On the road again

Monday, October 15 we left Ontario with Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi being our destination. We must have fit the profile for that day at the US customs as we cooled our heels here at the border for over three hours. Our potentially "Mad Cow" infected steak and dog food were confiscated as was a plant that had already been to the US for a trip as well as two months in Alaska. It was yes sir/no sir all the way. The dog and all our currency had to be removed from the truck and RV before the inspector left us at station and searched our vehicles unaccompanied. That night we stayed in an Ohio RV park surrounded by corn fields. Very peaceful!

Tuesday we were determined to make up some time. On an eight lane interstate going through Louisville, Kentucky at more than 100 clicks, Jannich noticed a large enough bulge in a tire of the RV that he could see it in his side mirror. He worked our way to the right, hoping for a truck stop at the next exit! NO, this exit led into a residential area. Scanning quickly, he saw a parking lot big enough in which to turn around: the Seventh Day Adventist Church and school lot. Very quickly we found ourselves parked peacefully behind the church. Three hours later we pulled back on I-65 and made our way to the first RV park we could find. We were thankful that we had not caused a major accident, that the church office made a phone available and that the road service came fully equipped. (One day we will tell the story about our breakdown on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Quebec City in the heart of rural Quebec!) While we were waiting for repair Jannich caught up on some reading while Ruth and Winston had a sleep. Much better to be behind the church than on the side of a highway.

Wednesday transpired without any unusual events. We are camped just north of Birmingham, Alabama. By mid day tomorrow we hope to be in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where we will spend a week before traveling to Bay Saint Louis to meet other Titanium owners. A week will be spent there helping to build Habitat for Humanity houses. The temperature here is 32 degrees celsius. This not the level we normally experience in October...

On Tuesday, September 11,

we received an email informing us that Ruth's nephew had been diagnosed with an inoperable, fast growing brain tumor. He is 43 years old and has a wife and three young children. They are presently pastors at a downtown Edmonton church.(churchon99). It has been a roller coaster of emotions since we got this unexpected news. Only by the grace of God and prayer has the family survived so far. To read about Darwin for further details. We realize now how insignificant small irritations are.

Keep him in your prayers.