40,346 kms & 40 days later...

An unbelievable experience to say the least... I'm feeling blessed & inspired with more than a bit of jet lag:)

Our adventure began Sunday, October 30th. We attended our church service & then took off

immediately for the Edmonton airport. We travelled to Cancun, Mexico & enjoyed a week there before our kids (Ken, Corrie & Simpson) arrived to share 10 days with us. Special times for grandparents to cuddle that little guy & enjoy our kids. We checked out the ruins, snorkelled, shopped & dined in fun family times. Simpson's many smiles got him much attention along the way. Marcy, Kelly & the boys embarked on a cruise on the other side of Mexico. So we all enjoyed some tropical fun in the sun!!

Then back to Vancouver to meet a women's travel & work team & begin adventure #2. WOW!! Maybe that says it all. We met (most for the first time) & set out for 12 days of travel half way around the world. Three flights later, we arrived at our destination in SE Asia for times ever so special. We met workers & caregivers... true servants with humble hearts eager to make a difference. They invited us into their work, families & homes as they shared from their hearts. Opportunities to work alongside, pray alongside & meet many from a culture far away were humbling & inspiring. Gratefulness was a common theme; as was their hard work ethic. They cared for & helped us as we tried to keep up:) In intense heat, we laboured together. In meeting rooms, we played, worshipped & prayed together. We heard young gal's stories that were more than anyone should ever experience, but their life story didn't end there. They shared hope with thankful hearts for new opportunities. Easy... never... but hope is such a good & encouraging word. They felt safe & realized God could bring good even from a hurtful past.

Our time with workers & their families made us even more aware of the sacrifice (at least in our eyes)... never in theirs. We were able to share times of encouragement & pray together. We realized afresh what a special gift encouragement is!! We visited 2 schools & enjoyed fun times with students & talk times with staff. We were called the 9 Canadian ladies... & laughed with their abbreviation to the 'CLs'. We witnessed denominations & nationalities come together & see God's gifting to equip workers to do His work.

We're told most people will only want the 3 min version of our stories... a few will listen to us for 5 min & an even fewer number will give their attention to the 15 min story of our travels. We're not listing details in print, but would love to share pics & talk for whatever minute version of our travels you might like to hear. I brought back a few pieces of great jewelry... created by the gals we went to visit. Each sale provides meaningful work opportunities for young women & nurtures that hope which shows people care. People who are far away, who seem to have much but want to make a difference. People who understand God's heart & His Word telling us to care for the oppressed... So my feeling is now one of thankfulness for the opportunity to see first hand what God is doing in hearts & lives a half of world away.

Oh yes, & for those who knew my concern about travelling with a different (U.S.) passport from my team. One week before taking off, my new Canadian passport arrived in the mail. It now has some amazing stamps to document my journey... all in His time, eh!!

There is so much more to do... I understand now more how to pray. There's also a huge task in our own country to pray & work toward. You can check out: www.defenddignity.ca to see how to become a partner to catalyst change here.

Blessings as you listen to God's voice & follow His direction in whatever way He is leading you... exciting times it is, but then His work always is!!!!!