Monday October 29, 2007

 

 

Sunday in Montreal

 

Montreal

We left Claude & Huguette’s home about 8:00 a.m. to be at People’s Church by 9:00 a.m.

 

We were early, so I had opportunity to take a few pictures in the sanctuary.

 

Beautiful flowers from a member’s garden.

 

Pastor Frank Humphrey and Claude

I was impressed with Pastor Humphrey’s attitude, despite dealing with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

 

Chaplain Len Reimer presented the ministry of TFC in both morning services.

 

Len called his wife, Sue, and Claude and Huguette forward after the presentation.  A young pastor prayed for them – especially the ministry in Quebec.

 

After a delicious lunch at a Chinese Restaurant we went to Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (Sanctuarie National Oratoire Saint-Joseph-du-Mount-Royal).  It is a Montreal landmark and tourist site.

  

As we entered the massive structure, there were thousands of candles in various colors, many being lit as we walked through.

 

 

A main focus is a memorial to Brother Andre, the founder of this basilica.

 

Another attraction is its view of the city of Montreal.  It was very cold and windy, so I chose to take a picture from inside.

 

This sanctuary is very simple compared to the one we visited on Friday.

 

That was a deliberate choice of Brother Andre, due to his love and concern for ordinary, working people.

 

We were pleased to have time to visit Claude and Huguette’s daughter, Suzanne, and her husband, Andre, who treated us to a local sushi-bar.

 

This was an adventure for us!  I had tried sushi a time or two, when featured on a Chinese buffet, but we had never been to a sushi-bar. 

 

Andre tried in vain to teach the four of us how to use chopsticks.

 

The salad was fabulous – especially the dressing.

 

Cerwin doesn’t like the appearance or taste of seafood, so stayed with things he thought were safe – like this soup.

 

Andre ordered this plate of cooked items for those who were not impressed with seaweed and raw seafood.

 

I enjoyed tasting some of these items that featured a variety of seafood and vegetables.

 

This was the best shrimp I have ever tasted!

 

I had to try something unusual – so chose the eel (front left).  I didn’t find it as delicious as the breaded shrimp, but it was an interesting taste.

 

 

I also choose green tea over a soda.  That was another new and delicious taste to me.

 

Suzanne and Huguette

When I asked them to pose for this picture, Suzanne said, “But I’m still in my scarf from the soccer game.” 

We arrived at their house a few minutes before they got home from their son’s soccer game, and went almost immediately to the restaurant, due to our schedule.

 

We went back to People’s Church for the final session of the Mission’s Conference, where Len Reimer (left) participated in a panel discussion with other featured missionaries.

It was encouraging to attend this weekend conference, get to know some of the people, and meet their missionaries.

They are truly brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

~~~

Pray for us as we travel to Pennsylvania today.  It is a ten to eleven hour drive.