Whale Watch by Wendy (team leader)
Day five found the pilgrims on journey with Pleasant Bay as the destination. We managed to find two Anglican churches. Although we missed service at the first on our path, we arrived just in time at the second for prayer service to St. Andrew’s in Neil’s Harbor. The congregation was so receptive and welcomed us with open arms to join them. The interior of the church was nothing like we’d ever seen, although we couldn’t quite put our finger on it. Shawn then shared with us that often churches built in fishing villages are constructed by ship-builders, so that they look just like an upside down ship! By coincidence, St. Andrew’s was in the same “boat” as St. Mark’s. They have recently hired a new rector who is to begin on September first.
After service, we had a quick lunch at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the sea called the Chowder House, and headed out to “Fiddling Whale Tours”. The water was quite choppy on our way out to where the whales were last spotted, which was both terrifying and fun, I think the term Six Flags and Sea World was used often. We returned to land 2+ hours later having missed the whales, but enjoying the gift of Stan, our captain and fiddler.
When reflecting later, Shawn reminded us that the whale watch was not unlike God. We cannot put Him in a box and say “okay, I need to see you *now*!” For us, knowing the whales were there just below the surface would have to be enough, just as knowing that God is there, even if we don’t ever get to ”see” Him.