It happened while I was camping at Sylvan Lake with some church friends in 2009. The public beach was directly across the lake from where we were camped. Everyone else drove to the beach but I decided to take my kayak as it was such a beautiful day and it would only take me 45 minutes to paddle across. It was on the return trip the Lord called me to the mission field in a very powerful and dramatic way.
Those who were driving back left well before me. I noticed a dark cloud on the horizon and left, hoping to get back to camp before the storm. I didn't make it far before the wind picked up. I prayed, "Father, please hold back the rain and lightning until I make it to shore."
Continuing on into the wind, the waves grew large and it became difficult to paddle. If I stopped rowing even for a second, the wind would push my little boat backwards. I was flipped out of my boat many times and was becoming very tired.
By the time I got about two thirds across the lake, I was completely exhausted. Again I was tossed into the cold water but this time I couldn?t pull myself back into the kayak. I cried out to the Lord, "I thought you had plans for me! I thought you wanted me to help people!"
I gave God an ultimatum?give me a sign he wanted me to get to shore and I would promise to surrender my life to him. If not, I was prepared to go to be with him in heaven.
Just as the words were leaving my mouth, the clouds parted and a sliver of sunlight shone from exactly where I was to the precise spot on the shore I was trying to reach. The world faded around me; there were no waves or wind or cold.
There was nothing but the presence of God and I knew beyond all knowing that I was called to go overseas and do God's work. I heard him say in a way that cannot be described that he would not let me die until he was done with me. It was all I could think about.
I thanked my Saviour for his mercy, love and promises. I managed to pull myself back into the kayak, completely exhausted. I could not lift my arms off my lap, let alone paddle into the wind.
I felt my soul welling up inside me and found myself singing praises and worshiping the Lord at the top of my lungs. It was then I felt strength in my arms and I could paddle tirelessly as long as I continued to sing and worship.
Two-and-a-half hours after I left the beach, I finally made it to the opposite shore. My friends were on the water's edge waiting for me. They carried my kayak and helped me back to camp.
As my foot touched the gravel of our campsite the storm began again. All I could do was smile and thank God for his love and I promised again to serve him all the days of my life.
Tyler Vanderveen, a member of Spruce Grove Alliance Church in Alberta, has been accepted at Ambrose for this Fall to begin training for the ministry
