Happy New Year!

As we close the old year, choose carefully what you want to carry into the new year. Let's shed the things that hold us back and press on!

Had a great meeting yesterday with the legal representative. I was intimidated going in, however, he was so encouraging and said "I remember you were very sick last visit and now you are back!" (I think they are beginning to understand that I love them!)

After speaking today, they took up an offering. On top of the offering basket was a large bag of lingalinga (a leafy vegetable...good!) I found this gesture very moving. In such a needy country and from such economic devastation comes such a lovely personal offering!

Happy 2014 to everyone!

Happy New Year!

As we close the old year, choose carefully what you want to carry into the new year. Let's shed the things that hold us back and press on!

Had a great meeting yesterday with the legal representative. I was intimidated going in, however, he was so encouraging and said "I remember you were very sick last visit and now you are back!" (I think they are beginning to understand that I love them!)

After speaking today, they took up an offering. On top of the offering basket was a large bag of lingalinga (a leafy vegetable...good!) I found this gesture very moving. In such a needy country and from such economic devastation comes such a lovely personal offering!

Happy 2014 to everyone!

Merry Christmas Everyone....

Christmas Eve in Bukavu, the children burn a tire in the middle of the road. All over the city, you can see fires burning. Why, you ask? They just do!
It looks quite pretty looking down the hillside.
Wishing you all a Christmas filled with family, friends and faith!

(was I worried about all the fires, you ask.....no, no.....as long as the goat in the seat behind me stayed calm and didn't eat my hair.....everything was perfect! I was enjoying my journey so much!)  :D

Merry Christmas Everyone....

Christmas Eve in Bukavu, the children burn a tire in the middle of the road. All over the city, you can see fires burning. Why, you ask? They just do!
It looks quite pretty looking down the hillside.
Wishing you all a Christmas filled with family, friends and faith!

(was I worried about all the fires, you ask.....no, no.....as long as the goat in the seat behind me stayed calm and didn't eat my hair.....everything was perfect! I was enjoying my journey so much!)  :D

finally I got through with the picture of my 'welcome committee'

finally I got through with the picture of my 'welcome committee'

busy weekend.......

feeling strong and energetic (well age appropriate 'energetic')... running around trying to replace items taken from my luggage.
We have a great projector, working well, and we are planning to go into villages with the 'Jesus film'. For some, this movie will be their first. It will be great!
This week there are meetings planned for perhaps 300 people, for 5 days.
Have been visiting and reconnecting with friends and family....wonderful!
It is the middle of the night, and I am trying to convince my system that it really is night. During the daytime, my system tries to convince me that that is night.... I am determined to win this battle!
This picture (if the internet is strong enough to get it) is my welcome committee at the border.....L to R Raha, Mapendo, myself, Nsimire, Timothy. At the house there were a few more, and they all sang my favourite song!

nope....sorry....it won't work
Well, it's a nice picture, you would like it :)

more to come.......stay tuned

busy weekend.......

feeling strong and energetic (well age appropriate 'energetic')... running around trying to replace items taken from my luggage.
We have a great projector, working well, and we are planning to go into villages with the 'Jesus film'. For some, this movie will be their first. It will be great!
This week there are meetings planned for perhaps 300 people, for 5 days.
Have been visiting and reconnecting with friends and family....wonderful!
It is the middle of the night, and I am trying to convince my system that it really is night. During the daytime, my system tries to convince me that that is night.... I am determined to win this battle!
This picture (if the internet is strong enough to get it) is my welcome committee at the border.....L to R Raha, Mapendo, myself, Nsimire, Timothy. At the house there were a few more, and they all sang my favourite song!

nope....sorry....it won't work
Well, it's a nice picture, you would like it :)

more to come.......stay tuned

the journey....

this is the city of Brussels from the air, yesterday. I am in Rwanda and go to Congo today!

the trip was marathon as usual, but helped greatly by a good travel agent! Thanks Doug!

the journey....

this is the city of Brussels from the air, yesterday. I am in Rwanda and go to Congo today!

the trip was marathon as usual, but helped greatly by a good travel agent! Thanks Doug!

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.....

if you are of a certain unlisted age, you hear the music....

I leave in just 4 days now, so I think this will be the last entry from home on this side.

I just want to remind you that there are few times when I can make an entry here, but I will do my best to keep you updated. I hope you can understand the difficulties involved?

Don't be afraid to post comments....it is always wonderful to hear from you!!
"No man is an island, no man stands alone"....we need each other!
I will welcome your support!

Thank you for staying with me on this blog...
Merry Christmas to all of you and your families!

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.....

if you are of a certain unlisted age, you hear the music....

I leave in just 4 days now, so I think this will be the last entry from home on this side.

I just want to remind you that there are few times when I can make an entry here, but I will do my best to keep you updated. I hope you can understand the difficulties involved?

Don't be afraid to post comments....it is always wonderful to hear from you!!
"No man is an island, no man stands alone"....we need each other!
I will welcome your support!

Thank you for staying with me on this blog...
Merry Christmas to all of you and your families!

Sorry for the delay....

What can I tell you.....this is the crazy time......12 days until I leave;
- packing to do
- get the anti-malaria meds
- pack all the insurance papers and other vital records
- finish my teachings
- send a letter to supporters
- have an early Christmas dinner for the family
- don't forget to phone my 92 year old mother....who would rather I stay home.....sorry Mom :(
- leave the house clean (well this can dropped....if I must, of course!)
- and then all the stuff I am forgetting

Aaaaaah, yes, and hang out lots with my wonderful hubby!

Sorry for the delay....

What can I tell you.....this is the crazy time......12 days until I leave;
- packing to do
- get the anti-malaria meds
- pack all the insurance papers and other vital records
- finish my teachings
- send a letter to supporters
- have an early Christmas dinner for the family
- don't forget to phone my 92 year old mother....who would rather I stay home.....sorry Mom :(
- leave the house clean (well this can dropped....if I must, of course!)
- and then all the stuff I am forgetting

Aaaaaah, yes, and hang out lots with my wonderful hubby!

23 days until I leave for the Congo...

 Even the trip is memorable.....different places, sights, sounds.....the two 8 hour flights back-to-back are tiring. At the end of it, I am 8 hours 'out of whack', my nights are days and visa versa. The snow packed roads of home are exchanged for the ??? roads of Congo. Food is very different (better?), certainly more FRESH fruit, and fresh everything!
The first thing you see when you are at the Rwanda/Congo border is this....what are your guesses? What do you think they are carrying....?

23 days until I leave for the Congo...

 Even the trip is memorable.....different places, sights, sounds.....the two 8 hour flights back-to-back are tiring. At the end of it, I am 8 hours 'out of whack', my nights are days and visa versa. The snow packed roads of home are exchanged for the ??? roads of Congo. Food is very different (better?), certainly more FRESH fruit, and fresh everything!
The first thing you see when you are at the Rwanda/Congo border is this....what are your guesses? What do you think they are carrying....?

4,000,000........

that is the estimated number of orphans in the DRC. Sometimes we have the great privilege of feeding a few.....

4,000,000........

that is the estimated number of orphans in the DRC. Sometimes we have the great privilege of feeding a few.....

On a lighter note......

6 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!

On a lighter note......

6 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!

challenge...(again)....

nearly two million people live on less than a dollar a day! I have seen some of them. Can you imagine it...fasting frequently, or buying food for the family, worth less than a dollar. Your drink of choice is water.... boiled.... only if you can afford the charcoal...driving anywhere is out of the question.....everything is walking. I have seen women and children walking many miles each day to come into the city to sell their fish, or vegetables, and then walk all the way back home, to repeat the process the next morning. A family member at home is catching more fish or searching for more vegetables to sell, because, at the end of the day, they will have done well to come home with that dollar.
I'm sorry that it is such a tale of grief....I know you would probably rather not hear it.....
I would rather that it did not exist as a problem, and I try not to look at my lifestyle, because the contrast cries out....
It has been suggested that it would be better if I had never gone.....! As though not looking is a solution.
My husband and I remain committed to making a difference....bringing comfort & aid....one person at a time....somewhere in the process is a joy that cannot be described.....
Will you help?

challenge...(again)....

nearly two million people live on less than a dollar a day! I have seen some of them. Can you imagine it...fasting frequently, or buying food for the family, worth less than a dollar. Your drink of choice is water.... boiled.... only if you can afford the charcoal...driving anywhere is out of the question.....everything is walking. I have seen women and children walking many miles each day to come into the city to sell their fish, or vegetables, and then walk all the way back home, to repeat the process the next morning. A family member at home is catching more fish or searching for more vegetables to sell, because, at the end of the day, they will have done well to come home with that dollar.
I'm sorry that it is such a tale of grief....I know you would probably rather not hear it.....
I would rather that it did not exist as a problem, and I try not to look at my lifestyle, because the contrast cries out....
It has been suggested that it would be better if I had never gone.....! As though not looking is a solution.
My husband and I remain committed to making a difference....bringing comfort & aid....one person at a time....somewhere in the process is a joy that cannot be described.....
Will you help?

8 weeks until I leave...

(Congo) I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again!

2 Timothy 1:4

yup....can't wait !

8 weeks until I leave...

(Congo) I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again!

2 Timothy 1:4

yup....can't wait !

Glasses.....

The Lion's Club have generously provided 300 pair of reading glasses for me to take to the Congo. The glasses will arrive next week.....
WONDERFUL!! AJABU!!
So needed!
I am very thankful for this great service....

Glasses.....

The Lion's Club have generously provided 300 pair of reading glasses for me to take to the Congo. The glasses will arrive next week.....
WONDERFUL!! AJABU!!
So needed!
I am very thankful for this great service....

from a book entitled "It's Not Okay with Me"

"Imagine people being willing to open up their hearts to the people in Africa and saying to them and to the world, "It's not okay with me anymore that your children are dying in front of you from hunger, and that you are naked and that your husband died of AIDS. It is just not okay with me! And I am going to do something about it.' I encourage you to be willing and say it to one person today. Imagine the grassroots movement that you could be one small part of that will help one child, one family, one village, one nation. You can do it. I encourage you to JUST DO IT! ......could one person having a heart for Africa really save a continent? The answer was simply, yes."

I am counting on this! But it could be so much more effective if we stand together! Say it today, say it as you finish reading this.....

IT'S NOT OKAY WITH ME!!

May God empower us to make a difference to one child, one family, one village, one nation.....at a time :)

from a book entitled "It's Not Okay with Me"

"Imagine people being willing to open up their hearts to the people in Africa and saying to them and to the world, "It's not okay with me anymore that your children are dying in front of you from hunger, and that you are naked and that your husband died of AIDS. It is just not okay with me! And I am going to do something about it.' I encourage you to be willing and say it to one person today. Imagine the grassroots movement that you could be one small part of that will help one child, one family, one village, one nation. You can do it. I encourage you to JUST DO IT! ......could one person having a heart for Africa really save a continent? The answer was simply, yes."

I am counting on this! But it could be so much more effective if we stand together! Say it today, say it as you finish reading this.....

IT'S NOT OKAY WITH ME!!

May God empower us to make a difference to one child, one family, one village, one nation.....at a time :)

My time in Beausejour, remains in my heart. It was such a team effort, making that yard sale happen. I know you did a lot of work to put it together, and I am humbled by your support and encouragement! The reception in the school was exceptional as well. I am sooooo blessed to know all of you!
THANK YOU SO MUCH.....small words, but heartfelt!!!
I have a ticket to return to Congo on December 11th and leaving February 19th.
Beasejour...........WE are going to the Congo!!!!!!

My time in Beausejour, remains in my heart. It was such a team effort, making that yard sale happen. I know you did a lot of work to put it together, and I am humbled by your support and encouragement! The reception in the school was exceptional as well. I am sooooo blessed to know all of you!
THANK YOU SO MUCH.....small words, but heartfelt!!!
I have a ticket to return to Congo on December 11th and leaving February 19th.
Beasejour...........WE are going to the Congo!!!!!!

thank you Beausejour, you make me feel so welcome!

thank you Beausejour, you make me feel so welcome!

school?

My husband is planning to come with me this December to do a feasibility study to teach plumbing, electrical, and carpentry........oh........and English too!

school?

My husband is planning to come with me this December to do a feasibility study to teach plumbing, electrical, and carpentry........oh........and English too!

Hope......

Is it possible for the ordinary....like myself..... to bring HOPE to a people who have none? Who can answer that question? I only know that there is no excuse for not trying! I intend to give ALL my strength, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life to the One who will make a difference!

Think of us as we prepare for our return visit, please? I am still hoping for a longer stay and a better grasp of the language. I want to serve. Seeking messages of HOPE to offer. But it has to be much more than what I say, it is also about what I do. I know that words can be of little value, but love and concern shares burdens, in effective ways. I choose to walk alongside these awe-inspiring people! I wish you could know them....see their courage......experience their love.....

I am convinced you would join me!

Hope......

Is it possible for the ordinary....like myself..... to bring HOPE to a people who have none? Who can answer that question? I only know that there is no excuse for not trying! I intend to give ALL my strength, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life to the One who will make a difference!

Think of us as we prepare for our return visit, please? I am still hoping for a longer stay and a better grasp of the language. I want to serve. Seeking messages of HOPE to offer. But it has to be much more than what I say, it is also about what I do. I know that words can be of little value, but love and concern shares burdens, in effective ways. I choose to walk alongside these awe-inspiring people! I wish you could know them....see their courage......experience their love.....

I am convinced you would join me!

interesting note.....

just found a note I wrote while travelling in February.
When I left home, the wind chill factor made it - 49.
Flying over Africa they announced that we were at 40,000 feet,
and the outside temperature was - 54!!
:)

interesting note.....

just found a note I wrote while travelling in February.
When I left home, the wind chill factor made it - 49.
Flying over Africa they announced that we were at 40,000 feet,
and the outside temperature was - 54!!
:)

Happy to return home.....

This is the last smile, before leaving for home. His time in Canada was very productive! He will be greatly missed here, but we are very happy for the family to reunite today, after a 3 1/2 months apart!

Happy to return home.....

This is the last smile, before leaving for home. His time in Canada was very productive! He will be greatly missed here, but we are very happy for the family to reunite today, after a 3 1/2 months apart!

Griswold.....

It was great to visit with you! Thank you for your interest and concern with Congo!

Griswold.....

It was great to visit with you! Thank you for your interest and concern with Congo!

Cooking for a crowd.......

These people worked hard and long to feed more than 60 of us! The food was wonderful! Anyone want to try this?

Cooking for a crowd.......

These people worked hard and long to feed more than 60 of us! The food was wonderful! Anyone want to try this?

Yes! This was the price of gas in Bukavu! This price is per litre.....

It says $1.75

Yes! This was the price of gas in Bukavu! This price is per litre.....

It says $1.75

children;

recently finished auditing a University course. While researching information for a paper, found the following;

- The D.R. Congo war scenario resulted in chaos and the loss of 6 million people`s lives. All this took place in the eyes and in the sight of our children, who are  to become the future of the country.
-  Education of children is only available now in certain big cities. In eastern Congo education is destroyed completely, many villages have no school. Villages are in unstable areas, making it impossible to find someone who would teach there
- “Orphan-headed households are becoming increasingly common. As victims of discrimination, most of these children have no choice but to seek work, whatever the conditions, in order to survive."
-   The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands of children in the Congo are fighting in armed groups, many of them orphans forced to join the lawless militia that have ravaged this part of Congo. This tragic situation increases the number of traumatized children in the country, and destroys the childhood of these children. Their experiences will make it almost impossible for the children to be reintegrated in society
- The loss of six million people has left many orphans who have no future and depend on international organizations, churches and programs to give them support. The estimates for orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo at 4.2 million!
- my thinking is.....based on this statistic......that will be 4.2 million future families with no idea how to live, how to continue the values of the culture, etc
- odd that all this is going on, and there is so little being said globally, isn't it?
       
 ---------------------------------------------------

So, I join the voices of those trying to raise awareness. It would be impossible to see the realities I have seen, and not have some response..... 

We MUST NOT look away, as difficult as it is...... They need us!

children;

recently finished auditing a University course. While researching information for a paper, found the following;

- The D.R. Congo war scenario resulted in chaos and the loss of 6 million people`s lives. All this took place in the eyes and in the sight of our children, who are  to become the future of the country.
-  Education of children is only available now in certain big cities. In eastern Congo education is destroyed completely, many villages have no school. Villages are in unstable areas, making it impossible to find someone who would teach there
- “Orphan-headed households are becoming increasingly common. As victims of discrimination, most of these children have no choice but to seek work, whatever the conditions, in order to survive."
-   The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands of children in the Congo are fighting in armed groups, many of them orphans forced to join the lawless militia that have ravaged this part of Congo. This tragic situation increases the number of traumatized children in the country, and destroys the childhood of these children. Their experiences will make it almost impossible for the children to be reintegrated in society
- The loss of six million people has left many orphans who have no future and depend on international organizations, churches and programs to give them support. The estimates for orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo at 4.2 million!
- my thinking is.....based on this statistic......that will be 4.2 million future families with no idea how to live, how to continue the values of the culture, etc
- odd that all this is going on, and there is so little being said globally, isn't it?
       
 ---------------------------------------------------

So, I join the voices of those trying to raise awareness. It would be impossible to see the realities I have seen, and not have some response..... 

We MUST NOT look away, as difficult as it is...... They need us!

school supplies donated = school supplies received !! THANK YOU !!!

school supplies donated = school supplies received !! THANK YOU !!!

makes you think.....

"The wealthiest 20% of the world’s population consumes 76.6% of the world’s goods while 80% of humanity gets the remainder."

-----------------------

it has just come to my attention that you can not read this bottom of this map. It is saying that the green countries are sustainable, yellow is stable, orange is warning, and brown is alert.
In the middle of Africa, where our ministry focuses, is the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can see it clearly on this map because it is completely brown. You see the colour....I see the faces that represents....

makes you think.....

"The wealthiest 20% of the world’s population consumes 76.6% of the world’s goods while 80% of humanity gets the remainder."

-----------------------

it has just come to my attention that you can not read this bottom of this map. It is saying that the green countries are sustainable, yellow is stable, orange is warning, and brown is alert.
In the middle of Africa, where our ministry focuses, is the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can see it clearly on this map because it is completely brown. You see the colour....I see the faces that represents....

Beausejour.....

visiting various places and enjoying meeting people, while we carry the news of Congo to Canada.

Beausejour.....

visiting various places and enjoying meeting people, while we carry the news of Congo to Canada.

This is the lead pastor from Chiriri (I have trouble pronouncing that one too!).....anyway, he is holding office supplies that were donated. The pastors of each community are the ones carrying the community. They help people find jobs, food, just generally to live and survive. They carry HEAVY burdens in addition to their own needs. They accomplish this without the aid of basic resources or even simple supplies. These were received with joy and thankfulness.....

This is the lead pastor from Chiriri (I have trouble pronouncing that one too!).....anyway, he is holding office supplies that were donated. The pastors of each community are the ones carrying the community. They help people find jobs, food, just generally to live and survive. They carry HEAVY burdens in addition to their own needs. They accomplish this without the aid of basic resources or even simple supplies. These were received with joy and thankfulness.....

Beausejour.......

Thank you for such a warm welcome....it was great to see all of you again and share some of the things done in the Congo because of your partnership !

Beausejour.......

Thank you for such a warm welcome....it was great to see all of you again and share some of the things done in the Congo because of your partnership !

As I watched a large house being constructed, I was fascinated by this worker. It is difficult to see, but he is shaping this piece of wood with his machete!
My husband is hoping to return with me and open a school for plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills. One of the issues will be tools!
Proving, once again, that we cannot stand alone....we depend on our supporters....it is always a joint effort.

As I watched a large house being constructed, I was fascinated by this worker. It is difficult to see, but he is shaping this piece of wood with his machete!
My husband is hoping to return with me and open a school for plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills. One of the issues will be tools!
Proving, once again, that we cannot stand alone....we depend on our supporters....it is always a joint effort.

Saskatoon....

This is a very wonderful group of people who invited us to Saskatoon, and made us feel so welcome! We thank them for their hospitality! You can learn more about them from www.spokenwordministries.ca 

If they are in your area, don't miss hearing them. You will be glad you did! 

Saskatoon....

This is a very wonderful group of people who invited us to Saskatoon, and made us feel so welcome! We thank them for their hospitality! You can learn more about them from www.spokenwordministries.ca 

If they are in your area, don't miss hearing them. You will be glad you did! 

thoughts.....

This sign is saying that this location is a gathering place. So, if the unthinkable happens, you can come here to try to find your missing family and friends. These people have endured so much. Planning for the future is so difficult.....with a life expectancy of 46 years, and unpredictable turmoil..... 

So, the question remains....why are they so happy?

 It makes you think.......

thoughts.....

This sign is saying that this location is a gathering place. So, if the unthinkable happens, you can come here to try to find your missing family and friends. These people have endured so much. Planning for the future is so difficult.....with a life expectancy of 46 years, and unpredictable turmoil..... 

So, the question remains....why are they so happy?

 It makes you think.......

is it true that a face can tell a story? What are your thoughts?

is it true that a face can tell a story? What are your thoughts?

need I say more?

we are still adjusting....   :D !

need I say more?

we are still adjusting....   :D !