Jeanette's Mission

 We ll, COVID continues. Don't know about you, but I'm getting sick of it. I want to go back to "normal" when I could plan things and predict what life will look like in a month, 3 months or a year from now. But, I know that's not reality, so I continue my "Trust" theme and a new "One day at a time" motto. This is a big week - school's back. I'm sure many of you are frazzled, relieved, worried, all of the above... so many nuiances and things to consider. You're not alone. School in Africa has changed too.  For some countries, like Burundi, they basically have kept business as usual, maybe living in a bit of denial that there even is a global pandemic. I'm thankful Villages of Hope Burundi is connected to us and the other villages so they can apply safety precautions and social distancing for the children in their care. All the children are safe. Tanzania opened the schools a couple of months ago and life is almost back to ...

For me, it was a Webinar on Child Safeguarding. Before I tell you more.. let me share the exciting news that I've been accepted as a Global Worker with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, continuing in my role with Villages of Hope Africa. I have lots to do, and I will certainly give you a fuller update in the weeks ahead, but for today, I wanted to share about this amazing webinar I had in the middle of the night yesterday. Although COVID response and the children's health is still top of mind in the villages, and we are working hard everyday adjusting to the changing conditions, such as some of the schools starting to re-open, we continue to press forward with foundational elements at the core of our mission. That brings me to our 2 am webinar. I got the short end of the stick in regards to timezone.  Though I was the meeting host and facilitator, we had to accomodate the timezone for 25 leaders from 10 villages from 5 countries in Africa - Burundi, Malawi, Tanzania...

I had no idea what I'd be doing today when I wrote my first blog just over a year ago and declared I was "jumping off the deep end" into missions. I made a one year commitment. Having no clue what I would do after that. For the first half of the year, I was always worrying about what would happen when the year was over. But, in January, I made the conscious decision to let go, trust God for my future and live in the present. It made a big difference. Enjoying the moment.  Then COVID came along. So now, I'm back in Canada, continuing to support Villages of Hope Africa from here. Since I've been back, one thing has become very clear - I'm not done yet. I feel the call to missions and sense God wants me to continue as part of the ministry of VOHA, using my gifts and skills to help vulnerable children. So, I've made the decision - I'm applying to be a Global Worker with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (the parent denomination under the whic...

I had a What's Up chat with my friend, Irene, on the weekend. She works at VOH Zimbabwe as the Lead for the Star Community Feeding program. Following is a snip-it of our conversation, where she shares the impact COVID is having on the people of Africa. I wasn't prepared for what she was about to say.  You may have to zoom in to be able to read the text, but p lease a 2 minutes to read our exchange... It will break your heart, as it did mine. This is the real thing. I hope her story reminds all of us to be thankful for Canada and ministries like VOHA who are impacting the lives of the most needy in practical ways everyday and that you're inspired by her confidence that "God is so faithful. He continues to provide." Please pray for the many who are so desperately impacted by the pandemic, especially in the developing world, like the families in this story. Go to the sidebar Prayer Requests to find a few specific prayer items. (If...

Since I started this mission journey, one thing that helped me through the many times when things were unknown, or didn't turn out as planned, was knowing people like you were praying for me, walking alongside me and standing by me. Now it's my turn to stand by you. During this crazy time, I know many of you are going through the same thing - not knowing what the future holds and having roller coaster emotions of feeling anxious one moment and then trying to remember God's faithfulness the next. I'm writing my blog this month just to let you know that I'm here for you. I'm praying for you and will be standing with you, just like you have done for me.  Perhaps we can find a hint of how to handle all this from the people in Africa. Many live everyday in desperate situations, but they have a deep dependence on God. Maybe it's because they have no other choice, or they've seen His faithfulness in the past. I'm not sure. But, I've seen...

Have you ever met someone and thought "I want to be like her"? I had that experience with Mrs. Zowa. She is the director/pastor's wife of VOH Zimbabwe. The first time I met her, her bright wide smile made me instantaneously feel welcomed and cared for. It felt warm. But it was the second time we interacted that should out to me. We went together to the Community Feeding program, where they give porridge and have a preschool program for young children in need. Just after we arrived - Mrs. Zowa went missing. I couldn't see her anywhere. Then I found her. She had left the group to go talk to four pre-teen boys, to ask them why they weren't in school. She stopped to take time for a child. She showed them care and concern and let them know how important they were to her. We went about our business, handing out the porridge and playing with the children. Once again I realized Mrs. Zowa was no where to be found. As I looked around - there she was, in the...

  I thought you may enjoy a little "Newsletter" update … with a brief overview of what VOH Africa is, some key lessons I've learned so far, a sample of a couple of VOH programs, an update of what I've been up to & what's next, and a fun fact thrown in for good measure ... Enjoy!      Blessings,  Jeanette Fun Fact Did you know? African women like to wear wigs .. and lots of them! There were several times I thought I was meeting someone new, when it was just a new look they were sporting that day!  Our Contribution You & Me Together! Here's a few ways in which I've contributed to VOH Africa so far ... and because of your support & prayers, you're part of it too! Audited Monthly Financial Reports Transferred Operational & Project Funds from donors to programs Contributed to 2020 plans & initiatives Participated in Initial 2021-2023 Brainstorming  Reviewed   2020 Budget & Income Projections Supported preparation of a Strategy ...