hearts and minds of locals as the league boots up on October 7th. Nothing spectacular happened over the summer for the Canucks besides trading Eddie Lack. Do we think Markstrom

will replace his efforts? We will have to wait and find out. In the meantime, tickets have lowered in price, with the cheapest seats for a game such as the Predators vs. Canucks selling for $25. Last but not least, the NBA just started opening training camps. Two key events to note are the Canadian NBA series, with games throughout October in Vancouver, Montreal,

more of a fair weather cyclist— not because I dislike the rain, but more for safety reasons. If we’re talking about triathlons, I would somehow make the training less time consuming.

Whether it’s cycling on remote roads or cycling with a group of people, there is something very serene about being surrounded by God’s creation. Before the club goes for rides, we are able gather and pray together, which I feel creates a great foundation for the overall group.

What are tips for a beginner who wants to try cycling or triathlon? MK: With cycling, I would first get comfortable with being on a road bike and cycling with a partner or a group of people. As for triathlons, I would recommend setting up a training program and sticking to it. Also, since many people express that swimming is their weakest of the three sports, I think it is important to have a good foundation of swimming skill before doing a triathlon. How have you found integration of your faith and sport? Do you have any go-to people or places that keep you grounded in that sense? MK: When I’m cycling I definitely feel a connection with God.

To r o n t o, and Winnipeg, as well as the signing of Anthony Bennett to the Raptors team. Bennett was the first round draft pick of 2013 and, after a rough stumble with the Cavs and Timberwolves, he made the big choice to return home. Maybe this will be his big break—hype for the fans and another patriot (one of two Canadians). Whether we are devout fans or bandwagoners, with ample controversies and crazy game play to look forward to, this fall and winter season will be a good one.

Lastly, tell us about the cycling club on campus and what that looks like for the school year. MK: The cycling club started up last year as a way for students—whether beginners or advanced cyclists—to connect for weekly rides. Because it is a newer club on campus, there is still a lot of potential for the club to grow, so I am stoked to see what happens with the club this year. Interesting in riding? Contact twurecservices@ gmail.com for more information on how to sign up.

name: meg kwiatkowski age: nineteen year: third

sport: cycling and triathlon

Where have you been? “’I’ve seen things you can’t even imagine” -Kreg Lonneberg

october 7, 2015

Scheerhorn gains national team experience

ryan

sclater

With the volleyball season fast approaching, we caught up with Spartan MVB player Blake Scheerhoorn to learn a little bit about his summer with the Canadian junior national team and to hear his thoughts on the upcoming season. Take us through a typical day of training in the national team program. BS: On a normal day, we would

get up at 8am and either be in the weight room or at practice from 10am-12pm. Afterwards, we would grab lunch and relax until practice from 4-7pm. Then we would eat dinner and head to bed early to get as much recovery time as possible for the next day.

the best teams in the world and gained a lot of experience. Lastly, I just got back from the 21U World Championships in Mexico, where our team came together and finished 8th in the world (improving on Canada’s previous best of 12th).

What tournaments did you participate in this summer? BS: First, we were at the Pan Am Cup in Quebec. We ended up beating Chile in the bronze medal game. Next, we went to the FISU games in South Korea, which included anyone who was in university up to the age of 28. We placed 18th, but we got to play against some of

What was it like being able to represent your country and TWU internationally? BS: There is no prouder moment in your life than being able to wear the maple leaf on your chest and know that a whole country is behind you. It was amazing to be able to represent TWU, as well. There was a large following from the school, and

the school’s social media did a great job of posting about what was happening. I was proud to be a Spartan and a Canadian. What did you miss about TWU while you were away? BS: I really missed my teammates. The guys that I played with this summer were great, but there is a certain bond that I have with my team at TWU. I could not have been more excited to get back from Mexico and see all the guys for the first time since last season. Team Canada was my team this summer, but this Spartan group feels like my family. What can you take away from this

summer to help you perform back here at TWU? BS: I had to learn a lot about myself mentally this summer. I felt like I was really on my own when it came to dealing with times of pressure or failure, and I had to take responsibility for myself to perform. I think that back here on the court with my Spartan family, I can help bring a calm presence in tough situations thanks to my experiences over this past summer. You can catch the high-flying Scheerhoorn and the rest of his Spartan family at their home opener on October 23rd in the David E. Enarson gym!

Dave reviews the walnut grove pool In honor of this issue on exploration, we decided to send a non-swimmer to the swimming pool. Armed with only his water wings and his courage, David Punnamannil embarked on the journey of a lifetime. We sat down with David afterwards to chat about his experience.

DP: I really don’t love waterslides; they’re not something I’m usually passionate to pursue. However, for the sake of this article, I did attempt the waterslide. It was exciting. There was a lot of adrenaline, but my butt hurt. There was a lot of water in my face, so I couldn’t see much. I also prayed before entering the blue tube.

MH: Was this your first time at the Walnut Grove Pool? And if so, how did you feel walking into it?

MH: How did you find the kiddie pool?

DP: Yes, it was my first time there. I felt very welcomed coming into the pool building. The kindhearted lifeguards put me at ease by letting me know what I needed to know to stay safe. The people were very accommodating, and the water was just the right temperature. MH: We hear you’ve never been on the waterslide before. What was that like?

DP: I was not allowed to go into the kiddie pool.... There were too many kids. MH: Did you see any exercise classes going on? DP: As a matter of fact, I joined a group of elderly women in their morning aqua fitness class. It was amazing! I felt like that experience alone would warrant a second trip. I made some long

Where have you been? [nervously plays with ring] -Tara Gorman

lasting friendships through indepth conversations. MH: How did you end your pool experience? DP: I went into the sauna and collapsed for 10 minutes. MH: What would your advice be for people wanting to checkout the Walnut Grove Pool? DP: For someone who wants to have a peaceful time and release some stress, or even anger, this is the place to be. With the amazing water slide (and future hopes of more waterslides) and great drop-in programs to help you with your fitness and wellbeing, this is a great welcoming place for all kinds of people. Especially me. If I can do it, you can do it. If you believe it, you can do it.

october 7, 2015

KREG LONNEBERG

5 places you’ve just gotta visit by Trevor McMahan

Ask me amy thing Dear Amys... HELP!

Though Chernobyl isn’t highly populated, the ground just radiates with cultural energy. This chilly Eurasian town is a must-see because of the different species of wildlife you wouldn’t see elsewhere, such as twoheaded donkeys. Be warned, however; the Chernobish people are very shy. I didn’t see anyone the whole time I was visiting.

You will enjoy visiting Athens if you’re a history buff or if you’ve ever watched Hercules. It was the birthplace of democracy and is the current home of an enormous economic downturn. Though the state of the Euro is up for debate, the Gyros are extraordinary. Make sure to take a picture with something old and made of stone and make it your profile picture.

I went on a missions trip with my church youth group to Africa this summer, and it entirely changed my perspective on everything. The African people are very warm and welcoming, and they just do life together. I donated $30 to Ebola when I got back home. You should go and see what I mean—you don’t even have to speak African. This is a great place to go if you want your vacation to be fun but not too exciting. Most tourists are drawn to the nearby Yellowstone National Park, but I personally found the westopped-developing-in-the-80’s vibe of the city much more appealing than geysers.

My friend Matt lives in Surrey, and he has a movie theatre in his basement. I’ll ask Matt if you can come over. You gotta see it.

I’ve been at TWU for a few weeks, and I guess you could say my quest for a ring-by-spring is going well. I’ve found a super cool girl! She is intelligent, hilarious, and basically perfect. Everything was going well until our last walk around the pond; I discovered she was a feminist! I thought that was awesome, but now I’m worried that I don’t know how to ask her out while respecting her feminist views! Got any tips? Sincerely, Frazzled Freshman

Dear Frazzled Freshman, Look at you go! If you want to respect her feminist views (the best kind of views, if you ask us!) step number one would be to swallow your pride and let her open doors for herself, if she so desires. Know that this is not a reflection on your ability to open doors, but on her ability to open them as well. Dating a feminist is really awesome because you don’t have to put in the extra work required for catering to her every need, like you would dating a non-feminist. Pack that pride away, and let her pay for all her own meals, because she’s a strong independent woman and you are a poor university student! Don’t worry, you are not the first guy to be slightly intimidated by a feminist; however, being a feminist doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want you to make a move, it just means that she believes women and men should operate as equal partners. We encourage you to make your move, but also recognize she may have a few moves of her own up her sleeve. We don’t see her feminist views as a barrier to your future dating bliss and keep in mind that guys can be feminists too! Do some research: your first official date should probably include casting your ballots in the upcoming election, and extensive discussion of ways to bring down the patriarchy. Best of luck, The Amys!

Where have you been? “Chained to the TWUSA office” –Becky Goertzen

october 7, 2015

Submit your declassifIeds at:

www.marshillonline.com/de-classifIed Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff , the student association, or that of the University. In fact probably not. Imagine if you met Jesus - do you think you’d have the hots for him? #withallmyheartsoulstrengthandmind Qwanoes fall retreat: the perfect way to make tired student leaders even more exhausted. no-shoes Norma.

Judging by the empty grass fields, geese were defeated by spartans.

Last night I had a really big salad for dinner, with lots of vegetables. Mostly tomatoes. With croutons. Actually just one big crouton. And cheese. I had a pizza.

*censorship test* Get your Hanki-Panki on with Spanki Lanki, someday you’ll Thankmi.

Remember Yik Yak? #controversy I walk around like everything is fine, but deep down, inside my shoe, my sock is sliding off.

If only the people in the apartment above us could walk even louder... #thatsnotachallenge

I thought I didn’t like coffee, but then they got Republica in the TWUSA office and I am now forever ruined as a human being.

So Trinity Barbie and Trinity Goose are the only reason I still have faith in the student body.

To whoever left that old box of stale timbits in RNT, thanks... I regrettably ate seven

Love Nic Noble’s ponytail. Just sayin’.

Tarun, as soon as the frigid Mondays hit our campus, rest assured I’ll be commuting to TWU in my onesie. - your fellow man

Shout out to the guy rolling around 2nd floor RNT in rollerblades - you da real MVP Northwest Tip #2045: Step 1) Spend all your free time in Fraser lounge waiting for boys to walk by Step 2) Befriend them Step 3) Get all the rings I recently had writer’s block... I couldn’t type anything, cause there was this big stupid block on my keyboard. To the section editors of Mars’ Hill: dang!

Jared Barkman, wanna see “The Dairy of Anne Frank” together? Shout out to the Commuters for being the 2015 Gator Time champions at Qwanoes. #Slompchomp #Commutersdoexist

Submitting de-classifieds is similar to a game of Apples to Apples. You ought to be cunning to guess what kind of humour is possessed by the editor. Hide your butts, close your blinds, 3H flashing errybody up in here. I thought Ajay graduated? #thatguy

what did the lawyer say to the other lawyer? we are both lawyers a dyslexic man walks into a bra

So now that we’ve renovated the gym... can we finally get to the LC girl’s bathroom? All I’m asking for is some taller stalls, people.

Loved ‘Creative’s poem. More please. Imagine a puppy wearing fuzzy socks. You’re welcome

I haven’t paid for a lid all year The first years will never get to experience the legend that is Jeremy McLean. To whoever left their laundry detergent in the Fraser Laundry Room: my sincere thanks. You saved me 3 flights of stairs when I forgot my own. POP POP! Farting naked is a sensational feeling

Need Ifa toteethchurch? Saulride got his wisdom out ... would he still be the wisest? We’ve got you covered!

Honey Crullers were always my favourite donuts.

My fourth year of school and I finally get into a picture at a TWU event! I call that a success. Dear naked guy in the 3H corner room, Thanks for teaching us upperclassmen ladies about the male anatomy.

Trinity Western University

SHUTTLE Sunday Mornings | Fall & Spring Semesters 11:30am pick up | 1:30pm drop off Mattson Building Traffic Circle

PS. Nice butt. How do you organize a space party? You planet!

THE Hannah SheVANGELIST STOVER

Sodexo sushi has stepped up their game from tasting like wet toilet paper to slightly drier but still wet toilet paper.

year: 3rd

| lwchurch.ca

age: 20

major: art & design

height: 5’1”

DAVID PUNNAMANNIL

Best place for a first kiss?

domestic talent?

Denomination: I’ll never know

At a Marina Abramovic exhibition.

Why domestic exactly?

Fave preacher? Jesus

Best pick up line?

Top quality in a future mate?

Hometown: Stouffville, Ontario

Fave christian (non-worship) song? “Coffee” by Sylvan Esso

How many kids do you want?

Haha, 100 if they’re all little Mackenzie Camerons.

Ew, can’t stand those. God bless America.

Idea of a perfect date? Sailing or MOMA!!.

Views on courtship?

Be best friends for a long, long time.

Doesn’t set off Douglas fire alarms. Oh dear.

Biggest deal-breaker?

If he snorts and swallows his snot. Oh my lanta.

Skill that makes you “the one”?

There’s really only one Hannah Leigh Noble Stover. So. That’s that.

Where have you been? “Mmmmmm, nope” – Lucas Koehn