Camping Trip

So the the fellas and I decided to go on a camping trip to Garibaldi Lake.  There were about 12 of us total.  Seven friends --who have been in Vancouver for about 2 months who are originally from India, Di who lives across the street who is 22 from China but has lived in Vancouver for the past 7 years, Arnold and his brother from London Ontario whose parents are from Nicaragua, and Trevor who is originally from Ottawa but has lived in Vancouver for the past year, and of course yours truly.  The hike up was brutal, it was a 9 k--over 6 mile hike--carrying heavy equipment. Some of the guys took 6 hours to get to the lake, others took as long as 8 hours to reach it. No one expected it to be snowing. That night it was too cold to camp in tents on the snow--most of the guys did not bring sleeping bags but rather a few blankets to share. So we brought the tents inside the shelters that were set up. That night we played cards in the tent--10 full grown men in a 5 person tent--and I cooked dinner on the little propane grill that was brought.  One of the more comical moments were when in the middle of the night a few of the guys heard wolves around our shelter, to which I was awaken to, "oh my goodness, do you guys hear that?!? Those are wolves, quick help me push the picnic table in front of the door so the wolves don't come in." I just imagined wolves standing on their hind legs opening the door handle 😀... The thought actually still makes me chuckle. 
The next morning we all were so cold we woke up at 5 a.m and started our trek back down the mountain.  Most of the guys have never hiked, and most of the friends from India have never seen snow...shoot, most people who live in Bakersfield never have either. The hike down was brutal on our leg muscles. But we survived and most of us were severely sore for the next 3 days...good story for the grand kids nonetheless.

Potluck Saturday

 

Well Tracy and I have been talking for awhile about having another get together at our house, and today it finally happened. We had our neighbor Di, and his father from across the street over and we had Nancy who is a Christian who lives in their basement suite over, we had a family, David and Corrie--and of course their 3 little girls over, who are Christian join. And finally we had the 8 guys who live downstairs join...it was a blast today. Everyone brought something, and as we were enjoying some good Indian food and pizza, I thought to myself...Lord you are so gracious to give my wife and I this opportunity to be involved in these peoples lives.  And to have friends and to be cared for by so many people.  ~Cecil

The Bridge Bible Church

Well I can honestly say that I have a much higher view of preachers now more than ever. My only experience in preaching includes sharing my testimony in front of a congregation, leading Bible Studies, sharing/preaching to the High School group and preaching in front of a congregation in BC.   But when Tracy and I shared at the Bridge Bible Church at all five of their services, two on Saturday night and three on Sunday, I truly understood why Pastors take a nap in the afternoon.  I was truly grateful for the opportunity to share and for all the encouragement after the service.  It is the desire for Tracy and I do ignite a passion for Jesus and the advancement of the Gospel and His kingdom wherever we speak.  I was able to challenge the congregation and tell them that we are praying for 5 families to join us and  commit 10 years to overseas missions with MB Mission. Pray that Jesus would raise up those families.    ~Cec

UFC Ministry

So this is the second time doing this since I've been here, but connecting with guys at the local sports bar-over some nachos and loud background music-has been a huge blessing. Even having conversations with guys that I meet around town, just the fact that I am able to be conversant with them and connect with them on a level that compels them to lower their guard and creates a conversation where we could connect, has been a great joy.
So this past Saturday was UFC 159, and after the main event--I was hoping that Jon "Bones" Jones would win--my friend Arnold and my other friend Beau had the most amazing conversation about Heaven, the Trinity, and Jesus. I thought to myself, "I'm in a sports bar in Vancouver BC talking to my neighbor about Jesus...this is amazing...this is why I came...this is what I live for."
It was also a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with a good friend I've made since being here...that would be Phil. He is the guy who's son is as old as Solas...we actually get together at least a few times a week. I praise The Lord for these men that he has put in my path...and the friendships that have been formed.

~Cec

I can still hear my heart beating....

I just had the strangest conversation. 
At one point I thought, "okay trace, how would Cecil respond right now?" 
I am at the coffee shop, a business man walked by, said, "thanks for smiling,"  and then did a little small talk about me being on facebook, and then put his mug down at my table and sat down.  It was just a chit-chatty sort of conversation until he started telling me about his "energy" business.  Then we talked about missions and our family being here in Vancouver, and how we receive money.  I wasn't so naive to believe he actually cared, but was rather hoping to get to sell me something.  hahaha  So thank the Lord that I wasn't as naive as I have been in the past.  Pretty soon, he said, something like... "oh my god!  I know how your church can make money!  Go to my website right now!  Its WWW....." 
I opened my laptop....
stopped and respectfully said something like, "you know, sir......  we can chat if you'd like, but I really need to focus on other projects I'm working on, on the computer, rather than talk about this investment."  (Even that sounds a little more harsh than how I really said it.  I was gentle.)
So we spent the next few minutes, that seemed like an eternity.... chatting about missions etc.  And I asked him, "What do you think about Jesus?"  And pointed to my bible on the table. 
He said something that I recognized was very rehearsed.  He said, "Oh Jesus is fantastic.  He is my Lord and Savior." 
And I wasn't convinced.  I said, "what makes you think that?  Do you have any verses to support that idea?" And again I pointed to the Bible. 
He said, "oh I don't do that.  I don't need to read or have evidence.  I meditate.  Jesus is fantastic.  Allah...... meditation... all of them." 
So I asked him something that I wouldn't have asked had I not spent at least 7+ hours studing Hinduism this month.  I asked,
"Are you Hindu"?
And he said, "oh yes."  Very enthusiastically.  And then he proceeded to tell me that he follows all the ways.  And then asked me about myself.  And I courageously told him I follow only Jesus. 

He asked me what my most miraculous experience as been with Jesus. 

I thought for a moment.  And I said the most miraculous thing that I experience daily with Jesus is that because the Word of God is "alive and powerful, sharper than any double edge sword, able to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart"... when I read it, it convicts my heart.  God uses it to illuminates the my sin, and then His Holy Spirit convicts me of where I need to repent.  Then the transformation happens through His power, not because of any effort of my own. He transforms me into the image of his son, Jesus. 

He told me that he has meditated to the point of entering "oneness" with the Universe.  And then he leaned across the table and stared intensely.  I asked him what he thinks about when he meditates, because I was reminded of the verse, "...and on your WORD I will meditate both day and night" and he said, "oh god, I don't think of anything!  You can't meditate by thinking of something!" 

Anyway...... that was pretty much it.  He ended up shaking my hand, moving to another table, and talking to another woman about politics. 

My heart was racing. 

I was thankful for 3 things and was exhorted in my Spirit toward something...

I was thankful that I knew a little about Hinduism to engage him using his-own worldview terminology.
I was thankful that I wasn't deceived by his "employment" scheme or zealous "following all ways is fantastic" perception. 
I was thankful I wasn't intimidated by his intense stares.
And
I was exhorted by the Holy Spirit 1 Peter 3:15- "be ready to always give a reason for the hope..."
I need to be EVEN MORE prepared for conversations like that. 
That man pursued a conversation with me.  For his own gain.
And although at times, I was uncomfortable, I feel like the Holy Spirit was victorious to use me in whatever way he wanted.  I didn't cower.  I engaged the conversation about Jesus..... unashamed.  And respectfully. 

So since I wrote that last sentence.... another woman sat down behind me and talked to me about California and a "Secret society" event she wants me to go to soon. Evidently, she can't tell me the name of the place, or the address, but I have to go with her, I can't go by myself.  I have to go with someone who is already in.

What the heck.... I feel exhausted. 

Another woman just walked past, pointed at my bible, and said, "excellent book".  I agreed. 

I have 1 more hour here... to "finish" my administrative work. hahahaaa I wonder who else has an appointment with me in this hour. 
What a strange day.
~Tracy

From meals to community

I, Cecil, have been amazed at my wife's ability to connect with women in our neighborhood and especially to our neighbor next door. The woman next door is named Anita and she does not have any grandchildren, her son is Beau and he's about 26 years old. Tracy made the first move with baking some cookies and walking them over.  Then for St. Patrick's Day Anita brought over some home baked cupcakes.  We then invited her family over for lunch a few weeks later, then she brought over Easter Baskets for the boys.  Recently Tracy made some sticky Rice and gave it to Anita--the coolest part was that Anita came outside in the backyard and our kitchen window is so close to her house all Tracy needs to do is open it up and she's only about 10 meters from Anita's back porch.  I am so blessed for my wife's ministry of building relationships with the women and mothers around us.  We went out to run a few errands and Tracy knew two woman walking around our busy street, we actually had a short conversation with them as we were in the car. And when we were in the mall Tracy saw a woman who lives down the block, she was actually one of the first moms Tracy met.  I guess you can say that we are in the transition from "survival mode" to creating a sense of home and peace wherein we can invite people into our lives, as they invite us into there's...and perhaps as we live with a missional mindset and incarnationally, we would have an opportunity to invite our friends into a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Cec

Sushi and Eternity

 
So some of you might remember some stories about my friend Jack who I     met at the bank as Tracy and I were    opening up an account; well, we've      kept in touch and I was able to meet  with him and a Pastor named David   Chow from Killarney Park MB here in Vancouver. Pastor David is very familiar with those who have moved from China to Vancouver, and he understands the world of Buddhism as well. As I introduced these men to each other I was incredibly blessed on how Pastor David was able to connect with Jack on a deep level and how he was able to communicate the Gospel--from creation to Jesus. It was a phenomenal thing to see...I was honored to have a front row seat. At the end of the lunch Jack had to head back across the street to go to work, but he was very honored to have had such a deep conversation...but he was t the only one who was honored.
Cecil