Jeanette's Mission

  When I worked at World Vision, one of the things I loved is the famous saying the founder had. He was touched by a little orphan girl he met in Korea and coined the phrase: "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." In the last few months, my heart has been broken. I know I'm called to be in Tanzania, but, to be honest, some days it's not easy. The poverty and need that is always around is getting to me.  ... Like the little girl I met while walking on a Saturday morning. She was selling peanuts. I bought a handful, but paid for a bucket full. I saw her again the next Saturday. When I asked if the lady walking behind her was her mama she said no, but 2 days later she showed up at my house gate with her mom, telling the guard I had told her to come because I was going to help them. ... Like my friend at church who had saved for 6 months to pay in advance for his rent of a 8 x 10 room. He had nowhere to put his clothes, so I helped him get a c...

  Last month, I had the best time ever!! A church team from Peel Pentecostal Church in Brampton, of 17 people, came to visit VOH Mwanza and Petra church. It was an amazing time of ministry, service and encouragement. What a wonderful group of special people, of all ages and all walks or life! They were all so different, but had one thing in common - they loved God and they wanted to serve! My role was the logistics person. It began when they arrived at 2 am, after a delayed flight. It was in the midst of a torrential rain storm, with so much luggage we had to hire another van just to carry it all and when we arrived at the compound there was no power. What a welcome to Africa! Ministry They came to minister - to the children at VOH and the people in Petra church. At VOH, they had a special play day with the children, a wonderful time of ministry with the house mamas and visited the classrooms - serving porridge, teaching songs, sharing Bible stories and God's love with the children...

  Have you ever had a daunting, impossible vision - but strive for it anyway? How's this for the name of an international Christian organization: "World without Orphans"? The vision is right in their name!   A couple of updates ago, I mentioned I was going to a global conference of Christian organizations and charities working with orphans and vulnerable children. It was put on by World Without Orphans, whose vision is " pursuing a world where every child is cared for in a safe and loving family, knows their Heavenly Father, and reaches their God-given potential. " It aligns perfectly with the vision of Villages of Hope Africa that " all children are loved and cared for. " (Not to mention, I loved their stage backdrop that illuminated HOPE!) In 2019, the best estimates show there are between 2 to 8 million children living in orphanages around the world, and more than 150 children who have lost one or both parents. It's a startling reality and chari...

  As the most special weekend on the Christian calendar is upon us, I wanted to say a short prayer for you as you head into this special weekend:    I pray you will be able to take time  to reflect on the promise of Easter,  and that you will sense His presence in a fresh and powerful way.  May your heart be filled with joy & peace as you are reminded of His deep, personal love for you. Amen.   Deepest blessings as celebrate Easter with your loved ones this weekend! Jeanette  

  A few weeks ago, I had a very touching experience.  It was an activity planned by Petra City Church (the international church plant I attend). I haven't talked about Petra much, but it's an amazing community of national and international believers who serve and grow together and is a huge part of my life in Mwanza. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, where we went to visit " ICare"  a ministry that cares for children in Tanzania with cancer. It provides a home for children and their families while they are having treatment in Mwanza. (Kinda like a Tanzanian version of a Ronald McDonald house)! Currently, there are 25 children with their moms living there who have come from all over the country. Swaumu, the little girl whose picture is at the beginning of this update, is one of those children. She is 1 year, 9 months old and is fighting Rhabdomysarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts in the soft tissue and often affects the head, neck, urinary, reproductive and arm o...

  If you've been following my updates the last couple of months, you know I came back to Canada for Board meetings, Follow-up to my past surgery and Christmas but, due to needing more surgery, what started out as a 3-4 week stay, turned out to be almost 3 months! I'm happy to report my health is doing well, I'm back in Tanzania and 100% back to business (well, more like back on mission)! Now, don't think for a moment I was on a 3-month break! Other than the surgery recovery, I kept up to VOHA work while in Canada, but I have to say it's just so different working when you can interact with VOH staff on the ground and say hi to the children on your way into the office everyday. (Not to mention, the weather is much nicer here!) On the home front, the transition back was a bit difficult. While I was away, we were converting my 1 room studio, to add a bedroom with a bit more space. But when I arrived, I found out "Ralph" (the affectionate name I gave to a rat w...

  Happy New Year <<First name>>! Have you ever had dejavu? I did this week. 2 years ago, I came home for Christmas, had a casual CT Scan as followup to something I thought was nothing, and turned out having to have surgery 2 days later. It happened again! I had a "routine" CT Scan mid Dec that was booked 1.5 years ago as followup to the surgery 2 years ago. To my shock, the surgeon said they had to operate again, to repair the hernia in my diaphragm and, just like last time, he happened to have a quick opening, during the holidays. So last Wed, Dec 27, I went back to Credit Valley Hospital, and instead of getting on the plane this week, as planned to go home to Tanzania, I'm here in Canada recovering. The good news is I'm already beginning to feel better and the surgeon said the surgery went well. I see him in a couple of weeks and hope to head back before the end of the month. Thanks for your prayers for a quick recovery! So this update will be short - ne...