A sad day at RVA

Loren Harrison 1961-2011

Thursday, Sept. 23 was a day that no one expected.  A staff member on home assignment went to be with the Lord after suffering a brain aneurysm five days earlier.  It was a huge shock and it has affected many of the staff and students.  He left behind his wife and eight children. We just cannot believe that his death happened so quickly. It is beyond our own comprehension of just how traumatic this is for his family. 

Mr. Harrison was a nurse in the infirmary here at the school.  He and his wife were also dorm parents for a few years as well.  Once a week he and Todd would end up in the wood shop together trading building ideas and techniques.  He was always a welcoming person seeking to find out how things were, being willing to help, and had a quick, easy laugh. 

Mr. Harrison’s life story was one of trust through some tough times.  He had lost his first wife to cancer.  He experienced his first brain aneurysm in 1999.  He recovered fully from this and was able to continue working for the Lord.  He and his wife, Vicki, came to RVA in 2004 – the first year that we came to work full time as well.  They adopted two little boys who no longer were orphans.  They had returned to the U.S. in July 2011 trusting that God would provide for their return in December of 2011.  Through it all Loren was a bigger than life kind of person that infectiously and generously handed out joy as medicine. 

Please pray for the Harrison family, Vicki and her eight children, as they have many difficult decisions ahead. Please also pray for the RVA community, staff and students, as we celebrate Loren’s Homegoing, but mourn the loss of a dear friend.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful  – Hebrews 10:23

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  – 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Volleyballs, crazy bees, and New Hope

Todd, Cassidy, and Titus were just involved in our school outreach day the weekend of Sept. 10 and we sure did have a lot of different experiences.  Todd took a group of students to a local IDP (internally displaced people) camp that has been in place since the 2007 election violence that ended with thousands of people fleeing from places they had lived in for generations.  They are starting to build more permanent structures that are just two rooms in size.  This may be good for a family of three or four but many of them have families of six, seven, or even eight living in them.  The environment is harsh, life is hard, and it is chaotic as soon as balls are brought out.  Going to play volleyball provides a measure of relief from the boredom and an opportunity to interact in a different way.  The play was not great but it was fun to get together, play, and share how God is working in our lives.  There is a video of us playing and interacting with the people in this temporary/permanent town at the end of this post.

Cassidy went on an outreach with her school class that went out and planted trees.  They were doing well and had planted many trees.  They stopped for lunch and found that they had disturbed a bee hive.  All of the sudden they were fighting off a swarm of bees that were determined to sting everything in sight.  Some of the kids were stung many times.  Fortunately Cassidy was stung only once and the two children that were highly allergic to bee stings were not stung at all.  We were very thankful for God’s protection in this situation which could have been much worse.  They all came back with adventure stories to share.

Titus went with his class to an orphanage called New Hope.  They played games with the kids with jump rope, hula hoops and parachute.  He practiced his Kiswahili.  They also had taken mandazis along with them so they had to sit and visit with them while they ate.  The children at the orphanage were very happy that they had come to play with them.  He saw that there were a lot of children at the orphanage.  Some were older and many were young babies.  He saw that some had club feet but that it did not stop them from having fun.  It was a good experience to go and interact with those children.

Kenyan Arrival!

Wow, we made it.  After a tearful goodbye, we left Calgary International airport at 9:30 pm on Aug. 12 and, after traveling for close to 40 hours we safely arrived at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi at 9 pm, Aug. 15.  We had a long layover in London which we have blogged about in a separate post. 

We were first welcomed with the traditional long lines and even longer wait to get through the customs check.  After such a long trip this is the last thing that we want to do with young children.  However, much to our surprise and chagrin, a Kenyan “official” ushered us right to the front of a line.  This did not sit well with those that we went past.  We really did not know what was going on but it seemed that a whole group of tourists were being a nuisance and the way that the customs officials were going to deal with it was to make them wait.  Fortunately we had all of our papers in order so we were able to, in relative terms, breeze through.  It still took a lot longer than we were comfortable with having just jumped the que in front of a lot of angry looking and sounding people.  We have learned that it is sometimes better to not know what is going on and not to ask.  So this meant that we were able to get to the luggage claim where all of our luggage arrived with us.  This may sound funny but there was a time that only a few pieces of luggage would arrive at the same time as us.  Now it seems that it is the norm for our luggage and us to arrive at the same place and time.  We certainly do not take this event for granted though. 

We would love to show you pictures of us arriving but since it is illegal to take pictures at the airport we figured that it would be better to enter the country as good standing residents instead of being welcomed in a different way.  Instead we can show you the pictures of us leaving.

We were met at the airport by a driver who would take us to the AIM guest house in Nairobi.  This was great but we also arrived with another RVA family whose luggage brought us to the grand total of 44 pieces.  He only drove one van in to get us since there were only nine people to pick up.  But it was immediately apparent that it would be impossible to fit all of us and 44 pieces that each weigh fifty pounds into this vehicle.  So a second vehicle was called for.  This meant that we left the airport at midnight.  We were exhausted and when we got to the guest house we all crashed – for three hours.  Thanks to jet lag we were all wide awake after a very short sleep.   What to do with a four year old who cannot read on her own, who cannot play with toys lest she wake anyone else up, and who does not do anything quietly and cannot sit still.  It was a challenge that we were able to overcome but not an exciting prospect when the rest of the compound was still asleep. 

The next day we were picked up by a RVA staff member who drove a bus out to get us.  Now this was a much more suitable vehicle for us and our luggage.  We stopped at a local “mall” where we could grocery shop and buy KFC.  Wait a minute.  A KFC?  It is the real thing and not the traditional knock off that were would see sometimes.  We half expected it to be called Kenya Fried Chicken.  Talk about globalization.  Now if we really need our western fast food fix we can go and wait from either 45 minutes to two hours to get our bucket of chicken.  To be honest we never ate there when we were in Canada.  We do not think that we will make special trips to do it here.

The drive to RVA was pretty much the same.  The road is a little rougher and the traffic is still just as crazy but we felt at home.  The memories come flooding back and it was a good feeling.  We just let it soak in.  Driving up to the gate of the school campus was great.  We arrived at our newly built house to find that it still needed to have the solar water heater hooked up, no phone line (hence no internet), and leaks in pretty much every bathroom.  We were so thankful though to have a roof over our heads and beds to sleep in.  We will blog more about our house later on.

 

Harmondsworth Hall

Unlike most of our flights in the past we had a long layover this time in London.  Twenty two hours to be exact.  After learning that we would be there that long we got to thinking about all of the things that we could do.  Then the riots happened and we thought that it would be wise, as well as most of our family, that we just stick close to the airport.  We were booked into the Harmondsworth Hall by a friend who lives in London.  What a great experience that was in itself.  The place was built in the 1600’s and is now an inn for people to stay at.  It was so good to get out of the airport and have a bed to sleep in between the two eight hour flights. 

We took the opportunity to go for out for dinner and do a photo safari.  We had heard there was a McDonalds nearby but in asking directions we got directed to the one that was the furthest away from where we were.  When we came back we saw that if we had just turned the other direction at one point we would have been at one that was much closer.  It was fun to see some new things though and we got to ride on a few buses in our travels. 

Here are a few pictures from our photo safari.

God is Good, plus ten thoughts

God is good, all the time. Reflecting on the past few months we realize that God knew exactly what we needed in order to be refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to go back to RVA. What a huge task it is and we could not do it by ourselves. Here are some thoughts as we finish our time here in Canada.

10 thoughts:

1. We have found ourselves back in Three Hills, AB again.  This is where we met and all of this life together started.  We were out for a bike ride and reminded of our time here as students almost twenty years ago.  Now, after fifteen years of marriage and three children and living on the other side of the world, we are starting our journey again from here.  God is good.

2. Cassidy and Titus got to spend a week at camp this summer.  Cassidy did crafts, water adventure, and canoeing.  Titus did pelletry, rocketry, and camp skills.  They had a great time and made many new friends.  Cassidy also got to spend the week with her best friend from Stettler.  It was an important time for both for them.  Cassidy and Titus both memorized many verses, sang new songs, and learned more about God.  God is good.

3.  We were blessed to have had a place to stay here in Canada.  When we were planning on coming back to Canada we had no idea where we would stay.  It was not until the last couple of weeks that a house sitting opportunity came up in Stettler for a family that we had just met before leaving for Kenya in 2004.  They entrusted us with their house which served us well.  As we cleared out for them to come back we were reflecting on how incredible it is that God would provide just the right housing situation for us.  God is good.

4.  The question of how we were to get around was also a major one we asked.  We were not in the position to buy a vehicle when we got back.  Just what would we do??  Well, in steps someone from the church who just happens to have a minivan (aka swagger wagon) sitting in his driveway.  Oh, and by the way there is no charge and no need to get insurance.  Really?  These types of things do not happen everyday in our lives but somehow we are not surprised.  So after driving many kilometers, filling up many liters of fuel, new tires, and oil changes we are so blessed to have used such a reliable vehicle.  God is good.

5.  Oh, the Places You’ll Go – is not just a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss.  We experience it as an almost daily occurence in our lives.  Our year here has seen us in so many places.  Let us recap where we have been: First Baptist Church Stettler, Missions Fest in Edmonton, Brentview Baptist Church, Castor Evangelical Missionary Church, Camrose First Baptist Church, Crossfield Baptist Church, Lethbridge Evangelical Free Church, Central Fellowship Baptist Church (Prince George), Battle Lake Community Baptist, Hawkwood Baptist Fellowship Church (Calgary), Hinton Alliance Church, Holy Nativity Anglican Church (Calgary), Brownfield Baptist Church, Ministik Community Church, Grandview Baptist Church (Vancouver), Harvest Fellowship Baptist Church (Kelowna), Stettler Alliance Church, and Squamish Baptist Church.  We have had the privilege of getting to know people in each of these churches.  Sometimes we were able to go back to a church twice which was even more special for us.  We were blessed to have met so many believers who are passionate about reaching those who are not yet reached.  What a great opportunity to be encouraged.  God is good.

6.  Cassidy, Titus, and Ella all got to try new things this year.  It was neat to see how they stepped up to the challenges of not knowing what was going on around them and then making a difference in the lives of others.  We are so proud of all of them.  Highlights for Cassidy were entering and winning the regional science fair with her best friend, performing in ballet competitions, opportunities that she had through school (skiing and swimming), and seeing family again.  She received a note from the Superintendent saying that he heard that she had stood out as a student who showed kindness and care to everyone.  Titus really excelled in school this year.  He loved his teacher and he was able to master some skills with confidence.  Highlights for Titus were playing rugby, going to BC, and visiting the Winter Olympic sites.  Ella has such an outgoing personality.  She was able to make friends with everyone she met.  She really grew both physically and emotionally this year as we had her in a playschool program.  It was a great opportunity.  Highlights for her were playschool, birthday parties, and spending time with her aunts and cousins.  God is good.

7.  Time with family.  This is a precious commodity as we are gone for much of what happens in our families.  We are so glad to have been in Canada for the birth of a new cousin and the wedding of a sibling.  Those are special events that we may not be able to get to while living on the other side of the world.  We have been able to see most everyone in our families which is a major reason for coming back to Canada.  Carpentry needs were also met for several members which is a way we like to help family as well.  God is good.

8.  Who would have known that we would have gone to the Nutcracker performed by Alberta Ballet, three NHL hockey games, WHL hockey game, Red Deer College volleyball game, coached the Stettler Wildcat volleyball team, Edmonton Science World, Skytrain to Canada Day fireworks in Vancouver, Britannia Mining Museum, Toronto for the National P.E. conference, West Edmonton Mall Water Park, Anne of Green Gables play, Christmas tree lights festival, Grade five camp Circle Square Ranch, Camp Silversides, Grade two Heritage Museum trip.  People were so giving to allow us to have all of these great experiences.  God is good.

9.  Bible study and ladies retreat.  These were two highlights of Kylie’s time in Canada.  The Bible study that was started when we were in Stettler in 2003 was still going and attended by many ladies of all different stages of their walk with Christ.  It was a real encouragement for Kylie to get involved with that again.  The Ladies Retreat at Whispering Pines Bible Camp was a very challenging event for her.  There is a lot of responsibility for each of the sessions and she came through it with flying colours.  God is good.    

10.  Last but not least – involvement in the community of Stettler.  We did not know how it was going to be when we got back to Stettler but people there were very welcoming.  We got involved in a lot of different activities that had us meeting many different people from all areas of the town.  The connections we had allowed us to share what we do.  Our children also played an instrumental role in sharing Christ’s love with their friends.  Todd also was very surprised with how much substitute teaching work he had over the course of the year.  It was a privilege to work in the school division again.  God is good.

Cleared for take-off

We are so excited to let you know that the tickets have been purchased for us to depart back for Kenya August 12th from Calgary, AB.  We definitely have been anticipating this date for the last few weeks.  However, we are not yet fully supported to the amount that we will be needing in a couple of years when Ella enters school.  We have been so encouraged by many people that we are confident that we will reach this amount and that God knows just how much we need.  We would like to encourage those of you who had expressed interest in joining us with financial support to contact Africa Inland Mission at financeassist.can@aimint.net .  You can just click on this link and let them know of what you would like to do.  Remember you can give a monthly amount that can be directly withdrawn from a bank account or give a one-time gift.  Any amount is a huge blessing for us and for the children at Rift Valley Academy. 

We have not lost the importance of prayer support through this whole time.  Those of you that have praying for us have made a huge difference.  Satan does his best to derail plans and we are not immune from this.  This makes us more confident that we are just where God wants us to be.   This does mean though that we are in need of more prayer through these coming days. 

Please pray that we will have wisdom in purchasing and packing the items that we need to take back with us.  It is especially challenging to plan ahead for the kid’s clothing needs.  Also, pray for us as we say “good bye” to family and friends and then board the plane for two eight hour flights and an overnight in London.  The students return to RVA on August 29th.  We would love to be unpacked, over jet-lag, and prepared for their arrival.  Please, especially pray for Cassidy (11), Titus (9), and Ella (4) as they go through transition once again. 

Where are the Dubbers?

It is a little like being in the book Where’s Waldo!  Since school ended for the kids, we are finding ourselves in so many different places.  After four years, it was a lot of fun to head into southern BC again.  Driving through the Rocky Mountains was again breathtaking and it was fun to be in the car together as a family.  So many fun new memories: 

Going downtown Vancouver to catch the Canada Day fireworks.  Riding the gondola up to Grouse Mountain for Jennine’s wedding.  Dipping toes into the cold Pacific Ocean at Stanley Park.  Hiking the four lakes trail in Squamish of which Ella did all 5Km of it.  Seeing fantastic waterfalls.  Visiting Whistler Olympic Park.  Watching the kite boarders skimming the waves in the frigid water of the ocean.  Visiting the restored mine at Britannia Beach and panning for gold.  Swimming and relaxing at the cabin by Lake Okanagan. 

It was a big shock to be back in the Vancouver and Squamish area.  There have been so many changes that it is difficult to remember how it was before.  Being in Squamish gives a sense of familiarity but we experience again that the atmosphere and culture has changed and it is not the same place.  The amount of development in the lower mainland just for the Olympics is fantastic and has attracted a very outdoor minded group of people.

We had very good times of visiting with many people during our trip.  We were able to meet a long time supporter in Kamloops and then on to Langley to visit a previous RVA staff member.  We had a good time of staying with family during the wedding and meeting new people in the lives of our brother and sister.  Then have had a very full schedule of meeting with people in Squamish, Vernon, and Kelowna.  Speaking at Squamish Baptist Church and Harvest Fellowship in West Kelowna.  We are also so thankful for the hospitality of the Denis’ for letting us stay with them for the week in Squamish, the Seutter’s for two days in Vernon, and the Gladman’s for four days at their cabin.  We have been very encouraged and are pleased to find so many people who are passionate about reaching the lost in the communities that they live in.  We hope that we are an encouragment to them as well.

You can click on each picture if you would like to see it bigger. 

 

Welcome Rick!

Well it is official.  We have welcomed a new son and brother into the family.  Todd’s little sister Jennine was married on July 2.  After traveling from Stettler we arrived to meet her fiance Rick at their home for a few hours before the wedding and had a chance to see their new house and the renovations that they have been working on for the last couple of months.  It was good to see that Jennine had found a great guy to be married to and we are glad to have met Rick even if it was for a few hours.  We had a great time at the wedding as well seeing family and making new friends with Rick’s side of the family.  We were also privileged to go to Grouse Mountain ride up the gondola and have the spectacular view of Vancouver from daylight to night time.  So congratulations Rick and Jennine and we look forward to hearing about the great things they will be doing in the future. 

Leap of Faith

During our trip to Vancouver we have made it a priority to visit many of the Olympic venues that were built for the 2010 Winter Olympics.  It has been great to be able to go and see where Olympians competed in many different sports.  To be there and imagine what it would take to train and ultimately make it to the pinnacle of their repective discipline.  It was inspiring to just be there and know that people had put their best into what they do at that very place. 

We visited the ski jumping venue and the sliding centre where individuals virutally fling themselves off the starting point and have very little control once they get started.  For those of you who do not know ski jumpers ski down a ramp and then try to “fly” off that same ramp to land the furthest down the slope.  They really only travel about ten feet off the ground but some of them can travel up to 240 metres.  It really is incredible.  The bobsled, luge, and skeleton are just as breathtaking.  At least with bobsled the sled protects a little more than those who luge or skeleton with just a board with runners.  But even then those people can reach speeds of 130 – 140Km/h traveling down an ice covered chute that is purposely made to challenge even the toughest rollercoaster.  The challenge of preparation and competition in these disciplines is hard to comprehend. 

 While we are walking around and looking at these places I could not help to think about how we all face the exact same challenges as Christians and particularly with what we are doing leaving behind family and friends to go back to Kenya.  It really does not make sense for people to jump off of things while skiing and it does not make sense for people to launch themselves down a crazy ice chute.  In essence we are doing the same and it may not make sense but it is for Gods glory and eternal life that we do what we do.  More and more it is a giving up of the worlds empty promise and the embracing of God’s everlasting promise.  The Olympians train for the earthly prize but we as Christians should be training for the heavenly prize.  I do not think that I could ever get up the courage to do these events but I hope that I could get up the courage to answer the call of Christ in my life.  It is not easy and there is very little recognition for that here on earth but that is not what the prize is about.

We are at yet another leap of faith point in our lives.  We are trusting that God provides and we have made plans to be at the next big event (departure for Africa in August) but yet we are not yet fully supported financially to actually go.   Many of you have probably received our latest prayer letter and prayer card in the mail.  Along with those things we included a pledge form and postage paid envelope.  We do not intend to pressure you to feel like you have to give but we would like to give you the opportunity at God’s prompting to give as you can.  We also realize that some of you already support us financially.  We are truly grateful for that and know who you are.  Due to the postal strike and our travels to BC we decided that we would include all of the information in each envelope so that people would know where we are at.  You can still use that pledge form and envelope to confirm that you are praying for us because that really is still the basis for what we are doing and the most important area of support that we are still in need of.

While we were at the sliding centre we heard this strange noise and saw several people going down a zip line that was the most incedible distance and height.  We took a short video of it and thought that we would share it with you.  Kylie and I looked at each other and said that this is what we kind of felt like at this point in time.  It looked as if it was hugely exhilerating but probably the most scary thing that those people had done.  There is a point of no return on this line as there is a point of no return with us as well.  We are committed and ask if you would be committed, in prayer and finances, with us as well.

Whispering Pines Ladies Retreat 2011

This past weekend (June 10-12) I (Kylie) spoke at a ladies retreat at Whispering Pines Bible Camp.  I have been preparing for several months and was thrilled to have had such a wonderful time.  It was great to meet all of the ladies there and to hear their stories.  Their testimonies of God’s faithfulness thoughout all of the trials of life were so glorifying to God and encouraged me immensely.  During the first session I shared my testimony and then over the course of the next three sessions we explored the chosen topic of “Heaven”.  I do not think that we study Heaven enough.  I have learned so much over these last few months and grown a lot in my relationship with God as I have prepared for this.  I was so thankful to have friends and family praying for me while I did this.  I feel like God really spoke through me and I was encouraged by the positive feedback and deep converstaions that the sessions inspired.  I look forward to the day that I will see these ladies again in our future, eternal Home!

The kids stayed with grandpa and grandma as Todd and I went to the retreat.  Todd had a great time helping out in the kitchen … while I played games and visited.  He did get a few minutes off and we went canoeing  enjoying the spectacular beauty of the Rocky Mountains.  It was so peaceful and renewing!

This next week Todd is camping again.  This time he is going with Cassidy to Circle Square Ranch for her 5th grade school camping trip.  He will be helping to teach archery and camp skills as well as supervising a cabin of boys.  We are praying that Cassidy has a wonderful time with friends she has nade here in Stettler.  It will be her first chance to spend time with them before we head to BC at the end of this month.

Hitting the road at the end of the month will mean the beginning of our journey back to Kenya.  We are so thrilled to see a small increase in our support and are praying that it continues to grow.  We are also thrilled that we are able to purchase a new computer with the help of a very special prayer warrior.  Thank you to all of you that expressed your concern for our computer situation!