A NEW WAY OF BEING

I am not entirely sure why …. but I feel strangely at peace not knowing what the next bits of life look like in many ways.  Ron and I look forward to embracing a new culture and looking into the lives of others who are dedicated long term to the betterment of the nationals they serve.

We are excited to learn Malawian ways, to visit the ‘warm heart of Africa’ to study the faces of people whose history is so very different than our own.  They will show us images of God and faith journeys outside of our personal experiences. What a  privilege!  We are grateful.

Our journey begins with a visit to friends who live on the mainland – a time to catch up and enjoy long lasting friendships. From there we will spend time with Martin and Annika, exploring Cambridge for a bit before we continue on to Africa.

But what about today ?  it was a delight -  visiting with neighbors and friends, talking on skype to Ontario and Hawaii,  getting an email from Thailand. Technology was my friend  …. for today anyway! 

And the housework is almost done – Canadians are spoiled with ‘conveniences’ and we have them in spades. My oven is cleaning itself, the dishwasher has done it’s job and the washing machine will be next to kick in. I am not working hard at all!

The adventure continues!

One Year Haiti Earthquake Response Link!

Here is the report from CRWRC - received just moments ago!

http://www.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/crwrc/images/relief/HaitiEarthquake/HaitiEQ_1YearUpdate.pdf

A Time of Preparation

It is a new calendar year full of hope and anticipation. We have lived long enough to know there will be bumps along the road  but we do not need to live in fear.

40 years is a time of preparation biblically  and I have been musing on that thought - it seems to me that all of our adult lives (experiences) have been punctuated with a huge AH-HA!! by volunteering with CRWRC (the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee), We are so very grateful!

With our eyes fixed on 2011, we see a visit with Marty and Annika in Cambridge, 4 months of opportunity in Malawi- managing a CRWRC project, the summer here in BC and possibly a visit from the Brownhills, some kayaking, learning and growing in faith, family times and whatever else God puts in our path.

In preparation for the conservation farming /  food for work project in Malawi we have been following the blog of those who have been there setting up and implementing the project:  There are many pictures on their blog for November / December / January.  If you are interested ,  please check out http://www.hoyers.blogspot.com. Malawi looks beautiful and the work is fascinating!

We bagan the new year with special friends of about 25 years!  January 1 we walked on the waterfront in the sunshine but for Nanaimo it was cold!!   Here are a few pictures down at the harbour:

Today is just 5 days short of the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti - the beginning of a year  of complicated, challenging and often fatal events. While many horrors remain in Haiti, there are pockets of hope and progress. The work of CRWRC is among them.  Following in the footsteps of George and Toni Fernhout, we spent 4 months on the Leogane focussed project which continues to move forward. There are over 500 homes which are earthquake and hurricane resistant, 19 deep pure wells, 44 latrines, an enormous rubble removal project to name just a part of what has taken place.  Cholera prevention education and psycho social care have been undertaken as well. Thanks you to all who have contributed to these outcomes through your prayers, encouragement, volunteering and finances.You are making a difference. I understand that new videos and articles are being posted for the one year anniversary - Ron and I participated in a few of the older videos. Here are some links if you want to watch / read more:

http://www.crcna.org/pages/crwrc_ir_haiti.cfm

http://www.crcna.org/pages/crwrc_haitieq_videos.cfm

Haiti needs a lot of prayer cover - there are so many problems with poverty, lack of infrastructure, trauma, homelessness, lack of opportunities, anger and suspicion to mention a few. I need also mention people of resilience and strength whose faces bless my memory.  The people are very special!   May 2011 bring good changes to Haiti.

May 2011 see you all growing, learning and becoming  - enjoy the ride!