New Beginnings

I decided to take the train to Charlotte as I enjoy train travel in general. I don't mind spending 36 hours in travel. It gives me lots of time to think, and I like to think. It started bright and early Thursday, October 11th. My dad took the GO train with me from Guelph and saw me off at Union Station in Toronto. The border crossing was the easiest time I've ever had. The officer asked a few questions, read my letter from YWAM, and the approved me, smiling and joking the whole time. The Niagra river was gorgeous.
I spent the night in Pennsylvania station in New York. Now, I wasn't overly comfortable sleeping there, so I pulled an all nighter. Met some interesting people. Got asked for directions more than once. Before long it was 7 am and southbound was I. I slept like a rock until Washington. Woke up and someone had sat beside me. His name was Skip. Interesting fellow. He'd grown up in North Carolina so he gave me some history. The state fair was on in Raleigh and we made a special stop to take on 90 high school students. Skip got off in Greensboro, and a young lady replaced him.
I'd prayed for a divine appointment, but since Skip was beside me (and was Christian) most of the way south, I didn't expect to get one. I was wrong.
So, the woman who sat beside me was 21, and I found out her name was Morgan. She was on the phone with her boyfriend and they were fighting. She seemed to be having a really rough time. We eventually got to talking and I mentioned that I was Canadian and I was coming down to work as a missionary. You can tell when someone has had a bad experience with Christians. You mention Christianity and a wall immediately comes up. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it got through to her somewhat. She told me she had grown up in a Church of God (Pentacostal) and found them incredibly judgmental. She went on to say how she much she disliked Pentacostals and Southern Baptists but I stopped her there. I have had more than a few bad experiences with different churches. I lost a good friend when I helped start 24/7 Church. So I mentioned that just like everyone else, Christians are human. There are a bad apples among us, but don't discount everyone just from one church.
At the end of the trip she told me she'd think about Christianity and that she was glad she had met me. Called me 'unique', one of the more meaningful compliments I've ever received.
So on to life at YWAM Charlotte. We have a school running with 14 students who are amazing. They have so much passion and love. They're an amazing group, and when one is falling behind they all help that person. One of the boys here is dyslexic and so a few of the girls helps him read and helps his spelling. It's amazing to watch. I was privileged yesterday to be involved in some spontaneous worship that a few students had. They'd just had a lecture about pride and betrayal and it hit a few of them hard. Some sent messages to friends, family and exes asking for forgiveness. And after all that soul searching and struggle, all they wanted to do was worship God. Absolutely incredible.
Being here is a little strange, as I feel as if I was never not here, and it's not just me who feels this way. I fit, like a puzzle piece. I also hadn't realized how much I'd changed until I got here. Then I noticed the difference in how I was last year, and how I am now. Discipleship Training School is the most amazing thing I've ever done. I still think every Christian should do it.
So I came here to forerun a university ministry, and I'm not at this point sure when that will start or how that will look. Christopher Vengala wants me to attend a school in Kona, Hawaii called Apologetics and Worldview. I'm good at that kind of philosophical critical thinking that is much to rare in Christianity, and he wants to build up that part of me. Do one thing, and do it very well.
So this is me,
missionary to America.

God Bless,
Christopher