A day of contrasts...........

Hello from my vacation - Day 1 (in reality Day 2 since we left home yesterday around noon).  But this was our first REAL day of vacation.  The photo gives away our destination for today - Toronto, Canada!  I picked this particular picture because that is a Canadian National Train at the base of the CN Tower.  Yes, that's right.  There is a train museum (actually the original "Roundhouse") directly across from the CN Tower.  Now anyone who lives in the Chicago area knows that in the last couple of years we have NOT had a love relationship with the Canadian National Railroad!  Since their takeover of several tracks lines in our area, you may spend HOURS waiting at railroad crossings.  When the takeover was in the works, towns were assured that there would not be any problems.  However this has not been the case!  There are lots of trains on tracks that used to have 2 trains a day, and there are long waits at crossings that never had waits before.  But I digress.  I thought it was interesting that the old trains were in the shadow of the NEW technology.  The Tower, the brand new Aquarium, The Sports Stadium, and the train museum all share a block of land.  It seemed like an unlikely mix.  I like the contrast of the old train with the CN tower!

This day of contrasts actually started this morning on the drive into Canada.  We were told to expect a long delay crossing over the bridge into Canada at Port Huron, Michigan.  One web sight suggested that you should be sure to allow at least an hour for border crossing.  We left our hotel and proceeded to the bridge at 7:30am.  As we drove onto the bridge there was 1 Semi truck ahead of us.  And no other cars.  There was only one "Car" lane with a green light and we drove right up to the booth.  The entire transaction included passing over our passports, two questions, and a grunt from the agent.  It took us about 2 minutes!  And we were in Canada!  Quite a contrast from what we had expected.

As we adjusted to Kilometers for speed instead of MPH (thankfully our Navigation system shows the speed limit in MPH - already converted!) and to gas prices being shown in Canadian Dollars PER LITRE (which looked really good at $1.38 - UNTIL you realize that converts to about $5.00 per Gallon - OUCH!)  What a contrast.  Going the speed limit of 100 felt actually kind of slow at 62mph. 

Which brings me to another interesting contrast.  A friend of mine recommended Tim Hortons.  So as soon as we saw a sign for one, we pulled off.  I guess I would say that Tim Hortons is sort of a combination of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks.  We loved their coffee.  It reminded us of the "old" McDonalds coffee.  At a later stop at a "On Road" (which is just like the tollway Oasis) there was a Tim Hortons and a Starbucks.  There was a long line at Hortons - like 50 people.  And there was only a couple of people in line at Starbucks.   What a contrast to the US!  There is always a line at Starbucks. 

 

Yes, I saw lots of interesting things today.  We walked the harbor front and most of the surrounding area.  The culture here is really a melting pot mix also.  We saw a diverse group of people.  I spent a lot of time remembering the mission trip I was on in 2009 to this city.  We are in the same area.  I have been thinking about the children that we met on that trip and wondering if any of the seeds we sowed have begun to grow.  I love knowing that the Holy Spirit can use a very small seed to grow a very big plant. 

 

And it is a bit of a contrast for me to know that I am just a tourist on this trip, rather than a missionary.  At least not an OBVIOUS missionary.  On the 2009 trip, we wore bright orange shirts that clearly spoke a message (a large cross).  We were doing a street drama that included a boom box and loud music and costumes that made people stop and watch.  And the message was clear.  Today I was just an average "touristy" older women with a camera.  In 2009, we were sowing lots of seeds through our message.  Today my message was hidden.  But my hidden prayer is for the Holy Spirit to water all of those seeds sown 5 years ago, as I walked the same streets. 

Yes, it is a reminder that we can all be missionaries as we walk the world.  Our prayers can bring the power and presence of Jesus where ever we are.  And it is a good reminder that we can activate all those seeds sown in the past, by praying the outpouring and watering of the Holy Spirit! 

 

Thank you Jesus for the power of reminders!  Thank you for the promise of the Holy Spirit, who brings life to all of us.  Help us all to see ourselves as your ambassadors as we go through our busy lives and even as we vacation!  Bless Toronto, Jesus!  Amen