Upset the Apple Cart

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

When I was a kid at school we used to play a game called "upset the apple cart." Everyone sat in a circle and the leader called out for two or three people to change seats, this would go on for a while until the command was "upset the apple cart." Then everyone had to scramble to find a new chair.

This Sunday at SPPC was a bit like that. Our minister, Rev. Irwin, is out of his normal place as he is in the Dominican Republic serving as a missionary at the House Upon the Rock Ministry. Also, Larry, our organist, was not in his usual place. It felt like someone had upset the apple cart. 

In Rev. Irwin's absence, we were delighted to welcome Rev. Grant Wilson to the pulpit.  After serving as fulltime minister for 37 years in Almonte and Kinburn (Ontario), Fairview church in Vancouver and then St. Paul's Church in Ottawa, he and his wife, Grace, retired to our Island.                                                                                                     

I would like to say they made the move so he could fill in at SPPC, but I expect they came west as his three adult children and five grandchildren live in B.C.

He loves music, listening to a variety of artists, and making music himself. His instrument? The drums. He's been playing drums in churches for thirty years and finds it a unique form of prayer. Hobbies include watching a good movie or reading a good book. Lately he has taken up hiking and nature photography. He'll have lots of opportunity to do both here on our beautiful Vancouver Island.

In Larry's absence, we welcomed our friend and former music director, Erik Lythgo to the organ bench. Erik filled in for Larry last week as well. Erik is supposed to be retired from church musicianship, so we are grateful he responds when we ask for help.

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that Rev. Irwin was in the Dominican Republic. Other members of the team from SPPC are Diane, Jerusha and Joan. 

After weeks of preparation, they finally got to the airport last Wednesday, checking in hundreds of pounds of luggage -- most of it supplies for the House Upon the Rock Ministry -- and began their journey.

Here they are in a moment of prayer at the airport. 

Then it was all smiles and excitement as they were ready to board the plane.

First leg to Calgary, then Toronto and, finally the DR on Thursday afternoon. There were a few tense moments at customs but, in the end, they were all allowed to enter with their luggage and supplies intact. Once safely through the airport, they faced a three hour bus ride to their final destination.  

The wonders of technology allow us to get instant feedback on their trip.

 Jerusha has fallen and bumped her elbow, but will survive.

 Sunday Afternoon at Waterfall Gran Jimenea

 The place for ice cream.

What an adventure. We hold them in our hearts and in our prayers as they offer labour, fellowship, and material goods to the House Upon the Rock ministry, and serve the Lord with love.