5000 Miles from Home for Christmas

by Harry Muller

Luna and I will be spending our 3rd Christmas in Canada this year. We are really looking forward to it. We are excited to catch up with all our friends we have neglected during the semester, and we love to put on a Christmas dinner and invite others over who are away from home.

Ever since we came to Abbotsford there have been many lovely people here who have made us feel welcomed and loved, and who invited us over for dinner. There is something about this act of hospitality, about this opening your home and welcoming someone into your family that warms the heart and builds deep relationships.

Our first Christmas here was not easy. After a very busy first semester at Columbia Bible College, we finally had some time at our hands. Suddenly we realized how much we missed our families and friends back home. The next year was easier; we had moved to a different, homier place and our friends were more like family than the year before. 

“Home” for us is vague concept in any case. Luna was born in Croatia, but moved to Germany when the Yugoslavia War broke out in the 90’s. That is where I am from. My parents live in a small town outside of Berlin. However, since I am married, my parents’ place obviously does not feel like “home” anymore.

Home has to do with family, of course. I think for God’s family ‘home’ has two dimensions: One is the here-and-now, the fellowship of love, and houses of warmth that we invite others into, and that can be a refuge for those who only know the brokenness and ‘homelessness’ of this world. The other dimension is that we are not home in this world either. We experience pain, suffering, consequences of sin, and we lament world-wide disasters like war, famine, and natural disasters. This world is not like our God created it; it is not the same ‘home’ that he made for humans to enjoy. But he will restore it to; he will make it “homey” again. 
 
So for me, that means that my wife and I want to help others experience a glimpse of ‘home’ already in this age. Columbia is doing the same by emphasizing ‘community’ and putting lots of effort into building it. The great thing is that every student can contribute to this ‘community away from home’.

If I had to choose one thing that I am most thankful for at Columbia, it would be this community. That being said, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas; enjoy the glimpses of ‘home’ you will have and invite others in to share our hope for a fully complete home with them.




Harry is in his 3rd year of a BA in Outdoor Leadership. He is married to his wonderful wife Luna and will be enjoying Christmas in the Fraser Valley. To learn more about Outdoor Leadership at Columbia visit www.columbiabc.edu/outdoorleadership. 

COFFEE, MUSIC, AND APPLESAUCE

with Justine Davis

Question: Where does caffeine, a guitar, and sliced fruit come together on a regular basis? Why Columbia Bible College of course! According to Justine Davis, a first year Worship Arts student, these are three fundamental elements of the Columbia community.

Justine is an energetic, fun-loving person who is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face. When she's not busy studying for Uncle Ken's Old Testament Survey midterm, she can be found making beautiful music (a singer/songwriter in her own right) or posting ridiculous videos on YouTube describing proper procrastination methods (sorry Ken!) or tips for a good love life. Be sure to check out Justine's channel and subscribe!

Recently we asked Justine what she loved about Columbia Bible College. The following are her "3 Absolute Favourite Things about Columbia":

1. THE COMMUTER LOUNGE. This is certainly the best place to talk about road conditions and other commuter-ish type stuff, and also to talk about God. I cannot even begin to count how many meaningful conversations I’ve had in the commuter lounge between classes or at a commuter lunch. I love the atmosphere; you can walk in and instantly feel like you’re home. Definitely a great place to hang out, laugh, and make friends. And free coffee is never a bad thing.

2. MY PROGRAM. Worship Arts has taught me things that I never thought I’d learn in a music program. Now instead of just singing songs like I’ve done in the past, I’m able to analyze their theology and have a much greater understanding of what it truly means to worship. The people in my classes are hilarious and wonderful. We are definitely a Worship Arts family. I also love how it’s not solely focused on music courses because I still get to take the core Bible classes. Also, this year I started piano lessons at CBC and I couldn’t be happier with my development as a musician. Such a unique feature to the program.

3. FUN FUN FUN FUN EVENTS. That’s right, quadruple the fun. I’ve never been much of a sports fanatic, but now I can’t bear to miss a game. School spirit is through the roof! The talent show was unreal, I mean there was singing, dancing, juggling apples and knives while trying to make applesauce in the air! Where else are you going to find that? Other unique events were the Jingle Mingle, giant Dutch blitz, the student services auction, the Multicultural Potluck, and don’t forget Vespers! I can’t wait to see what Student Council is planning next. This marvelous sense of community truly puts Columbia in a field of their own.

 To learn more about Columbia Bible College visit www.columbiabc.edu.