Jeanette's Mission

Happy Thanksgiving! I have to admit, I'm missing my family and the big turkey dinner this year. Turkeys are not found in Tanzania ... so we have to compromise, with chicken. But, I brought over a can of Ocean Spray cranberries, some turkey gravy mix, and even a box of Stove Top stuffing to share with my newfound Canadian friends who are going to celebrate Thanksgiving with me ... it will have to do, but it will be NOTHING like my sister-in-law's turkey dinner, that's for sure! Anyway, Thanksgiving isn't just about the food... it's about pausing to be thankful for all God's blessings in our lives. You're one of them to me. I wanted to send this quick note to you to say  THANKS  for being in my life and letting me share this mission journey with you. It's so great to have family and friends who care and I just want you to know I truly pray for you often and am thankful to God for you. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. As you say grace, please pray ...

  Well I finally arrived. It feels like a long time since I came home to Canada lCOVID hit last spring, but after being back in Africa for just a week, it already feels like I never left!  In case you missed it, I'm going to be based in Mwanza, Tanzania. My role is still regional, supporting all 10 VOH centres in 5 countries (Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi and here) but being based here means I can also help out a bit with the VOH Tanzania work while Julius, the director is on leave. He's taking a bit of a break with his 3 sons after the tragic loss of his wife last November. One of the local board members is assuming the role of interim director until he returns, so hopefully I can be some extra support as needed. Coming in Africa is an adjustment, but I'm settling in. I'm living in a studio apartment in the basement of the Julius's home. It's comfortable, cheery and cozy ... despite the bathroom pipe that burst a couple of nights ago and floo...

I booked my ticket - leaving for Tanzania on Sept 8th! It's exciting and scary all at the same time! But it's time. I'm ready for what God has planned for me to do there. Please pray for me in the upcoming weeks for all the details and the peace of God as I enter this next stage of the journey, and most of all continue to pray for me when I'm there! Next time you hear from me, it'll be from Africa ... But for now... here's the Q2 update.... alot was going on (including a new preschool!) Q2 Update                                                                                                       July 2021                                 Projects! That's the...

"I have my Rights!" Over the last few months, I've been hearing that statement a lot lately as we begin to see things opening up, but still await life to return to "normal" and protests are increasing with people saying we have rights and what our freedoms!  Though it's tough, we know it's for a limited time, and are thankful that we live in a country with freedom and our rights are respected and valued.  Sadly, it's not that way in many parts of the world. And it's often not that way for everyone - especially children. Thirty years ago, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which is an  international human rights treaty that has become  the most  widely ratified human rights treaty in history. It  basically states children are entitled to 4 basic rights - survival, protection, development and participation.  Sounds pretty basic, doesn't i...

  I don't know about you, but I always plant on the May long weekend... well, I don't really plant, I put up 2 hang baskets and call it a day. I've tried over the years to plant vegetables, annuals and more but I just don't have a green thumb! It takes everything I have to keep my geraniums alive! Thankfully, the kids at VOH have a greener thumb than me. In Africa, the seasons are different and right now, many are almost ready for harvest. As you head into the long weekend, I thought you may enjoy a few pictures of VOH Centres and the children who plant and harvest vegetables, and youth who learn agricultural skills to make a living after they graduate, and VOH Staff members who lead it all.  The food is used for the children's home, and sometimes they are sold in the local markets to provide some income for the Centre and families. One example is in our newest Centre in Luongo, Zambia. It is a swampy area about an hour's drive from Kitwe. Most of the families i...

  2021 Q1 Update                                                                                                         April 2021                                             The first 3 months of this year sure haven't been boring. I thought I'd be back in Africa by now.  All I know is that every time I planned something, the plans changed - either by God, Covid, or both! But I'm grateful. The work of VOH Africa continues to impact the lives of children everyday and I'm thankful that you and I am part of it. Hope you enjoy this brief update. Jeanette  What's been Happening COVID hit Africa hard in the the f...

  Happy Easter  As you celebrate Easter this weekend, may you remember God's perfect love  and may that love fill you with  hope  for the days to come. Many Blessings, Jeanette   Ephesians 3:17,18