Gander, NL - Week 1 Complete

Well, I have survived my first week. No survival techniques required in fact... From my perspective, there are 3 things worth highlighting as I reflect back on the first week.

1) SUNDAYS!

WoW! Busy day for clergy. I knew it would be, but I didn't really know it, you know!?!?! I still don't fully know it because the buck doesn't stop with me. But let me give you the schedule for my first Sunday in Gander...

10:00 am - leave for the Corps

11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Morning Meeting

1:00 pm - grab a quick bit to eat while visiting with Captain Shari who surprised Captain Pam with a visit

2:10 pm - head back to the Corps

2:30 pm - first baby dedication of the day

3:30 pm - second baby dedication of the day

4:20 pm - arrive back at the Quarters to grab a quick rest, unless your name is Joyce and you decide to rework the testimony you are giving that evening...

5:45 pm - leave to set up for the service

6:30 pm - Open Air / Drive-up (yes, you heard right) Service

8:10 pm - go for a run around Cobb's Lake

9:35 pm - pick up pizza for supper & pig out - and I mean borderline gluttony on my part!

Moral of this story: go to bed at a decent hour on Saturday night and consider taking Monday off. In spite of the busy-ness, or perhaps because of it, it was a great day where I could see ministry in action - non-stop action;).

2) A DAY OF ALL ME?

Interesting to wake up in a morning and have no plans. The Pinksens were all busy, I basically

know nobody else in Gander yet

(at least not well enough to call), so I awoke with a strange sensation - nothing to do, no one to call and make plans with. Yes, an odd feeling indeed. What did I do? Very difficult to say where the day went, but I got in a run, a long walk exploring the town, ran some errands, ate some food, tidied up my apartment. I wouldn't want that experience of a day wide open in front of me very often, but I think it is exactly what God was talking about when he offered us the gift of Sabbath. And I did enjoy it.

3) GANDER & GODERICH CONNECTION

Beware for the planning portion of today's blog. You know the expression, "Big fish in a small sea"? Well, this also applies to communities. It is an interesting phenomenon the way that small towns become the centre of the universe because they are the biggest place for miles (or hours) around. They give themselves fancy titles like being the "regional retail market centre" (you're most welcome for some planning jargon there). Translation: they acknowledge the reality of what that means, "We have a Wal-mart!" And let me tell you, that has to be the #1 thing that people have said to me when they found out my summer destination was Gander, "they have a Wal-mart you know?" Similarly, when people would talk to me about my hometown of Goderich if they lived within a 60 minute radius, "I go into Goderich for the Wal-mart," or perhaps for the Canadian Tire!!! It is funny that is the conversation I have with so many considering I experience actual physical pain when Wal-mart is discussed as the measure of what makes a good community.

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking this place that I am calling home for the summer - more noting that I have been surprised by the similarities between the 2 G-towns that I have had the privilege, yes privilege, to call home. I mean,... they have a Wal-mart you know!?!?!?

Gander, NL - Days 2 - 4

So much to say since my first day here (and post), so rather than bore you with the details, let me share in a few of the highlights...

- SUN! We have enjoyed some nice weather so far.

We did have aday of rain, but other than that, the comments around town have been what unusually lovely & warm weather we are having. I am making every effort to enjoy it while it lasts. Which has included more runs around my new face spot, Cobb's Pond, and whic

h included a walking adventure around the Town today (that ended with a $1 McD's pop as a treat:).

- FLOWERS! I had an unexpected surprise arrive at the door when I was about to head back to the office after lunch on Friday... a gorgeous bouquet of flowers courtesy of my 'beau'.

Apparently it pays to call him on the challenge of his claims of being romantic. I ask you, what is it about flowers that keeps you smiling for an entire day? But it does. Strange phenomenon indeed. Very impressive that: (1) he pulled off a surprise, and (2) that it was tim

ed perfectly so that I was still home when they arrived (oh, and obviously brownie points because the bouquet was full of pink flowers). Good job Joshua!

- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! This week I have witnessed love in all forms. I have heard of the intensity with which a mother loves her children and the way she will do *anything* to protect them...

I see the way Christians will make sacrifices for their faith and to serve God...

I watched a couple renew their vows where it was clear through the tears and intensity of emotion that their love for one another was deeper and stronger and more real than on their wedding day... And as I was surrounded by thousands of Salvationists in St. John's Mile One, people's love for The Salvation Army was clear. What came through all of these experiences was Christ's unconditional love for us and that he gives us glimpses of his perfect love through our imperfect selves.

I think I should end there, but my final remarks for this post are only to say that I have a real sense of peace here. I know that things may become more chaotic as the summer progresses, and that on any given day I may not accomplish anything I intended, but here is what I do know... I am doing what God has called me to do - and there is no greater joy or nothing that should give us greater peace than that.

Gander, NL - Day 1

"Here I am. This is me. There is nowhere else on earth I would rather be." - Spirit (Disney Movie)

Life is good and I dove right in my first day on my summer assignment in Gander, Newfoundland. What wonderful people the officers are who I am working with:).

We left for the Corps at 8:30 am after my first of what I trust will be many good night's rests, and I was feeling very proud of myself as I had the opportunity to eat a good breakfast while I sat and did my morning devotional (rather than the typical running around like a chicken with my head cut off...).

Tim Horton's seems to be part of the ritual of the officers day and I am a-ok with that:)...

Once this important stop had been made,

I toured the Corps, a nice modern building, and then we did a general intro and went over some administrative and financial things to do with the Corps. Captain Cory and I visited my new friends at Family Services and the Thrift Store before the day was out, and we also toured the former DHQ building which is on the Corps property where both ministries are moving into following some renovations. I am excited about all that is taking place in this community!

Following a lunch in my sweet little apartment, Captain Pam and I did some hospital visitation in the afternoon, and this seems to be a significant part of the ministry that takes place here. I enjoyed dinner with the family - yummy BBQ - and then we headed out (tunic on, hat in hand) to load up chairs and speakers for the Ecumenical Flower Service happening at two cemeteries.

It was a really lovely liturgical service but aside from the 125 - 150 people in attendance, there were some highly unwelcome visitors - Newfies call them flies, I call them mosquitoes.

It TRULY was "Mosquito City"! Me and my British blood - these things were vicious and my poor legs got mangled with bites. DEET just didn't meet the match of these blood suckers:(. Youza!?!?!

Anyway, my first day ended on a great note where Captain Pam and I went for a run around what is called Cobb's Pond - about a 3 1/2 km boardwalk around a small lake close to the Quarters. I am hopeful this is a sign of things to come where I am back in the running game.

Final Thoughts for the Day: Life is good. God is good. And I am excited about what is in store for the days and weeks to come.