GETTING CLOSE

So its been a little over a month since my last entry. Here's where things stand re: our adventure.

Destination: We've decided to start our trip in Panama, near David, Panama (west side of the country in Chiriqui province) to be specific. I say "start" because we still don't know yet how long our house is going to be rented out for, which will be a determining factor as to how long we'll be away. We are confident we can extend our stay in Panama to 6 months. Beyond that, we're not sure. Neither are we sure we might not want to try somewhere else after 6 months (if we are away that long). So our "final" destination might change before we land back in Calgary. I've been doing a fair bit of research on Lake Chupala, Mexico. If things don't work out in Pamana, we'll probably head there.

Our Home: We're planning on renting our home as a "furnished executive home rental". We're listed on rentfaster.ca (see #15276); Craigslist - Calgary (see house rental); and we've emailed a pdf.file describing our house to a bunch of friends and family. We've had a few bites, but no deal yet. We are praying for great tenants. We've just about finished all the staging of the house. We've had a few little projects we've held off on until now. Its a shame we won't be the one's enjoying our fully "staged" home. Oh well.

Departure Date: We're targeting the last week in September, probably near the end of the week. We haven't purchased our tickets yet. It doesn't look like there is much of an issue getting tickets. It looks like the best deal is to fly with Continental Airlines. They have a 6am flight from Calgary to Houston. There is a 3 hour layover then an afternoon flight to Panama City, Panama with a 6:45pm arrival time. So we'd be there in one day. Not bad.

Shots: The kids just got their shots (Hep A&B, Yellow Fever, Typhoid) last week. Obviously not a fun part of the "family adventure" for them. They both did fairly well considering they both got three needles in a matter of minutes. Fortunately for Linda and I, we've already had all our shots as preparation to go on our Africa trips over the last 4 years.

Home School: We are planning on home schooling. So we've already got the kids referring to us as Mr. and Miss D. We've been in contact with the principal of their school in the last week who re-affirmed her openness to work with us while we're away. We have yet to talk with the kid's teachers.

Writing: I'm planning on continuing to write (about helping church leaders navigate their way through congregational crisis) while away, and hopefully completing a manuscript for review by a publisher before returning home. And I hope to have a business plan in place to start a consulting business related to the same theme.

Farewell: It looks like our thank-you-farewell at WKC will be on Sunday, Sept 23.

Well, that's the latest. We'll keep you posted as we go. Also, watch for some new photos. There have been some haircuts since the last family photo was posted.

Take care,

Paul

DECISION TIME

Well, its crunch time. Its time to decide where we're headed and when we're going to take off.

There are two things complicating these decisions.

First, Panama (our first country of choice) has changed its laws regarding tourist visas. Until late May, it was possible to get a 90 day tourist visa with a possible extension of another 90 days. Since then, its now only possible to get a 30 day visa with a "possible" extension of another 60 days. Its all at the discretion of the person "in power" at the moment. At the end of this term you are required to leave the country and re-enter. It hasn't deterred us, but it means there could be some changes to our plans. It makes renting a place a little tricky. As a result, we've started to look into another place, Lake Chapala, Mexico. Mexico offers a 6 month tourist visa. Unfortunately, it will cost a bit more to spend time in Mexico, but its a back up option.

Second, my back continues to be an issue. I'm stuck in a cycle I can't seem to move past. I'm not in the desperate state I was in a couple months ago, but I'm not pain-free yet. This week I've added a physiotherapist to my "team". She has me doing traction. Its very cool. We'll see how that affects things.

Anyways, that's the latest.

Paul

DAY FAMILY

This is us...its an old photo (Jan 07). Syd's hair is much shorter now, and Josh, well, his mouth is stuck in this position.

DIALOGUE

Yesterday we had a great afternoon chat (probably felt like more of an interrogation) with our friends who've just returned from Panama. It was good to hear about and absorb the lessons they've learned living in a different culture.

While we've lived in cross cultural situations, we've not done so without a fair amount of local support (e.g. welcomed and supported by a local host). No doubt, just showing up and making a go of it will be quite a bit more challenging. But, as our friends told us, it is simply an opportunity for God to show you first-hand how he can help and guide you as you journey into the unfamiliar. We're holding on to that hope.

So the dialogue and planning continues.

Paul

THE START OF AN ADVENTURE

As a family, we finds ourselves at an odd "in-between" place, what William Bridges refers to as the "transitional stage" of change, between the bookends of an "ending" and a "new beginning". As my time on staff at Westside King's Church nears an end, I'm peering into the future without much clarity and direction. I've never been in a place of not knowing what's next. And to be honest, its both a bit anxiety provoking and exciting at the same time.

All I do know at this point, is that I need to create some time and space to patiently digest the last couple years of my life and ministry experience, and get my batteries (physically and emotionally) recharged for whatever lies ahead in our future.

So while we "actively wait" to get clarity on the next step, with nothing holding us here (by that, I mean, employment), and nothing calling us somewhere else (although I've turned down a bunch of great opportunities), we've decided to go on a 5-6 month family sabbatical-adventure.

So we've let our imagination run wild. And we've found ourselves inclined toward Central America, Panama specifically (right at the bottom of Central America, bordering Costa Rica and Columbia). We have good friends (Trent and Jodie Schmuland) who have just spend half a year in Panama with their three kids, and they've encouraged us to go for it.

So we've been researching the possibility of renting a home in David, Panama (in the province of Chiriqui, in the western part of the country, about a 5 hours drive from the capital, Panama City; and about 45 minutes from the Panama-Costa Rica border). As it happens, we also have some friends (John and Rose Wade) who actually spend part of the year living near David, and they have highly recommended this location as a great place to rest and reflect on our future.

As far as the kids go, it looks we'll likely home school them. Sydney will be in Grade 5, and Josh will be in Grade 3 for the 2007-2008 school year. Their school (Glendale Elementary) is quite open to work with us through email and online education to ensure the kids don't miss a step academically. And of course, we'll try to shape all of their learning around the environment we'll find ourselves in, and we'll take the opportunity for us all to try to learn a little Spanish (no doubt, Linda and Sydney will pick it up quickly. Pray for Josh and I).

Things are quite dynamic right now. Nothing is nailed down. So we'll keep you posted as things unfold.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Paul