We've been back home and at work for a whole week now since returning from our holidays. Amazing how quickly the effects of the break wear off and even memories of a 'holiday of a lifetime' start to dim. We saw some wonderful sights as we toured the Rockies in Canada. Huge contrasts and extremes.

Despite the fact that my job gives me more opportunity to travel than I have any right to, I saw sights in Canada which were unique and amazing.

As we travelled the Icefield Parkway between lake Louise and Jasper, we passed through The Columbia Icefields and stopped off to take the official 'tour'. We were taken by bus up into the Icefield where we boarded a specially designed Ice Bus. each vehicle is hand-made and costs US$500,000. These vehicles cope with the incredibly steep slopes that take you up to the glaciers. As we journeyed, our guide filled us in with interesting facts about the glaciers. At the end of the trail we were allowed to have about 20 minutes walking on the glacier. We were told that the ice here was 400 metres thick.

It's hard to imagine that depth of ice. It feels rock solid - but it isn't. We learned that the weight of the glacier creates pressure on the ice layers beneath. I'm not a scientist, but I think I heard the guide say that this causes the lower ice layers to turn into something like gel, and the glacier actually moves slowly down the mountain, taking sludge and shale with it. You can't see the movement with the human eye, but special cameras record it as it moves.

The other interesting thought is that this icefield is essential for agriculture, economy and ecosystems not only across the whole of Canada but across that continent. Thawing ice feeds the rivers, the rivers irrigate the vast grain fields and stimulate life itself. The sad news is that the ice fields are shrinking/ Gradually, of course, but measurably. One day - not in my generation, I suppose - our world will be irrevocably changed and damaged by this shrinkage.

Science isn't my forte. I don't understand how all these things work. But as I look at such scenes I can't help but believe in a creator-God.

For centuries, believers have looked to nature and tried to capture their wonder and shape their thoughts into words of praise. Enjoy the pic and be encouraged by these verses:

Psalm 90: 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 104: 13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

Mountain high

Today's been a good day. This morning we took the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It's about 8,000 feet high, and the cable car ride was pretty scary as I'm not over keen on heights. At points, the cable seemed a long way from the ground! I confess, I didn't think too much of the ride, but when we got to the top it was really worth it. I'll probably blog a few thoughts about the trip over the next couple of days, so will just share one thought today.When you get out of the cable car and into the visitor centre there's another fairly lengthy walk along a boardwalk to the very summit. The walk is not that long, but it's cold and very tiring. There are many steps and the air seems really thin. A number of others were giving up without getting to the top - Lyn and I persisted.Although we are now into spring and the official winter season is over, there was still a lot of snow on the ground. As we journeyed the board way we were joined by a number of goats; fairly large and obviously very hardy. Some were just sitting in the snow, others were foraging for food (and appearing quite successful). A couple decided to go for a walk right along the edge of the mountain - we were sure they were going to fall over the edge! We wondered how on earth they got up there and why on earth they stayed there? It was freezing, icy, damp (from the low clouds) and yet strangely airless.

To us it might seem an odd place to live, but it's what these animals were made for. Their natural habitat. Take them down to sea level and the heat of the desert and they wouldn't last 5 minutes.

It was a visual reminder that we aren't all the same. We feel comfortable in different surroundings and doing different things - because God made us that way. In 1 Corinthians 12: 27-28, Paul writes about the way God has gifted and made us as individuals: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

I'm grateful we are not all the same and that we are able to respond differently to the situations we find ourselves in. And, by the way, we had a great time on the 'mountain top'!

Cats! This made me laugh

Unexpected kindness

Today marks the first day of our 'holiday' in Canada. I say that rather tongue in cheek. Not because we are not thrilled to be on holiday now, but because we have had so much fun during the last few days it would be hard to describe the last week as 'work'. The Emergency Disaster Services conference was asolutely fantastic. About 200 delegates gathered from across Canada (largely from the Prairies and British Columbia). Th conference organisors managed to pull in some excellent presenters and teachers (and I'm not referring to myself there, of course), so we really learned a lot from the classes we took. We met up again with some old friends, which came as a real reminder that the 'Army' is very much a small world with a great circle of friends.
Anyway, that's not really the subject for this post. This morning Lyn and I decided to head into downtown Calgary. Rather than take the car and struggle with strange roads and potentially high parking charges, we left the car at a Park and Ride and caught the train. The fun started when we tried to buy a ticket. It was a brand new train station but the automated ticket machines only accepted coins. No notes or debit cards. We rummaged through our wallets but we hadn't any change. We neede $5 and had less than 50 cents! The station was in the middle of nowhere, so no place to get some change. We stopped a few other travellers but no one had change of a $10 note. Just then, an elderly woman, who didn't appear to be the richest woman in town, came back and emptied her purse into our hands. She had exactly $5 in small coins, just the right amount we needed. She would hear nothing of our offers to find a way to reimburse her. A simple and unexpected kindness for two strangers who appeared in a bit of a tight spot. Started our day off in a really nice way. Wonder when the last time was that I showed such thoughtfulness?

Rising above the challenge

This week Lyn and I are in Calgary, Canada, attending an Emergency Disaster services conference. There are about 200 delegates - which is a fantastic crowd to draw for the first ever emergency conference in this territory.
On the way over we flew via Chicago, where we had a long layover while waiting for our connecting flight. We found ourselves a comfy spot in the departures lounge and enjoyed a read. While we were waiting, a guy came up with 2 x big, heavy computer bags hung over his shoulders. When he chose his seat, just across the way from us, he bent down and swung the bag straps over his head. It was then I noticed that the sleeves of his jacket were just that - sleeves. He was no arms. He took off his jacket, then proceeded to make some phone calls using his feet to activate his phone and speaking into the bluetooth earpiece he was wearing. (the thought did cross my mind - how would he have coped without a bluetooth headset?). I couldn't help overhear his conversation - and judging by the things he was saying he obviously held down a very responsible job. At one point I noticed he was putting on a watch, using his feet to deftly fasten the leather strap. I don't know about you, but I find it hard enough to do up a watch strap using my fingers!
He boarded the same flight as us. After we landed and headed towards the immigration desk he came past us, heavy bags around his shoulders but walking purposefully towards the counter. When he got there he went to an automated booth; put the bag down, got his passport out using his feet, activated the machine in the same way and was through and away while we were still waiting in the line!
I mentioned to Lyn that I had been impressed by the deft way he had put his watch 'on his wrist'. Don't you mean 'on his ankle' - Lyn replied. Thinking about it, of course it was on his ankle - he hadn't any arms! It was then I realised that whilst his disability had initially drawn his attention to me, the way he himself had found ways to rise above that physical limitation and beat the challenge meant that I was no longer seeing it either.
We all face challenges in our lives - perhaps they are physical, maybe they are emotional or practical. But they don't have to prevent us getting on with life and making the most of what God has given us. If we don't make them an issue, chances are others won't either.
I thank God for the example that young man was to me at the airport and the inspiration he provided to get on with life and rise above the challenge.

Salvation Army video on You Tube

I realise that I'm a bit behind the times, but I have just discovered a special section on You Tube called 'SalvationArmyvideo'. I found it when viewing a video of a special event that happened recently in Leicester Square, London. For some time FedEx have been good supporters of The Salvation Army's emergency response. This year they have donated 5 brand new canteens to be used in emergency ministry around the world. One canteen has been given to the UK territory. The vehicle was handed over at a special ceremony in the West End, and the film is available.
I've added a 'video bar' to this blog site (see over to the right of the page), where you should be able to click on and view the film. Check it out - it's worth a look (just allow a bit of time for it to be loaded as it's a high quality film - so a large file size)

Facing the future

It seems a long time since I last 'blogged'. It's been a good few weeks. The last 10 days have been spent in southern India. Along with about 50 others from The Salvation Army we gathered in Kovalam to review how our tsunami response programmes have gone. (check out the photo slideshow on the right of this page)

Amazingly, over 3 years have passed since the Boxing Day tragedy of 2004. The public outpouring of generosity which swept like a wave over us in those early days have seen over US$60 million donated to The Salvation Army. That's fantastic - but also creates a huge level of responsibility to use the funds wisely and well. The conference took an honest look at our programmes; identifying strengths and weaknesses and trying to reach recommendations which will enable us to respond even better should something so terrible ever happen again.

As we spent the week reviewing the last 3 years I was reminded of a journey I made 11 years ago. I was heading to Bosnia to work in a welfare centre in Sarajevo, providing support to NATO troops deployed there. The RAF offered me a seat on a military troop carrier and I remember boarding the plane with soldiers heading for their posting as part of the peace keeping operation.

We were flying in a DC10 plane. The strange thing about these military planes is that the seats face backwards. It's an odd feeling when you thunder down the runway for takeoff straining against the seat belts as you try and stay in your seat. I'm told the seats are arranged this way because it is supposed to be safer. If the plane were to crash there are likely to be more survivors. It might feel strange, but looking back is safer than looking ahead.

Looking back is easy. Highlighting mistakes or picking holes in the way others have worked is no challenge. But having the courage to face the future and make changes based on lessons learned is much harder.

The future is unknown - and that can be scary. But the 'blank page' gives us a fresh opportunity to make wise decisions. May God give us the courage to face the future with determination and anticipation.