Rainbow Promises

It's 45 minutes before our 20th Anniversary celebration service begins. Our 'outdoor' service is now 'indoors' because of threatening rain. All week it has been sunny and hot, and then overnight the temperature drops, clouds come in, and I wake up to the sound of rain drops falling on the leaves. I looked out my bedroom window, and although there was some sun trying to show itself, the cloud cover was huge. I knew what to pray - "Lord, if everything stays as it is, we'll be moving indoors for our service. Regardless, thank for you this day and for the rain. Both come from you and they are a blessing. However this day may end up unfolding, your name rises above it."

I went into the bathroom and was drawn to look out that window...and as I did, I saw the most beautiful rainbow in the western sky. It felt like I had been given the most wonderful gift. A promise that the rain would stop? No - something better. A promise of God's unfailing love towards his people in this life and in the life to come. Life is good!

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Teaching Old Dogs

I like to convince myself of two things - one, that I'll never become like the rickety old people who will never change. And two, that I can embrace different methods of communication. At our staff meeting, Rob dropped the 'blog question', and of course for those of us who have maybe made 2 or 3 posts, we winced and said, "Yeh...it's a great idea." Which led to the next question - "So how do I get you guys to commit?" That's when I felt the encroachment of the 'rickety' stage and that maybe I'm not all that willing to change with the times. But I refuse to accept that - and this post proves it! I may be an old-er dog, but I can run with the best of them!

Kindergarten and the demise of the healthy family?

I wanted to pass along and begin I suppose some discussion around what the Ontario Government is planning in terms of full time Jk and Sk. It is a discussion that for me is personal in that it will affect my kids. And so you know I can't fathom how my kids would survive full time school at 4 years.

What is clear is that there are a lot of good economic reasons for it. Parents can go back to work, make more money and therefore be able to provide ($) for their kids. BUT, since when is money the only thing? Well, it isn't and I don't think anyone would think that it was. What are the repricussions in the family?

You can hear a great discussion on the cbc the current involving the government education ministers, the author of a report called 'our best future' (a little scary) and a guy who has studied this issue internationally. One interesting thing he says is, ' yes there are economic gains, yes it pays for itself, but in countries that implement full time daycare, and jk, the social repercussions are significant. His major concern is 'attachment' issues that children suffer, and stress.

I wonder personally, what involvment the church can have in modelling something different?

cheers

The Purpose of Paperwork

Last Saturday I went into work to try to catch up after a week's vacation. I spent the first 15 minutes crying out to God about howdisorganized my mind felt, how behind I was and was I even doing what I was supposed to be doing. There came a knock on themain door and there stood a man and his wife (I'll call them P & R).

They were looking for a pastor. My "I'm not really a pastor" shield went up and I started to tell them there was no one here today. I asked them what they wanted and they just wanted someone to talk toabout their kids, their marriage, their lives. My shield came down, and I invited them in and we sat together for an hour. They shared, their fears,
frustrations, and their sense of hopelessness.

They have four children ages 12, 10, 8 and 1. All are in foster care. F & CS has told this couple
that there is nothing they can do to get them back. P & R had been walking around the neighbourhood this morning trying to figure out what to do because their kids are with them for 7 days and they have no food to feed them and no money to buy any. "I am frightened" said P. During our time together I asked a few questions but mainly listened, which as it turned out, is what they needed me to do, then I took them to the grocery store and
drove them home.

I pondered this encounter as I drove back to the office and a realization came over me - "I don't have to try and fix this situation. I did what I was asked and that is enough." (a friend later reminded me that Jesus asked us to give a cup of water to some one in need, not to go and
build them a well.)I came back to the office and started into my paper work with a lighter heart. About three hours later there was a knock on the main door. Standing outside were two men, a woman, and four kids. They were from the neighbourhood BBQ, Ken & Pam and Keith. and
had come to see the property.Their kids had to go to the bathroom so they all trooped in and we talked for a while.

They had had a great time at the BBQ, in fact Ken had helped Steve do the cooking.Keith, a single dad on disability who had custody of his three kids, would like to come and volunteer
on the property.I told them all about Kids Club and I'm sure their kids will come. They are all looking forward to coming on June 28th. It was a great encounter.After they left I went back to my office, "Wow God, this is why I do paperwork, so I'm here when You need me."

Perhaps I should work more Saturdays........

Hospitality

I thought I would share some photos Terry Black sent me. They are pictures of his hosting of the Tour de Grand pitstop...1000 people showed up at his door. CRAZY!!

It reminds me that we all have our own capacity for hospitality......Terry's happens to be 1000.

What is yours?

Ngage - FunFoodFrenzy!

We decided to have a night at Ngage that was just a fun night hanging out together. We played games and cooked food over the fire and the kids left with some goodies to get them through the craziness of exams. It was a great night! Check out some of the pics.


It began as a peaceful evening...

Rob was ready with some games...

Then David Rae showed up...

Followed by others...

And they were off!

This is their version of hacky-sack... it's like extreme hacky-sack.

I don't really get it...

I think if you miss the ball it becomes free game and...

they fight for it and then whip it at each other... They enjoy it!

Hanging out in the parking lot.

The game was Pirates and Tea Bag Traders. Very similar to capture the flag, though much shorter and in a smaller area. The goal was for the TBT's to get there tea bags from the boat to their port... without being captured by the Pirates.

Isaac Maw

Great imagination...

Gotta love him. lol

And the game began.

Amanda K...

Nabbed her tea bags from Jesse B.

Hostages... Sally's not too upset about it.

Tim's quick...

David S... just can't get him.

4th time in jail begins to weigh on Sally E. and Alyssa G.

Bethany Wilson was the Pirates speedster... she plays rugby.

Two games definitely worked up the kids appetites.

Hamburgers and hotdogs roasted over the fire... yuummm.

Chillin' around the fire.

David V. Nevin W. Sally E.

Hangin' Out

David V. Davy V. Amanda K.... Check out Rob in the back making faces for the camera!

We made exam packs for the youth filled with candies, chocolate, a stress ball, prayer, study tips, etc. They really seemed to enjoy them, it was great!

They just couldn't wait to eat the goodies inside the packs.