Esperanza: Trusting in God in an EasyMac world, was the theme of this semesters Spiritual Life Week, which happened October 14th through the 19th. The week was full of macaroni and cheese, fun activities and discussions. Each night students on the Spiritual Life Week committee organized events for students to participate in.
The theme dealt with the world in which we live, where everything is prioritized by time. American’s can have a meal within minutes, and information they need for a project in just a few clicks of a mouse. Often times Christians expect this same reaction from God. Prayers are expected to be answered right away because that fits the time frame in which one wants, but God’s time frame is different. Christians must wait in hope and trust that their prayers will be answered. This is what the Spiritual Life Week theme was all about.
Guest speaker Hal Shrader made his way to Bluffton from Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Arizona, and led discussions and messages on the theme of Esperanza: Trusting God in an Easy Mac World. He was able to engage students in his messages by sharing life stories, and using his humor to make these realities truth.
The week started off with a Sunday Night Worship service, in which several students came to Yoder Recital Hall to worship God. Shrader introduced himself to the students that he would be able to share with throughout the week. After the service the Spiritual Life Week committee put on a cookie reception in honor of Shrader, in which many students stayed around and chatted not only with Shrader but one another.
After bingo on Monday night, students made their way to the other side to Bob’s, where a skit and discussion was led. Junior Eliot Nofziger performed another one of his great skits with sophomore Sam Griffith. After the discussion Shrader spoke on the word Esperanza, which means to wait in hope in Spanish. Students were then able to speak with one another about their take on the word Esperanza.
Tuesday night a scavenger hunt took place on campus which required students to bring a flash light and use their knowledge of the Bluffton campus to understand the clues. The scavenger hunt started in the Kiva in the Marbeck Center and ended in Bob’s Place. Students that participated were able to win up to one container of EasyMac: however, many people left Bob’s Place with multiple containers of EasyMac.
Wednesday night the Spiritual Life Week committee hosted and event that allowed students to gather and share their stories of hope with one another. The event started with Hal Shrader sharing his own stories of hope, and many students present followed with their own stories which lent encouragement to other students present.
Thursday was an exciting day for the spiritual life week committee as the band Shine Bright Baby came and led the worship in the chapel service in Yoder Recital Hall. Shrader was also able to share with students another message. Shine Bright Baby also put on a free concert for students that same night in Bob’s Place. Students came to Bob’s that night and jumped up and down, and sang out the words to their songs.
Friday students came to an event not only put on by the Spiritual Life Week committee, but also MCB. The event was called Use Your Noodle, and included noodle arts and crafts, a photo-booth, lots of food, and a noodle and cheese cook- off in which students could prepare a dish that consisted of at least noodles and cheese. Three teams of two participated, and each team won a gift card for gas, Wal-Mart, or Taco Bell. The first place winners were Alison Janzen and Samantha Ritter, who made macaroni and cheese grilled cheese.
The week overall was a success in which many students came out to participate. Keep your eyes and ears posted for the events to come next semester!
