Jeanette's Mission

  I know I’ve said it before, but when I see the children laughing, singing and playing at VOH, it’s hard for me to realize they are among some of the most vulnerable children in the community. I had a chance to be reminded of that reality a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Rick, Senior Pastor of Portico Community Church in Mississauga, and his wife Amanda, were visiting VOH Tanzania. They have been an amazing church partner with VOH for many years. I was blessed to host them and show them around. One afternoon, we climbed a steep, rugged pathway behind the VOH Centre to arrive at communities where many of our VOH children live. The VOH welfare team works with the community leaders and make house to house visits to determine who the children most in need are and invite them to come to VOH. We had a chance to visit 3 grandmothers and their homes of 5 VOH children. It was a visit I won’t soon forget. First, we went to Salome’s home. His dad died when he was a baby and his mother passed aw...

  When I was growing up, my dad had a window cleaning company.  His slogan was "Expect the Unexpected." At the time I really didn't know what it meant, but now I do. It means we can expect something that is not usually expected like, in the case of my dad's business, going over and above with great quality and great service. My brother and sister-in-law now own the company and the slogan still rings true today. Last month I had my very own opportunity to "expect the unexpected". As you may know, I came home to Canada in May to fundraise with a goal to increase my support by $1000/month. It was a busy time, speaking  in churches and meeting many donors and individuals to share the great work of VOH. As I did, I tried to expect the unexpected, knowing in the natural reaching my goal would be unlikely.  I'm thrilled to report that, through His help, hard work and the faithfulness of so many individuals like you, the goal has been met.  I have a solid foun...

  . .. I continue to love the work to which He has called me to with VOH Africa and being here in Tanzania ... and I'm coming home in May/June to be able to share more about it with churches, donors and potential donors in person.   My work is continuing to grow and I continue to be honored to be part of the ministry of VOH. But sometimes it's hard to explain and the difference VOH is making in children's lives - especially when it's mainly through updates and emails.   So, I'm coming home from the middle of May for a few weeks to share in person, the great work of VOH, what God has been doing in my life, and to build a firm foundation (of both financial and prayer support) for the work ahead.   Here's a Sneak Peak of what I want to say:   1.    VOH is truly impacting the lives of children As I continue the mission with VOH, and hear stories of the children, I can say with 100% confidence that the min...

  SUNGLASSES - making some pretty cool Kindergarten kids, eh?! Every year, VOH Africa does a Christmas Campaign, where sponsors and donors contribute to give a special package of fun things for the children to enjoy.  Over the last couple of months, Christmas packages were made up and distributed to every VOH child. Christmas brings joy any time of year!   I was part of the distribution here in Tanzania. We gathered under the mango tree and the excitement began! It was SO much fun... just to see the joy on the children's faces as they peaked inside their bags and saw what was for them. It reminded me of when my son, Daniel, and my 2 nieces, used to peak into their Christmas stockings and see the surprises inside. The contents were customized by age group and were both practical and fun. Things like ... a water bottle, school exercise books, mathematical sets, a ruler, pencil crayons, a tennis ball, a toy car, a tracksuit, socks and for the younger ones, sunglasses! C...

                                                                            Chapel time at VOH Tanzania Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week at VOH. It's when the children gather for discipleship class. It always makes my day when I'm working at my desk and hear the children's singing fill the air. Even though they are gathering at the on-location chapel which is probably 300 feet or more away, their voices are loud, full of rhythm and full of joy. Every month we have a joint chapel with VOH staff and the children. As I joined this month, first we sang action songs, where the children danced as they sang, "we talk with Him, we walk Him ..." I laughed as the children walked around bumping into each other as they sang. Then the pace slowed down. The children started to sing songs of praise and wo...

  Happy New Year! A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on what 2025 will hold, and was thinking about what should be my focus in the months ahead. I found myself talking to God, telling Him I don't want this to "business as usual". I thought about Christmas and the anticipation we often have about a family member or friend opening that special gift you bought with just them in mind, or the wonder in a child's eyes on Christmas Eve, and it dawned on me ....   I want this to be a year of excitement and anticipation. I've been working alongside VOH Africa now for almost 6 years and lived in Tanzania long enough now that I'm familiar with the mission and know my way around. So, it's possible things could become routine, or worse, boring. For those of you who know me well, you know I don't want that! I want the excitement of a child on Christmas Eve and the anticipation of what is about to happen. As I prayed about this, suddenly I fell upon Roman 12:11, in a ...

 I can’t tell you every activity or program we did at VOH in the last 12 months in this update – it needs a whole book for that! But, I can give you a few examples that helped so many children in real and life changing ways. Following is one picture from each of our 10 centers with a brief description for each. As you scan through them - note the wide variety of ways we pour into children's lives and be blessed knowing  your support, prayers and encouragement helped made it possible! Let's countdown from 10 to 1. Here we go ... ready? 10. VOH BWIZA (Burundi)  Several children did a traditional dance at our school year-end ceremony. In addition to academics in school, exploring their talent, like dancing, help the children to build their confidence and grow socially together. 9. VOH MARAMVYA (Burundi) In an effort to promote sports and physical activity for the VOH children and community, we started to build a football field on our premises this year. It's fun for the chil...