Oil Slick In Win At The Joe!

Edmonton are one win away from the biggest upset in the '06 playoffs after frustrating the Wings once again in their own building with a 3-2 vicotry and establishing a 3-2 series lead! Bring on Game 6! woot.

Edmonton Takes Series Lead At Home!

Jarret Stoll won game three last night with a goal in double overtime and the Oil take a 2-1 lead in the series. There was lots of drama in this game. Edmonton did blow a two goal lead late in the third which forced OT, and then there was Detroit's "no goal" which actually went in under the side of the net when Roloson bumped it backing up in the first OT. They finally rediscovered their offence in the second over-time and it came at the right time!

Oilers Get The Split!

The Oil played a solid game 2 and leave Detroit with the series tied 1-1. Pronger and Peca, our two big off season aquisitions, were the difference in the game playing great at both ends of the ice. Game 3 here in Edmonton is going to be huge! Woot!

Road to Secana

The Andes - Bolivia

Switchbacks in the Andes are quite an experience to drive, compared to the nice paved roads we have in the Rockies

One of many villages scattered across the Andes.

Reflections of Bolivia

It was a year ago today when I began a 16 day journey through Bolivia as part of a missions team who's goal was to deliver 600 pre-tuned, solar powered radios to remote villages in the Andes and then down in the jungle. Over these next sixteen days I will be sharing some of my favourite pictures along with some stories as I reflect on my time in Bolivia last April. The picture above was taken as we returned from a village called Secana which was a 5 hour hike down a dried up river bed(the only access to the village, in season). This, after 11 hours of travelling on some rough roads through the mighty Andes the day before. We took a number of radio's out to the people there. Many people had gathered there from surrounding areas, some walking for as many as 2 days just to receive a free radio. We were able to show the Jesus movie(in their native quechuen language) because a few local men helped carry a 60lb generator on their backs for that five hour trek to the village. They took turns carrying this thing on their backs, and they weren't big men, but they were strong and always had a smile on their faces. I hadn't realised this group of men until we were returning from Secana. After some banter, joking and a few laughs they relented and allowed me to carry the load for a leg of the journey. It wasn't an easy task and it was made even more challenging under the heat of the sun there. Of course, in the spirit of competition I had to race the donkey! Everytime I look at this pic it reminds me of one of my favourite passages in scripture, Matthew 11:28-30.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth!

Woot! So today wasn't a completely awful day. The Oilers beat the Ducks on a huge late goal from Hemsky and San Jose did us a favour by eliminating the Canucks! Bring on the Red Wings! We've got playoff hockey coming.

Dude! You Stole My Wallet.

So, today I experienced the misfortune of having my wallet stolen while at the gym. Some dude actually had the tools to cut the lock off the locker I was using, so i'm thinking he wasn't there for a swim. The thing that bothers me most is the inconvenience this causes. It had to be reported, then I had to cancel credit cards, set up precautions in case they try to use my ID by calling creditors, file a police report and replace all my ID. To add insult to injury, my poor brother decided to tag along today, share my locker, and have his wallet stolen as well. Yar!

Dear Mr. Thief,

Thanks so much for the inconvenience you caused me and my bro today. I'm sure you were stoked to load up a cart with $500 worth of goodies at Zellers and looked forward to charging it on my credit card. Oh, sorry that the transaction didn't go through! I neglected to leave you sufficient funds as I paid for my vacation a short time ago and ended up close to my credit limit. But hey, God's grace is still evident in our situation, so let us both be thankful. You didn't take my car keys and other belongings and I didn't catch you! Grace to you. Maybe catch ya next time dude.

The Timinator ;)

Rollin' Up On Da East Side!

Although I have no pictorial evidence, or any evidence as a matter of fact, I finally found a winning Timmy's cup while in Ottawa last week. I rolled up the rim and was informed I was the winner of a coffee...and in two different languages to boot! Maybe it's a sign....... :)

In the Mix...

Shelter - Bedouin Soundclash
Unemployable - Pearl Jam
Right Here - Staind
Personal Jesus - Johnny Cash
Lord Raise Me Up - Matisyahu
Intergalactic - Beastie Boys
Passenger Seat - Death Cab For Cutie
Follow Me - Finley Quaye
Rusty Cage - Soundgarden
Novio - Moby
I Believe In Miracles - Pearl Jam(live)
Turn My Head - Live
Comin' Home - City and Colour
About A Girl - Nirvana(acoustic demo)
Neighborhood #1(Tunnels) - Arcade Fire
Wondering Where The Lions Are - Steve Bell
Pain Lies On The Riverside - Live
Drive Away - Ocean Colour Scene
By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Testify - RATM

Street Level Conference 2006 - Ottawa

"Where there is no vision the people perish."

It was a great experience for me to travel to Ottawa and have the opportunity to meet so many people with "vision" at the Street Level Conference, for without their visions in action, the poor, the marginalized, and the homeless would surely perish on the streets of our nation. For myself, the conference was not about numbers and statistics but rather about people, their personal stories and experiences. Everyone who works at street level has a story to tell and there is no greater advocacy for those who live on our streets than to tell their stories, to give names to the faces rather than have them seen as just another statistic.

The theme of the conference was "Truthtellers and Peacemakers" which was a call, an invitation, a vision for who and how we want to be as we address the overwhelming issues, symptoms and root causes of homelessness, in small towns and cities across Canada.

This was a time of listening, reflecting, learning and growing which will hopefully lead to investing in and encouraging those with whom I work with and have built relationships with at "street level."

Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted walls of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.

Isaiah 58:10-12