A Weekend Away in Wales

Last weekend was the first ever Canvas retreat, or weekend away as it is known to students here. We piled in cars and headed out to Wales to stay at a retreat center called Cefn Lea. The landscape was beautiful, complete with grassy meadows as far as the eye can see and rolling hills dotted with sheep.

Our retreat speaker was our newest team member and long-time friend of Canvas, Caleb Mallard. He did three talks and they were all completely wonderful. Because he is British, Caleb can relate to the students in a way that the rest of the team members cannot. And the students love him. Caleb told stories from his own life and stories from the life of Peter. Caleb helped to make the weekend spectacular and we are so thankful to have him on staff.

On Saturday night we had a dance off in which every student and staff member participated in. It was hilarious! We had a bonfire and taught the students how to make smores (which were a bit different since they don't have graham crackers and Hersheys chocolate over here). :) We sang songs around the fire and tried to stay warm! Lots of other fun activities happened such as hiking, playing games, pubs and cream teas, and so much more. It was an action-packed weekend that we wouldn't have missed for anything!

We feel that God is moving so boldly at Canvas and we are so thankful to be a part of this place. Thank you for your prayers, finances, and encouragement. Canvas is making a difference in the student community of Selly Oak relationship by relationship, one student at a time. Joy is in this place.

Canvas staff before we left.

Everyone!

Pancake Day

Last Tuesday was Pancake Day in the UK! Also called Shrove Tuesday, it is the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Many years ago it served as the last opportunity for Christians partaking in Lent to indulge in foods not allowed during the following weeks. Pancakes were often made on Shrove Tuesday because they contain fat, butter, and eggs which used to be forbidden during Lent. Today everyone celebrates Pancake Day regardless of religion and many restaurants and cafes serve pancakes all day long. A pancake in England is more of a crepe as opposed to a fluffy, thick American pancake.

For our Tuesday night meal at Canvas on Pancake Day, we had a pancake bar. We cooked over 100 American-style pancakes and provided every topping you can imagine: butter, maple syrup, golden syrup, Nutella, blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream, lemon and sugar (a popular topping here), and more. It was so fun to see how everyone topped their pancakes. We loved our first Pancake Day and plan on celebrating it for years to come!