 |
INfocus
by Ted Kejick
Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute student
|
At 18 months of age I was
taken to a foster family because of drinking in my home. Though the
doctors said I would never walk because I had lesser stage cerebral palsy,
I overcame that with the support of my foster family. They always told me
they would try their best to help me accomplish my goals. They also took
me to church and Sunday School.
When I was eight I returned to
live with my family on the White Dog Reserve (ON). It was hard to go back
-- the depth of my parents' involvement with their kids was, "Are the
kids still alive?" We were just expected to take care of ourselves.
It was on the Reserve that my
Grandma told me one day about my need for salvation. "Have you ever
thought of accepting the Lord?" she asked. I was 14 at the time and
knew I needed to repent of my sins. I accepted the Lord, and my Grandma
gave me some advice: "Keep what you've done quiet because [others]
on the Reserve may pressure you to renounce your faith in Christ."
My foster family and I had
regular visits. A year after my conversion I reaffirmed my trust in Christ
with the help of my foster-sister. At that time I decided, "I will
not keep it quiet." I'm not an outgoing person, but I have had a lot
of encouragement to be more open about my faith. I have two pastor friends
who have been very helpful.
I had never really considered
post-secondary education until I heard about KBI. I read a KBI yearbook
and there was an application inside which I eventually filled out.
I saw God work in amazing ways
to overcome obstacles so I could get to Bible school. Three days before
school was to begin I still had no confirmation from my Band regarding
funding. Then they told me I had to travel back to my Reserve to fill out
some papers. It looked impossible, but at the last moment I was able to
arrange for a ride. I was actually shocked when, after I'd filled out and
signed the papers, the Band education director shook my hand and said,
"Good luck, you're going!"
The teaching at KBI has been a
great help. I didn't enjoy Public Speaking class at the time, but on my
flights home I've actually felt equipped to share my faith with people as
I apply the teaching from that and Personal Evangelism class.
In Theology I've been
challenged in my thinking as we learn that God supplies all believers with
spiritual gifts. I used to look at pastors as more godly than other
people. Now I see them as equals. They, too, have trials, low times and
high times, but are called by God to fulfill their role. They're gifted in
different, not better, ways.
I really enjoyed prison ministry in my
first year, and enjoyed the challenge of preaching to a larger group. I've
had a lot of encouragement from my fellow students. I wished I could have
joined that ministry again this year, but I'm finding the workload is
increasing. That's good, though -- it helps me to progress and learn.
Click here to meet other
Key-Way-Tin students and staff
Back to Northern Lights magazine
index
|
