Highpoints

As we near the end of May, we celebrate several highpoints for our family and the ministries of CBM in Africa. Early this month, we enjoyed a personal highpoint quite literally as we hiked the extinct volcanic crater of Mount Longonot with Tristan and our friends the Kroenings.

This past week, we enjoyed a wonderful time of good-bye with the leadership of our Kenyan partner, the Africa Christian Church and Schools. Together we shared stories of the nearly five decades of partnership that CBM and the ACC&S have built together in Kenya.

In addition to this time with the ACC&S, we have also appreciated speaking with our CBM team members and partner leadership, who continue to share their hopes for the future. It has been so encouraging to see the energy and vision for God's next steps among the work of CBM in Africa. 

As we prepare for our departure, we feel so blessed to have had a part in this great story.

Emma on Roscar Night!

As you know, this is an especially important time for our daughter Emma who is graduating from highschool. Earlier this month, Emma received several awards and honours. At the Roscars (Rosslyn Academy's Fine Arts Award Ceremony), Emma was recognized for being the outstanding "senior servant", outstanding "growth in acting", and for excellence in illuminating scripture. 

Then this past Friday, she received the ACSI award for excellence in leadership, servanthood, fine arts, and academic merit. Emma was also awarded for one of the best senior seminar presentations (for her work on the impact of false memory in the criminal justice system). Finally, she received the highest level of recognition for volunteerism and student participation in extracurricular programs through the Rosslyn Academy Gold Award.

Later today, we will be participating in the graduating class's Baccalaureate Sevice. Emma's graduation ceremony takes place on May 29th. We are so thankful for the incredible friends that have been apart of Emma's life. Saying good-bye will not be easy.

Reaching the Longonot Summit with Tristan

Climbing Mount Longonot with our friends the Kroenings

In Prayer

The Ebola Outbreak

In the past three weeks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ebola outbreak has continued to expand.  There are now more than 1,860 cases of Ebola reported in North Kivu and neighboring Ituri province and more than 1,240 deaths. International response to the outbreak has been hindered by more than 120 violent incidents already this year, including the killing of a Cameroonian doctor last month. Please join us in praying for our friends and partners working in Butembo and Beni as local churches respond to this health crisis.

Rwanda/Uganda Conflict

We continue to pray for the political strife between the leadership of neighbouring countries Rwanda and Uganda. Border and trade disputes are causing anxiety and strain for the thousands of merchants and workers that rely on friendly border crossing between these two countries. We remember our CBM partners serving in both of these countries.

Our Return to Canada

Please continue to pray for our family as we complete our last minute field responsibilities this week and celebrate Emma's graduation. We will be departing for Canada in the beginning of June.