Easter Monday...
We were up and loading our car with luggage and a very special and beloved passenger, Gisela. On our way to the airport, my mind drifted back to my first encounter with this woman who is now a dear friend and sister in the Lord!
Almost nine years ago, I remember welcoming Gisela, an evangelical sister from Germany, into our home to stay an undetermined number of days.  We were in the midst of a fence-painting project this August day, so Gisela changed into an older shirt and grabbed a paint brush.  Her English was very good, but her accent and sentence structure caused us to smile with amusement once in a while!  Gisela insisted on speaking only English so she could learn the language better.
At the time, our kids would have been aged 14, 13 and 11.  They were loud, active and normal.  I wondered how this single lady in her late 50's, would adjust to our crazy home life while also adjusting to Canadian culture and then First Nations ministry.  I needn't have worried. Gisela served wherever she went and in whatever ways God could use her.
I had made a basic spaghetti and meat sauce meal with salad one evening for supper to help her learn some cooking skills.  She would be living in her own apartment for the first time since she was 21 and committed her life to the "Motherhouse", living in a convent-style accommodation and taking all her meals communally.  She knew how to prepare foods but not plan a meal without a specific recipe.  She watched and helped.
The next day we began to search the newspaper for apartments to rent.  We pursued a couple places but nothing was appropriate for a single woman in the price range we were looking for.  She was specific in some details: nice landscape nearby for prayer walks, a balcony, one bedroom in a secure building not on the ground floor...I was doubtful she would find something that suited her needs and wants and began to accept that Gisela would be staying in our basement for at least a couple weeks, maybe a month depending on rental availability.  It was nearing the last of the month.
After prayer on her own and with our family, Gisela and I set out to a Boardwalk apartment advertised in a reasonable area of Regina.  We got to the rental office for the meeting and after a quick tour, Gisela was shaking her head "no".  The manager suggested another of the Boardwalk properties that had a one-bedroom but the rent seemed a bit high.  We thought we would pursue it anyway as nothing else seemed to be opening up.
We drove to the north end of the city, pulled into the parking lot marked for visitors, and entered this office.  The other manager had called ahead so we were expected there.  After a brief chat, we were led up to the third floor to an empty apartment.  Almost immediately, Gisela began to exclaim about the lovely large window to the south that face onto a creek and park area.  She could have cared less about the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom as she asked to step out onto the balcony and take a look. Smiling ear to ear, blue eyes sparkling and German-laced joyful exclamations said it all!
God had provided for Gisela's needs to a "T".  The bright apartment even had a corner fireplace and laundry facility right next door.  The rent was a bit higher than expected, but she qualified for a low income subsidy that enabled her to live her entire nine-year experience in Canada in this very apartment suite.  And so began my journey with Gisela and her faith walk with her Father.
I have learned so much from Gisela.  Her commitment to prayer.  Her journey to find healing from a troubled past as a survivor of war trauma, family alcoholism and abuse.  Her willingness in her 60's to learn a new culture, embrace new ministry styles and receive the "healing touch of Jesus" upon the wounds of her heart.  Her servant-spirit to offer her hands and heart for the often dirty work of the ministry.  Her openness to the teasing of First Nations' humour and learning to dish it out!  Her kind and gentle words to me when I have been hurting personally.
We turned into the airport entrance and slowed to enter the parking area.  I had barely heard Gisela chatting with Walter as I wandered my own  memory lane, Too soon, we were lifting her luggage out and pulling them on little wheels into the airport.  The others from our ministry team were just pulling up and we all accompanied Gisela to the Air Canada kiosk.  While she checked her bags and received her boarding passes, we all made small talk.  Then she joined us in a circle and we said our last good-byes.  Hugs and simple words.  Not much to say and yet so much to say.  Walter led in a prayer for her safety and blessing on the new adventure Gisela was on as a freshly commissioned "Healing Hearts Ministry" to share what she has learned in Canada with her home culture.
A few tears glistened as Gisela gestured how she felt God was cradling her in His hands and she felt a sense of completion and peace that her time in Canada was done.  Thank You, Father!
As I write, she will be almost to Toronto, where she has a couple hours before boarding the cross-Atlantic flight for Frankfurt, Germany.  Nine hours later and then a final leg to Stuttgart, where she will immediately go to her new home, a private suite in a small retirement building for sisters.
Her life will change drastically, from the life she knew in Germany before, and now her new perspectives and freer schedule of retirement.
As Gisela can testify, God has gone before her every step of her journey.  He is the same God here and there.  Her Healing Hearts family will look forward to updates on how she will continue to serve her Lord.