Re-entry Stress

I first heard of “Re-entry Stress” when the USA’s Space Shuttle was returning to the earth. The shuttle needed to approach the earth’s atmosphere at the perfect angle of there was some serious consequences to face – like destruction of the whole crew. There was a window of opportunity that the Shuttle had to approach carefully and then shoot through at the right time and the right angle related to the earth. If this was missed it would mean more circling the earth before coming back to the same window again. This would allow the Shuttle to land where it should – not in Russia or the middle of the ocean. This would also make sure the descent angle was correct – too deep it would burn up and too shallow it would glance off into space again (maybe never get home).

It was at a mission’s conference for missionaries that I first heard this term used in relationship to people returning their home countries from overseas. There was re-entry stress for people – just like the Space Shuttles. Too deep an angle it would burn up and too shallow it would never get home – or make it at home. Countless stories were given as it was confirmed that real good people had not made it back alive spiritually – when returning home. Often their pain and deep needs were never revealed and they simply drifted into a bad situation after another bad situation. Other times they lost it with moral failures that were simply disastrous and whole families were destroyed in the re-entry burn up.

Today – after two weeks away I feel the danger again. The stress of returning to a world that doesn’t really know what we were subjected to… the stress of having a real world here jump up and bite me when I am tired and low in spirits – is real. The natural way is to put up a defense with the way we do things. Then the next step…is to isolate the realties of the life around and go into a no-zone layer that keeps the feelings alive from the missions work but keeps out the unpleasantness from this world.

And we were only away two weeks and a few days… think what happens to people that have completed four years and then leave a country that is now their own. Think what happens to the children of this family that are removed from familiar places in their new adopted countries and then thrust back to Canada and all its abnormal ways – in relationship to their other home country – say Malawi, Zambia or Kenya. The re-entry stress is immense… staggering in fact… and can be deadly actually.

Prayer is appreciated… but some one to listen is even better. I am burdened by the re-entry stress again. I am burdened for the missionaries that will walk through this today… and in weeks to come. I hope I can be there to help them again.

“An experience is not learning” was a statement that I picked up in the last week. The person making it explained that unless we are able to reflect deeply and apply some theological framework to what we have experienced – we have not really made it part of our lives – we are still tourists (the last part I added). We haven’t learned what it is all about.

These weeks I am moving from simply having had an experience to making all of it part of my life. I am taking it deeper and reflecting on every inch of the experience we had in Kenya.

Oh it is good to be home… but it is so good to be able to lessen the stress too.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting 11

The lane way into the PAOC Missions Office and Guest House is a rough one. The day before we were to leave I wanted to get some photos of the condition of this road. Add to the rough stones that cover the surface there are speed bumps. As I crouched down to take the photo a voice asked me what I was doing. This is when I met Philip.

Philip is a large man that drives a truck from Nairobi to different areas in the country and also out of the country. Some of his trips take him into Sudan – which can be as long as four days. He described to me the conditions of the road and the dangers that there are along the way. The costs of staying in some of the area are very high.

Philip served in the Kenyan Army for 9 years and while there he learned how to drive truck. Now he works for a very good company that pays well.

Beside Philip on his left sat Peter. Peter was formerly employed at a restaurant. Then when that went out of business he began to sell women’s clothing in a large store. But that job has also ended.

The quiet one was sitting to Philip’s right side. His name was Joseph. Joseph watched me closely all the time that I was speaking with Philip. He was not as friendly as the other two.

As I spoke with Philip and Peter they were eating green leaves. The leaves, an inch long and about ¾ of an inch wide, were a light green with a thin stem. As Philip pulled leaf after leaf from the large clear plastic bag with the rolled down sides in front of Joseph, he chewed happily. After a moment or so he would pull out the stem and throw it to the driveway.

While Philip talked Joseph listened and continued his ‘work’ of putting small amounts of leaves into small plastic bags which then were stacked up on the top of the larger clear bag of green leaves. From time to time cars exiting from the other apartment buildings using the same laneway, stopped and rolled down their windows and began negotiations. An exchange of words took place and then the passenger or driver would produce some money and a bag of green leaves was passed into the car. Some cars bought more than one bag.

The conversation about trucking was interesting but I became curious as to what the leaves were and why they were the focal point of what was happening in the laneway. I asked Philip what the leaves were. He grinned and said it is like beer. He told me this was “Makoka”. He turned to Peter and asked him what the name was in English and Peter smiled saying, “Pot or Grass…”.

Phillip then pointed to another smaller plant that had a slim red stalk and a smaller green leaf on top. He said, “This one is Mirra or some people also call it Giza.” The small stalks bundled together were like a very small rhubarb plant. Philip was alternating between the Makoka and the Giza. After chewing each he would with drawn the limp stem and throw it to the ground.

I asked Philip what it was and why he chewed it. He described by saying, “It is like Beer. It makes you feel good. It stimulates you and makes you feel happy. If you want to work all night you chew this and you will not go to sleep. You can walk all night and never stop if you eat this. But the next day you will be very, very tired. You will curl up like a baby and sleep a long time. You cannot work and feel very heavy.”

Here in front of me was the drug dealers of the region. We had driven by them for over two weeks and they had stared at us as we drove by. We were in two different worlds entirely. They were dealing and we were preaching God’s word and doing God’s stuff – while using the same laneway.

On two more occasions that day I walked out of the Missions Guest House to the main street and some of the shops. There they were again dealing. Only this time there were some rougher looking guys that were not smiling as much. They were much darker and taller than Joseph. They stood right near the front of the laneway and produced a larger bag filled with smaller wrapped stems. One man pulled a larger bundle of the Giza from its container. It was about 4 inches around and neatly packed. Beside it was another two bundles. His ‘customer’ was looking closely at the bundles and then decided on two of them. After some words they exchanged the bundles for the cash. The cash was in large bills and lots of them. As soon as it was done the taller, tougher guys were gone.

I had just witnessed a big drug buy and delivery – all under the shade of our PAOC Mission’s effort.

I asked the missionaries about what I just saw. They told me that it goes on all the time. In fact the numbers of people frequenting the lane way is high some times just for this reason. But along with the Makoka and Giza being sold there are also people making a flat bread on open stoves and also roasting corn. It is a growing market.

What about police I asked? Where are they? The answer provided some consolation. The drug police are often sitting with them eating as well. It is a ‘stable’ economy and has happy people working and living right outside our door steps.

The first night that we arrived at the airport it was late. The driver that was hired to pick us up was not one of the regulars that drive for the PAOC Missionaries. He worked for a company that was called earlier on our behalf. I asked the driver if he knew where the Mission Guest House was and showed him the address just to make sure we were headed in the right direction. He looked at me and said – “I know the place.” Hmmm..?

When I talked with Stephen Chaloner about what I had seen he explained that there are many accidents where truck drivers fall asleep on the roads after a long period of using the Mirra/Giza. The body just can’t take the sleep loss any longer.

What do you pray for in this situation? What would you do?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

I Am SOOOO Thankful in my up side down world

Today my world is a little up side down... 3:00 AM feels like 10:00 AM - I guess it's that way because it is... 10:00 AM Kenyan time. But last night at 11:00 PM it felt like it was 6:00 AM - I guess because it was ... 6:00 AM Kenyan time.

My world is upside down - and will be for a few days. Jet lag is the way of life for a few days... and then the world will right side itself.

Did I ever tell you that Canada is beautiful? It is also clean and bright and full of clean air. It is safe and quiet in its streets. There are no bars on our windows generally. We do lock doors but for the most part we are safe. When you get in the car to travel somewhere, you don't lock your car doors for fear of being "car jacked" at an intersection. When you drive by a policeman he will not be carrying a loaded and open automatic riffle that could blow your head off when he sneezes. Did I ever tell you Canada is beautiful and free and safe and clean and my country!!!?

Today I want to tell you that - if I haven't told you that already.

I want say how much I appreciate my own bed as well. I didn't stay in it last night very long - but is my bed.... and I love it!!!

I am thinking a lot about Nairobi today. Right now it is 11:45 AM and my new friends are beginning their journey through busy streets, grab some food for lunch and then begin to settle into a rainy day, or clear sky day... but will struggle with some of the issues that we do not struggle with. I pray for them today.

I am sorting through stuff from our suitcases... and in our minds.

Over the next few days I will post a few more Africa Journal Postings. I just have to get it out of me... if that ever happens. Some of the postings are too long and some times case sensitive - so they may not get posted. Others are a little lighter and full of fun... they'll come soon.

I have to run... I have lots of typing to get done. Have a great day!

~Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting 10

Out of Africa

A million times better today... thanks for the prayer.

Today we leave this amazing country. We leave behind dozens of new friends that have all left a deep impact on us. Each in their own special way. I am torn with an Asian Heart in Hong Kong now – and a new African Heart. And in all – I have only met a small few. The photos will help and so will the lump in my throat as I remember their love.

Yesterday was complicated as we attended a very different service in the Olympic P.A.G. Church in Kibera Town. I will write more of this experience later when I get back to my own computer – where my speed will increase a little.

Kibera Town is not a Town – but rather likely the World's largest Slum. It is only 6 square miles – likely about 3 miles by 2 miles... but there are 900,000 people living there. Now there are another two major Slum Areas that are not quite so big but are also in the 100s of thousands... Try to imagine 4 Regina-s packed into 3 miles by 2 miles area.... or maybe 12 Peterboroughs in the same area.... I need lots of time to sort this one out.

Today we met with a pack of Baby Elephants from 7 months old up to 27 months old. This happened at a special animal orphanage for jungle babies. They were just little kids... and full of fun. One of the babies suckled my hand for a long time. How do you tell what that feels like on a keyboard. It brought back some memories of southern Saskatchewan as we weaned calves from their mothers.

Got to run... the plane leaves in a while and we have the last stuff to stuff into the suitcases. We are out of Nairobi at 11:00 PM tonight and into Heathrow Airport in London tomorrow at 6:00 AM – then home.. to our own bed... Ohhh I can feel it now.

The rest of the story will come this week...

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting 9

There is nothing more frightening than not being able to breath. When you take a deep breath and you can't get oxygen that you need to keep living – there is panic that follows in the next few seconds. Big time panic. Well this describes my last few days in Nairobi. Breathing is hard at times. I have caught a serious chest cold – at least it seemed that way at first – but it grew worse each day.

Saturday AM was not good. With some consultation with one of the mission's nurses and a little convincing by Alida we headed to the Agha Kahn Hospital to see a doctor.

After waiting in the doctors office my turn came to see this wonderful servant of God! After a series of questions to build his understanding of my health history, he then began a series of tests on my heart and lungs. In a matter of minutes I had a ECG and an Echo Gram(sp?) of my heart and chest. He pronounced my heart to be in very good shape but was questioning if I was suffering from congestive heart failure.

His pronouncement was straight forward telling me that I had a condition known as Asthmatic Bronchitis which was causing this serious stress breathing. He prescribed some medication and suggested some further possible treatments at home.

In the outer office we had to now pay the bill. NOW I HELD MY BREATH! It was $12,600 Kenyan Schillings. That included the special tests and the doctor's services. Divide that by about 66.50 to get the Canadian dollars. It was the best $189.00 Canadian I have ever spent. The meds came to about $35 Canadian. A gift given to us before we left Canada paid for it all.

Through this experience I have been reminded again that being far from home and the comforts that we have in Canada – then getting sick is terrifying. Being in a “dirty air” condition each day as you walk or drive is not good for your lungs – but the clean air of Canada is something I will never take for granted – EVER!

Reflection...
Our teachers, nurses and missionaries live with this all the time. It has given me something new to pray for and will do so as I return home.

Tomorrow we will head home to Canada. I am looking forward to this part of this trip. Thank you for your prayers for us.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting 8

One Big Kitty
The day was amazing! We did our first Safari – well not the kind that most dream about where you take a Land Rover out past the Lions and the Elephants with a jungle guide. This time we drove to the “Safari Walk” - a little ways out of Nairobi – on the edge of bush country. The animals were very close to us – so photos were easy.

The rhino was gigantic – and did he ever pose for us. The Lions were zonked after lunch – with two females sound asleep on their backs. Daddy Lion was laying on a perch sound asleep as well.
The bush came to the edge of the enclosures. Wild animals from the out side could walk up to the ones that are inside. While we watched the water hole three Wart Hogs walked up and continued to eat.

Around the next corner was an event that would change both Alida and me forever. There was a Cheetah enclosure with a big cat sleeping in the grass. The three Africans that watched us then asked us to follow them to see more.

They walked us to a Bamboo fence with a homemade looking door. The one man pulled it open and said, “Come..”. As we followed into the inner pen wire fence there was a large half leg of something like a cow – ready for supper time. Our leader opened the last door to lead us into the final area – the actual enclosure. There are this magnificent animal looking at us. Our leader looked at us and said again, “Come...”.

The fully grown female Cheetah looked us over with her gigantic eyes. I reached out my hand and she plopped down beside me. She wanted a good pet. As Alida and I began to pet her she purred a deep throated purr – just like any cat – only much, much bigger!

I stood to take a photo and the Cheetah turned her head to begin licking Alida's arm. The purring and licking went on for a long time. Then she rolled over to get her tummy scratched.
I think her amazing eyes are what caught my attention the most. She looked at me and then over my shoulder. On top of the hill behind us was daddy Cheetah taking all this in. He had woken up and was watching us from about 50 feet away. Not nearly so friendly and the lady Cheetah.

I could see the electric prod in the game keeper's hand – just in case it was needed – that was good!

Being able to pet the fastest animal in the world and hear her purr was amazing. Yes – we got some good photos – very good.

The Long Purple Tongue...
Our next wild life happening was to go to a Giraffe Reserve – where they are endeavoring to build back the population of the Rothschild Giraffe. At one time there were only 130 left in one area. Today there are over 300. The herd is coming back.

Feeding the Giraffes was the highlight of this park. The Keepers gave us handfuls of pellets to offer the Giraffe. These graceful beasts stuck their huge heads close to where we were and then the tongue appeared. It was very long and purple. It easily licked the pellets out of our hands.

The Keeper said to put one in my mouth and let the Giraffe take it... “Try it.” she said.

So I took a large pellet and placed it between my lips... the large lady giraffe saw me and slowly moved her head over to me. The huge eyes looked careful at my face and then the pellet. She brought her mouth toward me and then the long tongue stuck away out... zip... the pellet was gone. I never even felt the tongue. I did feel the ex hail on the satisfied giraffe – but just the normal amount of hot air that came from deep inside her lungs about 10 feet below.

What unique and wonderful creature she is.

Yes we got lots of photos...

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting 7

The Leper Beside the Road
As Alida and I walked along the road there was a man sitting just off the sidewalk. His legs were sticking out on to the sidewalk. He had a plastic cup that he used to collect his money. People rushed by him in a hurry to get some place important. He never caught their gaze or they would have stopped. Or maybe – they were used to him being there each day. This is one of the many beggars that we have seen from place to place.

It was then that I noticed that he had no feet and no hands. All four were gone at the joint just below the main bones. He had nothing but stumps. This fellow was a 2007 Leper.
He reached to adjust the cup with his two stumps.

The left leg of his pants was very dirty and ragged – worse than the right. It appeared that he slid along the sidewalk to this point. There was no other means for him to get where he was.
As I write this it is raining hard outside. I wonder what happened to him – where did he go. There are a number of slums in the area that is not far from where he was sitting. Perhaps he is back there now. Each of these slums that we saw are perched on a small creek beds or near them for their water supply. One of the slum areas we saw has over 800,000 people living there.

Back at a Guest House...
I have watched some TV on a Television at the guest house we first stayed in. The one program that we viewed was some re-broadcasts from the USA – Christian TV from the US in Nairobi. Over and over again the TV personality asked people to call in... make a pledge and give money. His latest book was available – telling how you could see God make you rich if you gave to this ministry.

At the bottom of the screen there was a series of local numbers for people in Nairobi to call. This program was out of North or South Carolina however – so donations for it would be forwarded I am surmising.

The preacher went on to tell how when he graduated from College he had 10 year old car that didn't work well. The AC didn't work and the drivers side window wouldn't roll down. He almost melted on the way to church. The white preacher went on to tell how tough it was and how he had been helped by God.

The preacher said that it was all made possible by sowing into someone's life – give your money away to a TV ministry and it will come back to you over and over again! Wow – how easy could that be. Call the number at the bottom of the screen and the people would receive your money gladly – you could sow into the ministry that you were watching from North or South Carolina. WOW!

I nearly gagged when I listened to this idiot. He doesn't know poor. He doesn't know how lucky he was to have a car let along one that had AC. I have been really bothered that this kind of stuff goes out over the airwaves and cable lines in Nairobi. This is the AMERICAN LEPER asking for what they ask for best – MONEY – God forgive us for our “ministries”.

The man beside the road today was not nearly so bad a shape as the stupid, rich, crying for more money, AMERICAN PREACHER was. God help them both.

My prayer...
“Dear God – I am ashamed of what I see and hear in your name. What a bunch of “baloney”. Please forgive me for wanting to rip out the TV antenna from every Nairobi house – pulling out all the cable lines. Oh God please let that money hungry preacher come to see what is really happening beside the road with the leper that can't walk. God let them both discover you and find the help that they need.”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
PS – as we drove by the slum today there were some TV antennas standing tall above the tin roof. God help us to be honest enough to day that this isn't right.

Africa Journal Posting 6

Mombasa 'Bob'

When we pulled into the service center to get petrol, Marilyn Bush was behind the wheel driving us through Mombasa. We were a happy bunch enjoying the afternoon together.

I noticed the man first as he pulled his tricycle up to our car. His tricycle was powered by his arms using two cranks that he turned with his hands. The cranks were attached to two sprockets that drove the long chains to the back wheels. His legs hung limply down from his seat without power to walk. The knees of his pants were well worn with the red dust of the ground – likely from sliding along to reach his tricycle.

He starred quietly at Marilyn as she ordered her fuel. Then he looked past Marilyn into the back seat and locked eyes with me. We saw each other at that moment and knew each other though we had not spoken.

In order to write about him I will give him the name 'Bob'. My uncle was Bob as well. My uncle Bob was a cripple too sitting for 69 years in his wheel chair in southern Saskatchewan – a million miles from this spot.

When the gas station attendant had finished her job of filling the tank Marilyn paid her in Kenyan Schillings. Then Marilyn reached out her hand an gave the man her handful of Schillings. She also gave 'Bob' a bag of peanuts that she keeps for the people like 'Bob'.

His smile was all the thanks we needed.

There is no 'home care' in Africa for guys like 'Bob'. There is 'side of the road care', 'service station care' and 'make-it-on-your-own' care. No home care where the well trained Personal Support Worker gets you up in the morning, baths you, dresses you, and even helps you prepare your breakfast. There is no PSW to reverse all this in the evening – NOT LIKE CANADA.

As I have been thinking about Mombasa 'Bob' his accessibility demands are few. He only needs a service station where the attendants won't chase him away. A service station where he can maneuver his tricycle from pump to pump without the huge tanker trucks that come will not run over him.

I am now 9 hours away from Mombasa 'Bob'. He is not in my world anymore – except in a powerful memory. He will never know the comfort of my world either. He is safe. But where does he sleep? Where does he bath? Where are his parents? Does he have any siblings? Some one must have helped to make this tricycle to get around on – who was it?

Africa is only a tourist stop when it zooms by the bus window or stands beside your missionary vehicle. The really dangerous part is not the wild animals, weird bugs, or the thieves that break into your home. The dangerous part is when its people get a name and they become a part of your life. Or they look you in the eyes and touch you.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

PS- Again - In our guest house on the wall above the table hangs a sign that says, “A friend is one who strengthens you with prayer, Blesses you with love, and Encourages you with Hope.”

African Journal Posting 5 - Henry

Henry
In the quietness of this guest house my thoughts have gone back to the place near the beach in Mombasa.

On our way to the resort we had passed through and by the throngs of people walking every where. People were all along the way – both sides of the road. The streams of people is unending.

But in the quietness of the resort you do not see the masses. I was sitting on a wooden lounge chair when Henry came to sit with me. I introduced myself.

Henry lived a long way from the hotel. His job required that he be at the hotel 6 days a week for at least 8 hours a day. It was now 5:00 PM and most of the tourists had all gone indoors. It was just Henry and me. The rain was falling.

We talked for a long time. Henry was the second youngest of 13 children. He described his father, “He has two wives and there are many children. He is a polygamist.”. Life sounded hard for this 22 year old. He had attended school and college in Mombasa but that was all the schooling that he will get without money. He asked about Canada but it was hard to relate to him what we have.

The last tourist came to give their towels back. Henry found their towel cards and thanked them with a smile. The rain was falling harder now and I had to run.

I have thought of Henry a lot over these past four days. I had met one man 'Henry'. Where is he now? I will think of him often in days to come and wonder how he is doing. It was one of those branding moments where he is now part of me.

Today again as we rode through the streets we passed thousands upon thousands of of people with names I do not know. Some were very rich and others were some of the poorest people that I have ever seen.

In the ditch, near the road a young girl was squatting beside her little brother – giving him a bath in the 4 inch deep water created by the big rain of last night. The little naked boy was about two – maybe three. The little girl was maybe 8 years old. I didn't get a photo of them because a nice, black Mercedes car pulled up beside us and blocked the view. The driver of the car smiled at me.

This great city of Nairobi is a swirl of people with millions of Henry s and his sisters. I am overwhelmed with what I am taking in.

But there is no shortage of religious places here. Often during the day the silence of our guest house is broken by the Islamic call to prayer from a nearby Mosque. Near where we are there are many churches of all different arrays – some strong and very much present in the community – others are a small band of believers that huddle down back lanes behind iron gates with guards. Recently another pastor was car jacked and then turned loose after three hours of a nightmare.

How can one ever pray for the humanity that is around us all the time? How can God ever sort through this complicated place?

Back to Henry sitting on the wooden bench with me. Henry prays too but his job keeps him from the daily calls to prayer at his mosque.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

PS- In our guest house on the wall above the table hangs a sign that says, “A friend is one who strengthens you with prayer, Blesses you with love, and Encourages you with Hope.”

Africa Journal Posting 4

From Nairobi, Kenya.... following Mombasa Retreat for PAOC Missionaries – Thursday April 11 – 15, 2007

In spite of my fears and frustration; doubts, confusion and the power that went off regularly on certain days – the following account may help you to catch the highlights that have made the trip well worth it all.

Impact - a few of the highlights
11 Year old Deren
On Thursday AM Alida and I took part in the children's session to help Jade, a Master College and Seminary student from Hamilton, Ontario. My task was to do a drawing class with the kids. I was going to show them how to draw a human face. With that I promised that we would also do some cartooning.

Deren is a young fellow about 11 years old. His eyes sparkled as he followed my instructions to create a face on paper. I talked about proportions and how they should be and then went to cartooning where you exaggerate facial features. Darin caught on very well.

Later that afternoon he described in detail to his father the way that you can draw a face...illustrating the way the the proportions work. He was very excited.

The next morning when he got up he came to his father and looked closely at his face. Then he told his father, “Papa, its just like Uncle Murray said, you have a good face for a cartoon!” The fire has been lit for Darin.

Conversation with a Teen
Sitting around the table each night for the evening meal was a great time to meet new people. The conversation was very good. One evening we sat with some of the teens. One young lady in grade 9 told how she loved to play sports of all kind. I asked her what she hoped to do some day. She didn't really know what to do. Africa is a long way from places and she wasn't sure.

I asked her if she had ever thought of putting her love for sport together with further training and University studies. I asked her if she had considered maybe studying physical education or perhaps sports injury therapist or trainer. Her eyes sparkled when we talked about this. It was the first time she had heard of this. Her response was, “I would like that!”.

Conversation with the Missionaries
During the retreat my topic was about maintaining a Merry or Happy Heart (Proverbs 17:22) I asked each one to look closely at their own lives – checking for the effect of mad, sad and fears. I pointed out that at times we tend to bottle up the emotions – not allowing ourselves to truly feel or deal with these “unchristian attitudes”...yet we still have them and it destroys the lives of others and our own.

Three missionaries came, one at a time, to talk about what had happened for them at the retreat. One talked about the fact that he would now use some of the ideas that we had used to help his staff and also some of his workers that were going through similar things in the area that he lived. The others shared similar revelations for themselves.

Another man came to thank me for my openness and tell me how much it had meant to him. The last one came to express strong feelings of encouragement to me said simply, “Thank you for putting some spice into this retreat! I intend to use some of your ideas in my own teacher training days that come soon.”

Poolside Humour
The Traveler's Beach Hotel is on the outskirts of Mombasa, Kenya. It has a beautiful three stage pool just outside the main building with all the rooms over looking the area. The ocean and the white sand beaches was just a short distance from the pool.

On the beach you could find 'hawkers' of all kinds. There was Silas that had ebony carvings for sale and Paul that wanted to take you for a Camel ride on one of his three Camels. Then came Antone that had woodcarvings of all kinds including his famous key changes with your name on it.

Paul's Camels laid droppings all over the beach – kind of the same shape as black seas shells but as yet they were still warm. As you walked into the ocean waves there wasn't the same rules as in Canada for “Stoop and Scoop” At times getting to the water was like doing a hopscotch. Too funny... watching the tourist discover the “black sea shells”. The tide each time flushed the beach clean.

The greatest humour was beside the pool each day. Prince Philip was there with a different woman than Elizabeth of the royal family in London. His present wife had salt and pepper hair. Each day they were at the next table over from where we ate lunch. His likeness to Philip was way too cool. I had the funny feeling that it may well have been the real Philip – the Duke...

At the end of some days as the tourists left the poolside the monkeys would come to look things over. Very entertaining top say the least.

To Sum it Up...
By the time Saturday evening had arrived the results of the retreat were showing. Merry and Happy Hearts were every where. The laughter was long and a delight to hear. Even on Friday night, when the power went out (the Power Point presentation was useless!) - in the darkened room we did a powerful small group activity that required the missionaries and the teens to say three things they appreciated about the person in the center of their circle. With candles lit around the circumference and a gas camp light the atmosphere was just right. There was much laughter and some tears. At one point a group member jumped to their feet and hugged some one else.

I drank deeply with my friends at the well of happiness. What a joy to see the Lord work so deeply. Without much preaching this was a very spiritual retreat.

A special thanks to Stephen and Heather Chaloner, Marg Foreman and Janice Foss for all their hard work to arrange everything so well.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
murray.lincoln@gmail.com

Africa Journal Posting 3

Today in Mombasa an amazing group of people joined us to celebrate their missions work across eastern Africa. What a group of people to come together. The talent in the room is something else. These people are ordinary people but people that have come to allow God to lead them deeper into his will for Africa in extraordinary ways. Their individual accounts move me deeply. And I have only met a few of them so far.

It is hot. As we traveled from Nairobi to Mombasa the temperature sored from about 72 F to around 100+ F. The ocean is beautiful. The accommodations are impossible to describe – so far from the world that I know.

We have met with old friends and new ones too. As we walked down the beach there were hawkers of all sorts. Carvings, shirts, dresses, and boat rides. Add to that possible camel rides on three well groomed but complaining camels. One fellow followed us along way. He offered a three day tour to Mount Kilimanjaro and six other places. He was sure that we would really enjoy it. Then he led us to the little shack that he sells carvings from. Talk about an entrepreneur. This guy could sell anything to anyone – but alas very hot and sweating Canadians could not be talked into climbing a mountain or buying a tie died dress today.

This is Africa – and amazing place to be in. More than anything today the impression was the love that God has for this place.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting #2

I think my awareness became the most heightened when the black man on the bicycle nearly wore the front left fender of our automobile. He actually wobbled a little as we came very, very close to his tire. I found me shoving my both feet tightly to the floor boards trying stop everything and assist Steve Chaloner to stop the car and miss the man. But that action was useless as I was in the back seat squeezed tightly between Alida and the back left passenger door. Alida and I were sandwiched into the back seat of the Peugeot along with Rick Tozer from Ontario. In the front seat was Steve, behind the wheel, on the right side of the car along with his wife Heather – sitting directly in front of me guiding Steve as he drove us through rather unfamiliar streets of Nairobi.

Don't get me wrong here – Steve is an excellent driver. We never touched anyone on the road including the man on the bicycle. The greatest challenge is the other million or so drivers that rush and push and ply and toot their horns and give hand signs at each other to squeeze into the lanes that every one is competing for – and they are terrible drivers! This is not a normal world where people drive normally. These drivers have never been to any driving school – in fact today I looked for any evidence anywhere for the “putt-a-long” Driver Training cars. There are none! This is Nairobi and it is rush hour – but it seems to be rush hour all the time. North American drivers have no idea of what this is like.

Now let's up this excitement just a little. On our way to the outskirts of Nairobi the sky opens up and the rain begins to fall. Well not exactly fall... it was the next thing to a deluge. Noah likely saw this as the beginning of the 40 days and 40 nights of the first rains. The road way was beginning to cover with rushing, red rivers that spread at times across the pavement. The ditches, as they were, began to run wild with the streams that were growing by the minute. This seemed to confuse some of the drivers that became more tense and more ramming at each other. We could hardly see out of the windows as it was coming so hard – neither could they.

Now turn it up one more notch. Every so often there are a very European idea – a “round about” – or a traffic circle. Now as we drove on the left side of the road you approach the circle in either the left or right lane. There are two lanes rounding the round about. To exit on any of the up to five different roads exiting from the traffic circle you need to be on the outside left lane of the circle just before that exit. Add one more factor each of the four or five lanes has two lanes coming into the circle with drivers all making their intentions known that they want one of the other four exits. On the round about you will have just seconds to move over or get out... or stay close to the right lane and go round and round and round.

Oh yes... and one more thing... the cars are not more than one breath apart. Some times you could not blow between the fenders and bumpers. If you did blow you must first inhail some hefty diesel fumes and cough between the breaths.

It was at one of the round abouts that the black man, riding the old bicycle, decided to cut across two lanes and make his exit. Now add to that it was after dark as we were returning home – and it was black outside.

My hat is off to Heather and Steve as they minister in this community and others across Africa. They are amazing people. But they are people and these people subjected to this kind of daily danger need prayer. Through out the day yesterday as we rode with each other more stories came to light as they shared the dangers that have happened even a week ago with robbers breaking into the homes of our missionaries to steal whatever they can. On two occasions there were guns involved and shots fired. But no one was hurt.

This trip yesterday has made prayer for Steve and Heather, as well as the other soldiers in the missions army of East Africa, even more important. These people need our support and care brought to a mighty God. God does answer prayer. Some where yesterday in Canada there was some one praying for our safety between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM. I want to tell you for a fact that the prayer worked.

Thank you so much for praying.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Africa Journal Posting #1

At 37,000 feet above the Sahara Desert we are zooming along at 630 mph. The temperature outside the aircraft is around minus 54 C – but we have the windows shades closed on my side of the aircraft with sun beaming against it – it is too hot to sit here. The window which is normally cold is very hot. The mile after mile of brown haze, for as far as you can see covers the earth below. Below us you can see millions of sand dunes that mark the surface. Strong winds have created ridges out from the dunes for miles westward.

What a contrast from earlier this morning as we glided across the north Atlantic Ocean. The air was spectacularly clear with billions of stars shinning. The stars even appeared below eye level as I looked out the window. I covered my head with a blanket to keep out the cabin lights. The sky shone.

I fell asleep looking at the stars. When my eyes opened a while later the moon was peeking from below the aircraft wing and spilling a forever path across the water and the few clouds below.

With my nose pasted to the window I fell asleep again. Sometime later the sun woke me up and the green fields of Ireland were down below. Then came England with its millions of stone fence mazes between each field. The tiny patch work of fields were so different from the Canadian prairies.

London, England was amazing from the air. The trees were green and spring has already come to these parts. It seemed that the pilot knew that we had not been here before and he circled the entire city at a low altitude letting us see everything of the central part. I shot photo after photo hoping to catch the queen in her backyard. But it happened too fast for me to see it all. Alida asked me, “I wonder if the Queen will be there to meet us when we get off this plane?”

After two hours on the ground and an aircraft change we were off again.

The white cliffs of Dover and the English channel zipped by and we were over France. Wow! This is a fairy tale country so different from the parts of England that we glided over three hours before. From North to the South the landscape changed over and over again. In comparison to the small fields of England these were larger with more treed land in between the fields. The towns and villages were irregular in size and shapes. Usually there were three to five roads coming into each place – none of them straight. It was weird compared to my fly over Saskatchewan a few weeks ago.

At some point over southern France it was a washroom/toilet break time. When I got back to my seat the Mediterranean Sea was bow below us and the south coast of France was disappearing behind our aircraft. Nuts – I wanted a picture of that! No more toilet breaks until the middle of the desert.

The huge expanse of the Mediterranean Sea was there for quite a while. The clouds all puffy and white scattered over the deep blue water started appearing below us. Within 30 minutes the white clouds gave way to the brown haze that was now here for the last hour or so. Man oh man this is a big expanse of desert. There are no text books or travel guides that can tell you how big this really is. I can only see a few miles in each direction of the aircraft.

The brown haze has broken a bit now. You can see more of the desert below. There are small clusters of trees every so often – with large expanses of desert in between. Near the clusters are stones piled up to make an enclosure – probably to keep animals. Where was the food and water for anyone below to even survive here?

Then came a very different shape below us. It was kind of a cone shaped object and very large compared to the cluster of trees not far away. In the sunshine of the late afternoon it cast a long cone shape on the sand. Two of the structures stood a short distance from each other and were the same. Pyramid? Maybe or maybe a temple or something. At 650 mph now it was hard to get any more than a short few minutes of looking. Even turning to get the camera at this speed lost the image below.

The map on the TV screen says we are just west of Addis Ababa and that the Nile River should be below. There it is – along brown snake winding back and forth across the land. Away back in public school I never dreamed that I would ever see the Nile. The Sunday School accounts of Moses and his people happened a few hundred miles down that river. This is so cool. I feel like a little boy again. WOW!

The haze below has changed again to large white clouds appearing and more up a ahead. This usually means that it will get a bit bumpy soon. Yep! As I wrote these words the seat belt gong went off again and the plane jumped up and down for a while. New air currents were tossing us around a bit. This is a 747 jet and not a little one. Whooie – this is fun.

The sun is about to set on my right side and the ground below – the little that appears through the clouds is now dark. Up ahead the new clouds appearing are very, very big. We are at 38,000 feet and they are much higher than the aircraft. It is the first sign we have of the rainy season. It has just begun on the land below bringing some relief.

We now have been traveling for 28 hours and my eyes feel like they have sand paper in them. No wonder the infomercial said to take your contact lenses out for the trip. I don't wear any and my eyes feel like they are loaded with gravel. I feel a big sleep coming on but I can't get it to come. This is an upside down world I am now in. Yawn....

Later...
As we zoomed through the dark streets of Nairobi the rain has stopped. The driver is telling us that this is the first day of the rainy season. By the end of the month it will be raining very hard. We have two weeks to look forward to the cool rains.

This morning as I peck out this short account I am sitting in a small office at the front of the missions guest house we are staying at. Most of you at home are still snoring – it is 9:00 AM here and 2:00 AM in Peterborough. Outside the window, which is wide open, is a ten foot high poinsettia tree. It is the same as the ones that we have at Christmas time - only really big. The birds that are singing are mixed with some strange animal sounds from some where. I love this country. WOW!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

In Nairobi, Kenya

Stuffing It Full

As we zipped up the last bag we noticed the stitching along the zipper had popped. There spilling from the last bag was its contents. Something was sticking out. I remembered then that on the last leg of the last journey the wheel of this bag was also wobbling. Its mistreatment on the last flight had been major!

It is a fairly new bag and should have held up to the rigorous punishment – but alas it blew a stitch to two – now all that was inside was going to spill outside… or at least it would likely happen just as the bags were coming out of the baggage chute at the far away airport. There is a funny picture – all my private stuff spilled out on a conveyor belt for all to see. Yikes…

I am worried about my own personal body… it has been mishandle lately and lots of stuff has been lambasting it from all sides… will it blow a stitch or two and … DON’T even let that thought stay around… dummy!

These are the dangers of travel. And with all these dangers floating easily to the surface of our minds – we climb on a jet this afternoon to be whisked to London, England first and then within two hours of its landing we get on another jet to finally land in Nairobi, Kenya the following day.

To say that it has been a swirl of emotions and planning is saying it lightly. ‘Whirlpool’, ‘Tornado’ or ‘Cyclone’ may better describe what it has been like. Add to that the word ‘blur’ and then place ‘panic’ closely to the mix. Take away the ‘peace’ that should be there all the time and I am getting dizzy… BUT it was the anti-malaria pills that should have made me dizzy (and still may do that…). THIS IS MISSIONS 2007 – and all my missionary/teacher friends do it all the time.

I only know the purpose of what we are doing… meeting with some friends that need a retreat and building up. And in this special setting I expect that there will be some very positive building up and strengthening for all of us – healing actually will come to many.

It is an honour to be asked to do this task.

Alida and I would like to thank all that have contributed in some many special ways. Some have given us gifts of money and others have given their prayer and positive support. Thank you to all.

Comedy happens…
For the most part, the folks that we will meet with in Africa at the retreat - are all Canadian – or have had strong Canadian roots. One thing that some of them miss is the oddities of our Canadian culture. One of the oddest things that I know of is the “Roll up the Rim” phenomena, that has gripped almost everyone I know – but some more than others!

With this thought in mind I went to a local Tim Horton’s Donut Shop and asked if I could get a quantity of not unrolled “Roll Up the Rim” cups to take with me to the retreat. I was willing to buy them – only 50 or so if I could. I just didn’t need the coffee in that many cups. It seemed simple enough to ask this question.

The poor girl behind the country looked puzzled. She quickly got the manager – another young lady that was in her late 20s. She then listened to my appeal and left me standing while she made a phone call to her manager – who in turn suggested that I call their District Manager on Monday. They do not sell that many cups (possibly winning cups) to one customer. Won’t help – I leave Sunday. It was only Friday – this should be easy to do. Not!

I had second idea pop into my head – I then began calling all my coffee drinking, rolling up the rim-er friends to pitch in and help. As I began each call it was funny the pause that came with each call. First I wasn’t sure how to ask such a delicate question – but then it became easier.

“Would you be willing to help me give a special “missions offering”? I would like to ask you to go to Tim Horton’s coffee shop, buy a coffee in the paper cup – four or five to be exact – then DON’T Roll Up the Rim! – but rather give it to me “not unrolled” – not revealing the prize and if there is a prize – give it up.”

Background Explanation for non Canadians that have not witnessed this strange happening. The Tim Horton Company is a coffee shop chain across our country. The paper cups that they use have a ‘rim’ around the top. When the cup is made it is printed with ‘instructions’ under the rim – that are discovered when the coffee drinker slowly rolls up his or her rim at the end of the coffee. They have many prizes going from free coffees to bicycles to donuts to even automobiles. There are people that even hate coffee buying the coffee cups to try to win!

Then I explained that we will be taking these cups to the missionaries in Africa to let them have the fun of unrolling the rim – and maybe even winning the automobile, the bicycle, the large screen TV – etc. I haven’t really thought through all of the confusion that may exist if some one there wins big… One of my “givers” did – and said flatly with a faint smile – I get the car if THEY WIN!

There were other very funny reactions – one of which told me that I could have any of his tools, take his car, ask anything of him and he would give it away – even his wife – but I was asking him to do a hard thing – a real sacrifice. I was challenging his “Giving” and his “Greed”. I promised this fellow that this would likely appear as a sermon/lecture illustration at the Retreat coming up. Together we laughed…

Quite by accident I have stumbled on to one of the greatest efforts of true missions giving. We had to really think about what we were giving – and then give it freely without reservation and with love. Some gave even though it hurt them deeply to give so much away.

I am sure that some that gave their Tim Horton cups away will never be the same again. Some that receive it will never be the same again – either. They may win! But in reality we all have won. We gave what we had… and had fun doing it.

Pause…
As I think of this unique giving that we have done together… that is the “Easter Story” wrapped up in a unique 2007 culturally bound story. God didn’t hold back anything – he gave his best to whoever would receive. His best was Jesus. The delight would be for the ‘receiver’ of the greatest gift – God’s love. Just roll it up and win the greatest prize ever given. Wow!

In the next few days I will attempt to post the impressions and insights that we gather. We have our camera and love shooting whatever we can… with the camera that is!

Thank you so much for your prayer support and love that goes with us. We intend to greet everyone we meet on your behalf.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Please write us at murray.lincoln@gmail.com

"BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE LORD..."

“But I have never been there Lord! The bugs are big and their bites are horrible… and I really don’t like losing my suitcases! After all, the gal on the radio the other day said how the British Airlines lose more suitcases than any other airlines in the world. God I just can’t carry all my underwear, socks and shirts and stuff in the ‘carry-on baggage’ – they won’t allow that much under my airplane seat…”

My conversations with God are to the point sometimes… but no point with Him seems to work for me… at least when I try to convince him that I am a natural born chicken.

My wife and I will be leaving on Sunday afternoon for a short jaunt to Africa. We will be with some wonderful friends in Kenya. These people are working with some wonderful African folks that are reaching out in about a dozen different countries to make their worlds a whole lot better. Their situations are far worse than mine – believe me.

One of my friends by the name of Glen in Malawi, just went through a nightmare in his office – while he was in the office by the way – with an armed man coming in to steal his safe. There was a struggle with the man with his gun… the gun went off and the bullet bounced around the cement walls in the office. Trauma has followed as he deals with this.

Marilyn, another friend has experienced a broken arm and healing that is taking place slowly. She is alone except for some wonderful African friends that support her. Her mother and family are back in Canada – a long ways from her world.

Besides Marilyn and Glen there is also Stephen, who has just buried his father in England and has had to deal with the complications of the grief added to the weight of dealing with all of the family affairs – then he still has a major work in Mozambique that he must lead and support.

These are some of my friends that I will attempt to encourage in the Retreat that we will attend in Kenya. For those that haven’t followed this blog closely – I am speaking at the Retreat next week.

Thanks for thinking and praying for us during the next few days. If all goes well and a computer is available I will blog from Africa.

One thing that has crossed my mind – the pool at the hotel, we are staying at for four days during the Retreat, needs only a bathing suit. I can buy some of those really wild and colourful African outfits in the market – and look like a real tourist! That outta make for some wild photos!!! Alida, my wife, isn’t real impressed with that image for herself however… ahem. I think she has found away to cram in some extra necessities in her carry-on – just in case!

Update…
Mom is settling into her new room. Yesterday we unloaded about fifteen boxes. The contents are now tucked back into their respective places in the large cabinets that she used to have in her living room. It is beginning to feel like home again. The photos will be done today.

Finally…
May this day, Good Friday, and this Sunday coming remind you of a tragic but wonderful Easter Story – when God gave his Son to make a way for us to know love.

Thanks for the support and prayer that you have given us.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The Mighty Rush - The Niagara Week

If you have stood at the top of or near by the Niagara Falls you may understand what I will say next. It could be any other ‘falls’ for that matter – big or small. The water is rushing over the top – going somewhere in a great hurry. It is also endless and the volume is so great that it staggers your mind as you watch.

I have been living a week filled with a mighty rush. It has been almost impossible to catch my breath as I have faced one situation after another. The week has been a Niagara Week – with a volume of things pouring in and through it – without end.

I know – I know – it is my own fault because I said yes to what is happening. I agreed to what I am living and to the people that I allowed into my life. I am responsible but I am not sure that I agreed to allow so much into the Life I am living. Maybe with the rush I did agree and was too busy to even see it happen.

As many that read this short blog will know – my mom came to live with us last month. Her personal affects came shortly after her arrival. Then life sped up with the needs of people requiring some assistance in our city. It is fast pace to say the least.

As this week unfolded a small personal crisis for one man came to light. This crisis involved others and then it was followed by a great answer with a new joy being released. The community that he is living in is experiencing healing and he personally is finding a new peace. There will be more meetings this week to assure all that are involved. Now add to mixture…a young couple that are getting married TONIGHT – for whom I will be performing the marriage… and today is tighter.

Oh and I forgot to explain that a key person in my life has experienced some very difficult issues that will require an investigation by some government authorities. This investigation is crucial and requires a witness to sit in on the investigation – and you may have guessed already I am that witness. The place where this investigation is about an hour’s drive from here – this afternoon…. Which means 3 hours out of today to complete this task.

Yikes I forgot one more thing… I have two services to prepare for as well, Good Friday and Easter Sunday that is speeding toward my ‘water fall’ weekend up ahead.

Double yikes – I didn’t forget this one… on this coming Easter Sunday my wife and I climb on to a jet for Kenya in east Africa to minister at a “Retreat” for very busy missionaries. A retreat will be slow and quiet offering a time to recoup and refreshing for the missionaries….but I have to hurry to get there. Something is weird about this picture.

My mind’s thoughts this AM is filled with the speed and volume to Niagara Falls. And yet… there is peace – perfect peace.

Perfect Peace…God is there!
I began listing what has happened. We needed to save and raise about $3200 for the trip to Kenya. Locally – we saw an amazing $2065 come into support us. Then an email informed me that another source was providing a $1000 deposit to help us out in this venture. Following that another amount came along that will cover the remainder needed. Add to that another amount that came to cover the $100+ US dollars for visas for Kenya… Oh – then our Canadian Income Tax people reported that they are giving us money back this year again – the cheque arrived yesterday!

Mom’s room is coming along. We were able to get a new telephone for her room making it easier to hear. This morning we will get some pictures hung along with some books unpacked. Slowly the move is feeling better for her. Her new home – our house is feeling a little better each day. But she worries about me as I rush around to get it all done.

Sorry… I have to run. I can’t find my notes for next week. It is on the table somewhere – that is where I left it… I think. And the suitcase is sitting here ready for some clothes of some sort… but I don’t have anything to wear… when it will be so hot. (Now I know why tourists like me buy wild colour shirts… they were too busy before they left to dig out what they had deep in their closets.)

Ouch I just stubbed my toe on the run over to the computer. See you in a day … or so. Gotta find my notes… and where is the wedding plan that we need for tonight… Ooops the new telephone just rang….

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
(A little wet in the river but loving every minute of it…)

Behind the Scenes

An Old Discovery…
There is a time when a person needs to be assertive and a time when passiveness is needed. There are times when you want to shout and times when you want to find some duct tape to keep the words from coming out or getting out. The balance act between these two states I find myself in is the formula for a successful outcome – or disaster. The successful outcome always follows a period of struggle.

To sum up this dynamic struggle in a word is ‘faith’. But faith is hard when you have no control – everyone knows that. And everyone knows that is life.

Moving Problems…
In the last posting I referred to ‘moving problems’ with a moving company that we used to bring my mother’s things from Regina, Saskatchewan to Peterborough, Ontario. Here is the background…

We chose a company out of a group of about four different companies recommended by people that we knew well. I had personal contact with each company through live conversations with a representative with each place of business. From this we found one that seemed to be the right one – big name, good track record and a feeling of comfort were all parts of why I chose this particular company.

Next our air flights were booked around the dates that would allow us to get mom from her apartment lease and also allow the mover the time to get the household goods to Ontario without too long a wait. Our goal was to have as little upset for Mom as possible – and make it easier for Alida, my wife, and me as well.

The plans were perfect – at least it seemed that way. But perfect plans will have glitches as well… and ours did.

Prior to our departure a call from Regina from our moving agent was exciting. The moving date with the pick up of all Mom’s stuff was moved up 5 days earlier. This would mean an earlier drop off of the things in Peterborough in the following week – and more time to clean and close the apartment in Regina after Mom had moved. This was a good answer to the unseen problems that I would possibly face in the move.

Fast Forward…
Mom and our daughter landed in Ontario on the 20th of March… I landed on the 28th. I had lots of time to complete the tasks that needed to be done at Mom’s apartment. The mover’s plans were to unload on the 29th. This was SO good as it came together. The time was to be around 9:00 AM on that Thursday 29th AM that the truck would arrive.

Early Thursday AM we rushed around to prepare for the arrival of 3600 pounds of her earthly possessions. This meant taking her borrowed bed apart and everything out of her room. Mom positioned herself on a chair to wait for her things to get there. There was no place to lay down… so she waited. She was excited and as anxious as we were. 9:00 AM came and no truck… then 10, 11, 12… and eventually 4, then 5 and 6 PM. Our hopes were sinking into the sunset. Just before 4:00 PM I called the local company in Peterborough to find that the goods we were waiting for were in our good city…SINCE TUESDAY… but they wouldn’t be delivered for another five days or so. WHAT!? There was nothing written down on any paper about Thursday at 9:00 AM. It was not their problem! We will get back to you – sometime… when we have the manpower… WHAT!?!

I called the Regina movers to get some idea of what was taking place. Through three more phones calls we discovered that the two hour difference between Ontario and Saskatchewan makes a huge difference when the offices in Ontario close before or at 6:00 PM Ontario time.

Friday came and went… at 5:00 PM my time I called Regina’s office again. The poor man on the phone, who is now my friend after a million calls, tried to explain what was possibly going to happen and also what had happened.

It was near the end of the month – the busiest time for people to move. All local people are moving as well – which requires people to carry and move things. “Our truck” arrived early in Peterborough and couldn’t hang around until I got off the airplane. The driver had work to do… so he boxed what we had and was on his way down the road. The local moving company looked at these nice boxes and said to themselves – ‘This can wait until next week… it is just an old lady’s stuff … only 3600 pounds…” The conversation on the telephone with the local moving rep confirmed this. She emphasized that THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE AN ARRIVAL TIME OF A MOVE UNDER 5000 POUNDS. The lady agent’s name is Jackie – and she knows the fine print of her contracts…OKAY!?!?!?

On Friday I received a few calls from Regina and the last one was the most important – this came at about 7:00 PM Ontario time. Within minutes a local caller from the local company called. A moving crew would arrive on Saturday at 8 to 8:30 AM to unload.

Saturday came and they did arrive at 7:55 AM – bright eyed and bushy tailed. One fellow sang as he unloaded the stuff. He joked with the other two and they were all done in about on hour.

One thing everyone needs to know about a move… there is the local agent that will begin to the move… then there is the Truck and Crew that carry it… and finally there is the local company that will possibly get involved when the links fall apart… when someone screws up.

What Big Moving Companies need to know…
A way back in January and February 2007 when we were deciding on which moving company to use we were asking lots of questions. Personally I contacted a real-estate agent in Regina to get his opinion. He sees and hears of movers all the time. Another relative shared with us some of the names of reputable companies as well. In both cases the company we chose showed up in their lists.

There is an unseen list and advice that will really count down the road however. That list is kept by the local ladies in Mom’s coffee group that meet each morning during the week in her old apartment building. When these ladies found out Mom was going to move they immediately had suggestions and stories about movers. It seems that some movers lose your things and others actually steal your things. Some are highly UN-RECOMMENDED by her friends.

At the time Mom told me the stories on the phone – I thought it was kind of funny that these ladies would even know about this aspect of another person’s move.

• BUT GUESS WHAT MR. MOVING COMPANY MAN… they, all these older ladies, write back to tell others what happened with their move – and in Mom’s little group there are about 45 ladies that meet each morning for coffee at the Canadiana Apartments, 2345 Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan…
• GUESS WHAT all these little old ladies with the 3600 pound loads have kids that move…
• GUESS WHAT MOVING COMPANY PEOPLE – some of their kid’s will BLOG you…
• GUESS WHAT… TADA – “Jackie” the moving lady – they will tell on you…
• GUESS WHAT MR. TRUCK DRIVER… you will get a flat tire some day on the next trip when you least want it….and it will likely come because one little old lady, at 86 years old, sat waiting for her things all that day on her stool…
• GUESS WHAT… her son is a minister that is connected to a moving group of people across Canada and the USA… you guessed that one right – he writes and blogs stuff too…
• GUESS WHAT… the funniest part… the BIG COMPANY sent a survey to me asking to complete a ‘Quality Measuring Survey’ that arrived two days before the stuff did

I began this posting with the statement… “There are times when you want to shout and times when you want to find some duct tape to keep the words from coming out or getting out.” Today – I ripped off the duct tape…!

Finally…
There is a moving man that I trust… his name is Murray August in Regina’s Milne Moving & Storage Company – he is my friend. Thanks Murray for all that you have done.

The McWilliams Moving Systems in Peterborough has a mixture of moving people… some need retraining and serious help…

There is a United - Mayflower Trucker somewhere today that needs a flat tire fixed – I think he is waiting for 12 hours or more for help as he sits on his stool…

The three movers that came in their unmarked moving van on Saturday AM were fun… even though their country western songs were sung off key… “I want to go to heaven… da da..da…”

The BIG COMPANY’s name is United and/or Mayflower…I think they are connected somehow… you decide what you will do on your next move… They are only as good as their local people.

Mom slept in her own bed last night. Her osteoporosis and the bone problem she has needs that bed… Thanks again Murray August…

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The Unloading in Peterborough, Ontario