Working with eMi Canada or "Prepare for Launch!"


This will be the first of two updates concerning moving to Calgary and more importantly, my upcoming trip to Myanmar!  They should be short, sweet, and full of photos.

New Office: eMi Canada

eMi Canada's office is located just outside of downtown in the northwest borough of Kensington, Calgary's 'Urban Village' (apparently no relation to Kensington Market in Toronto).  It takes about 20 minutes to get to work biking in the morning (mostly downhill so 30 mins going home).  I'm thankful for the opportunity to get my body in gear before engaging my mind with the days work.

Without a doubt, this is the friendliest office I have ever been a part of.  There is an openness in sharing and joy in conversation that boosts the spirit of each staff member.  "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17  We also have a time of daily prayer to consider the needs of the other eMi offices around the world and one of us will give a quick reflection on scripture too.  I have only been here two weeks but feel connected to this body of believers.  Praise God!

Much of that connected-ness stemmed from a recent staff retreat that was held this week.  We spent the day together considering how the LORD has guided the office thus far and to offer up our praise, thanksgiving, and requests to Him.  Intentionally taking that time to consider the depth and height and breadth of what God has done during the 12 years of eMi Canada's existence caused my heart that was anxious and lukewarm to be comforted, encouraged, and renewed in the anticipation for what is to come.  I pray that I would not be so lax in seeking to 'pray without ceasing' for the rest of this term.


Sharing a laugh during a quick break at the staff retreat.


New City: Calgary!

Confession time - I'm quickly coming to love the city of Calgary.  Labour day weekend was a good time to get a better lay of the land, so I hopped on the C-train (Calgary's LRT) and went to explore downtown.  Highlights of my time in the city centre included visiting the Bow Building (tallest tower in Calgary), lunch by the Bow River and getting a bird's eye view of the city from Calgary Tower! (The photo below does not do the skyline justice - you can see the Rockies in the distance)

Things I'm still getting used to are:

  1. Milk coming in 1 gallon jugs and not bags. (More convenient in these eyes)
  2. All drink containers require a deposit upon purchase - yes including the milk jugs!
  3. surprisingly cool morning temperatures (average of 3-7 degrees when I step out the door) - perfect for biking!
  4. Mountains!
  5. About 4 times as many pickup trucks with loud exhausts compared with Ontario.  Only just recently has Alberta established more stringent emission by-laws.
The Bow Building - aptly named for its geometry and location!

Centre Street bridge with the Bow river.  Apparently a bike trail follow this river for over 50km.

I was also fortunate to get a better look at some of the rugged beauty of Alberta on the holiday Monday by trekking out to Bragg Creek - a small hamlet 30 mins west of Calgary in the foothills of the Rockies.  Fun was had over a hike, skipping stones by the Elbow River and lunch.  It was good to get to know Greg Young (eMi Canada's director) and his family through that time.

Hiking in Bragg Creek. 
Clear skies, tall trees and no humidity!

Skipping stones with the Young's.

Amazing to think this river was over 4 feet higher during the flood last year.


Project to Come - Bound for Myanmar


All these changes aside, the crux of why I'm here is looming.  More details of my trip to South East Asia are starting to appear and preparation is going well.  My official travel dates are now September 18th to 30th.  We have a team of 8 design professionals (1 trip leader, 2 interns, 2 structural engineers, 1 civil engineer, 1 planner and 1 architect) - 3 from the States  and 5 from Canada.  Just today the entry visa's were mailed to the Canadian members of the team, a big and mandatory step for entry into Myanmar!  We had been praying continually for these visa's as there had been hiccups at the embassy and some suspicion of our intentions in the country.  Please pray for the US visas, that they would be accepted swiftly and sent in good time to our team members from the States!

In another interesting twist in the past weeks was when our prospective surveyor was unable to commit to the trip.  Looks like the warning at orientation to 'be flexible with your role' is going to come in handy as while we're in Myanmar as myself and Katy will be doing much more of the survey work than first anticipated!

Next week I'll dive more into where we are going, our needs and our schedule.

In Christ,
Ben

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