I have been back in Canada for 2 months now. The list of wonderful experiences is now so long that I am glad that i have been keeping a journal. Longer still is the list of visits with friends, supporters, churches and so many different groups. This has been a good home assignment so far.
After these long weeks on the road, I am tired. I thought that my car would be less full at this moment that then when i began the road trip, but along the way there have been a variety of use book stores and pottery shops. I have added to my collection of reading material and mugs.
But of special note are the opportunities I have had to meet a number of Fillipinos here in Canada who are here on work contracts. The first was the young man I sat next to on the flight to Vancouver in May. He was coming to Canada to begin his first overseas contract with a company in Calgary. What a treat that as the wheels of the plane touched down at the Vancouver Airport, I was able to offer my hand and say, "Let me be the first to welcome you to Canada." We parted in the immigration area and I wonder if he was able to bring the sack of mangos into Canada that he had brought from the Philippines.
I have met others along the way and have had the opportunity to find out why they have come and what work they are doing here. In Prince George, the young woman attending church there, pregnant with her first baby. She was able to connect me with a shipper there and we have sent 3 boxes of material so far back to the Philippines.
Also in Prince George, three women who are here as caregivers, who were so tickled that I could speak Tagalog.
Up north, in Eaglesham, Alberta, I met two other Filipinas who are here as care givers. They shared with me that it was music to their ears to hear Tagalog after so many months of just hearing English. We chatted and laughed after church last Sunday. I shared with them as well that it was music to my ears to hear Tagalog after all these weeks in Canada.
The most recent was yesterday, while staying in at a motel in Grand Prairie, Alberta. As I was coming back to my room I heard voices in the hall. They were chatting among themselves and I was sure that I heard words in Tagalog! So I asked, "Are you Filipino?" All four stopped, all four faces broke into smiles, all four began to speak at once. We stood in the hallway and chatted for a few minutes. And for me it too was music to my ears.
I do have to admit...I miss being in the Philippines. And even if the language at times is difficult for me to understand or get my north american tongue around, it has become music to my ears when i hear it.
I am hoping that I have many more experiences this side of the world to share in Tagalog with those Filipinos who are working here, maybe to encourage them, maybe to share what I am doing in their home country, maybe to direct them to a closer relationship with Jesus.
Blessings,
Barbara
Post Prayers:
1. Safety on the last few days on the long road. I arrive in Kamloops early this week.
2. More opportunities to share about Mustard Seed.
3. For the financial and prayer support for the ministry.
After these long weeks on the road, I am tired. I thought that my car would be less full at this moment that then when i began the road trip, but along the way there have been a variety of use book stores and pottery shops. I have added to my collection of reading material and mugs.
But of special note are the opportunities I have had to meet a number of Fillipinos here in Canada who are here on work contracts. The first was the young man I sat next to on the flight to Vancouver in May. He was coming to Canada to begin his first overseas contract with a company in Calgary. What a treat that as the wheels of the plane touched down at the Vancouver Airport, I was able to offer my hand and say, "Let me be the first to welcome you to Canada." We parted in the immigration area and I wonder if he was able to bring the sack of mangos into Canada that he had brought from the Philippines.
I have met others along the way and have had the opportunity to find out why they have come and what work they are doing here. In Prince George, the young woman attending church there, pregnant with her first baby. She was able to connect me with a shipper there and we have sent 3 boxes of material so far back to the Philippines.
Also in Prince George, three women who are here as caregivers, who were so tickled that I could speak Tagalog.
Up north, in Eaglesham, Alberta, I met two other Filipinas who are here as care givers. They shared with me that it was music to their ears to hear Tagalog after so many months of just hearing English. We chatted and laughed after church last Sunday. I shared with them as well that it was music to my ears to hear Tagalog after all these weeks in Canada.
The most recent was yesterday, while staying in at a motel in Grand Prairie, Alberta. As I was coming back to my room I heard voices in the hall. They were chatting among themselves and I was sure that I heard words in Tagalog! So I asked, "Are you Filipino?" All four stopped, all four faces broke into smiles, all four began to speak at once. We stood in the hallway and chatted for a few minutes. And for me it too was music to my ears.
I do have to admit...I miss being in the Philippines. And even if the language at times is difficult for me to understand or get my north american tongue around, it has become music to my ears when i hear it.
I am hoping that I have many more experiences this side of the world to share in Tagalog with those Filipinos who are working here, maybe to encourage them, maybe to share what I am doing in their home country, maybe to direct them to a closer relationship with Jesus.
Blessings,
Barbara
Post Prayers:
1. Safety on the last few days on the long road. I arrive in Kamloops early this week.
2. More opportunities to share about Mustard Seed.
3. For the financial and prayer support for the ministry.
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