It is impossible in the space available to offer even a summary account of all the events, activities, people and places that filled my time during a trip to Ontario the last week of September.

I juggled many agendas during five full days of planned meetings and chance encounters, long days spent largely with people who are working in countless creative ways to advance Christian grace and proclaim God’s good news throughout Canada.

I had the privilege of meeting with administrators and poets, preachers, ministry leaders and apologists. I enjoyed the company of accountants and salesmen, writers and pastors. I shared prayers with justice advocates and political lobbyists—and lawyers; there were lawyers aplenty.

Along the way I was able to interact with business people, media personalities, educators and politicians. I heard Senator Anne Cools speak from her heart and experience, poignantly making the case that charitable enterprise is a fundamentally Christian response to human need and passionately advocating the benefits of religion in public life.

Many of these activities and encounters took place at the annual conference of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, where CEO John Pellowe and his colleagues once again welcomed me warmly. Of course, a press pass around my neck gave fair warning to any who might not otherwise realize they were talking to a journalist. (Look for my report on the convention in the next edition of ChristianWeek.)

Trips always go better when the food is good. I managed to eat well, and especially appreciated receiving Christian hospitality in the homes of friends and being with their families. Joe and Seon Young Couto once again gave me a comfortable place to rest my head each night and an encouraging start early each morning. I also enjoyed fine food and great company in the home of ChristianWeek Ontario regional correspondent Patricia Paddey, whose family finally got to meet one of the distant editors who keeps her busy. Crocodiles figured into our table discussion.

Being in places where people speak loving truth to each other is a genuine delight. I joyfully received kind compliments and stoically endured a couple of criticisms.

I especially appreciated some words of blessing from a “retired” former director of a major Canadian mission agency, a longtime acquaintance, who told me that ChristianWeek kept him informed with accurate information about things happening outside his own circles—things that mattered to him as a Christian who cares deeply about faith and society. “The day you stop telling it like it is, you lose me as a reader,” he warned. “Don’t ever stop telling it like it really is.”