photos of Kenya

Turkana sunrise

                                                        

Beautiful people

                                                        

Ron takes a nap

She was very pleased to have this photo taken together.

A camp for displaced people. tough conditions.

road side scene - termite hotel and camel.

after a rain.

on lookers at a  food distribution,

sharing the maize

Times flies when you're .......

• enjoying many wonderful guests and family, 
• travelling to Alaska, 
• serving in Haiti for 4 months, 
• visiting in Ontario, 
• reconnecting at home, 
• preparing for a vacation and 
• looking forward to going to Malawi in 2011 with CRWRC

That is a lot of 'water under the bridge' since we last blogged  to the point where I had forgotten how to log in!

All along the way there are lessons to learn, opportunities to bless and be blessed, wonders of God and amazing people.

The more we learn and experience, the more we realize how much we do not know! The struggles along the way are just as important as the 'wow' moments! Maybe even more. We look forward to what lies  ahead in the confidence that God is with us.

Our hearts are aching for the people of Haiti as they suffer with the aftermath of the earthquake, the hurricane and the cholera outbreak. In the midst of all this an election campaign is underway.
The press does not tell many important stories about Haiti - for example Haitians cannot cross the border into the Dominican Republic just now which shuts down the livelihoods of those who purchased goods for market in the DR.
On the plus side CRWRC is hard at work - if you want to learn more check out

http://www.crcna.org/pages/crwrc_reliefresources.cfm for newsletters  and videos from our time in Haiti 

http://www.crwrc.org/pages/crwrc.cfm for their wonderful work globally.

So - that's it for now - perhaps some photos will follow! Perhaps!

Advent is upon us and we are listening to some Chris Tomlin music on you tube. It was not so long ago that I did not know what you tube was! (thanks Caleb).

Christmas - it is so NOT about stuff!

Bless you all

goats for gold

http://www.goatforgold.com/

Check it out ...  and hey there USA - how about trying to out give  Canadians in goats !!

Gifts of Life

This year, more than ever, I am enjoying preparing gifts of life for giving - gifts of goats, mosquito nets, relief food, and even latrines. Call me a slow learner - but it has taken me this long (62 years!) to truly appreciate the opportunity to give in this way.

Merry Christmas world!

TIS THE SEASON

What's it all about? Shopping? Getting? Eating? 


Compassion? Relationships? 


Here is a thought provoking video ..... 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkTyPzRzuwc



What if we all took it to heart?  What if ? 


Christmas blessings to you and may your Christmas be made fresh and new... 


May I be changed. 

Everyone can do something #1

As I continue to try to grasp - at least in part - the circumstances and tragedy of global poverty I think a lot about old question "what we can do about it?"

As I pray and meditate further I sense that I might share some of what I am finding / learning ... not that we personally do all these things but simply for consideration .... because everyone can do something.

Speaking of simply, we are attempting to live more simply in order to have more to give and for the sake of this beautifully created world. There is a saying - Live simply that others may simply live. Rings true to my ears!

Here is the first little find for sharing - it is a micro finance site at www.kiva.org which facilitates funding from the general public which can be assigned to a designated individual for business start up.

One must use their own judgement of course but it seems that enabling an individual to have a livelihood is worth some consideration. We heard about this at the Leadership Summit we attended last week.

We are grateful to have had 2 past opportunities to serve some of the neediest of the needy in Africa in 07 and in 08/9. One cannot help but see not only neediness, sickness, hunger, and poverty but also the incredible strength, persistence and determination among these very capable, community oriented individuals and families. We have given some of ourselves but received and learned so much more. Such opportunities are to be deeply appreciated.

I hope the kiva site is of interest to you.

Blog Fever

Sometimes I forget things - such as "I don't have to leave the country to blog"! Summer on the island is noteworthy in itself !

The simple things are often the best - a walk on the waterfront listening to an amazing youth choir, bumping into friends and breathing in the salty sea air.

I love this place ....... Nanaimo is home.

From here there is easy access to so much out doors - trails, beaches, kayaking spots, picnic places and so on...

The city's downtown core just keeps getting better and better and the waterfront holds fascination for us with its boat basin and sea planes and walkways, enough coffee shops to fill your boots!

Most of our needs are easily met within walking distance of home and there are many opportunities to serve others in both organized and serendipitous ways. And you meet lots of interesting people along the way ... I am so thankful.

To be honest however, I do tend to have "itchy feet" to head off again with CRWRC or Mission Builders .... to serve where needed .... I surely do miss Africa ! It gets into you somehow and it does not care to leave! But for now we are here We are blessed,