It’s hard not being together. All the staff and volunteers feel that at Beacon so very much. We thought we’d try to help keep things “together” by inviting some of our camp family to share with us about what they’re doing in their lives!

This month, we’re interviewing Kayla “Dundee” Stassen, who is heading out for a YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Discipleship Training Program this week. She’ll be serving for six months in France to help serve the community there.

(PSSST: if you want to tell us what you’re up to these days, we’d love to feature you on our blog!)

What has "pandemic life" looked like for you over the last year?

All the time at home has meant that I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family, which is so nice. I’ve picked up a few new hobbies, like sewing and collecting wildflowers (not that I needed any more; I have too many already).

In the spring I was finishing grade 12- an interesting experience, that’s for sure. I worked hard to learn as much as I could despite the lack of motivation I felt, and in the end, I think I did pretty well at that.

Over the summer, I worked at the bakery where I’ve had a part-time job throughout during high school, and I picked up another job at a restaurant near my house. Being in customer service for both jobs, the masks made it difficult to express myself and understand the customers, in addition to the added tension everyone was feeling from the pandemic. I’m really thankful that I was able to have steady work that I enjoyed and save some money during a time when things were so uncertain.

Did you have any curve balls or unexpected moments?

Yes, definitely. I had a friendship end abruptly, which was entirely unexpected. Another curve ball was that I changed directions away from the career plan I’d been working towards for 5 years. In the beginning of grade 12, I was applying to the Royal Military College so I could study to become a pilot, but by the middle of 2020, I decided I would take a year off after high school before I committed. I then decided to join a mission trip with YWAM for my gap year, and in the summer after I finished high school, I started reconsidering my career plans. I’ve now applied to various universities for 2 programs that are quite unrelated to each other and my piloting dream. I definitely didn’t see those things coming, among so many other things this year.

What is a lesson that God has been teaching you during COVID?

I’ve been learning not to take myself so seriously. I have a bad habit of getting overstressed, and I feel like God has really been pushing me to let go, and to smile when things get difficult.

What's up for you in 2021?

I’ll be leaving for that mission trip (called a Discipleship Training School; a DTS) in early January, for 6 months of studying God’s word and serving the nations. I’m trusting God that this is his plan for me right now, and I’m believing that he’s going to do amazing things with this adventure. When I get back, I’ll be home for the summer and then my plan is to go to university in the fall, but I’m going to stay listening to God in case he calls me elsewhere.

How can we be praying for you?

J.R.R Tolkien wrote, “It’s a dangerous business... going out your door,” and I couldn’t agree more. I ask that you would pray I would have courage and wisdom as I go out into the world for these next 6 months. Please pray that I would hear God speaking to me about what choices to make, career-wise and in everything else. I’ll be praying for you too, Beacon family. Thank you so much for your support and love. God bless you all!