There are...

....lots of men with beards here in Vancouver....

Whilst I can see the practicalities of keeping one's face warm.....it is suppose to be Spring...

....and I'm not sure what I think about beards.

Something Special....

It has only been a week since I arrived in Vancouver and I have observed something special....

It didn't take me too long before I realised that most of the people I've met - you just feel like packing them up and taking them home with you.

This isn't to discount any family or friends I have, but I have just been so struck by the evident welcoming, friendliness, genuineness, quirkiness, humility, and fun of the people here.

I've talked a bit about it with CP and we think it's because the people who come (or went) to Regent Bible College are obviously all there for a key reason to learn more about God. But not just one or a few 'types of people' are there...it's a whole bunch of eclectic personalities (in addition to the fact they are from around the world) which somehow works because we all have the one faith.

I can see two way blessings in the relationships being built and it's such a wonderful thing to watch. Or should I say three way to include Him who draws all things and people together! OK, there are some one way relationships happening but that's OK....always room for growth and encouragement.

It is also so encouraging to meet individuals and fathom that each person has made a sacrifice to commit time and resources (and perhaps even relationships) to come and be fed and learn. Especially the wives or husbands of those studying too. I've met a few young people and it fascinates me that they know from an early age that they want to study at bible college. And on the other end of the spectrum I've seen a few older people (in their 50s-60s).

What blows my mind is the passion, wisdom and insight of the teachers. From my visit in November last year and having sat through my first course this week - it really challenges me to think about where my faith is at and how passionate I am in that. God is using them mightily and effectively to teach His Word and His ways. This week's lecturer Gordon Smith referred to himself as our pastor....which makes it so much more personal and meaningful than 'lecturer'.

Tenth Church & local food market lunch

Soft mini tacos - roasted yam with black beans & pulled pork with coleslaw.

We sat on the grass pretending to watch a cricket game...

The food stalls in the background.

I was told that I really needed to try either a canadian maple donut or the boston cream. I went for the canadian maple - 99 cents plus tax! Bargain. Very sweet but good on the odd occasion.

The last 2 Sundays I've visited Tenth Church @ Kits where CP goes to worship.

The service is a branch of Tenth Church and is held in the grounds of Kitsilano Secondary School.

I helped CP 'setup' this morning. Alot of the church equipment is stored in a narrow storage cupboard in the school and it all needs to be unpacked and distributed down the main foyer and into a few rooms for the various Sunday School classes. Only to be packed up again after service. It includes large low tables and smaller chairs for the kids (which weigh a tonne), creche toys and mats, coffee and tea stuff....and also requires one to move the furniture around in the classrooms.

It makes one realise that we could take for granted actual church buildings many people meet in - there and ready to use.

I really enjoyed today's service. Kenneth Pierce (Pastor of Small Groups and Discipleship) spoke on 2 Peter 1:1-8 and the call to be living godly lives in that we should be living consistently changed lives. Each of us has our own journey and we can share in and be encouraged by God's work in eachother's lives.

'For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

http://www.tenth.ca/#/worship-services

After service we had a quick lunch in the sun (it was the perfect spring day in Vancouver - not too hot and not too cold) at the food market near the church. So lovely to spend time with CP & her friends. I think I am slowly understanding why they are all loving the sun so much, but still not fully. I know it rains here alot but I guess I haven't experienced it for months on end - but can understand it a little given Sydney had its constant rain - but constant meaning maybe 4-5 days in a row, not months!

Raincity Grill

We met some friends who were on their way from Sydney-Vancouver-Alaska for a 3 course special at Raincity Grill. I had brunch here on my November trip last year with CP and AL which was good. This restaurant works with seasonal, local and organic produce as much as possible.

Crab soup (entree option)
Oyster mushroom salad (entree option)

Pork with kale, turnip, cranberry like salsa, creamy mash. (Main option CP and I both had)

Apricot ice cream sandwich. (Dessert option CP and I both had)

The crab soup was abit underwhelming, the pork was perfectly cooked and a nice change with the cranberry salsa and turnip, the dessert was OK - the biscuity sandwich bit was a bit dry. But for $30 the serving size and quality of the meal was great! It was a special eat early dinner menu, although we had a bit of a hiccup with that!?! But let's just leave what's in the past, in the past! : )

Raincity Grill

1193 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC V6G2N1

Tel: (604) 685-7337

Vijs Rangoli

As promised from my previous post, dinner on the 'awesome day' was at a lower key version of Vijs Restaurant, called Vijs Rengoli.

There is a no booking policy and we were offered some cassava chips which were addictive. CP and I shared:

• Entree of lentil, paneer & chickpea samosas with cilantro-jalapeno chutney
• Main of caramelised onion & ginger lamb curry with salad, rice & naan

This place has a little shop inside where you can buy frozen curries, spices and the like. Good!

http://www.vijsrangoli.ca/

Vij's Rangoli

1488 West 11th Avenue

Vancouver, BC V6H 1L1

phone (604) 736-5711

fax (604) 736-3701

2 Insightful Men...maybe 3

I had an awesome day for a number of reasons yesterday:

1. Insightful lecture by Gordon Smith at Regent Bible College as part of the Spiritual Discernment course I'm taking. Intending to write a bit more later about that once I've absorbed it all!
2. Even though I am suppose to be resting and even though I complained about it to CP when I got home, it was nice (perhaps a rebuke) to know God still has 'work' for me to do! Do I have a sign on my forehead that says 'I'm all ears'?
3. Did CP know what she was doing when she introduced me to 4th Avenue? A place to retreat to when I need to wander. Eclectic strip of shops including low-end, high-end, food...including Wholefoods which I loved in New York.
4. One of many of CP's wonderful friends here D&T invited us to see 'The Great Divorce' - a play based on a novel by CS Lewis. SO good, so so good....it was SO good it brought tears to T's eyes as he grew up on CS Lewis.
5. Great dinner (pics in next post) before the play - I even waited (which I hate when you can't book) - but waiting with CP whilst munching on cassava chips is not a bad thing at all!

These were 5 great things - but the 2 highlights were of 2 insightful men.

• Gordon T. Smith - the lecturer from a course I am taking in Spiritual Discernment. So refreshingly insightful, humble and funny. Passionate about being in a living relationship with the triune God. Has a thing for Paul Simon songs and can re-tell a story from his life with such honesty, vulnerability and reflection. I do not want the course to end tomorrow and could listen to him endlessly. I've not had enough time or energy to chew over this week's teaching but hope to do so in it's entirety.
• C.S. Lewis - infamous lay theologian and Christian apologist well regarded for his books 'The Screwtape Letters' & 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. Most people who know me, know that I struggle to finish a book. So of course I haven't read any C.S Lewis books. The play last night was just a glimpse of his work revealing a brilliant and insightful man. The insight of this man into the human condition and the clarity around that is enlightening and affirming to the timeless problems us humans face, especially with regards to self righteousness. To think from the early 1900s, some things just never change! The play was in a Christian run theatre (www.pacifictheatre.org). The costumes and acting were brilliant with minimal stage props and set.
• Dare I mention a 3rd insightful man - CP's friend T. He is studying a Masters at Regent, has a passion for C.S. Lewis and has wild hair (he cuts it himself). He shared after the play about his thoughts on Lewis' work, his influence in his life and his perception of Heaven and Hell, and choosing God or self. I said to CP later that he will definitely make a great pastor. You know when you meet someone and they are filled with deep seeded passion, insight and wisdom (yet humble) - but also funny, relational and quirky - it leaves such an impression on you. Well, T is one such person. His wife D is also pretty amazing too - attractive, funny, intelligent, passionate, full of life. God is at work and they will bless many.

So much more to say, but must retire to bed.

No turning back

Back to nature - pebbles and mini pine cones along my run.

8:30pm run to Jericho Beach.

Massive tall green trees line the street I live on at 8pm at night! It turns dark around 10pm in spring.

Blessed to be living with CP and her housemates - 2nd from the right. Girls live above and guys live below.

Here are some visuals for family & friends of where I've chosen to take a break from life and do something a little different in Vancouver.

Planning started post US/Canada holiday last November when I visited CP who is studying at Regent Bible College. I have returned for a short stint at Spring School. More on that later.

It's taken alot to get to this point - in terms of all that has happened since last November family and job-wise. I've looked forward to this trip for rest with nervous anticipation, fear and excitement.

Listening to Phil Wickham and the lyrics 'no turning back' are being sung. There is no turning back now that I have arrived in 'The Couve'.