Your Rights and My Responsibility

Ava having some Fun at the ABTS Conference

Beirut, Lebannon

In June, we travelled as a family to Beirut, Lebanon, for the annual conference of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS). This was our first time to participate in the conference which celebrated it's tenth anniversary with a focus on Human Rights from a Muslim and Christian Perspective. The theme was "Your Rights and My Responsibility". It was a very rich time of learning from leading scholars and leaders from both Muslim and Christian traditions. Practically speaking, the conference helped us understand key areas of agreement and divergence foundations for humanitarian aid, community development, and interfaith dialogue that are such an important part of CBM's work in Africa.

Visiting with our CBM colleagues the Ellie and Mireille Haddad

 Aaron with our colleagues Rupen Das, Greg Matthew and Dr. Martin Accad

Emma and Erica enjoying a cool evening

on the Corniche, over looking Mediterranean Sea

Aaron and Tristan in the Medieval Walled City of Bylbos

At the Jeita Grotto, outside of Beirut

Long time no blog,...

Cairo, Eygpt

It feels like a long time since we've been able to update our blog. A lot has been happening over the past two months. In May, we said good-bye to our colleagues Colin and Karen Godwin and their family, who have completed their ministry with CBM and are now living in British Columbia where Colin is serving as the president of Carey Theological College. 

After our children finished up their school year, we took a family vacation travelling North to Eygpt and on to France. This was such a great adventure with our kids. We rented a simple apartment in the Belleville area of Paris and had an incredible week exploring the city. We are indebted to our friends Terry, Melissa, Melanie, Kerry, Silvia, Colin and Karen for all of their recommendations of favourite spots for cheese, bread, pastries, picnics, shopping and site seeing. Although we couldn't do it all, our time was wonderful! 

Eiffel Tower

We actually had five full days to crisscross the city. We had fun poking around Le Marais and picnicking in the St. Louis Square. Among our finds was a beautiful puzzle shop that makes hand cut wooden puzzles, we've a starry night put away for our Christmas vacation -- too beautiful not to frame. Of course visited the Arc de Triomphe and the major monuments of the city -- a highlight for our kids was ice cream and a carousal ride at the Eiffel Tower. 

Basilique Du Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre 

The cathedrals and churches were also spectacular. One of our best memories from the trip is our time in Notre Dame where we lit candles at the prayer stations in the church. Tristan, Emma and Ava were so much fun to be with as visited walked along the canals, through Musuems, the artists square around Sacre-Coeur and the quirky old bookshops near Notre Dame. Even with the rain and cool weather, we had a blast.

Louvre

 Hoping you and your family also have a great summer!

Love the Kennys

Michael Morgan

Michael Morgan playing "Scummy or Scubb" 

with Emma and his cousin, Cassandra 

Last week we shared a sad good-bye for our friend Michael Morgan (Wayne and Maureen's youngest son), who has returned to Canada for his final year of high school. We had the joy of getting to know Michael and his two older brothers, David and Sean, over this past year. 

We wish Michael all the best as he returns to British Columbia to connect with family and friends, and complete high school. We will miss his great humour and the fun of beating him in card games!

You can read more about the Morgan's life and ministry in Kenya on their blog at

http://morgansinkenya.blogspot.com

Manzoni

Randy Legassie introducing Bishop Meshach Mukwilu to 

Rev. Dr. Glenn Wooden of Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia

This past week, we had the pleasure of participating in meeting with our colleagues Randy and Elizabeth Legassie and friends from Acadia Divinity College who have been volunteering with the Africa Brotherhood Church, assisting with their theological library. On Thursday, Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki and the leadership of the church's education department met with our guests to discuss the direction of the Eastern Kenya Integrated College (EKIC), an important ministry of the church.

We are blessed to have people like Glenn Wooden and Stewert Dockendorff lend their expertise and experience to encourage and strengthen the theological studies of both our partner churches in Kenya. On Wednesday, they also visited the new theological library of the ACC&S in Thika.

Rev. Stewert Dockendorff and 

Archbishop Ndambuki's wife, Cannon Mary Nzyoki,

at Manzoni, near Machakos, Kenya