A Sojourner's Diary: May 2007

Part One: Having arrived here May 1st, there was a sense of relief. I had left Toronto in a rush, having just completed my last exam the day before, then meeting someone afterwards, and finally coming home at night but not to sleep - I had to do a second all-nighter in a row in order to finish one last essay. I had only one or two hours of sleep both nights, but somehow it was enough for me to keep my focus. Perhaps, it was the excitement of leaving for Calgary soon that kept me going. But there was also a moment where I felt like a main character of an exciting story given a touch of divine strength to carry out his mission. In spite of many things that made it look otherwise (eg. incomplete funds, exams that was scheduled for after I was supposed to leave, unpaid tuition fees, etc.), I felt called to go to Calgary. So that is why I sent off my essay to my understanding prof at 9:30 am that morning, packed three months worth of laundry in two bags and in thirty minutes, then somehow caught my 11:00 am flight at the Pearson Airport.

"People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. they can never turn back, and
3. they no longer have plans of their own."
- A.W. Tozer

So here I am, sitting in the bottom floor of a dormitory not far from the University of Calgary, eighteen days later on May 18. How can I even begin to fit on your limited computer screen all that has happened so far?

First, I would like to introduce you to our team. We have eight staff leaders, and 35 students. We come from all across Canada - British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. There are only two Asian guys, myself and a leader - but it's not something that we notice. What can I say about our group? These people are a truly great bunch - fun loving, people loving, God loving. I am thankful just to be surrounded by them each day.

Starting from the very first days, I considered the boys my brothers. One of our aims in this project is to find a job so we can reach out to co-workers. In this endeavour, we have been able to share in joy whenever someone got a job, and we have lifted each other when the search was wearisome for some. We have confided in each other our deepest insecurities and struggles. Nothing was hidden. We wanted to be real men, and I believe that's what God is gonna make us by the end of the project. We've shared belly-laughs, tears, fears, hopes, and a deep brotherly love.