Back to School at 72

 By trudy chiswell

Photograph by trudy chiswell

I sit at my desk today, looking out the window on the glass-calm waters of the Stuart Channel, just off the Strait of Georgia, in front of Thetis Island, BC. Birds flit around the tree just outside my window as the sun shimmers over the water. It is peaceful here as I ponder what I have learned these first few weeks of being back to school as a mature student of 72. The bulk of the student body of 100 students are under the age of 25 here at Capernwray Bible School.

My hall mate, Rita, is also my age and we clicked like two peas in a pod from the beginning. It feels like I have known her for years. I thought I would feel the generational gap that seniors usually feel in a group of young people, but it is very different with this group. From day one, certain ones gravitated toward the two of us. Some would just sidle up beside us and start a casual conversation, and others would ask what we think of the book we have to read or the last lecture. They are curious why we would want to come to school at our age, how many children, grandchildren we have, and fascinated that we both sold our homes and all our belongings before coming to school. Some share problems they are working through and we listen. We can’t do all the physical activity they can, and we don’t try. During the team initiatives, we were the cheering section on the activity course at the beginning of the year. Later when we went on a weekend venture hiking at Mount Washington, the whole group helped us over slippery roots and puddles, and everyone kept together as a team. Interaction with the other students has been refreshing regardless of the age. I’m going to miss all that stimulation when I come home.

Age gets us some bonuses. While the other students live in the cottages with up to five in a cottage, Rita another mature student and I are in cozy rooms above the dining room of the main building. I watch the ferry come and go from my window looking out to the Stuart Channel, and the tree outside my window is always full of birds flitting around.

Each student has a daily chore of about 45 minutes and ours has been adjusted to our age capabilities. The school has its own laying chickens, so for the first three weeks Rita and I were on egg-washing detail. Now, I am on veggie prep after breakfast, making up veggie dishes to go on the lunch tables. Other students might wash dishes after meals, serve at meals, clean their cabin or the general student areas. The students have developed a pride in keeping their environment clean and tidy. Probably a new concept for some.

My day begins with breakfast at 7:45 am; I have veggie prep right after breakfast with class starting at 9:15am. Days are packed full! The morning lecture goes until noon with a break in-between. Lecturers come from all over North America. One of my favourites, Bruce Campbell, comes from Washington, USA, and the lecturer this week is from Montreal teaching us about the Life of the Messiah from the Jewish Perspective. Very interesting! There is always something to challenge my mind and spirit. All the teachers link the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Old Testament is Christ concealed and the New Testament is Christ revealed. Interesting! It isn’t a dry boring book anymore; it is like an adventure book coming alive before my eyes. A story revealed! Of course God also uses those times to challenge me too. The curriculum is very well thought out, and we get a mix of lectures and books to read all at the same time. At first I was overwhelmed trying to keep them separate, until I realized they were all supposed to mesh together.

When the lunch bell rings, it’s a rush of 100 students to sit down with lots of noisy chatter. The meals are very good here and lunch is usually homemade bread, veggie platters and homemade soup. The mix is always changing and nutritious. Rita has egg washing after lunch, but otherwise the two of us are free to nap or catch up on our notes in the afternoon. We try to fit in a good half hour walk in the afternoon as well. The scenery here is very pastoral, with the cows grazing in two fields and chickens behind the barn. One day Smoochie, the llama, squeezed under the fence and it took a group effort to get him back in the pasture with the cows. Friendly Smoochie is white with a brown patch on his rump, large blue eyes and big soft lips. The other morning when I was walking up to the lecture hall to do my Internet, I found one of the young cows had escaped. All the other cows were lined up at the fence mooing at it. It was quite funny!

Supper is at 5:45 pm and the evening session goes from 7:15 to 8:30pm. The bulk of the students are not finished with their day until curfew at 10:30 and lights out at 11pm. The school is great for providing activity for them during this time. There are hockey games, volleyball tournaments, various game nights and camp fires when the weather permits. Rita and I don’t feel the need to be involved in the extracurricular activities after evening lecture. We’re tired out by then and retreat to our rooms for tea and conversation.

Wednesday is work day. Everyone has a job for the day to keep the grounds beautiful and spotless. Rita and I are in the laundry, but get to quit early as our energy runs out at this age. An afternoon nap is essential if we are to stay awake for the evening session. It is good to have an active day once a week, rather than sit in class all the time. Also, some of these students have never experienced working like this and are learning new skills in the process. 

At the end of the week we have to summarize and hand in for marking, three to four pages in our journals about what we have learned that week. There are no exams here and the journal is the testing vehicle to be sure we understand what is being taught. If not, there is a staff person to come alongside a student who is struggling. No one slips through the cracks this way. 

Sunday everyone leaves the Island to go to one of the community churches. We are encouraged to try a few at the beginning of the year and then settle on one for the remaining year. Supper and the evening session on Sunday night is a formal affair with the boys wearing dress pants, shirts and ties and the girls wearing skirts or a dress to supper and the evening session. The staff serves supper and the tables are set with linen tablecloths, a special meal with dessert and after dinner mints. Last night was roast beef with roast potatoes and veggies, finishing with flapper pie. The cook always makes this a special meal.

Sunday evening service is my favourite! It starts with a long time of praise music and if you have never heard 100 students singing, you have missed a special treat. Then students share what they have learned that week. It is amazing to listen to the depth of these young people.

Well, that is what my life is like right now and for another few months. It is challenging daily and I have no idea what life will be like when I’m finished. But that is OK. God has a plan for my life, even at 72 years of age. I am reminded again of my life verse and I know I can trust the one who made the clouds and the tiny birds outside my window. 

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”