Time To Connect

  I had just moved into a different house.      It was a house with a few needed repairs which the landlords were less concerned about as soon as I moved in.      But… it was home.   This fixer-upper did have new paint, a new toilet & … new sounds.      One morning, I suddenly awoke thinking “Ahhh?   That’s not rain I’ve been listening to.”      Sure enough, the “rain” was pouring off my roof.   Having experienced this in other houses, I knew it was the tinaco (water tank) on the roof overflowing.      So, I got dressed & went out to turn off the water at the street.      I wandered the yard, got sandy slippers & drew blood hitting my head on a tree branch (no glasses & still dark) only to find that this house didn’t have a street level meter & shut off tap.      Huh… Now what?      Not only was it wasting water but the water was now covering my kitchen floor.      But, who does one call for help at 6:45 on a Sunday morning?      I called my Mexican brother who ofte

  Each year in December, I ask God for a word for the coming year.  Sometimes that word stays at the forefront of my mind all year long.  Other times it’s like a New Year’s Resolution that gets attention in January but gets forgotten a few weeks or months into the year.  The word for 2019 was “Hope” which I thought was an indication of a very positive year to come.  I soon discovered that it’s in the hard things that we need, search for & hold onto hope.  And I found that to be true through the year, as several people very dear to me passed away.  I learned that true hope is not found in circumstances in which I have little or no control, but in knowing God loves me, will never leave me & has a plan much deeper than that which I see.  Those lessons have continued to strengthen me in 2020. Choice – that seemed like a positive word to start 2020.   Freedom of choice is something we all cherish.   What would I be choosing?   Maybe a different car, a new route to Canada, a Bible

So, I woke up to find a stray pelican in my yard the other day.  I snapped a few pictures, excited that he was so close then discovered that while he seemed to be cautious of me, he wasn’t flying away but instead was trying to crawl under the fence.  Hmm, I soon became concerned that he was hurt but really had no idea how to help.  All I knew was that I didn’t want him to crawl under the fence where he was because I knew he would get stuck & it seemed his only way to freedom was another gap in the fence further along.  I discovered that my presence seemed to create more anxiety & confusion for him & I soon found myself back in the house cheering him on to find the gap.  “ Keep going, you can do it!  No, don’t go back to where you were!  Ok, that’s good, that’s the way.  Don’t give up!  You’re almost there!  Okay, that’s it, go through that opening.  I know it doesn’t look easy, but it’s the only way.  Yay – you did it!  You’re free!”  I wonder if this is often what ha

We have been talking about the “Trip to Chihuahua” for months & while the numbers had dwindled & the initial plan of going by train had been nixed, the time was now upon us & we were excited about the week ahead. The PLAN – meet with Emanuel church at 4 AM, pack up the vans & leave, drive 12 hrs to Chihuahua City, arrive early, stay overnight & the kids are on their way the 3 hrs to camp early Tues. REALITY – no brakes in our van, will travel together in their “new” van, left late, no AC, van troubles, overnight in Hermosillo, still van troubles, rent a van, left late, arrived in Chihuahua late & at camp ½ way through the week. Often we don’t really know why God changes our plans, but how comforting to know that He’s in control. As we trusted God, we were able to enjoy our little adventure together & come home encouraged. Here’s the story. It all started with discovering the brakes in the SC van needed fixing & a “new” van purchase by Emanuel church.

Visible military & police presence, especially armed with rifles is unusual in Canada, so initially the prevalence of rifles & uniforms was a bit disarming. But even in the most tranquil parts of Mexico, it’s part of life. Here are a few examples: Most of the police vehicles here are trucks & it’s not uncommon to see someone with their rifle standing in the box of the truck facing backwards. I keep my distance – what happens if they hit a bump or have to slam on the breaks? Most banks & a few other institutions have rifle-carrying security guards. Guess that{s why the thieves rob the small businesses & richer-looking homes. Military checkpoints are common on the highways. The smaller ones usually detour you off the paved road – those rough paths can at least slow down the bad guys! The big one between Hermosillo & the border is very official with pull-over spots, x-ray stations, waiting areas. They always ask where you came from & where you are going

What did you hear outside yesterday? You may think my life is surrounded by nature sounds like frogs & birds, but I also hear trucks & planes & “city”. Also, there is no lack of microphones & loud (very loud) speakers around. Even the smallest of churches seem to have a sound system. But not only are they used inside church or the clubs, they are also common outdoors. Here's a few uses I've come across. Stores downtown play music & advertise - someone is hired to entice you into the store by telling of the offers - all day long. Or if you live in a community away from el centro, you will hear the vendors throughout the day as they pass by in truck, cars & tricycles selling water, gas, ice cream, tortillas, fruit... "Uvas, solo 10 pesos 1 kilo, uvas solo 10 pesos hoy!" Sometimes it's an announcer, sometimes it's a song. Or one vendor (water I think) reads the news headlines as they drive the streets. And it doesn't stop at night. It&