Africa

Abraham and I watched this old video today and it made us smile! Daddy, Micah, Abraham and a couple puppies. Little guy was about 15 months old in West Africa. Hard to believe Enoch will soon be that old. Good memories. I love this stage of toddling, exploring and beginning talk.

Memories of West Africa

Been thinking much on Guinea lately. A year ago we were there. Here are a few memories...

Mohawk given by Abraham's good buddies:).

I still find this fascinating. These little guys would clean up the leftovers in the kitchen at night, then be gone by morning. Never bothered us, just really interesting to watch! I did open the window for them to let them out by the way:)...

Come river of delights

The smell of spring is strong in the air. But it is a passing illusion. And my soul longs to drink from the river of God's delights. Strong is the drink , and I struggle with the dregs. How often must my pride be crushed. How often must I play the role of impassioned prophet only to hear the words crash upon my own heart. The God's gracious wild surf eroding my island. My Pride. My graniteous self-love. Come wild storms. Though I fear them, yet will I hope in You my God. You are my rock. I trade in my sand stone, which I oft fear is granite, for that which can not be eroded.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you... Psalm 51:1-13

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:5-8



A thankful week of historical significance to us

73. Closed on this home.


74. Returned from Zambia


75. Wonderful memories of Hawaii


76. Day with Biermas in Tijuana.

77. Arrived in West Africa.

78. Trials of many kinds...James 1:2-4 Count it all Joy

79. The smell of spring even if it is an illusi0n

80. That many have already walked the road "sorrowful yet always rejoicing" that I may be encouraged

81. For men whom have memorized scripture in such a way as to make me weep... take heart... and take heed...

82. A faithful wife whom dares to tread the road with me, speaking life to me both when it is easy and when it is hard

83. A son who is currently obsessed with MAF videos asking to watch them often

The Result of Government Redistribution of Wealth

The people who had this said it was worth about $0.58 US Dollars.

Janjaweed

villages-burnt-by-janjaweed

Uploaded by Monte Christo

Janjaweed

Uploaded by Hanga Girl

This just makes me mad. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the problems in Sudan. Janjaweed means "devil on horseback".
In Sudan they are an Arabic militia that is backed by the Sudanese government to systematically kill all black Africans living in Darfur (basically the western side of Sudan). Sudan is a country in East Africa directly south of Egypt. It has a very violent history. We recently watched a couple of movies at church about Sudan; THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK, and GOD GREW TIRED OF US. The first is a documentary that exposes the genocide raging in Darfur, Sudan as seen through the eyes of a former U.S. marine who returns home to make the story public. And the Second is a documentary on the civil war that happened before that and the "Lost Boys" that were displaced as a result of the northern Arabs trying to kill off the southern tribes that are predominantly associated with Christianity. That Sunday one of the "Lost Boys" told about his story at our church and how he came to be in the US.
Anyway then I read this article below on the BBC this afternoon and it is just NUTS! I would suggest watching the above movies, especially THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK.

'Janjaweed leader' is Sudan aide

The Janjaweed has been accused of trying to 'cleanse' Darfur of black Africans
The Sudanese authorities have given a senior government position to a man accused of co-ordinating the Janjaweed Arab militia in Darfur.

The minister of federal affairs, Abdel Basit Sabderat, said clan leader Musa Hilal had been named as his adviser.

The US State Department and human rights groups say Mr Hilal is a leader of the Janjaweed, which is accused of committing war crimes in Darfur.

There have been repeated delays in deploying a joint UN-AU force there.

Only 9,000 out of a planned 26,000 have been sent.

Tens of thousands of people have died in Darfur and two-thirds of the surviving population rely on humanitarian assistance.

Setback for peace

Mr Hilal told Reuters news agency he would be based in Khartoum but might have to travel to outlying regions.

BBC Africa editor Mary Harper says his appointment indicates that the authorities in Khartoum are not prepared to make compromises in the face of strong international pressure.

Mr Hilal has said deaths in Darfur are simply repercussions of a war started by rebel groups to whom he is opposed.

His appointment as a ministerial adviser will be seen as another set-back in the faltering peace process in Darfur, and is likely to increase rebel suspicions about the motivations of the authorities in Khartoum.

The latest move by the Sudanese government will not encourage those in Darfur who rely on humanitarian aid for their survival, our correspondent says.

Harvest Celebration

This Sunday we are having a Harvest Celebration at our church, Pigeon River Mennonite Church. We are having speakers come from the Foods Resource Bank to share with us their ministry going on throughout the world. In Huron County for the past couple of years Jonathan has been blessed to be involved in the Hunger Relief Project. Local farmers and members of the community donate time, land, equipment, and supplies so that locally grown crops are harvested with the proceeds being donated. The money is then distributed by the Foods Resource Bank to projects in developing nations to help our neighbors develop sustainable agriculture in order to better feed themselves. Only a small portion of the money is used for relief food. Below are some pictures of Eastern Zambia, where we visited a FRB project this winter.

Hunger Relief Project

Conservation Farming on the right...a beautiful thing! Traditional farming practice on the left.


Relief food from the Canadian Grain Bank used for widows, orphans and those with illnesses.



Touring crops of Zambians who have been through farming educational programs in their communities.

Tim Bootsma and Jonathan enjoying a walk through Zambian fields. Tim and his family work in Zambia with the CRWRC and the Foods Resource Bank. Tim works as an agent in equipping Zambians with new farming and crop ideas to better feed their own people.

A corral built next to a village, youth are bringing cattle into the corral for the night.

Zambians outside of the relief center. They gave us such a kind welcome.

Casava! This plant has deep roots that tasted a bit like a potato? The leaves from the bush are also very nutritous. This plant is being introduced into the area. It can be ground to make brown Nshima, which is a staple food in Zambia that is like a pattie of cream of wheat. The nshima ( pronounced sheema) that we had was made from cornmeal.

Memories of Africa!