Dec 13 2010


Prayer Walking Journal December 10

December 10, 2010 – Friday

 I came to Penticton primarily to help Mel out at Lifesong Christian Bookstore. And so I went over after lunch and spent the afternoon helping get him caught up on some misc work that needed to be done. I had a good afternoon with him and I was very glad I was there because he said he was slow all morning and then got really busy when I came and it was good to have an extra hand. He seems to be relieved to have an extra hand around the place and I am praying after the first of the year he will have some peace about allowing us to help him so he can a break every once in a while. He is there all by himself Monday through Saturday from 8am till 6pm or later as he puts it whenever he feels like no more customers will be coming.

 I have made some of the following observations about the Mel and the Christian Bookstore;

  1. He really has a kind spirit and prays for his customers.
  2. He is in relationship with his customer base
  3. People have a sense of freedom to just come in and hang out in the store. They sit and listen to CD’s, read, or just walk around as though it is a place of escape and peace.
  4. Mel needs a break! I am praying Linda and I can provide him with that opportunity after the first of the year.
  5. Mel needs some help organizing his work room. There is stuff piled everywhere but with no help and no extra time it is difficult for him to do.
  6. He seems more and more open to what we are doing there. Today he asked me if I have been preaching anywhere. I explained I really don’t preach as much as teach but after the first of the year I hope to get a Small Group started in Penticton. I will ask him to come and be a part of our starting core group since he is not connected to a home church at the moment.

 I did drive around the community coming and going today. I try to leave town a different way each time so I can see more and be more prepared for when the Prayer Teams start showing up.

 Some of my impressions from Penticton so far;

  1.  There are loads of Liquor Stores in this town, more than seem needed for this size town.
  2. There are Night Clubs and Bars along and around Main Street. There is one right next to the park I hope to adopt (see below for more info on this).
  3. I feel a strong sense of community here. They take pride in their place and they are loyal to their community businesses. Main Street have plenty of store where people can get what is sold at most of these stores at the Super Wal-Mart just a short distance up the street and perhaps a bit cheaper.
  4. Mostly smaller homes around town here. Communities, even in town, seem to be well cared for with few places that show neglect. They ones that are kind of run down really stand out.
  5. Lots of Senior Adults here (28%) but there were many young families at the Christmas Parade as well.
  6. It is not hard to get people to talk with you if you can ask the right questions and listen…kinds universal. Me talking first usually gets people curious and they ask where I am from which helps to kick start conversations. I am thinking Linda, whose “Southern” is more pronounced than me will get more questions than me as I am starting to lose that part of my language.
  7. Food is expensive here so lots of people pack lunches and don’t eat out as much as in the states.

 Some of my Penticton goals for January 2011;

  1.  Weekly meetings with a Penticton residence
  2. Approaching select members of The Potter’s House Community Church to commit to specific projects in Penticton for 2011.
  3. Meet with city officials about adopting the sitting park on Main Street as an ongoing project for 2011 and beyond.
  4. Finding a Small Group location and set a goal to launch sometime in the early Spring.
  5. Meet with George and Kama (former Praise and Worship leaders at Abundant Life Church). Discuss interest in being a part of the new work.
  6. Want to be trained well enough to give Mel some away time from the store.
  7. Nail down Prayer Walkers form States and their specific dates.
  8. Get connected to someone who can help us get connected to the weeklong Peachland Festival held here in August.

 I was in Penticton from about 12:00 till 4:15pm. I had an appointment in West Kelowna that evening.

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This was up on the mountain yesterday after our fresh new snow…

 

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