Seeing as we left Seattle late, we arrived in Chicago behind schedule. Our plane landed at 5:50 AM, the very time our connecting flight was to begin boarding. Not a problem, right? Wrong. The gate we were to unload from apparently had an issue and wasn’t running properly so we had to back up and move to a different gate, thus using up more of our quickly running out and precious time.
By the time we unloaded from the airplane it was 6:20 AM, the exact time our flight was scheduled to leave. Needless to say, we hustled as fast as our luggage burdened bodies would carry us and made it to the gate in record time. It was still after our flight was supposed to leave, but we made it!! Praise God! We were informed that they were waiting for the luggage, not necessarily us, but we made it nevertheless. We practically ran onto the plane and were hardly seated before the plane began taxiing down the airstrip.
It was cloudy and raining when we left Chicago but as we ascended into the sky, we passed through the layer of storm clouds and into a beauty beyond compare. It was the calm ABOVE the storm. If we can look just beyond the storm, past the clouds into the sun shining behind and have hope, we can have the peace of knowing that God has all things under His control.
It was as if we were in a whole other world. Nahum 1:3 says that the “clouds are the dust of [God’s] feet” and I could practically see His footprints softly embedded into the white terrain.
The entire flight only took around 45 minutes and we were back on the ground in no time at all. We exited the plane, headed toward the baggage claim area and said hello to the families awaiting our arrival. After gathering our luggage and saying goodbye to the group, Amanda, Kyle, and I climbed into Kyle’s mom’s car and headed back to their house. I was only at their home for a short while before I climbed in my own car and began my journey home around 9 AM.
I stopped at Boeing (after a very confusing and frustrating trip to the place. I’m not very good at directions when I’m tired haha) to see my brother Dusty before continuing home. After our short hug, hello, and chat, I climbed back in my car and made it home without a hitch. I slept almost the entire afternoon and later that evening hung out with my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephew. My trip was officially over, but the lessons I learned, the growing I experienced, and the memories I made will never leave my heart and mind.
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:4-11
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday June 7, 2010
Our last day in Vancouver began at 8 AM with our usual breakfast and lunch making, our devotional at 9 AM, and followed by lots and lots of packing. Jeanne arrived around 10:30 AM bringing a bathroom scale to weigh our luggage (which had to be under 50 lbs) and her camera to take one last group photo. After the taking of the picture, I went back to packing, ate my lunch, more packing, and then a bit of cleaning.
At 4 PM our group, except for Elyse who was staying a week longer because she came a week later than the rest of us, headed toward the main gate of PLBC with all our luggage. The bus arrived around 4:14 and after checking our passports with the driver, we headed toward the United States border.
We were soon through the border and began our trip to Seattle/Tacoma International Airport and arrived around 9 PM. Our flight wasn’t scheduled to leave until 11:55 PM and it was a good thing because it took forever to check in due to scores of military men and women checking in to the same airline.
After checking in, receiving tickets both to Chicago and St. Louis, and going through security, we set our carry-ons at Gate 9 and began to look for something to eat. Brett, Laura, Christina, Marisol, and I spent our last few hours eating with Liesl before she boarded a different flight headed for Kansas, her home state.
We headed back to our gate and waited to board at around 11:25 PM. However, we didn’t actually begin boarding until 11:55 PM when our flight was scheduled to leave. They allowed the military personnel to board first and as they did, we all began clapping. A sense of pride for our country welled up inside me as we showed them the respect they deserve for all they have done.
Callie and I managed to orchestrate us sitting by each other on the flight home. As I sat next to her on the plane, we both had awful feelings arise in our stomachs. I have flown several times and never have I ever felt as I did at that time. Extremely nervous and ready to rush off the plane. Callie and I began praying and continued to do so as we finally took off at 12:20 AM and continued to do so for a while into the flight until finally we both fell asleep.
I later found out that Kyle, who was sitting several rows ahead of us, had felt the same way. He sent a text to his mom telling her to pray for our flight. She awoke to his text (at 2 AM Central Standard Time) and began praying. It was crazy and definitely in God’s hands.
At 4 PM our group, except for Elyse who was staying a week longer because she came a week later than the rest of us, headed toward the main gate of PLBC with all our luggage. The bus arrived around 4:14 and after checking our passports with the driver, we headed toward the United States border.
We were soon through the border and began our trip to Seattle/Tacoma International Airport and arrived around 9 PM. Our flight wasn’t scheduled to leave until 11:55 PM and it was a good thing because it took forever to check in due to scores of military men and women checking in to the same airline.
After checking in, receiving tickets both to Chicago and St. Louis, and going through security, we set our carry-ons at Gate 9 and began to look for something to eat. Brett, Laura, Christina, Marisol, and I spent our last few hours eating with Liesl before she boarded a different flight headed for Kansas, her home state.
We headed back to our gate and waited to board at around 11:25 PM. However, we didn’t actually begin boarding until 11:55 PM when our flight was scheduled to leave. They allowed the military personnel to board first and as they did, we all began clapping. A sense of pride for our country welled up inside me as we showed them the respect they deserve for all they have done.
Callie and I managed to orchestrate us sitting by each other on the flight home. As I sat next to her on the plane, we both had awful feelings arise in our stomachs. I have flown several times and never have I ever felt as I did at that time. Extremely nervous and ready to rush off the plane. Callie and I began praying and continued to do so as we finally took off at 12:20 AM and continued to do so for a while into the flight until finally we both fell asleep.
I later found out that Kyle, who was sitting several rows ahead of us, had felt the same way. He sent a text to his mom telling her to pray for our flight. She awoke to his text (at 2 AM Central Standard Time) and began praying. It was crazy and definitely in God’s hands.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Sunday June 6, 2010
Breakfast was at 7:30 AM Sunday morning. Yes it was only 30 minutes earlier than usual, but it felt like hours. The church we were attending was Living Water Chinese Baptist Church in a suburb type area. We were in Vancouver somewhere but I really have no idea where.
We attended the English church service downstairs while a Chinese service was taking place directly above us at the same time. The English service was directed obviously towards their English speaking congregation. This congregation was made mostly up by the children of the people in the Chinese service.
After the service, we hung around for a while talking with the people and playing ping pong. Laura, Liesl, Marisol, Christina, Callie, Brett, and I soon headed up the street and uphill to the business part of town that offered places for lunch.
We were all very indecisive but eventually settled on a Pho Vietnamese Restaurant. Marisol and Callie went across the street to McDonald’s and headed elsewhere after eating. Pho is a type of Vietnamese noodle soup with meat and who knows what else in it. It was delicious, but difficult to eat with chopsticks.
After eating we walked down the street to a 7-Eleven so Laura, Liesl, and Christina could buy coffee. I found more of the chocolate candy called Bueno and bought some for my family. I was introduced to it first in Australia five years ago and hadn’t found it since. I was excited to find it once again.
We caught bus 16 for our trip home, the same bus we took to get to the church. However, we missed our stop and ended up getting off at a different station. Instead of a 20 minute bus ride, it turned into at least an hour. We eventually made it back to PLBC and in time for our debriefing at 6 PM with Kelly. He and Jeanne gave all of us a group picture taken at Burnaby Mountain Park and a 2010 Vancouver Olympic flag.
After debriefing was finished, a group of us gathered to pray for Liesl and her job in Australia. We then prayed for Sarah, her father, and her up-coming mission trip to Ireland. It’s a wonderful thing knowing that we can all band together to support our sisters in Christ through prayer as they go out of serve.
When we finished praying, a large number of us headed down a few blocks to the Time Out convenience store. Some hadn’t had supper and were very hungry. They ordered pizzas while others bought candy, slushies, or ice cream. When we returned to PLBC, we swapped pictures of our trip and hung out until 1 AM on our last night in Canada. It was hard to believe our trip was practically over.
We attended the English church service downstairs while a Chinese service was taking place directly above us at the same time. The English service was directed obviously towards their English speaking congregation. This congregation was made mostly up by the children of the people in the Chinese service.
After the service, we hung around for a while talking with the people and playing ping pong. Laura, Liesl, Marisol, Christina, Callie, Brett, and I soon headed up the street and uphill to the business part of town that offered places for lunch.
We were all very indecisive but eventually settled on a Pho Vietnamese Restaurant. Marisol and Callie went across the street to McDonald’s and headed elsewhere after eating. Pho is a type of Vietnamese noodle soup with meat and who knows what else in it. It was delicious, but difficult to eat with chopsticks.
After eating we walked down the street to a 7-Eleven so Laura, Liesl, and Christina could buy coffee. I found more of the chocolate candy called Bueno and bought some for my family. I was introduced to it first in Australia five years ago and hadn’t found it since. I was excited to find it once again.
We caught bus 16 for our trip home, the same bus we took to get to the church. However, we missed our stop and ended up getting off at a different station. Instead of a 20 minute bus ride, it turned into at least an hour. We eventually made it back to PLBC and in time for our debriefing at 6 PM with Kelly. He and Jeanne gave all of us a group picture taken at Burnaby Mountain Park and a 2010 Vancouver Olympic flag.
After debriefing was finished, a group of us gathered to pray for Liesl and her job in Australia. We then prayed for Sarah, her father, and her up-coming mission trip to Ireland. It’s a wonderful thing knowing that we can all band together to support our sisters in Christ through prayer as they go out of serve.
When we finished praying, a large number of us headed down a few blocks to the Time Out convenience store. Some hadn’t had supper and were very hungry. They ordered pizzas while others bought candy, slushies, or ice cream. When we returned to PLBC, we swapped pictures of our trip and hung out until 1 AM on our last night in Canada. It was hard to believe our trip was practically over.
Saturday June 5, 2010
As of Friday evening, we didn’t have any grand plans for Saturday. Some people mentioned going to White Rock, a place not far from PLBC and near the ocean with a beautiful view. I had never been there so I was all for visiting the pace.
However, Saturday morning brought excitement and the announcement that we were traveling to Granville Island to go kayaking. I still wanted to visit White Rock and they promised that we could go after kayaking.
We began our uneventful transit to Granville Island. HA! As if anything is uneventful with the people with whom I was traveling. Our group consisted of Laura, Liesl, Christina, Marisol, Brett, Vu, Jared, Jonny, and myself. We were never sure of our directions and viewed it all as an adventure and part of the journey. :)
We arrived at Granville Island around noon. Our first priority was to find the place where we could rent kayaks. After locating the store, we told the man behind the register that we would be back after lunch. Our priorities directly after we left were to find a washroom and then eat our lunch.
While waiting for others in the washroom, Christina and I meandered into a few trading stores. These stores sell items made by people in villages all across the world. The money earned then goes back to the villages and the people. The stores and merchandise they contained were amazing!
After spending a few minutes in these stores, Christina directed me to the pier where everyone had already begun eating their lunches. We arrived just as one musician was collecting his supplies to leave and another was taking his place. The new musician began playing and as soon as our lunches were finished, a few in our group began dancing. Brett and Jared were waltzing by themselves and the girls wanted to learn.
After a bit of dancing, a woman also sitting on the pier (named Margaret I believe) spoke up and mentioned that she knew several different ballroom style dances. She offered to teach us and we greatly accepted. I stayed seated on the bench taking videos while most of the others danced. She danced with both Brett and Jared, doing the Waltz, Foxtrot, and the Cha-Cha while Liesl and Laura waltzed behind them. Liesl was then paired up with Jared and Christina with Brett. It was very entertaining to watch.
On our way back to the kayak rental store, we were distracted by a large crowd gathered around a man with a microphone and a 12 foot unicycle. We watched him for approximately 15 minutes as he entertained the crowd, eventually climbed up the unicycle, rode it and, at times acted like he was going to fall. We enjoyed the show and quickly left when it finished with our sights set on kayaks.
We rented our kayaks, four doubles and one single, for two hours. Laura and Liesl, Brett and Marisol, Jared and Vu, and Christina and I made up the doubles and Jonny kayaked in the single. We were excited for only Brett had ever kayaked, but no one had ever kayaked on the ocean!
We were told the best thing to do was kayak in one direction for an hour and then turn around and kayak back for the 2nd hour. When we made it out into the harbor, we turned right, heading toward open water. The view was gorgeous from our boats in the water. It definitely made everything seem so much bigger.
Christina and I had a blast kayaking together. We strove to hit all the waves and found ourselves getting a bit wet in the process. My jeans were soaked by the time our two hours ran out.
Kayaking in doubles made me re-realize how important it is for people to work together. I sat in the back, so I steered most of the time. Many times, the direction Christina wanted to turn was lost in the wind, so I had to learn to read her movements. I adjusted myself constantly to make things work.
I also noticed that while we could still move while only one was paddling, we travelled what seemed like light speeds faster if we paddled together. It seems logical and obvious and it is. However, it doesn’t fully sink in until you put it into practice. We were made for relationships. And if we were made for relationships, we were made to make them work. We simply have to get over ourselves to see and fulfill the needs of others.
After our two hours of kayaking were up, I went to explore the public market that is supposedly very popular. The place was filled with various venders, selling items from fresh fish to bread and cheese to handmade stuffed animals. One place I choose to make a purchase from was selling little pastry type desserts. I had a chocolate pastry topped with raspberries. It was delectable!
Around 3 or 4pm, we began our trek home. It was too late to go to White Rock so we decided to eat at a place called Wings for supper. We took Liesl out as a going away type party. A few weeks after arriving home from Vancouver she would be beginning her 6 month long job in Australia.
When we arrived back at PLBC, we wanted to go to a park so we could build a fire and roast marshmallows. However, it was dark and we knew that most parks closed at sunset. So instead, we headed over to the steps by the Christian school, lit a candle, and roasted marshmallows over the flame using chopsticks. Brett eventually began playing his guitar and some began singing.
I headed to bed around 11:30 or so, knowing that the next day would begin earlier than the others and probably be just as long if not longer.
However, Saturday morning brought excitement and the announcement that we were traveling to Granville Island to go kayaking. I still wanted to visit White Rock and they promised that we could go after kayaking.
We began our uneventful transit to Granville Island. HA! As if anything is uneventful with the people with whom I was traveling. Our group consisted of Laura, Liesl, Christina, Marisol, Brett, Vu, Jared, Jonny, and myself. We were never sure of our directions and viewed it all as an adventure and part of the journey. :)
We arrived at Granville Island around noon. Our first priority was to find the place where we could rent kayaks. After locating the store, we told the man behind the register that we would be back after lunch. Our priorities directly after we left were to find a washroom and then eat our lunch.
While waiting for others in the washroom, Christina and I meandered into a few trading stores. These stores sell items made by people in villages all across the world. The money earned then goes back to the villages and the people. The stores and merchandise they contained were amazing!
After spending a few minutes in these stores, Christina directed me to the pier where everyone had already begun eating their lunches. We arrived just as one musician was collecting his supplies to leave and another was taking his place. The new musician began playing and as soon as our lunches were finished, a few in our group began dancing. Brett and Jared were waltzing by themselves and the girls wanted to learn.
After a bit of dancing, a woman also sitting on the pier (named Margaret I believe) spoke up and mentioned that she knew several different ballroom style dances. She offered to teach us and we greatly accepted. I stayed seated on the bench taking videos while most of the others danced. She danced with both Brett and Jared, doing the Waltz, Foxtrot, and the Cha-Cha while Liesl and Laura waltzed behind them. Liesl was then paired up with Jared and Christina with Brett. It was very entertaining to watch.
On our way back to the kayak rental store, we were distracted by a large crowd gathered around a man with a microphone and a 12 foot unicycle. We watched him for approximately 15 minutes as he entertained the crowd, eventually climbed up the unicycle, rode it and, at times acted like he was going to fall. We enjoyed the show and quickly left when it finished with our sights set on kayaks.
We rented our kayaks, four doubles and one single, for two hours. Laura and Liesl, Brett and Marisol, Jared and Vu, and Christina and I made up the doubles and Jonny kayaked in the single. We were excited for only Brett had ever kayaked, but no one had ever kayaked on the ocean!
We were told the best thing to do was kayak in one direction for an hour and then turn around and kayak back for the 2nd hour. When we made it out into the harbor, we turned right, heading toward open water. The view was gorgeous from our boats in the water. It definitely made everything seem so much bigger.
Christina and I had a blast kayaking together. We strove to hit all the waves and found ourselves getting a bit wet in the process. My jeans were soaked by the time our two hours ran out.
Kayaking in doubles made me re-realize how important it is for people to work together. I sat in the back, so I steered most of the time. Many times, the direction Christina wanted to turn was lost in the wind, so I had to learn to read her movements. I adjusted myself constantly to make things work.
I also noticed that while we could still move while only one was paddling, we travelled what seemed like light speeds faster if we paddled together. It seems logical and obvious and it is. However, it doesn’t fully sink in until you put it into practice. We were made for relationships. And if we were made for relationships, we were made to make them work. We simply have to get over ourselves to see and fulfill the needs of others.
After our two hours of kayaking were up, I went to explore the public market that is supposedly very popular. The place was filled with various venders, selling items from fresh fish to bread and cheese to handmade stuffed animals. One place I choose to make a purchase from was selling little pastry type desserts. I had a chocolate pastry topped with raspberries. It was delectable!
Around 3 or 4pm, we began our trek home. It was too late to go to White Rock so we decided to eat at a place called Wings for supper. We took Liesl out as a going away type party. A few weeks after arriving home from Vancouver she would be beginning her 6 month long job in Australia.
When we arrived back at PLBC, we wanted to go to a park so we could build a fire and roast marshmallows. However, it was dark and we knew that most parks closed at sunset. So instead, we headed over to the steps by the Christian school, lit a candle, and roasted marshmallows over the flame using chopsticks. Brett eventually began playing his guitar and some began singing.
I headed to bed around 11:30 or so, knowing that the next day would begin earlier than the others and probably be just as long if not longer.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Friday June 4, 2010
Our final Friday was also spent at SFU selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts. However, we were not able to walk around and sell them as we had done on Thursday. One of our groups that was out selling was approached by a security guard, informed that they were soliciting and that we were the cause of some complaints, and to go back to our table where we had to stay and sell. We were almost in a bit of trouble, but praise God that all they did was reprimand us!
Seeing as we were limited to our selling places, a group headed out to the SkyTrain/city to sell and sell they did! Between the two days, we sold approximately 140 boxes out of 150.
A group of 6 had also set out that morning to try to fix the clutch of a friend’s car that morning but did not have success. The super glue would not stick and they believed that a piece was missing.
At 4:15 PM, we packed up our leftover doughnut boxes and selling tools and began our journey to Kelly and Jeanne’s house. It was only a 10 minute walk to their condo and we were all soon in the lounge area awaiting the Louisiana team and Kelly with the pizzas.
They all soon arrived and we began our supper of pizza, wings, salad, and lattes or mochas. It was delicious! After eating many of us headed outside to explore and enjoy the beautiful weather. We were told a park was near so we set off to find it. Brett, Brian, Marisol, Katie, Amanda, and I were distracted by a spot with a beautiful view and then two playground spring toys that resembled bugs. We spent several minutes riding these intriguing toys and laughing as we watched each other fall off of them.
We finally continued on our way in the supposed direction of the park. Brian, Brett, Marisol, and I walked father than the others and we came upon what we thought were raspberries. We began picking and eating them. Some were delicious and had a taste that resembled blackberries while others were extremely bitter. We picked the bushes clean and then began our trip back seeing as we never found the park.
On our way back, we stopped to pick yellow flowers that were soon woven into head circlets that resembled those from Ancient Grecian times. We placed them on our heads and behind our ears and after taking a few pictures, began on our way again. Several people stared at us curiously as we walked down the street. It was rather entertaining.
We ran into a group headed to the park (and actually knew where they were going) so we joined them. We found the park only to leave 10 minutes or so after arriving because we had buses to catch. We made our way back to the lounge, said goodbye to the Manires and the Louisiana team, and set out for the bus stop. While waiting for the bus we played Frisbee in the street and had to pause every time a car came but enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.
We finished our last work day in Canada. It was very bitter sweet for us all.
Seeing as we were limited to our selling places, a group headed out to the SkyTrain/city to sell and sell they did! Between the two days, we sold approximately 140 boxes out of 150.
A group of 6 had also set out that morning to try to fix the clutch of a friend’s car that morning but did not have success. The super glue would not stick and they believed that a piece was missing.
At 4:15 PM, we packed up our leftover doughnut boxes and selling tools and began our journey to Kelly and Jeanne’s house. It was only a 10 minute walk to their condo and we were all soon in the lounge area awaiting the Louisiana team and Kelly with the pizzas.
They all soon arrived and we began our supper of pizza, wings, salad, and lattes or mochas. It was delicious! After eating many of us headed outside to explore and enjoy the beautiful weather. We were told a park was near so we set off to find it. Brett, Brian, Marisol, Katie, Amanda, and I were distracted by a spot with a beautiful view and then two playground spring toys that resembled bugs. We spent several minutes riding these intriguing toys and laughing as we watched each other fall off of them.
We finally continued on our way in the supposed direction of the park. Brian, Brett, Marisol, and I walked father than the others and we came upon what we thought were raspberries. We began picking and eating them. Some were delicious and had a taste that resembled blackberries while others were extremely bitter. We picked the bushes clean and then began our trip back seeing as we never found the park.
On our way back, we stopped to pick yellow flowers that were soon woven into head circlets that resembled those from Ancient Grecian times. We placed them on our heads and behind our ears and after taking a few pictures, began on our way again. Several people stared at us curiously as we walked down the street. It was rather entertaining.
We ran into a group headed to the park (and actually knew where they were going) so we joined them. We found the park only to leave 10 minutes or so after arriving because we had buses to catch. We made our way back to the lounge, said goodbye to the Manires and the Louisiana team, and set out for the bus stop. While waiting for the bus we played Frisbee in the street and had to pause every time a car came but enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.
We finished our last work day in Canada. It was very bitter sweet for us all.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday June 3, 2010
We spent our Thursday at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts to help raise funds for Kelly’s daughter Melissa. Melissa is spending 6 weeks in the Philippines helping the local missionaries this summer and we were able to help her obtain around $550. Go to melissaannetrip.blogspot.com for more information about her trip and for updates if you are interested.
Callie and I ate delicious Japanese food for lunch. We were stuffed by the time we uncovered the bottom of our bowls yet somehow found room in our stomachs to eat a few doughnuts before the day was over. When we finished selling for the day, I headed back to PLBC with Callie and Alayna to chill and watch a movie before worship.
While waiting on Callie to begin the movie, Alayna and I played a bit of pool. On two different tables. Against ourselves. I think I played so badly that I lost to myself. However, it was fun and something I hadn’t done in a long time. When Callie arrived, we began Mighty Ducks 2 but weren’t able to finish before we headed up to the A-frame to begin worship at 9 PM.
After worship, which proved to be rather convicting, I went to my room and didn’t finish the movie. My brain and heart were heavy with what Seth spoke on and I needed some time for reflection before heading to bed. I soon turned in, realizing that our time in Canada was quickly coming to an end.
Callie and I ate delicious Japanese food for lunch. We were stuffed by the time we uncovered the bottom of our bowls yet somehow found room in our stomachs to eat a few doughnuts before the day was over. When we finished selling for the day, I headed back to PLBC with Callie and Alayna to chill and watch a movie before worship.
While waiting on Callie to begin the movie, Alayna and I played a bit of pool. On two different tables. Against ourselves. I think I played so badly that I lost to myself. However, it was fun and something I hadn’t done in a long time. When Callie arrived, we began Mighty Ducks 2 but weren’t able to finish before we headed up to the A-frame to begin worship at 9 PM.
After worship, which proved to be rather convicting, I went to my room and didn’t finish the movie. My brain and heart were heavy with what Seth spoke on and I needed some time for reflection before heading to bed. I soon turned in, realizing that our time in Canada was quickly coming to an end.
Wednesday June 2, 2010
Our last campus day was Wednesday. My team and I were able to visit three campuses that day, two being planned and the last one being random. Langara College, a relatively large campus with many students, was our first stop. However, we didn’t stay long seeing as we had a full day ahead of us. We stayed long enough for Adam to wade through a small fountain after a duck, to eat lunch, and try to obtain the information we needed.
After that we headed to Vancouver Premier College in Vancouver. The college was small and we were soon on our way. While walking around, we spotted Gateway College and decided that we might as well check it out seeing as we were here anyway.
Once we finished there, we headed up the road to the mall in hopes to set up Soularium. We were shut down and decided to go back to City Central Mall where we knew we could set up Soularium and not be asked to leave.
We arrived, split the pictures into two groups and essentially set up two Soulariums at opposite ends of the Food Court. After a while we decided to put the two picture groups back together in hopes of more conversation. It worked. Several people stopped by our table and we had many conversations.
Adam and I had the opportunity to talk with a young lady named Lee for approximately an hour about what she believed (nontheistic but open to religion), what we believed, and many other things. She went to Sunday School for a few years and knew the basics, but said that nothing really stuck. She didn’t see any hard evidence.
It was then that I showed her the book I had recently been reading, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and explained that he conducted his own investigations about the accuracy of the Bible and what is said about Jesus. As the thought of giving the book to her entered my mind, Adam silently mouthed to me that I should give it to her. So, I did. She acted grateful and said she would definitely read it.
We talked with her for quite a while before she finally headed off to meet her boyfriend. After she left, Adam made the comment that we should have gotten her contact information so we could at least keep in touch and maybe even discuss things further if she has questions. We headed off in the direction she left in hopes to find her. We did and exchanged information. We packed up and headed back to PLBC soon after.
That evening after debriefing, Laura, Liesl, Brett, Marisol, Christina, and I began watching Transformers 2. While watching, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a small creature entering the room. I pointed at it and yelled (not screamed, there is a difference) and it ran away. I believe it was a rat. :-/
About 30 minutes later, it tried to come in again. I noticed it and then heard Liesl scream which caused both Marisol and I to scream. I wasn’t scared and Marisol didn’t even see it, but we still screamed. We all retired to our beds after the movie (and rodent excitement) was over.
After that we headed to Vancouver Premier College in Vancouver. The college was small and we were soon on our way. While walking around, we spotted Gateway College and decided that we might as well check it out seeing as we were here anyway.
Once we finished there, we headed up the road to the mall in hopes to set up Soularium. We were shut down and decided to go back to City Central Mall where we knew we could set up Soularium and not be asked to leave.
We arrived, split the pictures into two groups and essentially set up two Soulariums at opposite ends of the Food Court. After a while we decided to put the two picture groups back together in hopes of more conversation. It worked. Several people stopped by our table and we had many conversations.
Adam and I had the opportunity to talk with a young lady named Lee for approximately an hour about what she believed (nontheistic but open to religion), what we believed, and many other things. She went to Sunday School for a few years and knew the basics, but said that nothing really stuck. She didn’t see any hard evidence.
It was then that I showed her the book I had recently been reading, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and explained that he conducted his own investigations about the accuracy of the Bible and what is said about Jesus. As the thought of giving the book to her entered my mind, Adam silently mouthed to me that I should give it to her. So, I did. She acted grateful and said she would definitely read it.
We talked with her for quite a while before she finally headed off to meet her boyfriend. After she left, Adam made the comment that we should have gotten her contact information so we could at least keep in touch and maybe even discuss things further if she has questions. We headed off in the direction she left in hopes to find her. We did and exchanged information. We packed up and headed back to PLBC soon after.
That evening after debriefing, Laura, Liesl, Brett, Marisol, Christina, and I began watching Transformers 2. While watching, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a small creature entering the room. I pointed at it and yelled (not screamed, there is a difference) and it ran away. I believe it was a rat. :-/
About 30 minutes later, it tried to come in again. I noticed it and then heard Liesl scream which caused both Marisol and I to scream. I wasn’t scared and Marisol didn’t even see it, but we still screamed. We all retired to our beds after the movie (and rodent excitement) was over.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday June 1, 2010
As a result of visiting all of the major campuses in the area and coming so far with our research, Kelly allowed us to come along with the Louisiana team on a World Religion Tour Day. We travelled up to SFU to meet Kelly and the team and soon headed for Richmond. A Hindu temple, a Sikh temple, a Baptist Church, a Buddhist temple, a Jewish Community Centre, a Muslim Mosque, and a few other churches, all within a mile of each other, line one side of a street that Kelly calls God Road.
We started our tour at the Hindu temple and listened to a Hindi man as he told us about his beliefs. From there we stopped at a Sikh temple for a few minutes before heading back to the Buddhist temple for a real, full blown tour. We were taken all around the temple including to the private worship room of the live-in monks at the temple and had the statues of Buddha explained to us.
However, I’m certain that we didn’t retain the names of the Buddhas or for what they were worshipped. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to learn about all of the different religions and be able to experience their places of worship.
After the tour, the temple offered to feed us supper. I opted out, not sure if I could handle eating noodles after my experience on Sunday. Some foods were still affecting my stomach and I didn’t want to risk it. Instead, I went with Laura, Liesl, Christina, Sarah, and the entire Louisiana team to the Richmond Mall and ate KFC at the food court.
We had a good time chatting with the LA team and getting to know them. I had been talking about buying ice cream for a week or so and finally had the chance to do so. I bought myself a small Double Fudge Cookie Dough blizzard from Dairy Queen after as dessert. It was delicious!
At least it was delicious until the ride home. While still on the Canada Line, only about 20 minutes after my meal, I began to feel sick once again. The ice cream didn’t settle well and I didn’t fare well either.
We didn’t have a time of debriefing that night so I rested and went to bed not long after we arrived back at PLBC.
We started our tour at the Hindu temple and listened to a Hindi man as he told us about his beliefs. From there we stopped at a Sikh temple for a few minutes before heading back to the Buddhist temple for a real, full blown tour. We were taken all around the temple including to the private worship room of the live-in monks at the temple and had the statues of Buddha explained to us.
However, I’m certain that we didn’t retain the names of the Buddhas or for what they were worshipped. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to learn about all of the different religions and be able to experience their places of worship.
After the tour, the temple offered to feed us supper. I opted out, not sure if I could handle eating noodles after my experience on Sunday. Some foods were still affecting my stomach and I didn’t want to risk it. Instead, I went with Laura, Liesl, Christina, Sarah, and the entire Louisiana team to the Richmond Mall and ate KFC at the food court.
We had a good time chatting with the LA team and getting to know them. I had been talking about buying ice cream for a week or so and finally had the chance to do so. I bought myself a small Double Fudge Cookie Dough blizzard from Dairy Queen after as dessert. It was delicious!
At least it was delicious until the ride home. While still on the Canada Line, only about 20 minutes after my meal, I began to feel sick once again. The ice cream didn’t settle well and I didn’t fare well either.
We didn’t have a time of debriefing that night so I rested and went to bed not long after we arrived back at PLBC.
Monday May 31, 2010
Monday morning I was still feeling the effects of eating those awful noodles the night before. After eating breakfast at 8 AM and making my lunch, I headed back to bed. We didn’t have devotions until 11 AM and my team didn’t head out until 12:30.
Once we did head out, we took the bus and SkyTrain to Winston College in Burnaby. It was only a 45 minute commute at the most and we were soon searching West Broadway for the college. When we found it, we were slightly discouraged for it was a tiny school with very few students. We gathered our information and then I headed back to PLBC to rest and hopefully get rid of my stomach ache. The rest of the team stayed out to survey the community and also in hopes of setting up Soularium.
I travelled back to PLBC and laid down for a much needed nap at 3 PM. I awoke at 6:42 PM aware that I had almost missed my Skype date with my parents and brother. I quickly changed my status to online and called. I was able to chat with them for an hour or so and then my sister for yet another hour. It was wonderful to talk with them knowing that in about a week I would be home and able to see them.
After our 9 PM debriefing, I readied myself for bed and soon crawled under my covers ready for a restful night of slumber and thankful that I was able to do that.
Once we did head out, we took the bus and SkyTrain to Winston College in Burnaby. It was only a 45 minute commute at the most and we were soon searching West Broadway for the college. When we found it, we were slightly discouraged for it was a tiny school with very few students. We gathered our information and then I headed back to PLBC to rest and hopefully get rid of my stomach ache. The rest of the team stayed out to survey the community and also in hopes of setting up Soularium.
I travelled back to PLBC and laid down for a much needed nap at 3 PM. I awoke at 6:42 PM aware that I had almost missed my Skype date with my parents and brother. I quickly changed my status to online and called. I was able to chat with them for an hour or so and then my sister for yet another hour. It was wonderful to talk with them knowing that in about a week I would be home and able to see them.
After our 9 PM debriefing, I readied myself for bed and soon crawled under my covers ready for a restful night of slumber and thankful that I was able to do that.
Sunday May 30, 2010
Our Sunday morning worship was with The Point Church at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. That morning while boarding the bus down the road from PLBC, the driver asked me if we were all from the Bible College. I told him that we were, thinking for some reason that he knew we were simply residing at the college for a short time and not attending.
While bouncing along with the bus and minding our own business, we suddenly heard a voice over the bus intercom system. The bus driver greeted us as Theology students and then began a lighthearted quizzing of the Bible. Needless to say, we were all pleasantly surprised and I do believe he became our favorite bus driver of the trip! He reminded us to “love one another” and bid us a friendly farewell as we exited the bus.
Once we arrived on the SFU campus, we met up with Kelly and his family. The worship service was located in one of the lecture halls in one of the many buildings of SFU. We were introduced to an array of people, some being from The Point and others a part of the recently arrived 9 member mission team from Louisiana.
Church began around 11 AM with music led by two SFU students and a message from their pastor, Victor, on how to live everyday missionally (mission minded and hearted). Some of our group put together a sketch portraying how without God, love means nothing even to those that are hurting and searching. It was very heart wrenching and spoke to many people.
After the service, we packed up our things and the church equipment and took it to the Interfaith Centre Office in another of the SFU buildings. Once finished, we began our trek to Burnaby Mountain Park where we would eat our lunch and spend our afternoon.
The spot in the park where we settled overlooked both the city and the mountains. It was absolutely gorgeous. Some people began playing games such as Big Booty (a concentration game) or ultimate frisbee after eating. Laura and I set off to explore more of the park.
Neither words nor photographs can describe the grandeur of the view we witnessed or the awe of God we experienced while exploring. Mountain springs filled with fresh water from melted snow raced down the fir tree covered mountains sides into the low valleys and rivers below. Distant mountains appeared hazy as if shrouded by clouds and mist and the closer snow capped peaks poked mightily into the sky.
Around 3 PM I went with Kelly and Jeanne to their home (which is practically on the SFU campus) in order to talk with him about the possibility of returning as a student missionary in the near future. We talked with Yun Seon Choi, the planter of the Korean Church Place of Loving People and another member of her church for several hours. If I were to come back next summer, I would spend my time working with the PLP, being involved in their church services, and helping with English Conversation Classes.
When we finished talking and at 5 PM, we began our travels back to SFU campus for another service at The Point. After the service, most of the group headed back to PLBC while the rest of us, including the Louisiana team and members from The Point, headed out for a night of sushi.
Scott, a student as SFU one of The Point members, sat at our table to help us order. Most of us, besides Laura, were new to sushi and had no idea where to begin. I found I really enjoy eating sushi, but am not partial to tuna or salmon.
Near the end of the night we were all stuffed but still had food to eat. We were told that we had to pay extra for the food we didn’t finish. The restaurant did this to discourage the wasting of food. So we stuffed ourselves.
At one point Laura and I began to tackle some kind of weird soup. I slurped the noodles into my mouth and soon found that I didn’t like them. I had no place to spit them out, so I pushed on and almost throwing up in the process.
I didn’t feel all that well after consuming those noodles. I was told I was very pale and looked horrible. That pretty much reflected how I felt for the rest of the evening. After paying, we rushed outside to catch our bus to the SkyTrain Station. However, we missed it by a few minutes and Kelly drove us down a short way to catch it so he could go back to the restaurant and ferry everyone else to the station.
Kelly managed to get 2/3 of us to the station before we had to board. It was late and also the last SkyTrain running for the evening. The other third of our group had were in a friend’s car that was blocked in by cars in the parking lot and therefore had to be driven back to PLBC by Kelly.
When we arrived at King George SkyTrain Station, Paul, the Sikh expert and father of Kelly’s daughter’s boyfriend, met us to take the rest of us to PLBC. We arrived back at our lodgings at approximately 1:45 AM and soon all headed to bed knowing that we didn’t have to begin our next day’s work until 11 AM.
While bouncing along with the bus and minding our own business, we suddenly heard a voice over the bus intercom system. The bus driver greeted us as Theology students and then began a lighthearted quizzing of the Bible. Needless to say, we were all pleasantly surprised and I do believe he became our favorite bus driver of the trip! He reminded us to “love one another” and bid us a friendly farewell as we exited the bus.
Once we arrived on the SFU campus, we met up with Kelly and his family. The worship service was located in one of the lecture halls in one of the many buildings of SFU. We were introduced to an array of people, some being from The Point and others a part of the recently arrived 9 member mission team from Louisiana.
Church began around 11 AM with music led by two SFU students and a message from their pastor, Victor, on how to live everyday missionally (mission minded and hearted). Some of our group put together a sketch portraying how without God, love means nothing even to those that are hurting and searching. It was very heart wrenching and spoke to many people.
After the service, we packed up our things and the church equipment and took it to the Interfaith Centre Office in another of the SFU buildings. Once finished, we began our trek to Burnaby Mountain Park where we would eat our lunch and spend our afternoon.
The spot in the park where we settled overlooked both the city and the mountains. It was absolutely gorgeous. Some people began playing games such as Big Booty (a concentration game) or ultimate frisbee after eating. Laura and I set off to explore more of the park.
Neither words nor photographs can describe the grandeur of the view we witnessed or the awe of God we experienced while exploring. Mountain springs filled with fresh water from melted snow raced down the fir tree covered mountains sides into the low valleys and rivers below. Distant mountains appeared hazy as if shrouded by clouds and mist and the closer snow capped peaks poked mightily into the sky.
Around 3 PM I went with Kelly and Jeanne to their home (which is practically on the SFU campus) in order to talk with him about the possibility of returning as a student missionary in the near future. We talked with Yun Seon Choi, the planter of the Korean Church Place of Loving People and another member of her church for several hours. If I were to come back next summer, I would spend my time working with the PLP, being involved in their church services, and helping with English Conversation Classes.
When we finished talking and at 5 PM, we began our travels back to SFU campus for another service at The Point. After the service, most of the group headed back to PLBC while the rest of us, including the Louisiana team and members from The Point, headed out for a night of sushi.
Scott, a student as SFU one of The Point members, sat at our table to help us order. Most of us, besides Laura, were new to sushi and had no idea where to begin. I found I really enjoy eating sushi, but am not partial to tuna or salmon.
Near the end of the night we were all stuffed but still had food to eat. We were told that we had to pay extra for the food we didn’t finish. The restaurant did this to discourage the wasting of food. So we stuffed ourselves.
At one point Laura and I began to tackle some kind of weird soup. I slurped the noodles into my mouth and soon found that I didn’t like them. I had no place to spit them out, so I pushed on and almost throwing up in the process.
I didn’t feel all that well after consuming those noodles. I was told I was very pale and looked horrible. That pretty much reflected how I felt for the rest of the evening. After paying, we rushed outside to catch our bus to the SkyTrain Station. However, we missed it by a few minutes and Kelly drove us down a short way to catch it so he could go back to the restaurant and ferry everyone else to the station.
Kelly managed to get 2/3 of us to the station before we had to board. It was late and also the last SkyTrain running for the evening. The other third of our group had were in a friend’s car that was blocked in by cars in the parking lot and therefore had to be driven back to PLBC by Kelly.
When we arrived at King George SkyTrain Station, Paul, the Sikh expert and father of Kelly’s daughter’s boyfriend, met us to take the rest of us to PLBC. We arrived back at our lodgings at approximately 1:45 AM and soon all headed to bed knowing that we didn’t have to begin our next day’s work until 11 AM.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Saturday May 29, 2010
Friday night we decided that we wanted to go to the beach no matter the weather. So Saturday morning when the sky was grey and the clouds were spitting a light mist, we held to our decision.
We began our trip to the beach front near UBC around 10:30 AM. We took a bus, then another bus, the SkyTrain, the Canada Line, the Canada Line again (we went too far and we had to back track), then another bus, and finally walked a mile or two to a huge flight of slippery stairs that led down the beach.
The view was breath taking. The water seemed to stretch on for forever and it was almost impossible to distinguish the sky from the water due to the almost matching shades of grey. The sand was littered with rocks, shells, and a few scattered crab legs. Many of us began our visit by searching for seashells to take home as souvenirs.
After a while, I climbed upon a huge pile of rocks, each covered with tiny black mussels and seaweed, to obtain a better view of our surroundings. Shortly after, I heard Liesl exclaim that she noticed something swimming in the water. My focus turned in the direction she pointed and I saw the water swirling as if something has recently submerged.
I made my way closer to Brett, who was also standing on the rocks at the edge of the water. We waited patiently for the appearance of this creature while the others, still on beach, tried to figure out what it may be. After its second appearance, we decided it must be a seal. This brought about excitement and the furious snapping of pictures each time that the seal broke the surface of the still water.
Eventually we noticed that the sightings were becoming closer in distance and closer in time to the point that we realized there must be more than one seal. At one point, they both (we think they were mates) broke the surface at the same time. We spent the majority of our time in awe of these two wild, yet curious, creatures. We all felt extremely blessed to have witnessed the seals in their own habitat.
We spent a few great hours at the beach and after realizing we were cold and hungry, we began the daunting climb to the top. I’m not sure about the others, but the stairs made me realize how out of shape I really am. Once at the top, we noticed a sign that said seals are often found eating and sun bathing on the beach and not to disturb them in their activities.
We made our way back to the bus stop, boarded the bus, and stopped in town to do a bit of looking around, possible shopping, and using the washroom. Most of the stores were either expensive or closing down for the evening, so we soon made our way back to the Canada Line and SkyTrain where we ate our supper.
We began our trip to the beach front near UBC around 10:30 AM. We took a bus, then another bus, the SkyTrain, the Canada Line, the Canada Line again (we went too far and we had to back track), then another bus, and finally walked a mile or two to a huge flight of slippery stairs that led down the beach.
The view was breath taking. The water seemed to stretch on for forever and it was almost impossible to distinguish the sky from the water due to the almost matching shades of grey. The sand was littered with rocks, shells, and a few scattered crab legs. Many of us began our visit by searching for seashells to take home as souvenirs.
After a while, I climbed upon a huge pile of rocks, each covered with tiny black mussels and seaweed, to obtain a better view of our surroundings. Shortly after, I heard Liesl exclaim that she noticed something swimming in the water. My focus turned in the direction she pointed and I saw the water swirling as if something has recently submerged.
I made my way closer to Brett, who was also standing on the rocks at the edge of the water. We waited patiently for the appearance of this creature while the others, still on beach, tried to figure out what it may be. After its second appearance, we decided it must be a seal. This brought about excitement and the furious snapping of pictures each time that the seal broke the surface of the still water.
Eventually we noticed that the sightings were becoming closer in distance and closer in time to the point that we realized there must be more than one seal. At one point, they both (we think they were mates) broke the surface at the same time. We spent the majority of our time in awe of these two wild, yet curious, creatures. We all felt extremely blessed to have witnessed the seals in their own habitat.
We spent a few great hours at the beach and after realizing we were cold and hungry, we began the daunting climb to the top. I’m not sure about the others, but the stairs made me realize how out of shape I really am. Once at the top, we noticed a sign that said seals are often found eating and sun bathing on the beach and not to disturb them in their activities.
We made our way back to the bus stop, boarded the bus, and stopped in town to do a bit of looking around, possible shopping, and using the washroom. Most of the stores were either expensive or closing down for the evening, so we soon made our way back to the Canada Line and SkyTrain where we ate our supper.
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