What I Miss Most About Vancouver

It probably sounds funny, but what I miss most about Vancouver is not the mountains, or the sea, or the moderate climate, or colourful Commercial Drive, or MEC, or the Whitecaps ... should I go on? .. or the Regent bookstore, or the VSO, or Milano Cafe, or the 99B Line, or the skytrain; what I miss most about Vancouver is not even Al Watan or Katzenjammer or Grouse Mountain or family!!

What I miss most about Vancouver is Wednesday night board games.  Food.  Music.  Wine.  Laughter.  Friendly bantering.  Exchange of ideas.  Friendship.  Community.  Belonging.  This is the stuff of life; and in my humble estimation, a small yet significant picture into the life of the Kingdom that is yet to come.

Tonight was games night, and it was therefore with great anticipation that I arrived at Ruth and Marty's place, the hosts for the evening.  And a good number of the wonderful souls that I know in this city came also.

We spent the first two hours basically catching up, eating dinner (thank you Ruth!), updating one another on the latest developments in our lives.  Then, around around 9pm, we got out the games and played; first, the "bean game" (Bean Trader), and then, just as on previous occasions, the plato fuerte of our games nights, Rook. 

The evening ended around midnight.  I said goodbye to some of my friends, as I may not see them again on this trip.  But a few of them I will see again in the coming days, either over a meal, or on a hike that I'm planning for Saturday, to Garibaldi Lake.

For the record, the evening was not without its challenges, particularly, spiritual challenges!  My humility levels were challenged, for one.  I didn't win either of the games we played.  Worse yet, we played Rook in a team format, and after amassing an enormous lead, our team imploded and lost badly.  I blame my teammates' inexperience....

Furthermore, my patience levels were tested too, not only in being gracious with my teammates, but also, by playing the bean game.  I'd much rather have played TTR or Settlers.  I'm better at those games, and my chances of winning would've drastically improved!  

Like I said earlier though, this night represents in a small way the stuff of life: learning to love God and neighbour in the presence of wonderful people.

I'm very fortunate to have such amazing friends.