Saturday, 23rd August

 Over twenty three years ago, Kay and I moved with our very young family to the USA. It was a wonderful, bewildering, challenging and confusing time. Living in Southern Oregon, we felt welcomed and disorientated in equal measure. We were driving on the wrong side of the road, using English words that often meant something quite different to the American ear, and then there was the church....

...we were received with great grace and kindness, but I quickly wondered if I could stay in the USA. Some of the traditions, legalism, and simple style differences made me feel like I had touched down on a different planet. I had quite a few sleepless nights. I decided to go off to a Men's prayer Retreat in the mountains of Oregon. I had never heard of the speaker, but the moment he opened his mouth I suddenly felt that everything was going to be alright. He was human, funny, real, honest, and totally engaging. He became something of a hero to me, and not only inspired me, but also gave me permission to be vulnerable and (I hope, at times) funny myself.

His name? Dick Foth. He's just joined the Timberline team here in Fort Collins. Kay and I are so thrilled and grateful that Dick and Ruth are here. God is kind.