Twenty

Twenty years ago today we landed in Brazil.

As we left that day from Winnipeg, we were sure we were heading toward our death.
There were so many unknowns and even though we knew we
were supposed to be going,
we were really, really scared.

When we finally arrived in Gramado in the wee hours of the morning,
it felt like we had been in at least 20 airports.
In fact it had only been 8.

And, the trip had taken more than 20 hours.
Actually, it was more like 36.
Arriving at the end of August it was still winter,
and it was cold in Gramado.
The bed we crawled into was so damp that it took at least
20 minutes to start to warm up.

We were exhausted and I think we slept at least
20 hours that first night.

The next day was the kind of winter day we would
grow to love in Gramado -
clear skies, lots of sun, but definitely not
20 degrees!

So here we are,
20 years after leaving Canada for the first time.
By now we've probably left at least
20 times,
but now when we leave, we're not leaving home

but going home.And, God has blessed us at least 20 fold during our
20 years away.
And what an amazing life adventure we've been blessed to have.
Thank you to all of you for
20 years of giving to us in so many ways.