A weekend of surprises

Saturday I went to town!!  Some of us decided to go into Tahsis for a change.  Now you have to have been at Esperanza for about 3 weeks before you think that Tahsis is a "town".  When we arrived we were told that the place to go was the town dump - that's because there are often bears there.  So we jumped into 2 cars, mine and another and I actually got to drive!! This is quite something after 3 weeks with no traffice at all.  The drive was fun but there were no bears - so we went to the coffee shop and had coffee and some snacks and then headed to the town store.  There are 2 stores in town, a grocery/liquor store and a hardware store.  Tahsis also has a swimming pool - closed becanse of a broken heater, a gym - closed because it was set up for the election and a bowling lane - we just didn't go there.  We got to town about 11am and by 1pm were more than ready to head back but it was a fun change of scenery.  On the way back an otter came right by the boat, floating on its back and looking at us. 
So once I was back I finished working on lesson prep and then at 6pm a number of us were invited to Guest House to watch the hockey game.  All the other computers and the phones were disconnected (except for an emergency line), and we were able to watch almost the whole game even though it was a bit fuzzy and almost impossible to see the puck!  Towards the end we were wondering if the fuzziness was our internet connection or whether the players were beginning to experience it too!!  After about 5 big bowls of popcorn (1 per period) we all sadly returned to our own homes.  (Guest House is the house that New Life has renovated over the past 3 years and so it was really great to enjoy time there).  It was a good evening to spend together, mostly as staff although others did drop in at times. 
Sunday we had a good service in the morning.  Again quite informal with people sharing.  In the afternoon I was invited to join the families of my students and go out to the falls just along the coast.   A fire was lit on the beach and we had a wiener roast.  It was rather cold but the kids had fun climbing down to the pool at the bottom of the water fall.  This is where Epseranza has conducted baptisms in the past since people prefer the fresh water to the salty ocean.  I think today frigid might be a more fitting description than fresh!! It was fun to be out with the families and I think we all enjoyed it. 

Well we are ready to start our 4th week.  I am hoping that we have a good time in the classroom.  Thanks again for your prayers and your interest.

Janet



The beach at the falls - we came in a bigger boat
only 3 people came in the cayaks.



Free fire wood - pulled out of the ocean