vancouver cont'd

Out the window my two young cousins play in the sprinkler as my uncle watches, getting them wet with the ol' pinch the hose trick. The innocence of youth is a great thing, especially when you can create a few laughs as a result. This is our weekend off. It's a chance for me to hang out with my family in the city and a break from the intense city exploration Susana described in the previous post.

Sunday we went on a city churches tour. It was surprisingly moving. The first church, St. James was a mid-to-high Anglican service, with smells and bells, but a low altar (if that means anything to any of you). I grew up Anglican, and so it was familiar. Even the scent of the woman behind me was like how my Granny used to smell. It was a nice taste of home, and encouraging to see some life in an Anglican church, one trying (in it's own way) to make a difference in the downtown community.

The second stop was a Native mission church on Hastings at Main. This was moving in a different way. The nine of us more than doubled the whole church, which looked out into the alley behind the Carnegie Centre at the infamous Vancouver intersection. We watched, singing songs of praise led by the sounds of a single guitar, as people outside talked and milled about making deals behind the dumpster. Tears began to flow from my eyes as I watched a man try for what felt like hours to inject desperately desired herione into a hard to find vein. The contrast was almost too much. How can we sing our songs praising God when the earth he created has so much pain still in it? How can I even believe that God is present in such a place? I didn't have the answers.

Third, an afternoon Jazz vespers service at the United church downtown. I will be honest, it upset me. It didn't seem to get God. It was empty. It was a new age feel-good session with a plastic-faced woman singing mediocre jazz songs and "messages" that didn't speak to me at all. I didn't feel a single pang of guilt about passing along the offering basket.

The last service was at a Baptist community church just off Commercial Drive. Every church has its quirks, but this one seemed to get it right in important ways. It was less of a navel-gazing church and it smacked of good community and a sensitivity to the world outside. And there were young people -- a good sign.

Tomorrow we embark on another adventure: 48 hours on the streets. Stay tuned...

Vancouver

Sorry about the long absence of a post, but I haven't had access to a computer for a week. This week finds me in beautiful BC, in the fair city of Vancouver. As you can see I find it very beautiful. I'm here learning about city ministry. Something i'm super curious about. And it has been good. I find myself overwhelmed about this particular city but really excited to take this stuff back to Halifax. We are spending our time engaging different parts of the city, such as the marginilized area, the marketplace, and the inbetween. One thing I keep learning is how much city's are not a place of community often and that alot of the city's problems arise from that. So, it would be good if people were more interested in getting to know there neighbors, and more important people outside of their spheres. Anyway, I have one more week to think about the and examine it further and see what else God desires for me to see. I'm now about to go on a long hike.

Writting

OK, I would like to introduce you to my blogging process. Ussually, I feel a need to blog, but I don't know what I will blog about. So, I just start writting and something alway's comes to me. Obviously, I'm telling you this because nothing come to me at this moment.
Cheers!

Something Better to say

OK, I was just kidding. I have something better to say than in the blog that appears before this one.
So, I have been spending my week in Manitoba. A great place to be. In Manitoba when spring comes around it goes all out. You get +20 everyday. And the sun shines. It's very beautiful. And I get to spend time with my family. Also so fantastic as my family is so wonderful. Seriously, it is so wonderful to have a family that is great to hang out with and that loves you. I would hate to be in a family that I did not want to spend time with. That would suck. So, Yeah, my life is awesome.
And I got to spend time with some of my friends and tomorow, I'm going to have a birthday party. This is the second one this week and the third one this year. That's pretty cool.
And I love my life.

Maybe you can notice from this post and some others that I like extremes. One day, I will write about how much life sucks and today I love it. And the places I love are extremes and oposites. I believe I may just be crazy. But, there are worst things to be.

Coffee incident: What really happened!

So, yesterday being Saturday, Zoe came over to do some work with Christy. I was on my way to the market with some students. I came downstairs to have breakfast (which is usually coffee and maybe something else if I'm hungry, and by that I'm conceding that I have one of the worst diets in the world) and I found Zoe and Christy in the Kitchen. There was no coffee, so I made some because what is life without coffee. Soon Wally come in for some coffee too. But since it was not ready, he left his cup and returned to the newspaper. So, when the coffee was ready I decided to be nice, and bring Wally a cup before I poured some for myself. When I came back into the Kitchen, I heard a whimper from Zoe and I saw beautiful coffee, on the counter, on the floor and on Zoe's pants. My first thought was 'Oh No! Wasted coffee, what an injustice!' But I quickly realized there is no use in crying over spilt coffee, and since Zoe was just standing there dazed and dumbfounded, action was required and hence Christy and I grabbed a towel and started to clean up. At this time a dripping Zoe partly came back to reality and decided to help. Like I said, she was dripping, so once again action was required. So, I told her to go upstairs and change. She then proceeded to unbutton her jeans right there in the kitchen. She was still dazed. NOW, there were people around and I don't think they would have appreciated finding her with no pants on. So, once again a reprimand was required and I had to say "Zoe, I said, change upstairs, there are people around." At this moment Christy, who is slightly more compassionate than me, took Zoe upstairs, found her some more Clothes and washed Zoe's clothes for her. Christy is so sweet. So, then I had a cup of coffee, and realized that I'm very selfish and quite mean in regards to coffee, and I should really allow Zoe to have some more and be nicer about spilt coffee, so, on my way out the door, I told Zoe to help herself another cup. I realized this was a risk. By, the way, this may be slightly embellished, and as I write, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee. And Zoe, this has happened to me several times, and hot coffee on pants puts logic out of ones mind. It's worse when it is on your stomach. And I'm glad Zoe had a lovely day!

coffee... a nice warm hug in the morning

When you're standing at the counter, coffee pot and now-empty mug in front of you, and the feeling of something warm and wet is soaking into your pants and your socks, and you can't seem to do anything about it, it's really nice to have friends. It gets even better when they love you enough to not only wipe up the coffee AND do your laundry for you, but even to let you have another cup of their precious coffee. (If you know Susana at all, this is a huge sacrifice.)

Thank you Susana and Christy for taking care of my tired and clutzy self this morning. What would I do without you? I'd be dirty and wet and helpless. (I exaggerate only a little.)

z.

What a day!

It's beautiful in Halifax. It's sunny, clear and such a great day. There is not regular. I went to the market this morning and had lunch on a deck looking out on the harbor and there is absolutely no hope of me getting annoyers done today. When I got home, I just had to sit outside and read (fiction not theology). And now I'm going out to visit a friend who lives on the ocean. Seriously, what more could you ask for. Ok, I thought of one thing. That it would be green outside. The other major highlight of the day is, I had the most delicious grapefruit. If you can find a grapefruit, you to should have one.

Hi!

Hi! It is a sad state on this blog. Sorry for the lack of blogging. Yo esta muy preocupado! But here goes.
So, I see in the paper today that there is a high of like 22 in Winnipeg. I'm so happy for all you people blessed with living in Manitoba. The high for Halifax today is 9, which is not bad, however it is grey and drizzling. But it is not cold and it smells like spring. It is so fresh and delicious, and it doesn't matter in the least that it is grey outside. It just allows a person to relax and glory in freshness.
And now for something besides the weather. The liberal government sucks. Really, Canada sucks for having them in government. We are a country that lets their government screw up and steal money and we really hardly bat an eyebrow. However, nobody expects their government to steal from them so we are excuse for not seeing it coming. However, we should get rid of the liberals. Sorry, but this is so wrong and hurts Canadians that the government should change. OK, I can't believe I wrote something political, but I just finished reading the paper and I couldn't help it.

spring beginning

As I walked home from bible study tonight, the air was thick and wet. It was raining and I could almost taste the spring in the air. It was warm and the wind didn't chill my ears through my wet toque as I am used to. It was so nice so I skipped down the street, thankful that it felt like winter was truly over.

***

Today was the second Sunday of our new church youth group. Alicia, Christy, Sarah and myself percieved a void and wanted start a youth group at our little church. (I say this not to make it sound cute; it's just small. There were two girls in youth group this morning, and they were both the pastor Dan's daughters.)

Two weekends ago the group was kicked off with a wild and adventurous weekend trip a friend's cottage in the Valley. It was a satisfying, invigorating, and tiring weekend. And full. With hauling water, marshmallows, walking in the woods, drama, dancing, girl talk, and Bible study, there was little time for rest.

Of all our adventures, I think my getting us lost and us finding ourselves in Oxford (and almost to New Brunswick) is among the girls' favourite of stories to retell. If you know anything about Nova Scotia geography, this should amuse you greatly.

After worship today we brought the girls into the back room. Amber -- picture hair and freckles fit for her name and a persona that speaks both drama and hilarity -- asked if she could share a song that she had just made up. We agreed, and she sang it for us. It went like this:

"I could eat all the stars in the sky, on a silver platter;
I could drink all the oceans dry, if only I hada bigger bladder."

... okay, so maybe you had to be there. It was hilarious at the time. I won't be surprised or disappointed if the adventurous beginnings of our little group becomes the norm for our Sunday mornings together.

Glorious Sleep

OK, first, I need to apologize for my lack of blogging. Sorry! I'll try to make it up to you! Here goes:
I love being in Bed. There are few things as wonderful as lying in bed. I love soft beds with soft blankets (lots of them). The blankets cannot be heavy or they will put way to much pressure on your toes. My favorite time to be in bed is when it is chilly in the room. Then you can really appreciate the warmth and softness of the bed! And then you can feel gloriously rich and comfortable. In contrast I also love being in bed when it is really hot and all I need is a sheet for a blanket. It's so great to lie and do nothing because it is to hot to do anything. Now, you may question why I felt a need to express this. This represents how I love different things. A huge problem. For example, I love wet, humid, salty, cold and green Halifax (Nova Scotia) really. And I love the desert in Mexico. I love the heat, the dryness, the brown sand ect. Do you see how my heart is torn? Anyway, thankfully we live in a age of technology (yes, I did just admit technology is useful) so I can travel a lot and be in all places that I love.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Today we LQers had a lovely birthday party at the Abarbanel's house. It was actually more like the Mad Hatter's party for two reasons:
1) it was a very un-birthday day: although we were celebrating Sarah's 9th (April 11th), and one for Christy, Susana, Kat and myself, it wasn't anyone's birthday today;
2) It was mad. Always is at the Abarbahome. But in a very good split-your-side-laughing-at-and-with-each-other kind of way. I would love to tell you one funny story but we all promised Dan that we wouldn't. Thank you Sarah for sharing your birthday party with us.

When I got home I watched an episode of the "Band of Brothers." Aside from all the violence it is GREAT. My loving Uncle Paul recommended it to me a while ago, but I didn't ever get the opportunity to watch it until now. (Susana let me borrow it. She borrowed it from her Chinese friend Windel. Thanks Windel.) I have started watching an episode every other night or so, justifying this in part because there is much to learn in it about leadership. (LEADER-Quest)

Anyway, so there are a few of good things that I'd like to share about leadership from the movie:

1) Good leaders are good soldiers. (Though good soldiers don't necessarily make good leaders.) Good leaders must have a good instinct about what to do.

2) A good leader doesn't hesitate. He knows what needs to be done and then he is the first one to do it. Even when it isn't easy.

3) Leaders who don't make decisions are BAD leaders. Like Lieutenant Duke in episode 6: when he gets killed in an attack, the whole company is happy because he really didn't know how to be a soldier anyway. (This may related to the first one.)

4) Good leaders care about the men beneath them. This may be the most important. Captain Winters has the respect and trust of the soldiers not only because he is good at what he does, but because they know that he really cares about what happens to them.

These are just a few that have been flitting in and out of my mind.

g'nite all.
z.

p.s. we are learning things about leadership in the program itself too. but sometimes it's easier to get sound bytes out of something that is not your own life. ask me to synthesize and process this whole experience later please, it's almost 1 am.