Jeanette's Mission

  I have 2 special events to share this month! Last month, my update was about our Feeding programs in all 11 of our VOH Centers, in the 5 countries where we serve. Just after that update, I had the first one. The First Special Event: A Road Trip ! It was to a remote community in Tanzania to visit a unique program that has food distribution for children. It is part of a special "Extension Program." While most of our ministry happens at our VOH centers, where the children come every day to school and have their meals there, the VOH Extension program here in Tanzania is a bit different. We go out into communities that are quite remote and provide food to children and their families directly in the communities where they live. It's really humbling to realize we are working in such vulnerable communities and to see just how grateful the children are to receive food. It's just one more example of how you are making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children!! H...

  Harvest time in one of the children's homes garden in Zambia! What I miss most about Thanksgiving in Canada, other than the fall leaves and time of Thankfulness, is the food. My sister-in-law cooks an amazing dinner for her family and mine, and we all eat too much. But it all tastes so good! I miss it!! It's hard to believe that millions of children around the world still literally go hungry everyday, but it is the sad reality, especially in Africa. I'm so thankful that one of the core elements of our VOH ministry program is providing food for the children every day. Whether it's porridge in the morning, and/or a healthy lunch of rice, beans and vegetables at lunch, they love it. And are so thankful for it. I'm thankful for food. And I'm thankful for you too. Through your prayers, love and support, you are His hand extended, literally giving food to the hungry. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me." Matt 2...

  A while back, I wrote about our ministry with children with Albinism. As a quick recap, VOH Tanzania entered a partnership 2 years ago with Under the Same Sun, a Canadian charity that is committed to provide care and education for children, many of whom are ostracized, attacked and even dismembered, simply because they have Albinism. We have integrated our ministries, and VOH Tanzania oversees the operations on the ground.  Meet Chasku I sat in on an interview with her. Here's her story: (I warn you - it's tough to read) "When I was 3 years old, I was fast sleep one night. It was a dark night with no electricity, when some men came into our hut with machetes and torches to find and kill me. In the darkness, they mistakenly grabbed the hand of my younger brother, who died a few hours later. The next day, the police came and moved me and my family to my grandparent's home in a different village. They tried to protect me but eventually said they couldn't do it anymo...

Well, I'm back in Mwanza. What struck me funny this time was, when talking about when I was going back, I found myself saying, I'm going "home" in a week, or going "home" next Tuesday. I had never referred to Mwanza as "home" before, but now it felt natural to say that. And I have to say, it feels good to be back.  I've officially finished my "Home Assignment." It was an amazing time - lots of fu n, but lots of work too. Over 8 weeks, I had over 100 in person visits with individuals and churches, thanking you for your love, support and prayers and inviting others to join me on this journey. God has been so faithful!   I'm excited to report that I have almost reached my fundraising goal. Currently, there is a shortfall of about  $400/month.  That's all that's left to go.  I know this gap will be filled in the days and weeks ahead. I'm clinging to His promises like Phil 4:19, Eph 3:20 and 1 Thess 5:24 "He who calls ...

  I'm having alot of fun! I'm over half way through my "Home Assignment". It's so great to meet with churches and individuals and talk about the great things God is doing through the work of VOH Africa, my mission work in Tanzania and in my life. It's alot of work too!!! I've been speaking in churches every Sunday since I've been home.  On my first Sunday back, I joined New Creation church at their "Worship Camp." We had a great time in worship together! They are a dynamic, growing Filipino church and were my first church partner when I joined missions 3 years ago. It's been a real joy being able to thank them and other church partners in person for their faithful giving and for uplifting me in prayer on a regular basis. I've also met with dozens of individuals - to thank monthly donors and encourage others to join the ministry with me, I think I've had far more than my share of Starbucks in the last few weeks  .. and a bit of che...

  It’s been 3 years this month since God called me to full time missions. Can you believe it? It’s crazy. Time has gone by so fast! So, I'm coming home. Not because I'm finished, but because there is still a lot to be done. It's time for my first "Home Assignment" where I will be speaking in churches every Sunday from the middle of May to early July, and meeting with dozens of people every week, to share about the great work of VOH, what God has been doing in my life, and to build a firm foundation for the work ahead.  I have 4 Key Messages for you this month: 1.THANK YOU! I could not do this without you. Your words of encouragement, giving and ongoing prayers over the last 3 years have sustained me and made it possible for me to serve in Tanzania. You have been, and are, a huge blessing to me. 2. You are Part of Something Great! As I visited each of the VOH centers in the last year, I've never been more convinced that VOH is doing great work and bringing hope...

  I started last fall, and finished last week. I’ve visited all 10 of our VOH centers, most of them for a full week in each and conducted in-depth reviews and audits. As part of it, I: Conducted  10 ground site inspections of the grounds, for their safety, cleanliness and appearance Held  82 1-1 interviews with program leaders, including school Heads, health clinic nurses, feeding program leads, discipleship pastors, child safeguarding officers, special program leads such as the Save-a-Life center or the Champions' Club for disabled children, VOH administrator and directors and more! I even had a sit down with the chair of every the local board for every center! Led 42 focus groups with 392 children , separated by age and gender to get their perspective on things, and Oversaw 97 Functional Literacy Assessment Tests (FLAT) a UN tool to score the levels of functional literacy for children 11-12 years old. Lastly, I reviewed and spot-checked hundreds of chi...