First day(s)

The B737 slowly turns and and as I look out the window right beside me the snow covered slopes of Mount Baker amaze me as it finally sets in that I have started a new chapter in my life. Its 3:00 PM Pacific time. 15 hours ago I sat at CMU saying good-bye to some of the dearest people in my life. 5 hours ago I was rushing out of church trying to make my flight, hoping that I would not be one of those people that shows up way to late and holds up the flight.

Fast forward a couple of hours and I am finally, finally in Abbotsford. I am one of the first, but many more are still to come. And supper rolls around, all 19 are there. And now comes the curious thing. As I look around I find that I am with the exception of one person, the oldest person participating in TREK. And at this point lonelyness hits for the first time. Not only are some people here 5 years younger then I, but more to the point, they all seem to know each other. Only 4 of us are not from BC, and out of the rest, almost all are from the Frasier Valley, i.e. Abbotsford and Vancouver. There seem to be two cliques. Those who went to MEI and another group of 5 that go to the same church in Vancouver. Far and few between are we that don't seem to know anyone.

And at this point it strikes me and it has several times since then, that for the first time in my limited experience with "missions" I might not be comfortable. I have to remind myself that in fact I am not here for comfort, but rather to be streched and thrust into a place far beyond my comfort zone. That this might be harder then expected should be a given. And I ask myself whether comfort and happiness are necessarily linked. Am I called to be where I am? The answer is definitely YES! And yet, as I sit and think, my own will screams for things to be back as usual 6 months ago, where I was a comfortable student at CMU with lack of any want.

The evening ends with a collective reading of the gospel of Mark. And now I know why I am here. I am not here to be popular. I am not here to be the smartest, or most knowledgeable. I am not here to make a ton of friends, or fill some lonely spot in my heart. I am here for what I always said I was going for (did I lie to myself?), namely, to grow in Christ (1), and to bring Christ to others (2). So, once more, let the adventure begin.

The place were we stay is very, very nice. Tomorrow there is one more day of orientation, followed by a three week retreat in Whistler. All I can say to all you Manitobans is: suckas!! And of course, I miss you all. Thats all for today.