Someone You Should Know

The world is changing so rapidly and has such a warped sense of who heroes and role models really are.  I personally do not look up to someone who is living life “their way” and doing whatever brings joy to them and their life.  My heroes and role models are people who  live their lives unselfishly day in and day out.  People who live thinking of others and serving others.  One of these dear people happens to be my mother-in-law who is celebrating her 89^th birthday today.  And although there will be no books written about her life, if you have had the privilege of meeting her, you will quickly see the blessing she is to this world.  What an amazing testimony she is of a Woman of God who is walking a life of faith.  She has touched so many lives over the years.  In this race of life, many people grow weary and just want to coast to the finish line.  However, Mom is still going full throttle.  She continues to look for whatever opportunity she can to invest and impact the lives of her friends and neighbors.  She always has a listening ear and giving heart to help meet a need and encourage a heart.  It is amazing she has not needed to have knee replacement as she is such a prayer warrior.  If you need prayer, you definitely want her as part of your prayer team.  Due to the ministries we have been involved with through the years we have had very little time that we have lived in the same place.  However, she has had such an incredible impact on us, our children, and grandchildren.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Thanks for the legacy you are leaving for us to follow.

29 and Counting

Twenty Nine years ago we were blessed with the birth of our second son.  Our five children were born in four different cities.  However, Seth shares my birth place of Chicago.  :)    When Seth was 15 months old we brought him to the country of Venezuela where he spent much of his growing up years.  Seth loved running and biking in the plains of Venezuela.   When we moved back to Canada is when we saw Seth's musical talent come out as he is has become very gifted at playing both the bass and drums.  


Happy 29th Birthday Seth!  We thank the Lord for bringing you into our family.  God has blessed you with an amazing wife and precious two children.   May God give you much wisdom and direction as you lead and guide them.  Have a wonderful new year ahead.   Keep making a difference in this world.

The Artisan Market

While I was in Dakar I had the opportunity to go to an Artisan Market.  I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the things people were selling.  There were so many neat wood carvings and it was cool to see guys busy working on them right in front of my eyes.   There was such beautiful craftsmanship on display all around me. 

The Africian Experience

As many of you know Vern and I had the privilege to make a trip to Senegal for two different conferences.  (Thanks so much for all your prayers for us we really appreciated them. )  We could not possibly express in a blog all that we experienced while we were there.  There were so many new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.  We left there having a fuller understanding of the realities of what our personnel who work over there, face.  We also met some of the most amazing people who work in some incredibly challenging situations.   I have some new "Heroes of the Faith" as I rubbed shoulders with people who have faced and continue to face such huge hurdles in their ministry and are such an example of sacrificing all comforts and securities that we enjoy in North America for a greater cause of going to the outermost parts of this world to reach this world for Christ.  These dear people will not be forgotten and I will be faithfully praying and writing them to encourage them.  We also are hoping to use this experience of the things we have learned and bring it into the classes we teach to better equip our students for what they will be facing in the years ahead.