Well, I know that it's been way too long since I've posted an update here, but I finally have a moment of respite and can give an adequate update to what has been a jam-packed week.
My time in Lake Almanor with the faculty, students, and parents of St. Andrew's Academy was fantastic. Not only was I able to preach and share about the mission to Argentina on Monday, October 18th at a service for the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, but I was able to spend time with those associated with the school and congregations and observe how their community lives and their school worships and instructs. I was refreshed and encouraged, and left with the bittersweet feeling of having left behind good friends.
Having left Lake Almanor, I headed back speedily to San Diego, where the following day (Friday) I headed off on a middle school youth retreat for the Anglican churches in our area called FLAYM (Following the Lord in Anglican Youth Ministries). These weekends are encouraging and exhausting all wrapped up together, but I was glad that I was able to be there filling in pastorally and musically.
Very meaningfully, Fr. Russell Martin, the minister on charge during the retreat, asked the youth to lay hands on me after the closing Holy Communion and commission me as I depart for Argentina. I know it meant a lot to me, and I pray that the Lord will burn into the memories of those children the image of a missionary being commissioned joyfully by the body of Christ to go and share the Gospel abroad.
I plan to be in the San Diego area for just over another week ... if anyone around would like to get a hold of me to catch up and/or talk about the mission, give me a call or shoot me an email, both of which can be done through the website here if you don't have my number or email address. I look forward to spending time with you whenever we can manage it!