We live in a society surrounded by salesmen. Everywhere we go, someone is trying to sell us something. From the moment we leave the door, or turn on the TV, we are lambasted by language saturated by sales pitch after sales pitch for someone’s new fangled gadget or philosophical truth. Television is telling you about the thrilling joys of the newest toys. In the classroom, every professor is proffering their own take on the world (implicitly or explicitly, whether or not they admit it, “objectivity” is rarely achieved). At church, every pastor is preaching their own revelation and interpretation.

RE: Behold, I make all things clean

The Bible is the word of God. This is not up for question. If we don’t believe this, then our faith is in vain and we may as well abandon TWU right now. Why do we believe the Bible? Because it alone reveals to us all that we need to know for salvation. Because without we are lost. Because we in faith accept that it is not simply the work of a man, or men, but is inspired by God.

Walk down the street of any major city in Canada and you’ll hear a mosaic of languages. The 2001 census showed that there are more English, Chinese, Cantonese, Punjabi and German than there are French speakers in British Columbia. While it is a minority, French is constitutionally protected in Canada.

The Constitution Act of 1867 determined that both French and English are to be used in Parliament, establishing the equality of the status of English and French language in federal institutions and guaranteeing the rights of English or French linguistic minorities in Canada. When Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) united, they were of one heart, but two tongues. In order to work together it was necessary to recognize French in federal institutions.

Skye Van Schetsen is homeless.

Although she has lived in Canada for a number of years now, she still feels the displacement of an international student and doesn’t anticipate that she’ll feel different any time soon. Van Schetsen was born in Belgium, grew up mostly in South Africa and eventually came to live in North America. But for her, the word “home” is almost incomprehensible, like another language.

“It’s difficult because I don’t really have a place to call home,” she said. “I’ve always considered South Africa my home because that’s where I’ve done all my developing and ‘becoming me’ (but) BC is my adopted home. I feel more at home here because it’s the only place I’ve chosen for myself to live.”

Melissa Kuenzi

The sushi sat next to the mashed potatoes on the long tables stretched out in the Fraser Lounge as Trinity Western University’s international student community celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada.

The event, hosted by the International Student Program and the Trinity Western University Student Association, took place from 5-7 pm on Thursday, Oct. 4th. International students, their Friendship Partners, ISP student leaders and several TWU staff got together to enjoy a traditional Canadian Thanksgiving.

Peter Licata and Lauren Thompson

Over two dozen sharply dressed students leaders sat praying in RNT 125. After a chorus of “amens,” the Trinity Western University Student Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) began in earnest. On the night of October 11, hundreds of thousands of tuition dollars have been allocated to various budgets for the 2007-2008 school year.

It was a year of unfortunate traditions. Once again, council had to deal with significantly less student fees, with $211,560 coming in from its largest revenue source. Also, carry over from last year fell from over $30,000 to just $3,542. This leads to a total main revenue drop from $257,500 to $215,100.

Todd Foley

After its first attempt last year, the Freshman Academy is once again offering an academic alternative to students. The program serves as a buffering year for students who do not meet Trinity Western University’s admission standards in its entirety. Last year the program, under the Global Learning Centre, saw completion by the majority of its attendees. 25 students enrolled last year, with 19 finishing the program, and 28 students are registered for the 2007-2008 year.

Hannah Jenkins

“Has he told you about how he’s a Burmese Prince yet?” asks a passerby within the first few minutes of our interview. I eye Keharn Yawnghwe quizzically. “I’m not a prince,” he laughs. “Well, not really. It’s complicated.”

Keharn, a third year student studying Communications and Political Science, transferred to Trinity Western University from McGill University a year and a half ago.

On the short walk from the cafeteria to the Atrium five people said “hi” to him. It’s no surprise that Keharn has a lot of friends – he’s an SOS leader, member of the English Students’ Society, and volunteer with Streetlight ministry.