Dessert Night and Pictures in Enderby

Wow!  It's so crazy how time really flies by.  I can't believe I've been back in Canada for 2 months now....between working almost every day until the last week of school, catching up with new and old friends, and dealing with all the stuff I've had in storage, life as I know it has been very full.

Before I start rambling on I just wanted to mention two things that I'll be up to in the next couple weeks:

Dessert Night and Pictures in Enderby 

My parents' church in Enderby is hosting a dessert night on July 15th at 7:30pm where I'll be showing pictures and telling stories about my 8 month adventure (probably an hour and a bit).  Would love to see you there....it was so great to be able to do this in Prince George with my friend Josie.  Sharing the experience with those of you who have been following along has been so amazing and is a great way for me to remind myself that I'm not who I was when I left...or maybe I am more fully me than I was then.  Anyway it'll be some delicious food and crazy stories....hope to see you there!  (if you do decide to come maybe just send a quick email/leave a comment or facebook me so that I have an idea about numbers....but if you decide at the last minute, no worries...the more the merrier!).

Vacation Bible School in Enderby

 

My mom and I are helping lead a Vacation Bible School in Enderby in the mornings (9am-noon) July 19-23.  It's for kids aged 5-11 and only costs $10 for the whole week (!!!).  We don't have many registrants as far as I know so if you or someone you know has kids who are interested let us know!

Ok back to rambling....so I have made a decision about where I'm heading over the next few months.  I will be leaving Prince George next week to spend most of the summer with my family in the Okanagan helping out on the farm and of course with the VBS.  Hopefully throwing a few little road trips into the mix.  BUT the big decision was where to go in September. 

I have been praying and seeking answers since before I left Cambodia about what the next step would be for me; what God had for me after seeing and doing all these things overseas.  Although I am willing to walk away from teaching, at this point I feel like I am supposed to be in Prince George this fall working on call (or in a contract if the right one comes up). At the same time, I know that teaching alone will not satisfy the call on my life...so I am looking into some options for Masters programs to see if I can find the right fit (and if a masters is how I want to pursue this dream). 

Today I was reading a book I started reading before I left last summer and I found a piece of paper where I had written down causes that excite me.  I had written down things like environmental change (sustainability and valuing creation), empowering others and helping them to value themselves, simple changes that can make a big difference, and fueling a passion for learning in others.  It's so cool to see how the dreams I have now totally fit with these causes...I guess I haven't strayed that far from who I was then, but now hopefully my strengthened faith will be followed by action!  After all faith without works is dead:

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:16-18

I'm confident that I'll be led where I need to go, but also that pursuing big dreams like this is never easy....however after re-reading the post I made about my Grandpa I am determined to live (and love) like I mean it.  So keep praying for guidance and the determination to not get caught up in complacency.

Oh!  And one more thing....my friend Josie who went to Australia with me and completed the Waves DTS on the Sunshine Coast of Australia has become involved with an organisation called Destiny Rescue which is working to end human trafficking.  Right now I'm supporting her by being part of the 26 Second Challenge and I encourage you to watch the video on YouTube.  She actually worked with this organisation in Mozambique, Africa during her outreach and witnessed the difference they are making. Anyway what really stands out to me is the last minute of the video where there is a little girl who says

"close your eyes...it's still happening"

which just breaks my heart.  So many times in our comfortable lives we choose to close our eyes to the heartbreak and injustice that surrounds us....now maybe human trafficking is not an issue that breaks your heart, but I'm fairly certain there's something out there that just makes your eyes water and your stomach knot, that makes you want to DO something....so my challenge is make a little change that can potentially make a big difference (or else just watch the video on youtube :).

Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZJiY3PjTA

and the link to Destiny Rescue's website:
http://www.destinyrescue.org/26seconds/index.php