One round trip to Canada: $603.00. Having a good friend drive you to the airport? Priceless.

I started crying because of the Abba song  “Mama Mia”. Not that Abba usually brings out that reaction in me. But it was about 7am, I had just said (a fairly dry-eyed) goodbye to my wife and kids and left for a 5 week round trip to Canada. I pulled out of the driveway, got 200 metres down the road and turned the stereo on. Out came...

“Mama Mia, here I go again, my my, how can I resist you?” 

...a song that all 4 of us sing along to in the car frequently. Then it hit me. Just how much I was going to miss 'my girls'. It would be a long time before I got to have fun like that again. The reality of the adventure God had called us on, hit home. This was going to COST. Big time.

But then I pulled myself together (something I think I’m going to have lots of practice at) and arrived at my good friend Nigel’s house. He would be driving me to the airport (we had decided it would be too much to do the whole, dramatic...

“Goodbye! I love you”

…with my family at the airport itself.) So my chauffeur would be Nigel. The car sped up the motorway as we talked, like we had so often over the last 7 years, about the world and how it should be put to rights. I didn’t feel sad because I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we would do this. It was just going to be a bigger time gap than usual. Plus, I was off on an adventure and was purposefully looking forward to my flight, landing in Canada and, crucially, applying for a Work Permit at the border.

Seeing my Mum and Dad at the airport was awesome. They even helped out by paying for my excess baggage (turns out, with all the sweaters in my case, I was 7 kilos over limit).

Lining up to go through passport control, I saw the guy who used to present GMTV. Don’t know his name. Used to be a tennis player. Yes, that one. And then I thought I was standing behind Tara Palmer Tomkinson in a hat and sunglasses. But then I saw she was flying Easyjet and quickly assumed it wasn’t her.

They have movies on Planes?

Flying without children under 5 is quite an experience. They have movies you can watch. With sound and everything. Shame my movie ‘choice’ consisted of that Vampire series Twilight, Prince of Persia or some talking dog comedy. Joss would have liked that one.

Anyways, I arrive feeling not tired and head for the border to apply for a Workers Permit.  They’ll either let me have one, or I’ll be living – Tom Hanks style – in the departure lounge waiting for my flight home on November 18.

Officer: “Sir, you need a Labor Market Opinion.” Me : “No I don’t”

After explaining the Canadian immigration system to the Immigration Officer (a LONG and humorous  story, one I’ll tell you when you come visit) I was through the border with a Permit to work in Canada until at least October 2012. I resisted the urge to do a little dance as I walk away from the desk. One nil to God, I think.

Feeling tired, I’m taken out for a Boston Pizza with my new boss – I have to drive a manual car on the wrong side of the road. Apart from a few wheel spins trying to keep up with Gayle as she pulls out of intersections, I think I did surprisingly well all things considered.

I’m staying with an amazing family, Lloyd and Hildie Peters and their two boys Isaiah (4) and Liam (2). They’ve opened their home and offered their friendship to me in such an unconditional way that I can’t help but give thanks to God for his faithfulness and ability to supply my every need. Even though it’s been painful to be away from my family, they’ve made me feel part of theirs and that’s been a big help. Thanks guys.

Working for Barefoot Creative is a blast! Some days I feel like I’ve been here way longer than two weeks. Other days I feel like the new kid who knows nothing. Most days are a combination of the two. They have some funny sounding clients too. I challenge any of my English friends to pronounce the word ‘ERDO’ and say that it doesn’t sound weird coming out of their mouths. (Think ‘hairdo’ and replace ‘hair’ with ‘errrrrr’)

Larry Neufeld and family left for Beautiful British Columbia TM on Friday. Larry is the person I’m supposed to be ‘handing over’ with at work. These are big shoes to fill. And not just because Larry’s a tall guy. I miss him already and it’s not even Monday yet.

House hunting is fun but painful. I feel as though I have to get it right. With the help of Hildie (Area of expertise: School Quality Checker & Negotiator with Landlords), Lloyd (Area of expertise: Handy Man), Isaiah and Liam (Area of expertise: Kid-proofing) I may just get there.

Car hunting is proving a little troublesome. Prayers for the right vehicles (x2) to come at the right time would be most welcome.  

Church wise – King’s Family is just that, a family and they’ve welcomed me with open arms. Really looking forward to getting stuck in with the Kitchener guys and their church plant (Lamplight) and seeing what God does in this city.

Kitchener itself is a wonder. The people are many and varied. The road layout curiouser and curiouser. God has such a heart for a significant ministry to be worked out of here. Perhaps, if we all pull together, this can happen.

The end of the honeymoon?

Kings Church meeting today was good. Tafari Hibbert knocked it out of the park.

And then I met my first officially non-friendly Canadian. It took me by such surprise that I was almost speechless (I will not be caught off-guard again)...

“All Christian preachers just use the power of positive thinking. That’s all” – If I had a quicker mind I would have responded “Well, the bad ones probably do” But sadly, I wasn’t anywhere near thinking straight.

And then I spoke to Susie and she’s  having a bit of a tough time at home. Nothing major. But when you’re 3,000 miles away there’s not much you can do other than give advice and direction and pray. I’m trusting our friends to look out for her while I’m away.

And then my GPS packed up. We’d had quite a relationship going. I would chat to her while driving along as she gave me helpful pointers as to where to go. (For Kitchener, trust me, you need one!). All I get now is some strange yellow screen. No more soothing voice.

And then… I thought I’d blog about my adventure so far.

Because, this is exactly what this ride is. An adventure.

Who knows where it will end up? Will I find the right house? Can we afford two cars? Is there more than one rude person in Canada? How am I going to cope for another 3 weeks without my family?

One thing I do know: Christ crucified and raised to life. And me now hidden in Him. And I guess that’s all that matters. And because of that, I can trust that this period of time will work out for our benefit. 

Keep watching, keep praying. Expect The Blog: Round 2 in about 2 weeks.

Much Love and Peace.

Bruce.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 17