How much can you fit in a bag?

My US experience draws to a close tomorrow as I head back from Denver to LA and then on home to Nelson. About 36 hours of travel beckons - yikes!

I've just finished stuffing the last clothes, books and CDs into my bags. I think I'm underweight. Which is more than can be said for my body which has enjoyed the hospitality here with perhaps a little too much vigour. Last night I caught my first live baseball game at Coors Field in Denver - the local Rockies team lost 3-0 to Arizona but my night seemed to mostly revolve around eating hotdogs, shelling peanuts, drinking beer and talking Bob Dylan with a guy who came with me and Jim, a Pastor called Joe Beech. His son is about to head to Israel to shoot some film in the Gaza Strip - pretty volatile place.

I have had an amazing time connecting with people over here. Last weekend I was up in Michigan, spending time with Jim Sawyer's family in Grand Haven, a gorgeous spot on the shores of Lake Michigan. Lots of time spent talking about the cultural differences between Kiwis and Americans. We even got "The World's Fastest Indian" out on DVD and watched it together.

On the Sunday Jim and I went to Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids - the community led by Rob Bell. It was great to catch a meeting, hear Rob speak (we exchanged brief "hello's") and then have a long lunch with a couple who were part of the founding team that planted the church.

Back in Denver I have had the chance to hook up with a brilliant missional community called Adullum, led by a guy called Hugh Halter. They are trying some fantastic community connecting initiatives that got me pretty excited.

I'm really aware that this blog over the last weeks has been very much a descriptive thing without really much time given to reflection. I have to admit it has been so full on just absorbing everything that trying to work out what it all might mean and how things will change because of this time away, will need some decent time back at home. Suffice to say I have been blown away by the way God has prepared a route for me and MaryAnn. The people we have encountered, and shared stories with, will certainly be part of our future.

But now I am a mere two days away from reconnecting with MaryAnn and the kids. I have really missed them. Brief phonecalls have at least reassured me that they are doing great and having their own adventures back in Nelson. Lots to ponder in the meantime - looking forward to seeing everyone soon.