Heart for Haiti

I had been praying for God to show me how I could help in Haiti. I knew no one personally who had been there. I had watched the news and heard appeals for funds. I continued to pray.

God answered. Through a friend from Nova Scotia I linked to a blog about a church group who were helping a school and orphanage run by Karen Huxter, called HATS (Hands Across the Sea). I started to read the blog. I became connected. My heart and prayers are now focussed on that spot in Deschappelles, Haiti.

If you feel led, read the blog and start to pray.

There are many ways to help. God led me to find my way. Have you asked Him to help you find yours?

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has a list of agencies where you can donate.

 

Sierra Leone – Wellington Orphanage

I haven’t been writing for awhile since we are mostly at the cottage and have no high speed. However, I am currently at my daughter’s  and having a great time catching up.

I had a heart warming package delivered the other day. My husband and I support CVMCanada (Christian Veterinary Missions of Canada). I have explained what they do to my church and Sunday School. There is an orphanage called Wellington and a “chicken project” to enable individual farmers to start their own production.

In the mail I had received many letters of thank yous. They were addressed to Aunty Jan, or Mom, or Miss Jan. Each one was written in English – some long, some short but all warmed my heart.

Many thanks to Dr. Conrad Van Dijk for all his work! May the Lord bless him mightily.

 

Facebook

I joined Facebook last night. Once again I thought I knew what I was doing – but I didn’t. Thanks to a friend I got it straightened out. I found it necessary to go into the settings to make sure that I was not sending all messages to everyone.

At least I figured it out before I had spread messages across all the “walls” in Canada. For those of you who haven’t written on a “wall” yet that won’t make any sense. I am still a little confused on where I write and where it will end up.

The best part about it is seeing my friends and keeping connected. That is  important.

I met a young man the other day while I worked at painting and refurbishing my daughter’s new place. His cell phone kept ringing – either a text message or a call. I asked him how he got anything done. He said, “this is my life – I would be at a loss without it.” He lived for that connection – what were his friends doing? Was he missing out on anything?

The best connection though is with our Heavenly Father. If we could keep the same fervour to connect with Him as we do with our friends wouldn’t that be wonderful! Facebook with God. Now that would be interesting.

Psalm 16:7 ” I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.”

 

Mission Fest

A couple of years ago I attended Mission Fest. It was very enlightening. I hope to go again this year.

MissionFest Toronto is the largest missions’ conference in central Canada celebrating its 14th year.

When: April 16th to 18th, 2008

Where:

The new Venue for MissionFest 2009 will be The International Centre which is a 10 minute drive up Dixon Road from the 401.
Dixon Rd becomes Airport Rd and the International Centre is at 6900 Airport Rd at Derry Rd.

 

This Summer

Are you getting ready for summer? There are two mission trips that I know of that are travelling in July.

International Messengers is sending a few groups this summer. The one I went on last year will be going again this July to Poland. Check out the website or contact me for further information.

Hands and Hearts for Africa is also sending a team to Malawi in July. See the website for further information or contact me.

Both of these will give you a wonderful connection with other believers and you will see God at work.

 

The Cry – this Saturday

Largest Prayer Meeting in Canada’s History?

On February 21, 2009 – Canadians will gather in St. John’s for TheCry St. John’s. -

Please remember to pray for this gathering.

 

Missions

I  had a wonderful lunch today with two fabulous people. It makes me realize that we, as God’s people, can have such a tremendous impact on peoples’ lives.

I have added another page to this blog called Missions. Last year I went on my first mission trip. It was to Poland with International Messengers. What a fantastic experience! I not only experienced God in a new way – I found new friends in Poland. If you look at the Clustrmap at the side you will see the dot of one friend in Poland. Hi – Magda!

My world opened last summer. No longer was I closeted in Canada, nestled with my friends and family. I was led to see other Christians in action. I loved it! Thanks Gene and Grace.

Soon you will see a list of many different missions.

Gene Fox, president of International Messengers, Canada, has information on the Missions Page.

My luncheon date was with someone who has gone on two different missions – one to dig wells, called Living Water International and another to Malawi, Africa, called Hands and Hearts for Africa. You can see more information under the Missions Page.

I have another connection to Africa and that is to Sierra Leone. My friend, Penny, led me to connect with Conrad Van Dyk who helped start an orphanage called Wellington in Sierra Leone and chicken farming, too.

We can make such a difference in this world. What is your passion? Do you have a mission that you have been on that you would like to tell me about? Please contact me.

 

Stand on Guard for Thee

Since reading Ed Hird’s book Battle for the Soul of Canada I  now read the newspaper and magazines with a more discerning mind.

History has never been my strong subject. Early in my marriage I realized how much I did not know about history. My husband, who is well-read and eager to talk about politics, business and historical issues, was amazed that his new bride knew absolutely nothing in any of those areas. And I was a public school teacher! Awful. He encouraged me to read the newspaper – and not the entertainment or comic sections. He helped to bring me up-to-date on current issues. His was a tough assignment. I had a lot to learn.

I started to teach the newspaper to my grade fives. We began to learn together. As I learned – they learned. We listened to the radio. We read The Globe and Mail (hard reading for grade fives). But, they enjoyed it and conversations were lively and interesting. In 1993 we saw the handshake between the Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, and the PLO leader, Yasser Arafat. What an historic moment for us! I wonder now if those children are interested and witnessing what is happening in Israel and Gaza today.
Ed Hird’s book reawakened my dormant historical soul. Through stories he helped Canada’s past come alive. He showed me how people make a difference and how I can make a difference.

Is your knowledge of our Canadian past immature? Do you need an injection of Canadian spirit? I would recommend his book. He fired up my desire to know Canada more – to read, to discuss and to pray – oh pray fervently. For our land, our leaders and our people.

Until next time – O Canada we stand on guard for thee.

Jan

 

The Cry

As I have been searching for others who are as passionate as I am about our country, I found this site about The Cry. See the excerpt below from that site. And let’s pray for our Canada.

On February 21st, Canadians from all across Canada will gather in St. John’s Newfoundland for TheCRY St. John’s. St. John’s is the place where the very first explorers set foot centuries ago claiming Canada for God and for their king who had sent them on a missionary journey to the ‘new found land’. Hundreds of years later, the cry of these explorers will be echoed as Christians from every denomination and generation raise their voice and claim this nation once again “for GOD and for King,” declaring as our Founding Fathers did that, “[Jesus Christ] will have dominion from sea to sea….” (Psalm 72:8).

 

Stand on Guard

A friend read my blog and suggested that we read Stand on Guard by Faytene C. Kryskow.

Here are her thoughts about the book.

“Faytene is a wonderful young woman who is calling to her generation in a powerful way. The book is a prophetic call. She has done an excellent job in terms of research; she includes actual prayers from Canada’s leading parliamentarians. It talks about the scriptures on the parliament buildings. The information is set out in an easy-to-read manner and includes pictures. It is a wonderfully inspiring book to help us understand something about our godly roots.”