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.

Martins

Meeting our friends Brian & Heather Martin

in the Markam Road Mcdonalds playland

We have had a busy week back in Canada with health appointments, check ups, and meetings in the CBM head office. But thanks to the warm hospitality of our friends, Don & Joy Hepburn, we are slowly getting over our jetlag and have enjoyed some wonderful down time with them and their family.

On Saturday, we were also able to catch up with our friends Brian and Heather who travelled all the way from Kitchener to visit with us in Scarborough. We had a fun time at the local Mcdonalds playing cards and sharing happy meals! Ava is in love with the french fries!!!!

Face off!

Tristan and Brian after a fierce card game of "Phase 10"

Heather and Erica

We are praying for the Martin as they are expecting their first child.

Snow in Scarborough!

Another great surprise of the weekend was a snow flurry that blew through on Saturday morning. All three of our children had borrowed coats, hats and mitts on and over their pyjamas before the snow had hit the ground as they raced out to make snowballs -- it was a dream come true!

This one was destined for somebody's older brother!

Snowflakes melting on our tongues!