A Day on the Water: Wesley’s Annual Canoe Trip

The annual Wesley Labor Day canoe trip brought Wesley Campus Ministry students, international students, freshmen, and youth from local churches together for a day of canoeing, hiking, and fellowship along Sugar Creek.

“The Labor Day canoe trip is something that I have looked forward to every year ever since going on it for my first time as a freshman,” said Samuel Piper, hospitality and service chair.

He had the opportunity to serve as a leader for this year’s trip and introduce others to the experience. “As a senior, this may be my last time going on this trip, but I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to go with,” he said.

Samuel’s favorite part was eating lunch together along the creek, then playing football and frisbee in the water.

Students also explored the trails at Turkey Run State Park.

“The canoe trip was a fantastic opportunity to take in the beautiful sights central Indiana has to offer,” said TJ Sandor, Wesley’s worship chair. 

TJ’s favorite part was hiking through Turkey Run and seeing the intricate formations made by millions of years of water runoff. 

For first-year graduate student and Wesley Suites resident, Melody, water has always meant new beginnings and the safety of home. Perhaps that is why she believes God led her to Turkey Run State Park over Labor Day weekend.

She was homesick for dragon boating in Taiwan. She missed being out on the water, surrounded by it, just like on her little tropical island, held gently by the Pacific.

Melody never expected to be baptized in Sugar Creek, as a remembrance of her faith. In that stream, where some of her sweetest memories in the United States were made, God gave her a new beginning of a completely different kind. 

“Just as the water keeps flowing, I want to keep moving forward with God, wherever He leads me,” she said. “I know a new chapter has just begun, and His love and grace will keep overflowing along my way, like the streams in that gorgeous Indiana park,” said Melody.