Holy Moly, Me Oh My! I will go into the sky.

Well, it is absolutely hard to believe that within 8 hours I will be on a plane just about to take off heading for Toronto. This is the last look at the Vancouver night skyline that I will get in 6 months. I better take a few moments to take it in. It sure is beautiful, not many places in the world are this beautiful. I will miss thee Vancouver, you and your wonderful people and hockey (not sure which I will miss more).

It is at this point that I also have to stop and praise God for how faithful he has been in providing for this trip, and not only that but in providing me with amazing family, friends, and community all around me. I really hope I was able to thank each and every person who has spent time praying for this trip and supporting me through so many different ways. Your friendships and care for me has blown me away over the past month. I actually was brought to a few manly tears of shear awe at how incredible everyone who is around me is. I cannot thank each and everyone of you enough. I cherish your prayers and your friendships, and each one of you will be sorely missed. I can't promise to count down the days until my return because this is going to be an amazing trip where incredible things will happen all around me and in me. God is so faithful, and as so many people told me, if I draw near and close to Him this trip, it will be unreal (a bit of a paraphrase)!!! Anyways, time for some zzz's before tomorrow, and then it is off to Toronto to see my brother. Goodbye Vancouver and all of those whom I love within in its boundaries. I look forward to our reunion.

Love and blessings to you all,

Thomas

Things to pray for:

-safe travel

-peace

-awesomeness

Sure hope there won't be any snakes on my planes!

Well today has not been stressful, but certainly interesting when it comes to picking flights. First off there is a new little venture to Hamilton to visit my brother before I leave, and this surprisingly makes choosing flights that much trickier. Then there is also the tricky part on the other end of the flight, getting an MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) flight from Uganda to Mundri [they only fly on Tuesdays and Thursdays]. But the good thing is I know that God is good and after a few emails I am well on my way to having these flights booked, and barring any unforeseen circumstances the date of my departure from home will be the 28th of September, leading me to arrive in Mundri, South Sudan on the 6th of October!!! (Can I get a woot woot)

I would appreciate prayer that these final little pieces would come together smoothly, and also that any apprehension I am feeling would be replaced with a sense of peace. Also, the hit on my finances is slightly more than I was expecting, but the Lord provides!

Stay Strong, Love God, Drink Milk
Thomas

Fundraiser

So big exciting news. There is a fantastic fundraiser going on in 10 days time. There is a bocce tournament and county fair in Douglas Park. Here is a little info about it. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109352515832252)

Time	Saturday, September 17 · 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location	Douglas Park 20517 Douglas Cresent

I would love to see some of your bright shining faces out there.

Much love,
Thomas

Plans to Leave

Well, after a handful of meetings, it looks like I am taking the final few steps before I take off on an adventure into the world's newest country, South Sudan.

I am going to be moving to the Mundri county of West Equatoria in South Sudan in late Septermber/early October, to begin working with Afro-Canadian Evangelical Mission (ACEM). While there I am going to be doing a variety of things. It is big on my heart to serve the people of South Sudan in anyway I can possibly think of. My work with the organization will involve taking various steps toward improving access to education in the area. Beyond that I will be teaching at a local school. Outside of these education and service goals I am going to be living in the area and getting involved with some local churches in whatever way necessary, with a hope of doing youth ministry.

In order to help me get ready to go, the most important thing I need is prayer; however, there is also the financial reality of living and volunteering on the other side of the world. As such I would love for you guys to partner with me both in prayer and financially either by sponsoring my personal expenses of living in South Sudan, or becoming a donor to one of the projects that I will be undertaking.

If you so desire to help out financially here is how. Write a cheque out to Padang Lutheran Christian Relief (http://www.plcr.org/) and put ACEM in the memo line (for personal support put in ACEM - Thomas Gaster).

Thank you everyone for your prayers and I love you all and I know I cannot begin this journey without your support. You guys rock and I look forward to hearing and seeing you before I go.

To contact me email t_gaster@hotmail.com or call 604-866-2462.

Much Love,
Thomas