Last Day in Canada

It was almost 5 months ago that I found out that Fiji was a possibility, and here we are a moment that I never expected to really come. I'm in the midst of packing and getting everything ready to go, in two hours, I'll be leaving for the airport and crossing that point of no return.

There is a huge part of me that can't wait to get there and discover the unknown, to have a blast and make a difference in ways I never knew I could. I mean, really, I'm going to Fiji, so how bad can it really be? People there are extremely friendly, the environment is picturesque, and my mission is clear. This trip is something I've been craving for, to stretch me outside of my self-set boundaries and into the great unknown.

And there is another, smaller, part of me. It's sceptical, asking endless questions about my credentials, about leaving family and friends, about leaving my comfort zone. I'm going to a different country, a different culture that I am completely unfamiliar with. It's going to be hot, challenging and very, very scary. But this is a mountain that must be overcome.

1 Timothy 6:6-21 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time-- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.