BEACH TRIP

This trip has been so CRAZY.

From the wild road trip to the kids running circles around us.

Our first real adventure was the beach trip.
We arrived at the orphanage Saturday night and left Thursday morning for the beach.
    * Just enough time to get settled in one spot.
At 5:00a.m. we piled  all of the children into a big van.
After a long drive, we were in Puerto Vallarta.

We stayed in a rental home from Thursday to Sunday.
Anna and I helped with meals and watched the younger ones.
It was nice to see everyone playing together, having fun!

In addition to swimming in the Pacific ocean, we went whale watching.
How beautiful.
Along with 12 other girls, I got to see these beautiful creatures.
That was an experience I was not expecting.

You would think that a beach trip would be relaxing...
While it was a nice get away, it was not relaxing.
The children have a lot of energy and included us in everything.
We had so much fun playing with the little ones in the pool and on the beach.

 

ORPHANAGE - DAY ONE

We got to the orphanage very late Saturday night.
While we got to meet the children briefly before bed... Sunday was a fresh start.

First, we met the youngest one. She was ready for her morning diaper change.
We are sleeping in the staff bedroom so, we were a part of the morning routine.
The older girls were out for the day so, we went to church with the younger ones.
After a few hours with them, we had their names and could see personality.
It was a great way to start these new relationships.

After church, we spent the afternoon playing with the children.
We watched movies, played volleyball, and learned some Spanish.
What a great way to get to know the little ones.

That was day one... church and chillin' !
Up next... Wild children running circles around us !


* I am very sorry for the limited information.
* We are getting settled into our volunteer schedules.
* I will take time to write more very soon!
* Pictures... I hope...

MEXICO

Our arrival in Mexico was much different than what I had expected.

We crossed the border on Friday.
It was almost too easy.
No questions... nothing!
Although we had to back track to get immigration papers, we were in Mexico.
We were able to see our destination getting closer.

Little did we know, we picked the back roads to get to our first stop.
We followed the narrow, empty roads late into the night.
At one point we were stopped by a group of officials.
    *this would have been scary if we were travelling without God's protection.
In Mexico, they could have been pretending to be officials.
Thankfully, they let us through with no problems.

By 9:00p.m. we were lost in a BIG Mexican city.
After passing multiple "sketchy" hotels, we found a Best Western.
Our prayers had been answered.
June had been driving too long and there was no place to rest.
Once we gave it all to God, a wonderful hotel was placed in our path.
This hotel was one of my favourites.
I have never appreciated a hotel as much as I had that night.
We needed a safe place to rest!

On Saturday, we got back in the van for our final stretch.
Once again, we found ourselves off of the main highway...
    *what were we thinking?
The back roads brought us deep into the mountains.
We passed through many small villages.
    * a wonderful opportunity to recognise the Creator's creation.
After passing through a HUGE city in Mexico, things became familiar for June.
She was home bound.
By 9:00p.m. we were at June's Mexican home.
We stopped for a short break.
At 10:00p.m. we arrived at the orphanage.

We were greeted by a number of beautiful faces.
At the time, we had no idea who these little children were.
The children brought us to our room and went a little crazy.
It was time for bed so, that was the end of that.

In the following days, we would have plenty of time to be with these children.
We would learn who they are and what they have come from.

This experience is going to be challenging yet very rewarding.
A month with go by too quickly.
I hope to embrace each moment joyfully and thankfully.
God has given me yet another opportunity to fly.
To be a part of something much bigger than I could ever imagine.

 

 

ROAD TRIP

On Monday morning we left our homes in Canada.
On Saturday night we arrived at the orphanage.
In total, the trip took 6 days.

We spent one day in Texas so, we were only on the road for 5 days.
There was a large amount of time spent on the road.
Starting early in the morning and stopping late at night.
We became very familiar with June's van.

We were blessed with wonderful sleeping arrangements.
Although we struggled to find them at times, the hotels were always nice.
After a long day of driving, we really appreciated a place to rest.

Our time on the road was crazy to say the least.
We had our share of obstacles.
Driving through busy cities at night, making wrong turns, getting tired...
At the same time, we had a lot of fun.
We would sing, tell stories, and laugh together.

I learned a lot about my travel companions on this trip south.
You sure can learn a lot when you are together non-stop for 5 days.
It is a pretty cool experience.

My Firsts:
*driving for 7 hours straight
*driving in the United States
*eating nachos from Oxxo convenience
... many more

What a great experience!
A road trip from Canada to Mexico.

TEXAS

After a long day of driving, we arrived at a friend's home in Texas.
Believe it or not, I drove for 7 hours straight.
The sun was in my eyes, the darkness quickly filled the skies.
We eventually made it to this beautiful home in Texas.
What an experience.

We had a wonderful evening, full of rest.
Our friend provided us with a nice snack and a warm place to sleep.
She was so kind to us.

She has two very cute dogs.
There names are Ralph and Little Bit.   *how cute*
Anna and I really enjoyed there company!
They brought so much joy to our stay.

We decided to spend one full day in Texas.
While June and her friend went out for the day...
Anna and I stayed back at the house.
We watched the dogs, played cards, and walked to the library.
This was a memorable part of our road trip to Mexico.

We stayed a second night at our friend's house before moving on.
I had so much fun in Texas.
What will be next on this trip south?

 Little Bit + Ralph

 

Texas Y'all

 

 

OUR NEXT ADVENTURE

One months ago I said good-bye to my "Expedition" friends.
Not that we wouldn't see each other again but, things would be different.
The program had finished and we were going our seperate ways.

Little did I know that, one month later, I would be travelling again with Anna.

On Monday, we are leaving for this new adventure.
I continue to pray that we will be able to serve God in each thing that we do.
~Praying for travelling mercies and opportunities to grow.

God has blessed me beyond what I could have imagined.
My trip to Thailand was absolutely AMAZING!
Now, one month later, I am travelling again.

I can't help but compare the two opportunities.
Since I have already been to Thailand, I know that it was an wonderful experience.
Moving on, I don't know if I will ever be able to experience that again.
Thailand was too good to me... This next trip will not even compare.

I was reminded today of Isaiah 43:18 which will help me alot on this journey.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

 

I had it all wrong...
This next trip will not even compare to Thailand?

God gave me this wonderful opportunity.

When I think about the past, I begin to limit His abilities.

He is doing a NEW thing.

Who am I to put limits on the One who created the world.

 

I am ready!

We leave on Monday morning...

It's time to LIVE for the One who DIED for us!

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Another year is over and a new one has just started!

A couple minutes ago, I counted down those final seconds with my family.

We spent the last few hours of 2012 sitting in the living room together.

Simple yet very entertaining!

 

I can't help but wonder what my Thailand friends were doing for the new year.

They reached the count down 12 hours before us!

It is quite possible that they were enjoying 2013 while I patiently waited.

That got me to thinking.

Some people are still waiting for the new year.

This time difference thing is so exciting.

It gets me every time!

 

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great start to this new year!

May you choose to spend your time wisely!

Let worry and fear disappear.

Use this opportunity to reach out, expand your heart, and learn!

While time continues on like usual, the new year symbolises a fresh start.

Now is the time. Start fresh. Be the change that the world needs to see!

 

Personally, I am hoping for a year full of challenge and change.

In 2012 I was blessed with the opportunity to be on an "Expedition" team.

This was the highlight of my year.

Looking back, this was preparation for what is to come.

I will no longer sit back and do nothing.

While I learned a lot on "Expedition," the learning does not stop there.

Living for God should not stop when you leave bible college...

I still have a lot to learn and want to embrace each opportunity to grow.

"Embracing opportunity"...
There is something that I need to tell you!

In January, I will be leaving the country yet again.
Anna and I will be living and working in an orphanage for 1 month!
We will be travelling with a lady that I know from church.
She is a wonderful person!

This opportunity fell from the sky...
We were not expecting to leave so soon after our trip to Thailand.
It is going to be another wild adventure.
At least God knows what He's doing!

I AM VERY EXCITED THAT I AM GOING WITH ANNA!
... I told you our "journey" was not over.

At this point, I am still missing Thailand...
If the flight itself did not take a full day, things might be different!
But...
God is leading me in a different direction and I am prepared to follow.
I will serve Him in everything that I do!
Or, at least that is what I am learning to do. 
I am human... I make mistakes... I try again...

Happy New Year!
Spend your time wisely.
Love God, love others, love yourself!

Updates coming soon...

 



MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 



I hope and trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

 

At this time, I would like to share a small story that I recall each Christmas season.

As we approach 2013, I pray that we would remember our Saviour each and every day!

 

Why Would God Want To Be Like Us?
 

There was once a man who didn’t believe in the spiritual meaning of Christmas, and was skeptical about God. He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in her faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her faith and mocked her religious observance of Christmas.
One snowy Christmas eve she was taking the kids to the Christmas eve service at church. She pleaded with him to come, but he firmly refused. He ridiculed the idea of the incarnation of Christ and dismissed it as nonsense. “Why would God lower himself and become a human like us?! It’s such a ridiculous story!” he said. So she and the children left for church while he stayed home.

After they left, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As he looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window…
and another thump. He looked outside but couldn’t see. So he ventured outside to see. In the field near his house he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese! They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but got caught in the snow storm. The snow had become too blinding and violent for the geese to fly or see their way. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just fluttered their wings and flew around in circles around the field blindly and aimlessly.

He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself,
“The barn would be a great place for them to stay! It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm.” So he walked over to the barn and opened the barn doors for them. He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But they just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. So he started whistling and calling to them… but nothing changed.

He shouted, jumped up and down, waved his arms. They didn’t pay attention. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail leading to the barn. They still didn’t catch on. Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them, run after them, and chase them toward the barn. They only got scared and scattered into every direction except toward the barn.

None of his attempts to get them into the barn succeeded. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety, and shelter; nothing he did could make them enter the one place where they could survive.

Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, “Why don’t they listen to me! Why don’t they follow me! What’s wrong with them! Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm! How can I possibly get them into the one place to save them!” He thought for a moment and realized that they just won’t follow a human. He said to himself, “How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If only I could become like one of them! Then I could show them the way! Then I could save them! They would follow me, not fear me. They would trust me, and I would lead them to safety.”

Suddenly he had an idea. He went into the barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. When he released his goose, it flew through the flock and straight into the safety of the barn. One by one the other geese followed it to safety.

He stood silently for a moment as the words that he just said reverberated back to himself in his mind: “If only I could become like one of them–then I could show them the way–then I could save them.” He thought about his words, and remembered what he said to his wife: “Why would God want to be like us? That’s so ridiculous!”

As the winds and blinding snow abated, his heart became quiet and pondered this experience. Suddenly it all made sense. He knew why Jesus had come. We were like the geese--caught in the storms of life--blind, lost, and perishing. God became like us so He could resue us. Suddenly years of doubt and disbelief were shattered, as he humbly and tearfully bowed down in the snow, and embraced the true meaning of Christmas.

~Author Unknown

Enjoy this wonderful season. May it be filled with love and joy!

What can we do to bring glory to God in 2013?

EXPEDITION IN REVIEW

Expedition.
Journey with a purpose.

On September 6th, I walked into a room full of strangers.
I was scared. I was excited.
It was our first night together and we had no idea what was coming next.
We would be spending 3 FULL months together!
What would that involve?

I want to take a minute to thank my roommate, Anna.
She quickly turned my fear into excitement on that first night.
As I crawled into my bed, I decided that Anna did not like me.
I know this sounds very strange but...
It was decided (by me) that Anna wanted a different roommate.
As I tried to fall asleep that night, I heard Anna say...
" Sam, I'm glad that we're roommates! "
Now, I know this is not the biggest statement but it made a HUGE difference.
Anna's kind voice and warm heart filled that silent room.
I will never forget the difference that she made that night.
I will never forget the positive impact she made each day after that.
Anna, is such a wonderful person and I am so glad that God placed us together.
Our journey together is not over.
Thank you, Anna!

On September 6, 2012...
A weird-o walked into a room full of strangers.
That weird-o who entered the room was me...They wouldn't like me.WRONG
The "Expedition" team changed my life.
These strangers saw potential and loved me for who I was!
They showed me that there are sincere and kind people in this world.
Now I am friends with 11 of those wonderful people!

Our team grew so much over the 3 months together.
I can't even begin to recount everything we did this semester.
From shovelling dirt in Canada to teaching English in Thailand, we did it all!

Quebec          Chicago         Thailand

 

Ontario

 



I am so glad that I was on this year's "Expedition" team.
Looking back, I am amazed at each opportunity that we had.
I can't believe how much we did in such little time.
The program went by way too fast.

Thank you to everyone on "Expedition." (x11)
    * I will keep it short but.. these people changed my life!

    * Emily - I stepped out of my shell because of you... "Silika!" 
    * Sarah - You believed in me! You saw something that others didn't.
    * Anna - I could run to you in times of need!
    * Caleb - You are Dutch!
    * Cail - God brought you from suffering, broke you, and blessed you! "Tank-ish"
    * Lara - "Honesty, sincerity, tendernous, and trust!"
    * Connor - You found my mean side. I even tripped you by accident in Ottawa!
    * Shannon - Speaking words of wisdom. You know how to express ideas!!
    * Luke - Soft spoken, kind, and and very caring!.. "Ninja Son - Nang Jar Seng"
    * Justin - If it wasn't for our seats together on 3/4 flights... I might have been lost!
    * Jaina - You are FILLED with the light of God... Let the whole world see!

Thank you to the leaders of "Expedition." (x3)
    *Our team survived because of these people!

    * Robyn - Where to begin? You are so kind and generous. Always caring for others!
    * Jacob - Leader of team Two! Your sense of humour was always appreciated!
    * Lindsay - "Mama" always took care of her young before herself!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this program.
    * "Expedition" was able to reach and serve people all around the world.

    * Prayer - covered our team through ministry, travel, and spiritual battle!
    * Financial - helped with meal costs, travel costs, and supported the missions!

THANK YOU!
    * I will never forget this experience!
    * I will never forget these wonderful people!
    * I will never forget THAILAND!



SAFE ARRIVAL - CANADA

We are home!
To be in Canada is absolutely refreshing.
I loved walking out of the airport into the cool air.
Toronto was beautiful in a whole new way.

One of our leaders reminded us of all the opposites between countries.
    * Canada and Thailand are on the opposite sides of the world.
    * Canada is cold. Thailand is hot.
    * Drive on the right side in Canada. Drive on the left side in Thailand.
    * Speed limits in Canada. No speed limits in Thialand.
    ... and the list goes on
We really did experience the opposite way of life!

Flight details:   

(I am still figuring this out myself...)

Our flight from Chiang Mai was delayed about 2 hours.
Departure was at 1:30 Thursday morning (Chiang Mai).
    * 1:30 Wednesday afternoon (Toronto).
5 hour flight...
We landed in Soel Korea around 6:30 Thursday morning (Chiang Mai).
    * 6:30 Wednesday night (Toronto).
    * 8:30 Thursday morning (Seoul).
Our flight from Korea was also delayed by an hour.
Departure was at 11:15 Thursday morning (Seoul).
    * 9:15 Wednesday night (Toronto).
13 hour flight...
We arrived in Toronto around 10:30 Thursday morning (Toronto).
    * 10:30 Thursday night (Chiang Mai).

Very confusing... we had fun figuring out the times.
It took us about a day to travel.
The time that we arrived in Canada would have been our bedtime in Thailand.
I think I missed 2 nights worth of sleep... I don't really know...
So much fun!

In Korea, there was snow on the ground.
In Canada, there is no snow on the ground... yet.

While I had an idea that Canada was still "green", I was excited for the winter feel!
Christmas is just around the corner and it did not feel that way in Thailand.
I had seen a couple banana trees decorated with lights but...
There is something about the cold weather.
Christmas is defeinatley my favourite time of year.
I am looking forward to the time that I get to spend with family and friends.

Sadly, the "Expedition" program ends in just 1 week.
This week is filled with a lot of different activities.
We will spend 2 days in Clarksburg. Reflecting on our personal journeys.
We will also spend time as a group, going over the last couple weeks.
On our final day, we will host a party for the team and our support.
We will be sharing our stories and saying our good byes.

I think I am going to take a small nap.
Maybe unpack... Laundry...

Here are pictures of the cards I recieved from the Thai youth:

 

It was hard to say good bye.

I met so many great people while I was in Thailand.

The staff were amazing and the children were adorable.

I wish that I could list off each person and tell you the stories.

It was hard but it was also time to come home!
I hope that we were able to let God's light shine effectively as we worked.

Thailand was amazing!

 

I am happy to say that I am in Canada again!