I am alive and well!

Sorry for the big pause in my blogging. It's pretty busy here and I am not used to working into my schedule days in advance when I can check my email...
I am so blessed to be where I am. I can say with all honesty and integrity that I love being here. I feel "at home". I wasn't really expecting to feel those sentiments, but it is a gift.
I can't talk long, but a few thoughts...
I am living in a shady hotel/brothel, and despite the fact that there are sex trade workers on each floor (breaks my heart, but I am slowing building relationships) and that I see numerous needles and crack pipes daily in the halls, I know that God is here. I can see Him working. Praise God.
I am also learning about letting go and allowing Godito be my Healer, and Comforter.
I love living in community.
On saturday I met a woman, Marlee, who lives in the Empress (another hotel down here where my brother lived last year). She looks like a walking skeleton from her addiction to meth. I offered to get her some food, and when I brought it to her room it my heart ached as I saw her going for another hit as I was leaving. I was able to go down the hall to 705, to pray with friends and feel open enough to cry with them.

I will write again soon, but thanks for all of your prayers. They are GREATLY appreciated.
Please continue to pray for endurance (it gets very tiresome) and for protection - particularily for my dreams. Many nightmares... Be blessed!

Just your ordinary, everyday family...

Bill and the Raven

Our session, called "the HOLY" (yes, it's a high calling) went on our first prayer walk yesterday. I was partnered up with a great young woman named, Olivia. We stopped at this corner to pray, and I was searching for this story in my bible about ravens. I knew it was in Kings somewhere, and I was looking it up because I believed that God was saying that blessings will come from unexpected places.
While I was shuffeling through the pages, this homeless man came up to us and said "God bless you!" then he quickly added "I could tell you were Christians from abuot a block away because there was a light shinning around you".
God's timing is amazing.
I found the passage (1 Kings 17:6) about the blessings for Elijah from the ravens who brought him food. Ravens are also notorious for being dirty, yet still blessed Elijah incredibly. This man, who's name is Bill, was such a blessing to me yesterday. I love it when God confirms things in your life. It's like a pat on the back or a thumbs up.
I was smiling the rest of the afternoon.

I've arrived!

I am here in Vancouver in the Downtown Eastside. Yesterday was one of the longest days of my life, being up for about 24 hours. Woohoo!
I had an interesting flight yesterday. About an hour into it we had our trays down and I had an aisle seat. The guy next to me wanted to use the washroom, and I held my tongue (not asking him to wait until they clear our trays). I was trying to balance my cup of coffee and tray in my hand and when the tray went up, I lost my balance and poured half a cup of coffee directly into my lap. Oh my. I was litterally sitting in a pool of coffee for the rest of the 5 hour flight. Yessssssss. Dan (who was flying with me) found it quite amusing.
I was given my living space for the year in the Belmoral hotel. Apparently it is the sketchiest slum hotel in the Downtown Eastside. There is one toilet per floor and one shower on every other floor. The shower is not working at the moment, so I might have to take a shower fast for a couple of days. Yummy.
My classes don't actually kick off until Monday, so yesterday and today are pretty much just to relax a bit. I found out this morning that we might have bed bugs, so I dont know how much relaxing I'll do tonight. We have killed some bugs that look like cockroaches, but that are filled with blood...interesting. If they are there, then we have to throw away our one and only dresser where we are keeping our clothes. Oh well, there are worse things.
There seems to be many nice people here. Hopefully once classes start i'll be able to get to know them better. There are only a few in culture shock from this shady area of town. Everything is out in the open - the drugs, prostiution, desparity... There are 10,000 users within the 8 block radius.
Surprisingly, (or not), I am not too bothered by it. I think the real challenge will be to not simply 'tollerate' the living conditions, but to actively make a difference. I could live this year roughing it out, but if I never really reach out and talk to my neighbours, then what's the point of doing what I am doing?
Just some thoughts...

PS - Montreal, I miss you :(

Some photos...

Here are a few photos that I took last week of my buddies.
Enjoy....


Mr. Matt Rawlins...come on


Yes, it is THE Phil Marriot


The irreplaceable Juwa (love you!)


Pops and Kirk (Kirk, I miss you dude)


Mr. Posh (aka Dan White)


Chris and Phil (I just want to say that I love this shot)

catch up

So yeah....
It's been a while. Things are good for me at the moment. I had an amazing time at national this past week. Met a lot of cool new people, caught up with some old friends and dug deeper into the Word of God and into mission.

On Saturday I take the plunge - leaving for the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver to work alongside the Salvation Army, living with the poor. I'll do my best to keep you posted.

I will need some prayers - For safety. For finaces to get sorted out. For endurance. For my new team.

Blessings in His Name,