The Journey
In 5 days our family will embark on a journey. A journey that a couple of years ago we would never have imagined. We will be driving(!) from Port Moody British Columbia to Ithaca New York. We will pass through 11 states, bedding down in 6 different cities in 6 states.
The guiding hand of sovereignty has directed us to travel during Holy Week. Jesus journeyed to his cross - fortunately, we head off to a far less fatal destination.
We will drive and drive and drive, stopping for food and gas.
Stopping to look at wonders both natural and man-made.
A high-light of the journey will be Mt. Rushmore, a rock sculpture of 4 US presidents. A good introduction to American life, to see entombed in rock the visages of these great men who helped shape the country which has opened up its doors to us.
Another highlight will be spending Easter weekend in Chicago. I've been to Chicago a couple of times and I think it will be fun exploring the big city with the kids. We will go up the Sears Tower and perhaps visit some of the children's museums. We will also visit Willow Creek Church in an outlying suburb on Easter Sunday.
Willow Creek is a famous church among evangelicals. With a congregation of 20 000, it counts as one of the largest churches in America. They have been innovative in ministry strategies and a global leader in developing leaders. I have benefited greatly from their ministry, even though I once wrote a paper in Bible school called, "Up Willow Creek, without a paddle", in which I was critical of churches that tried to ape Willow's seeker sensitive model.
It will be interesting to observe their kids ministry and the massive level of production that will go into the worship service.
From Chicago, we head on to Cleveland. Cleveland hosts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This will be a decidedly less sacred visit then Willow Creek. But, I'm looking forward to seeing their U2 display.
And finally after 8 days we will roll into Ithaca and commence a new unprecedented chapter of our lives.
For me, it will be a new life as an associate pastor of an American church.
For Felicia, a time of being a full time home maker, freed from the demands her work as a nurse.
For our kids, a new school, a new faith community, new friends and a newish culture.
New, new new!
Just as Easter hearkens in a new era through Christ's journey to the Cross and then through the tomb onto resurrection.
So, also we journey across this great land of America onto a new life planned out for us by the Master Planner Himself.
The guiding hand of sovereignty has directed us to travel during Holy Week. Jesus journeyed to his cross - fortunately, we head off to a far less fatal destination.
We will drive and drive and drive, stopping for food and gas.
Stopping to look at wonders both natural and man-made.
A high-light of the journey will be Mt. Rushmore, a rock sculpture of 4 US presidents. A good introduction to American life, to see entombed in rock the visages of these great men who helped shape the country which has opened up its doors to us.
Another highlight will be spending Easter weekend in Chicago. I've been to Chicago a couple of times and I think it will be fun exploring the big city with the kids. We will go up the Sears Tower and perhaps visit some of the children's museums. We will also visit Willow Creek Church in an outlying suburb on Easter Sunday.
Willow Creek is a famous church among evangelicals. With a congregation of 20 000, it counts as one of the largest churches in America. They have been innovative in ministry strategies and a global leader in developing leaders. I have benefited greatly from their ministry, even though I once wrote a paper in Bible school called, "Up Willow Creek, without a paddle", in which I was critical of churches that tried to ape Willow's seeker sensitive model.
It will be interesting to observe their kids ministry and the massive level of production that will go into the worship service.
From Chicago, we head on to Cleveland. Cleveland hosts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This will be a decidedly less sacred visit then Willow Creek. But, I'm looking forward to seeing their U2 display.
And finally after 8 days we will roll into Ithaca and commence a new unprecedented chapter of our lives.
For me, it will be a new life as an associate pastor of an American church.
For Felicia, a time of being a full time home maker, freed from the demands her work as a nurse.
For our kids, a new school, a new faith community, new friends and a newish culture.
New, new new!
Just as Easter hearkens in a new era through Christ's journey to the Cross and then through the tomb onto resurrection.
So, also we journey across this great land of America onto a new life planned out for us by the Master Planner Himself.
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