November 4-5 The Beginning

November 4-5, 2011

I guess our trip began months ago. Everything begins with a word. “Yes”.

Each of us said, “Yes” to some (even many) soft and clear calls from God to step out of routine, comfort or ‘normal’ for a week of stretching, seeking, serving and blessing. There were lot’s of times when ‘no’ was our response. “No” is always an option, but even if we did say it or feel it, we are here now. ‘Yes’ to God has moved us this far and will continue to carry all our moments. By saying ‘yes’ to God we don’t all know the reason or purpose FOR going, but we can see some of the BECAUSE reasons already.

BECAUSE… We’re here BECAUSE. First, because we said yes, but also because of so much prayer, encouragement and help from all our CHURCH (God’s big universal church) family. Thanks - keep praying.

Friday the 4th, I (Pastor Joel) went and picked up our van in Ch’ton. Right away I was seeing God’s blessing for us. Wow - this vehicle is so comfortable and nice. It’s like sitting in a leather couch instead of driving. Our vehicle is a 2009 Honda Odyssey. We chose not to fly because of the cost, but we are definitely in first call still. After packing up and getting the luggage pod on top of the van and the rest inside, we were met at the church by a wonder group of family and friends. It was an encouraging, but windy cold farewell. Not too many tears. Actually, we all were amazed with how well we did do. But parting was sad.

We prayed as a team and headed off Island. God blessed me earlier in the day - coming back from Charlottetown with the van, with seeing a double rainbow. Going over the Confederation bridge as we left He blessed us again with a beautiful sunset all the way toward Fredericton, NB.

We arrived to spend the night in Fredericton by 9pm - after stopping to get some things from my son Colin at Saint Thomas University and a short tour of downtown Fredericton. (I was really glad to see Colin and say good-bye to him too.) First Wesleyan allowed us again to sleep in their church. (Last time was in 2009) They blessed us doubly with air mattresses for sleeping and towels for showers in the morning. That was a wonderful sleep. In the AM (I was up by 5 :) we read, repacked, showered and found tons more room in the van on the cold clear −1 morning on Duncan Lane. Tanner took a typical teenage shower and we all waited in the van. We had time to tape up the straps on the pod on top the van. It sounded like a dog barking most of the way to Fredericton. NO sounds at all after.

Thank you First Wesleyan for the blessings and accommodations. May you receive blessings for sending us along so well.

Free coffee at McD’s has been most of our Canadian experience on the team since Halloween - except for Connie, who is a tea drinker. But she did get an extra coffee to give to us. We McD-ed breakfast in Fredericton and were off to the border in Woodstock, NB/ Houlton, ME. Along the way we watched (yeah - full DVD player built in) the second to last session of the study we’ve been doing from Jim Cymbala’s church (Brooklyn Tabernacle) called “When God’s People Pray.” It was excellent and we chatted and prayed right up to the border. Blessings again - the border crossing and immigration official was wonderful and kind.

Once into the US we hit the washrooms! First line of the Canadian invasion - empty the bladders :). Walmart was the choice. Extra snacks, pop, water and a pillow for Chris were on the list. Next stop Freeport and L.L. Bean. Another reason for stopping to see my son Colin in Fredericton was to try to replace his old backpack from LL Bean that he had since grade 8 or earlier. The zippers hardly worked and there was a hole burnt in one side. In hope, I stopped at LL Bean. Best return policy ever! New backpack - no charge! Cool. On at least an eight year old garment that is amazing. Mary Beth took over driving from Houlton to Freeport from Pastor Joel.

We all got to eat and shop. DQ only had hot dogs, but the McDonald’s house was nice and cheap again. OK - that’s enough of that place. A few other necessary items were purchased and a few other good deals. (Second wave of the Canadian invasion is shopping.) Then we left Freeport for the final leg to the Hotel in Tewksbury, MA. All but Mary Beth and I (because we’re upfront) watched The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas. Impacting, moving and perspective altering movie; lots of tears at the end. There is such a picture of friendship in the little German boy. Such a picture of Christ in how he holds the other boys hand - I won’t spoil it, but worth seeing.

We arrived at our hotel around 4PM. I need to remember exiting for route 133. We’re staying tonight at Residents Inn in Tewksbury. What a place!

We settled in, walked to the restaurant (Cracker Barrels) had a wonderful mean. After the meal we all had some personal times and then team meetings at 8PM.

Connie has been battling bronchitis and I have a bit of a sore throat. Tanner has a bad cough too, but we prayed for each other, exchange cough drops and remedies - keep this in prayer too. We read Psalm 37 together and share for a while longer too. After prayer and the meeting we all spread out to call home, workout in the gym, or read by the fireplace. :) The team showed up in my room a little later and prayed for me. I must confess, I was a little overwhelmed and cut them short after one prayer and laying on hands for me. I don’t know why - I need the prayers and want to be healthy, but God rebuked me for cutting them short. So I’m blogging this first and then later in the morning I’ll confess to them.

I was such a encouragement to see the whole team come like that to pray for me. I need to lead them in receiving from them and recognizing their example of loving each other. I was so cool that they all came like that. Mary Beth prayed. I am so blessed to be with this group and to be able to serve God like this. I love going to the Bowery, I love seeing all that God does in us and through us - I love getting out of my routine to spend this special time seeing and seeking what Jesus longs to do in all of us. It like a vacation from distractions to what is most important. Loving God and Loving others - plus responding to His call to love each other just like Jesus is loving us. (We’re all reading “The Relationship Principles of Jesus” too - day twelve is coming.

Let’s see what Sunday holds! Sleep well.

Pastor Joel