What the...

Just took a walk with my wife. It was nice just to walk and to talk, holding hands. Our walks here are usually pretty leisurely, wave at the passing cars, at the people in their yards, say hi to people passing by. It's a good life, a nice quiet town. Tomorrow I'll go to work. Can't say I have the most strenuous job. My work is ten houses from home, I get paid fairly well and I have a cool title. The kids are happy, they enjoy the freedom of wandering the streets without any real fear of harm. Everybody knows everyone else, we all watch out for one another. What more could you ask for?

Well, I guess that depends on who you are. As some know, most of what is described above is going to change, or at least the location will. As of July 27, we will no longer be residents of Hepburn (although we will still be land owners). On July 27 the Dvorak family will climb into their truck and set off for Winnipeg. For the next year of our lives we will be experiencing life differently. Our family will be residents of Flatlanders Inn. Flatlanders is an intentional community in the North End of Winnipeg, bringing together people from all kinds of different socio-economic groups. People from all backgrounds and those who just want to love.

Why? Why trade a carefree life on the open prairie for life in the inner city. The answer is both easy and complex at the same time. My simple response would be to ask why not? What makes one lifestyle superior to another? Are we all meant to live the same homogenous white bread lifestyle? I once heard a preacher describe the North American lifestyle as "get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can". Is that how life was meant to live? Where in all that is community, in just watching out for one another, no matter what your background is or what your resources are. ( i realize that I am as guilty of the N.A. lifestyle as anyone)

Jesus looked beyond all appearances and into the heart. I want to be more like Jesus.

Scared... yes, crazy... a little bit.