I hung up the phone.  We had a place to stay for three nights.
All I had to figure out was our meal schedule and it was all set.
We're going to Nipawin!
Next Monday morning, Walter will instruct the freshmen class of Nipawin Bible College on the basics of cross-cultural ministry.  I will be in the class, as well, mostly just to participate and connect with students.  Gina Marie will bring up the HHM van in order to bring the group of students assigned to Healing Hearts back to Regina for a week's experience in inner city ministry.  She will take part in the classes, too, which helps her get to know the students and be able to reinforce the teachings as she coordinates their activities for the week.
I may have already written a blog about last year's FMP (Freshmen Ministry Practicum) so I won't bore you all with details.  But I always enjoy being part of Walter's class on cross-cultural ministry because I get re-inspired to reach people of another culture for Jesus!  It's a good refresher on the aspects of culture that are unique to the First Nations people that we work with.  And I enjoy seeing the students discover or grapple with the concept that they have a culture and that they look at the world and the Gospel through their own cultural bias.  And then for us, and especially for Gina Marie, when the team engages with people and needs in the inner city, she gets to see them be stretched and learn or sometimes struggle with the different culture they are experiencing.
The added blessing of going to Nipawin is that we have the team of HHM missionary staff there that we connect with.  We will stay with Ken and Debbie Matthews for those three nights.  Marsden and Mandy Giesbrecht also minister in Nipawin and hopefully we can visit with them.  Bert and Liz Genaille live in town but are often on the road with their music ministry.  And about 20 minutes away, in Aylsham, Carl and Brenda Ens pastor a little fellowship and do itinerant children's ministry using puppets and other artistic gifts.
Besides those dear folks, we also know a couple students attending the college this year.  As we hang out at the college for lunch, we can connect with them and see how they are faring in second semester.
As I arrange the logistics for our upcoming trip, I am also praying for our own spiritual preparations. The material we will share is not new; but the spiritual component is absolutely vital and we desire to make an impact on the students that will last.  We want the Lord to go before us and bless every trip we take for His purposes.

Psalm 127:1 & 2
"Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain."
2 
Unless the Lord blesses this teaching opportunity, it would be just a nice visit with friends.  But we trust that much more is going to be accomplished for the sake of His Kingdom.