The Things of Portland...

It's sad that we are no longer moving to Portland, Oregon. There are so many things about that area that I am going to miss. Visiting will be fun but definitely not the same.

First and foremost, for Michael, it is Stumptown Coffee or for that matter, any of the number of great coffee spots we hit the two times we visited. Thanks to Dustin for that influence! Heh!

Secondly, I was really looking forward to making Ainsworth Church our place of community. It has a small, mixed congregation with an incredible welcoming feeling and place of belonging. And the Black Gospel was to literally die for!!!!

They also have an HIV/AIDS program that the church opens their doors to every day of the week for assistance, food, counseling, companionship, medical help, etc. I was really looking forward to being a part of that wonderful program, and it would have been one way of getting my hands dirty, locally.

Thirdly, would be just the taste of a new town, new city, new state and new environment all away around. Not to mention the wonderful rainy season. There is just so much to do and there are friends that live up that way that I was looking forward to reconnecting with in person. Also there are the amazing, cheap and culturally diverse restaurants that I was looking forward to finding here and there.

I was amazed at how friendly every one was in Oregon. It definitely made me feel at home and welcomed. It beats New York City any day, hands down!!!

And then, of course, there was the living and working with Dustin and Cara with Bola Moyo. But it shall continue on without us having our hands in the cauldron. We will only do what we can, as needed.

So, we shall have new adventures and fun times when we go to visit but it will not be the same as living there. Bummer.

But I know everything will turn out for the best, in whatever means and ways that will look like. Whatever it is...I'm sure it will be full of adventure and a journey to remember.

Thanks, jesus, for taking care of us...