on the road again

 Two weeks ago we headed out to Abbotsford for the Canadian Edition

of New Staff Orientation for this year.

We had a lot of weather on the way and some amazing skies.

I just love the huge prairie skies and could never tire of them.

This particular sky was in Saskatchewan after coming through a

massive storm.

It was beautiful.

 Crazy building!

Snapped this as we zipped by. :)

 Day 2 and the mountains are - of course - glorious.

knit, read, quilt (another blockbuster movie!)

 "School's out for the summer"

and I was definitely ready for it to be over this year.

With a wedding just a week and a bit before the end

I only realized after I was back at school that I was exhausted!

Fortunately, I save all my music movies for the end of each year

so it was another nice way to end things off.

 This doesn't really go with the title but it's an interesting story.

We were in Winnipeg on Monday evening when a very wild storm

roared through our village.

When we got home we noticed that there was some accumulation of rain

but nothing other than that because it was

dark and late and off we went to bed.
Howard was up very early - so early that when he looked outside

and saw this in our backyard he wasn't really sure what he was looking at.

As it grew lighter the mystery definitely deepened.

I got up several hours later and he showed me what we had gained overnight.

Believe it or not, it was not an act of vandalism.

The wind picked this thing up, scattering its springs as it bounced over two sets

of hedges and one set of rather tall poplars.

It plowed over a fire pit in our neighbour's yard right before it bounced

into our yard (scattering more springs) and landed where you see it.

There was no damage at all to our yard, garden, house or deck.

We walked to the neighbour's house two doors down and left a note

telling them that their trampoline was in our back yard!

After work, a rather embarrassed and frazzled neighbour came over

to collect his property.

He works for Manitoba Hydro and he said that the last few days had been

insane with power outages and poles collapsing because of the wind.

He didn't have any trouble imagining that his trampoline could have

ended up in our yard.

We neglected to suggest to him that maybe he should "tie it down"!

Now to the title of this post.

I have been happily quilting since school let out last Wednesday.

I have fabric accumulated that has been waiting anxiously to be put to

good use.

So I'm finally on it.

It feels lovely to have time to quilt again.

And yes, there's been time to read (I've already read one book this week)

and I'm knitting a scarf for my nephew.

I really love summer holidays.

And hopefully I will get back at my blog again. 

One can at least hope!

starting the day

I was on duty this morning when one of my Kindergarten

students came walking by.

I was shocked to see the size of his backpack!

This little guy is definitely on the short side, 

even for someone in Kindergarten,

but the size of that pack is really astounding!

howard's south america travels

 A once-familiar view, looking out over the valley from Gramado, where our girls were born and spent their early years. Que saudades!

The dining room certainly did not look like this during our time in Gramado!

Some of this year's Bible School students.

Claus Dietrich, mission coordinator and one of our former students! 

The TeachBeyond Global board and senior leadership team. Howard was busy with logistics and translating, on top of the usual meetings and visits.

The special installation service of our Brazilian National Director, Juçara (the rose among the thorns)!

The famous Christ-the-Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio de Janeiro cathedral. 

"Co-posing", along with Juçara, with Tom Jobin, famous Brazilian composer on the beach he immortalized with his song.

Our president, George Durance, is also a very good - and dedicated - photographer.

So dedicated, he will go to great lengths to get just the right shot, inspiring his team, leading by example! 

Sunset in Rio.

In São Paulo, where Howard's navigation and translation skills were put to the test as he helped a colleague who came down with a serious infection and required hospitalization.

The waiting room.

The conditions and equipment were not at all indicative of the quality of the care given by these young and competent specialists, who left their patient smiling at the end!

A quick stop in Quito, Ecuador, visiting our colleague and cementing our partnership with this inspiring school that is transforming a poor neighborhood.

Our fantastic team at El Camino Academy in Bogotá, Colombia.  

Howard's suitcase has been to many different places. Here it is heading for a fishing village called Bocachica on an island off the coast of Cartagena.

The pastor's wife and son, guiding us around the village and showing us the property their church owns and where they may build their school.

The team engineer, coming down from Bogotá, donating his time to this much-needed project.

The property (above) and a water vendor (below). There is no potable water on the island. It is brought in from the mainland and sold on the island.

These beautiful children do not have much hope. The one school in the community - a public school - is completely inadequate. Illiteracy is high even among graduates, and the socio-economic conditions are not really improving. A Christi-centered school with strong academics, ESL, and Christian values represents a great Hope for islanders. We are doing what we can to help.

Supper at the pastor's home.
Howard said it was very good and I think the presentation is quite lovely!

Our team and hosts, Colombian missionaries working at great personal sacrifice to reach the islanders.

A quick stop in beautiful old Cartagena before heading back to Bogotá for final meetings with our team and school leadership, and then, what Howard always calls the best part of his trips - home! A total of 13 flights, 3 countries, 6 ministry stops, 8 beds, much progress and safe travels.
We are grateful.