itslastcall

hello dearest friends! I hope things are going well at home. This last week i have been in Kelowna at a Go Conference. I have to say it was SUCH a beautiful setting. The mountains looked like impossible paintings, with incredible details and the colours! it was amazing. I'm a huge tree lover (tree hugger?) and the trees there were all shades of beautiful and HUGE. wow.
Our camp was right on a lake, with mountains on the other side. There was a large dock and awesome dormstyle rooms. We had Hot! showers and warm rooms, soft beds, and every luxtury i have been missing since home. AND THE FOOD! i can't tell you how wonderful it was alllll week. we all complained of gaining ten pounds on the food alone.
But i haven't yet talked about the important things. I spent about half of the week trying my best to take it all in, and to actually know what it ment for me. At these conferences they bombard you with 10/40 window issues. it really is shocking. here's one story i remember.
there was a man from the states placed as a peace keeping on this one border. he wasn't legally allowed to cross it into the other country. but one da y as he was driving along he came apon a man raping a young girl. it was on the other side of the border but he intervened and the man ran away. he asked the girl if she wanted to be taken home, and she agreed heartily through her tears. the guard took her to the home and brought her to the front door. her father came out and understood enough to thank him for bringing her home. the man saw her brother inside the house, and soon after the father brought the girl inside he heard them break her neck.

there are many cultures that are considered "shame cultures". this girl knew she had to go home to die, in order to prevent her family from shame.

it was a heavy week for me in a lot of senses; i spent a lot of time asking God about my role in the world. i'm quite clear on the fact that i don't want a comfortable life, paying off my mortgauge, pretending that people groups, entire people groups are being chased through forest, running for their lives each and every day with no 10 year finance plan or whatever.
i'm becoming so excited about malaysia. we heard stories about the child sex trade, and i think that broke my heart the most. i'm so torn up over the injustice of it all. my heart aches; i just want to cover everyone! its hard, not being able to do it all. i would if i could. during worship i found myself quite cynical near the end...in the midst of everyone having a great time dancing and worshiping...i asked myself how many of them will really let their lives go in order for justice and righteoness? inside i was and am screaming if we don't go, who will? if you don't go who will? if i don't go, who will?

I was incredibly happy to come home to a package and multiple letters! you are all such a blessing. i really can't believe the support i've found in all of you. i'm am truly blessed! :)

i'm hoping to get pictures on the net as soon as possible. DON'T think i don't have a billion of them! the computer i'm using is pretty slow so its pretty hard to think about uploading pictures nevermind trying to update my blog. take care all! i love you!