Exciting News!!!

Many of you have not heard but Claudia and I have some really exciting news. Last night I asked Claudia to marry me (and she said yes of course - but was there ever any doubt!?!)

How did it happen you ask? Well, on Friday Claudia finished her training in Stouffville and I decided to welcome her home by taking her out for dinner on Saturday. We went to Delaney's in Fergus and had a lovely time. Afterwards we went for a walk at the Pilkington Overlook. We ate some wild black raspberries, got 'lost' looking for the path and enjoyed the beauty of nature. Towards the end of our walk, we found a nice little spot that would be perfect for a picnic. I told Claudia this and then told her to close her eyes. When she opened them there was a bunch of roses in front of her. I think she was a little bit surprised and didn't know what to say. I told her I wanted to tell her something and asked her to just listen. I told her how wonderful she is and how blessed I am to have her in my life. Then I got down on one knee and said that I love her and asked her to marry me. She was in shock. She didn't move for a second but then yelled "yes". We stayed there for a couple of minutes and the decided to go back to the car to go tell people. When we got to the car we said a quick (and very disorganized) prayer and then left for my parents' house.

At my parents' house, Nick (my brother) was there to greet us. He took us around back to where my parents were and there was another surprise waiting for Claudia. Claudia's parents and friends and my parents and friends were waiting there for us.

Looking back, it was the perfect day. Everything went better than I could have imagined. Claudia and I are so happy and we look forward to the rest of our lives together. We will be getting married October 28, 2006 in Kitchener, Ontario.

Training - The Second Week

After completing my first week of training I have filled out more forms than I can count. Between the Government of Canada and Crossroads I'm sure I have everything covered now. Last week I spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday reading information about Zambia and the Lazarus Project (where I'll be working) and filling out paperwork. This week I was only there on Tuesday, July 19 and I have the rest of the week on my own. Next week should be interesting. I will be attending a Centre for Intercultural Learning course to help prepare me for the change in culture in Zambia. I will be in Toronto for three days. The week after that I get to work at an organic farm near Cambelville. It will help teach me more of the basics about agriculture. Following that I will travel to Florida for more training with agriculture, except this time with tropical vegetation.

So far it has been an interesting time with Crossroads. Everyone I have met and talked to is super nice and I know I will be well supported when I am there. I know I will enjoy my time there although I also know I will miss people here. Anyway, that's all for now. I'm sure I'll have lots of exciting news for next time, probably next week.

Zambia - Training...The First Day

Well, here I am, sitting at home after my first day of training. I thought it was fitting to create my first post on my first day of training. As many of you know, actually probably all of you know since you are reading this, I am going to Zambia (see map on left) with Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. I will be working on a farm helping grow fruit and vegetables and teach boys about agriculture. The farm is located just outside the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. I will be leaving in September and I will be gone for six months. It really is an exciting time and an excellent opportunity to, not only use the skills and knowledge I learned in University (which only cost over $24,000), but also to allow my faith to grow as God challenges me. From what I have heard so far, Zambia (and actually all of Africa) is quite a bit different than here (besides the obvious). I'm sure I will have many things to share as my time there passes and when I return.

So, enough about what I will be doing. Today I had my first day of training. One would expect the usual paperwork and general introduction to the company/institution/ministry. Not so today. My day started at 9:00, where instead of having a tour of the place, I was ushered into the studio to watch a live taping of 100 Huntley Street. (Incidently, today they had a singer there performing, along with her sister and two other band members. For those of you that remember Crossroads in Palmerston, does the name Tara Dettman ring any bells??) It happened to be kids day, so the audience was packed with young kids. Pretty exciting actually. After the show, I was brought upstairs to where the Missions offices are but my supervisor wasn't there. So instead I had to go downstairs to the loading docks and help unload four desks and a filing cabinet.

Two and a half hours later the four desks had replaced some old ones and we were sitting down for lunch (with my supervisor who came about halfway through the desk moving). After lunch I helped move Africa...yes that's right, you read it right...we moved Africa. So if you plan on visiting it anytime soon, make sure you look it up...just kidding. We actually had to move a mural that was used as part of a set for a tv show that was a big painting of Africa. The painting was brought to the warehouse for CCCI and we hung it on the wall so everyone that entered could see it. After that, I returned to the main building and talked with my supervisor for a bit and then went home. Kind of an unusual day for a first day, but pretty satisfying.

Hmmmm, what to say now...I guess that's about it. Tomorrow I think will be a little bit more 'normal' but we'll see when I get there. Feel free to add any comments. It's always nice to hear from people, even if it is just one or two lines. God bless everyone!