Times of Refreshing

This afternoon, as Wendy & I enjoyed a long walk on the waterfront with Len & Betty Hjalmarson, this verse came to mind:

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. (Philemon 1:4-5)

We have quite a few friends from our days at Winnipeg Centre Vineyard who are now in Kelowna as part of the new Vineyard church plant here, and it's been great to re-connect with them once again. The Hjalmarson's, on the other hand, we'd only known in the online world before arriving in Kelowna five weeks ago. During these past few weeks, Len & Betty have gone out of their way numerous times to connect with us, and we have really felt a true comradeship and connection with them in the "analog" world.
There is something very special about spending time with other believers, enjoying the beauty of God's creation all around our new home of Kelowna, and having a time of prayer together in a local coffeeshop down by the waterfront. In all, an afternoon and early evening of being encouraged by simply "being the Body" together as friends. The prayer time at the "Bean Scene", which may have perplexed some of the other patrons present in the coffeehouse, was the perfect conclusion to our time together.