My name is Brady Russell Van Leenen, and I’m the newest addition to the ‘Atlantic’ crew. I arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday night (May 26th) where I was greeted by three new hairy-faced-friends with their legendary van.
(That thing could fill a book with all the signatures it’s collected)
I had a smooth flight all the way over from my hometown of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and an even smoother ride in that stylin’ van from the airport to our billet’s house. I’ve been surprised by my own composure during my short time with these guys. I mean it’s not really typical of me to fly halfway across the country to join some guys I’ve never met before for a summer ministry that is relatively unfamiliar to me… I guess I have a peace about the whole situation because… well because I truly believe God is working through this ministry called Atlantic, and getting involved in what God’s doing seems like a no-lose situation (or I guess loss is still a part of it… but, not really, when you consider eternity)
Some Irish guy once said, “Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing— because it’s already blessed”. I love that thought, and I think that kind of touches on why I’m here: I felt called to join into this ministry instead of pursuing some of the more selfish ways I could have spent my summer. I’m tacking myself onto a ministry in progress, but really that’s all any ministry is… it’s joining into the ongoing process of expanding God’s Kingdom and inviting more and more people into this eternal joy-filled life.
I’m thrilled to finally be with these guys face-to-face so that we can begin getting things ready for an epic summer tour… only… there’s one slight problem…
So I play the drums… or, I would, if they were here…
But Today we sit patiently awaiting a phone call.
It seems that somewhere along the way, an important Greyhound bus has become confused. Apparently fast dogs just get lost quicker. Way to go Greyhound (I heard that Greyhound’s are one of the dumbest dogs out there. I’m not being mean or bitter. It’s just some trivia that suddenly seems appropriate). Somewhere in our great nation, a lonely drum set sits silent, wastefully not being played as it should be. My beloved drums, which were shipped a week in advance, have still not arrived at the Ottawa bus depot.
So We wait…
Hopefully soon we will get the call from the bus depot that will tell us to come on down to the depot for a sweet reunion: the moment Brady will be reunited with his drum set (and by extension, the moment that we can begin practicing together to get ready for tour).
I’m super excited to get to play and serve with these guys for the whole summer, and equally excited to get to know them and all the important people who they love and who love them (AKA: you lovely readers).
I look forward to meeting you guys as we head out on tour Very Soon.
Keep us in your prayers.
From Ottawa,
This is the New Kid On the Block, hoping to meet you all real soon.
-Brady
(written May 27th, 2010)
