My Master Guide Experience

22 November 2008 - My journey to becoming a Master Guide began some two years ago at a Pathfinder Day service. Sis Julien made a call for all those interested in joining the Master Guide club to come forward. I was thinking of it; however, I didn’t make the move. Then Marcena turned to look at me, I got the hint and I stepped forward. The idea of going to camp seemed like fun so Master Guide was going to be fun, but boy was I wrong, I had no idea what I was really signing up for. A few weeks after, Sis Julien called a meeting and introduced us to the Master Guide Curriculum; it was a reality check at that point. The thought came to my mind `just back down at least for now and try again later`` A few weeks later I received an email from a friend which read I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

This poem gave me the motivation that I needed to move forward. Yes! Through Christ I can do all things. I decided to move on with the Master Guide program and like everything else, it was not smooth sailing. But, who can say they have overcome if they never had any trials in life. The readings were endless but they were worth the time, books such as Steps to Christ, Education the Pathfinder Story and the list goes on. Being a Master Guide in training has taken me many places that I never imagined, from camping to training sessions and even to Texas where I did training on children evangelism and leadership skills.

One of the requirements as a Master Guide in training is to be a counsellor/instructor in the pathfinder club. While am still in the learning phase I must say that this is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. You can leave club meeting with a headache – I have many times. However, knowing that you are helping the pathfinders to become better individuals mentally, physically and spiritually makes you happy. You can’t help but just love them.

And who can ever forget camping; my initial perception of it was true. It was always fun and I don’t think that anyone knows camping skills better than master Guides and Pathfinders; hiking, baking bread on a stick, building different fires and learning how to survive when our bread was eaten by racoons. And yes, you guessed right I am looking forward to camporee 2009.

During my training I had the help of a great Master Guide leader; Instructor Isabelle was an excellent teacher who was very encouraging and supportive. When the assignments weren’t completed as she requested she had us do them over, but she was just making sure that we were trained the right way as REAL MASTER GUIDES. There were other Master Guide instructors who helped trained and taught us various skills – MG instructors Marcena Burnett, Shirley John, Jean Burgin, Elizabeth Charles, Yvette Folkes. They made the event an unforgettable one. I thank you for theyour patience, confidence and helping me to become a better person, may God continue to bless you I had great fellow Master Guides along the way, to those who haven’t completed the curriculum for whatever reason, DONT GIVE UP. Sis Hillary who was my comrade till the end was very encouraging and a source of strength. There were many winter nights we had to make it to church, the assignments were endless but we made it, and after that church heritage project I am even more convinced that two heads are better than one.

There is so much more I can tell you of my Master Guide experience but to sum it up I will tell you that the lessons that I learnt and the experience I got being a MG in training could never have been attained at a formal learning institution. I thank God for the Master Guides of the Westmount Church who placed their confidence in me, the congregation at large and friends who helped me along the way. I stand here today to tell you that with a driver called Jesus you can make it to a place called success.