A Little Bit Louder

Its been a long few days… an 18 hour drive from Calgary, 6 stops, 3 turns later, we got to Winnipeg… we arrived quite late Saturday night… rather it was Sunday morning… after a much too quick 5 hours of shut eye, we were up and joining the WCV for church.

Amissionary (Vicky) shared the incredible message about the ministry of presence… that is, being available to be used by God and people…

That night, Joe (Matt’s brother shared on God’s heart for the poor) He passed out lists of verses, and one after another, we read them out. One after another, we heard the heart of God… that he loved them… and wants us to love them as well…

Monday was a harsher day… we woke up to find that one of the Van’s had been broken into… several of the girls lost their purses/ipods/cell phones/cash… Matt and I spent a few hours looking in dumpsters and yards for them, but found nothing. The girls have taken it well, and shared last night of how they realized how tied to possessions they were, and how they knew God would take care of them.

It seems over the past few months, God has been screaming the same message over and over to us… “I LOVE THE POOR! DON’T FORGET THEM! FEED THEM, HELP THEM, LOVE THEM!”... sometimes I wonder if we’re listening… if I am listening?

Well, I’m off again. Not exactly to anywhere as exotic as Thailand, Nepal, Philippines or Maui, but away nonetheless. In 5 hours I’m heading off with my youth kids to Winnipeg.

I hadn’t plan on going on the trip this year. I have been away a lot in the last four months, and it’s taken a long time to get my bearings again and adjust to the rhythm of life here in Calgary. It’s quite disorienting to be coming and going all the time.

Even as I travelled, I I felt like every time I have a great trip or adventure, I have to quickly put it aside and get ready for the next place/country/city/trip. There’s so much I’ve seen and still have not had a chance to reflect and soak in those experiences… But alas, the world keeps going, and all those thoughts will trickle back into my mind as they fit. I know I’m been blessed… spoiled really… to be able to see so much of the world in such a short time, and given the chance I’d do it all again.

Back to Winnipeg… Our theme verse for the trip is:


We’ll be gone from March 31 to April 7 … while there, we will get to work with a few different organizations. Some activities we’ll be participating in are:

• A reading and running club, where we’ll be reading to and with younger kids… and running… I personally hate running, but I’m sure someone will be running
• We’ll also be running a few after school activities – one sports based, and one carnival for younger kids.
• Serving a few meals with the church we’re staying at, Winnipeg Central Vineyard.

By coincidence (perhaps divinely conspired), Winnipeg Central Vineyard is the sponsoring church to Kathmandu Vineyard where I was in the fall. I’m looking forward to meeting some other people who have gone and perhaps in that way digest some of what I experienced there. Matt tells me that there’s a fundraiser for KTM vineyard while we’re there…

The Nepal bit is great and all, but that’s not why I’m going. As I said, I wasn’t planning on going, but in the past few weeks, I felt that I should be there. It wasn’t a feeling of obligation or duty, but more a pull… an anticipation that God was going to do some amazing things in Winnipeg… and if he was, then I didn’t want to miss out.

I’m also looking forward to the relationships that will be built on the trip. The moments to talk with kids, both from our youth group and from Winnipeg.

Well, if you’ve read this far and would like to pray for us, here’s some specifics:

• Opportunities to share the Gospel, and the courage to do so.
• Sensitivity to what God is doing, and the willingness to join in
• Rich times of intimacy with God
• Miracles!
• energy for the leaders going (Matt, Tannis, Julie, Adam, and myself)
• Safety… it’s a long boring drive… pray we stay awake on the roads.
• Unity

Well, we’re now leaving in 4 hours… i should go get some sleep… not sure how much I’ll get in the next week. I’ll try to post updates here as much as I can.