Today is my last full day in Quebec. The Lord has really blessed my time here, just as He did during the first time in 2008. When I came in May of that year, I was able to see some of the sites in Quebec City and became fascinated with that French city, so that’s why I decided to plan a week-long vacation there for last week. My first day actually began far north at Parc du Bic, a park I hiked in 2008. At that time it was too early in the year to be able to see seals, but not this year. I saw around 30 in a bay, relaxing on rocks during low tide. I was too late, though, for a whale-watching boat trip that I tried to do Monday, so I’ll have to plan my next visit to Quebec a little better.
Two days out of the week I toured various sites in Quebec City and just enjoyed taking in the European spirit of the city. I gained a greater understanding of the context that underlies some of the issues that Quebecois wrestle with to this day. It’s amazing how various issues continue to repeat themselves during their 400+ year history.
I was also able to spend extra time reading my Bible, praying, and doing some leisure reading, as well as sleeping. Overall, it was a very restful and relaxing vacation! I’m very thankful for Jen & Ray Teachout, who let me use their church’s prophet’s chamber. We had great fellowship together, and I had a good place for R & R.
Before I began that vacation, I had my meeting in Rivière-du-Loup. Pastor Rioux and his church received me graciously. It was such an encouragement to be with them. They were excited to hear my report in SS and seemed to understand well when I preached in French in Sun AM. Yesterday morning, I gave a report and preached at Eglise Baptiste de la Vallée du Richelieu, where Claude Jutras is the pastor. That was actually my first time to preach in a Catholic church, or should I say former Catholic church that is now a Sports facility on the first floor and a Baptist church meeting place on the second floor. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that Baptist church could purchase the entire building and turn that entire facility into a Baptist church building?!
In the afternoon I drove through Montreal for my final meeting in Quebec. Pastor Faucette and Faith Baptist Church was also very welcoming. This is an English-speaking church, so I was able to go back to my native tongue. The only problem was that I didn’t have time to print off my sermon notes in English, so I had to preach from my French notes. But I guess that’s fitting for this bilingual country!
Tomorrow I begin the long trek back home. Today I began the daunting task of trying to catch up after a week of vacation. I think I’ll need the break tomorrow to pace myself as I tackle the mound of work that has been waiting for me!