visit from an old friend

I received a surprise email from a friend who visited with us in 2001 and was back in the Philippines for a conference. Richard Hayward is a retired RCMP constable from Newmarket Ontario (Crosslands Church) who spent time with us when we were still teaching in our carport and really in the very begining of our ministry. While here he painted a beautiful watercolor of the Gentle Hands building that has hung on the wall since he left and some of his other paintings are scattered about our house.
Richard spent much of the day with us on Saturday and his visit was a chance for us to reflect on how much the ministry has changed and grown in the last six years. Some of the boys who were in that very first class of ours are still with us and have really grown up. It was also a sobering experience to take him down under the bridge where he had spend time during his first visit. No sign of the community that was once there remains.
We all enjoyed visiting with Kuya Richard and my kids took an immediate liking to him. We look forward to his next visit!

Comments

[tracey]

so cool... i have fond memories of him too.. he must have been there with john and family? tres sweet. :)