TRANSITIONING
Although it still seems surreal at times, I have safely arrived back on Canadian soil, and have felt so loved and cared for from the very moment I stepped off the plane at Pearson airport. The incredibly warm “welcome home” greetings, encouragement, genuine interest, excitement, and generosity have certainly helped buffer the inevitable sadness of saying goodbye […]
VIDEO UPDATE: Final Goodbye from Village
It has been a bitter-sweet few days…many goodbyes have been said and many more are still to come. But, in the weeks to come, knowing I will get to see my family and friends back on Canadian soil has softened the blow. When we slept over in the village a few nights ago I quickly recorded this […]
WHEN THE WORDS MAY BE YOUR LAST.
In a couple of hours we are heading to the Gypsy village we visit most regularly for a sleepover, returning Sunday. My team leaders are back in country and we will have 3 visitors also joining us for the two days. We are looking forward to this time with our Gypsy friends, and will likely […]
Making MUD BRICKS.
Below I posted a few shots I captured from a few days ago when I was helping a local friend’s nephew make mud bricks for a home he is building in a nearby village. He saves hundreds of dollars making his own bricks, and quite honestly, could not afford to do it any other way. […]
VIDEO Update from the Village
Although we usually do not visit the gypsy villages on the weekend (unless we’re sleeping over, of course!), today we changed things up and decided to visit a few families there. We likely won’t be visiting this coming Monday, so we were thankful to get a visit in today. Today, as we were on our way […]
CHANGING SEASONS
Although each passing day brings a few more moments of sunlight and the birds start singing just a few moments earlier each morning, the days seem to be getting shorter and passing by all too quickly. Perhaps this is because the reality of me returning home in less than two months has begun setting in. […]
VILLAGE AFTER VILLAGE…lost.
I have recently returned from spending six days on the other side of the country – an 18 hour car ride there, and a one hour flight back. I think it was the most beautiful drive I have ever been on, as this region boasts of some of the most incredible mountains. Yet, as striking […]
THE GYPSIES 7 MONTHS LATER…
In many ways, it feels as though it was only yesterday I was learning my first words in the local language, the various modes of transportation and their routes, and navigating the many cultural differences. But, when thinking month-by-month about the many things I have learned and all the things the Lord has done, it […]
A FOLLOW UP TO LISTENING…PRAYER
Last week, Pastor Robbie, from Harvest Oakville, preached on persevering prayer from the book of Luke. He started the sermon with this quote by E.M. Bounds, “Nothing distinguishes the children of God so clearly and strongly as prayer. It is the one infallible mark and test of being a Christian.” This quote alone rocked me, and […]
LEARNING TO LISTEN
A good portion of my time here, especially in the early months, has been spent listening. Often, listening was my only option, as my ability to speak the language was minimal, at best. Perhaps “forced listening” is a better was to describe it. Initially, I understood very little, but by God’s grace alone, my understanding has […]