Canada

We arrived in Toronto, Ontario, for our home assignment with Canadian Baptist Ministries on May 22. Over the next ten weeks we will be speaking at churches and connecting with family, friends and supporters from British Columbia to Nova  Scotia.

On our journey back from Kenya, we had the opportunity to enjoy four great days in London, England, with our children. 

Outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square

It was a great time to spend with Tristan, Emma and Ava after such a busy year in Africa. Among the highlights was the hop on and off double decker tour of the city, the views from the London Eye, marching with the Royal guard up Birdcage to Buckingham Palace, and exploring the wonders of Hamley's Toy Store with our kids. The other BIG destination for our family was the Warner Bros studio tour of the Harry Potter movie sets and props. It was a lot of fun!

Arriving in Canada, we were greeted at the airport by our good friends Don and Joy Hepburn, and Sharlene Craig. After two days of getting over jetlag and running errands, we began our speaking schedule intermixed with office days with our colleagues in Mississauga. 

We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received from the congregations and mission groups that we have met with already. From our first Sunday in North Burlington Baptist to  midweek gatherings in church halls and backyard barbecues we have found people graciously welcoming and keenly interested in the ministry that we are apart of in Africa.

Visiting with CBM alumni John and Virginia Keith in Lakefield, Ontario

In two short weeks, we have had the joy of visiting churches and groups in North Burlington, Jerseyville and Birch, Barrie, Carleton Place and Smith Falls, Lakefield, Campbellford, Uxbridge, Scarborough, and today we travelled to Sarnia as we speak on Sunday morning at Wyoming Baptist and in the evening at Forrest Baptist Church.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel as a family. We are looking forward to being a part of the annual assembly of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, before flying to Moncton, New Brunswick, on June 14.

We will be returning to Ontario on August 5 enroute to Kenya. God willing, we should be back in Nairobi by August 10 for our children to return to school.

The Story of Us All

2012 Garissa Pastors and Spouses Conference

Canadian Baptist Ministries had the pleasure of sponsoring the first Garissa Pastor's and Spouses Conference this past week in Limuru, Kenya. As part of CBM's NEP program, we have had the great joy of coming along side the many Christian Churches embedded within the North Eastern Provincial capital of Garissa. This second gathering grew to include 22 churches, as 42 pastors and Christian leaders traveled from Garissa to the peaceful setting of Brackenhurst, nestled in the cool forests of Limuru, Kenya.

Brackenhurst Conference Centre

Maureen, Erica and our gracious host, Anne

We are so thankful to the generous support of Canadian Baptist Churches that have enabled our CBM team to come alongside these courageous leaders. "We were wounded!" shared Pastor John, the chairman of the Garissa Pastor's Fellowship. "This has been such a hard year, but we thank the Lord for the Canadian Baptists who have encouraged us and who are helping us in ministry. We are stronger by the Grace of God!"

It has been amazing to see the church overcoming long standing division and estrangement as they have expanded the Garissa Pastors Fellowship. Over the past three months, the fellowship has grown from 6 to 14, and now to 22 churches. It has been a testimony to the grace of God, as the church leaders have come together for worship, support and prayer.

Ruth Munyao, CBM's Food Security

Coordinator for Africa, speaking to the gathering

on faith-based relief and development

Along with strengthening the unity of the Church in Garissa, these gatherings are intended to help build the capacity of the local church to be more effective in Muslim/Christian ministry. This conference focused on effective leadership, self care, and an introduction to faith-based relief and development. We were blessed to have our colleague, Ruth Munyao, share her expertise in the area of relief and development, and her passion for food security.

Wayne, Yattani and Aaron on there way

to an evening session at the conference.

We are so grateful for incredible team that God has brought together to strengthen the ministry in NEP. Yattani and Salome Gollo, and William Wako, have been key leaders in mobilizing the Church and local community. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to walk side by side with the churches in Garissa.

Enjoying the beauty of Limuru

We were especially glad to have 15 of the pastors travel with their wives and young children. Each of these women play a critical role in the ministry of the Church in Garissa. Erica and Salome appreciated the opportunity to gather with these women for a time of support and encouragement.

"You can get the churches to sing together,

but can they work together?"

In one of Aaron's last sessions, he challenged the gathering with a question from one of our colleagues who asked "You can get the churches to sing together, but can you get them to work together?" The resolve of the pastors was put to the test as they were given the opportunity to select 5 representatives from the 22 churches represented, to participate in an upcoming training of trainers workshop on the Farming God's Way conservation agriculture approach that we believe to be a highly effective approach to increasing food security in the semi arid lands of Kenya. We are excited to see the pastors working together in humility and cooperation to strengthen their common witness in their community.

Pastor Ibrahim of the Easter African Pentecostal Church,

Garissa, sharing our closing message

In the final gathering of the conference, the pastors and their wives came together for time of prayer and commitment to strengthening the Church in Garissa and loving their Muslim neighbours in the way of of Christ. Please continue to pray for these churches and their leaders as they they take the brave steps of building unity and peace in their community.

Conference Participants at the close of the Conference

March 28-30, 2012