Rocky Mountains

Today was a longer bus ride. We left Castlegar and headed to Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It took nearly 7 hours, over 300 km (on mountain roads mind you), and a ferry to get there. I enjoy the longer bus rides as it offers time for us to be together, just Choir 35, building our relationships with each other. Driving through the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by their greatness I was overcome with how small we were. Here we were, 30 people on a bus moving as one together. Life around us was huge and powerful and we were so small compared to what surrounded us, it reminded me of God’s greatness and His splendor.

I was sitting with Deborah for part of the ride and we listened to some music. As Deborah sang quietly I observed God’s handiwork. Not only could He create this rough beauty He could create something so intricate and delicate. He created Deborah to have a relationship with Him and to know Him. I watched as she tenderly worshipped her God. I could have stayed in that moment for quite a while.

She sang these words: Jesus I'll put You first/In my life nothing else will do/I'll spend the rest of my life/In Your house/Giving all to You/I'm so glad You're here/I'm so glad You're near/'Cause I need You/Yes I need You

Later that night at my host family we sat on the back deck, a soft rain hitting the lake behind the house and I listened to the girls laugh and enjoy their hamburgers. The night air held a sense of expectancy and I knew that God was smiling down on us. Here we sat: 2 Canadians, 1 Ugandan, 2 Kenyans, and 1 American enjoying His creation and reveling in the beauty surrounding us in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

Today my soul was renewed.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. (2 Corinthians)