tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44951294252460030212024-03-05T10:35:19.609-08:00Mama Miekemamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-31329306473103139682017-04-15T13:08:00.000-07:002017-05-31T21:38:20.802-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer Plans</span></h2>
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To travel to the Netherlands with a side trip to Rwanda </h2>
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This summer my husband Robin and I are planning to go to the Netherlands for our daughter's wedding. We decided to combine this with a trip to Rwanda.</div>
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We are joining <a href="http://www.gracerwanda.org/">Grace Rwanda</a> to conduct librarian training for approximately 30 librarians in Rwanda.</div>
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Grace Rwanda (GR) is a local organization that promotes literacy in this small African country. The organization was founded by Rwandan Tutsi Genocide survivors Elizabeth Johnson & Marie-Louise Kaligirwa. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rwanda is a country with no reading culture, Rwandans learn through story telling <i>guca imigani </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Books are scarce in Rwanda, and expensive.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grace Rwanda's goal is to bring literacy to Rwanda's youth (who make up half of the population), to help them succeed in rebuilding their country. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Grace Rwanda's goal is to open 22 community libraries (7 completed, planning to complete 3 more this year and 5 next year) GR has also provided mini-libraries to schools and they host literacy outreach events in rural and urban areas to promote a reading culture. These literacy events have been non-existent in Rwanda, for example at some events</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A<span style="font-size: large;"> child will get to experience holding a book </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>for the very first time</b>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rwanda Librarian Training team</span> </div>
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includes Mary Jo Ohl, a retired teacher librarian, two library technicians--Erica Taylor and I. My husband who will help wherever he can (he is a great help with computer related stuff, he is a handyman and of course he looks forward to reading <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/One-Eyed-Jake-Pat-Hutchins/dp/0688131131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491779445&sr=8-1&keywords=one+eyed+jake">One Eyed Jake</a> to the kids!). </div>
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We plan to train 30 employees/volunteers of the 22+ libraries that Grace Rwanda has set up. This training will benefit the communities that the libraries serve.<br />
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Grace Rwanda with the help of Rotary has shipped over containers of donated books and they recently partnered with <a href="https://www.bookaid.org/">Book Aid International</a> who will ship containers of brand new books from the United Kingdom. BAI will also share their library training materials with our team. </div>
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What we need: </h2>
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We aim to raise $5000 CDN to facilitate the training seminar. The trainee librarians work as volunteers or receive $50 per month for their wages. </div>
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We plan to cover the cost of the trainees to travel to Kigali, their lodging food and training materials. </div>
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To help with these costs, please donate to:</div>
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<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/rwanda-library-training">Go Fund Me</a></h3>
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<b>For Canadian donations </b></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Donate online at </span><a href="http://www.gracerwanda.org/donate/">Grace Rwanda Donate</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">To donate by mail send cheque to:</span></div>
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<b>Grace Rwanda Society</b></h4>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">#13 – 19889 96 Avenue, Suite #182</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Langley, BC V1M3C7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Canada</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> (please designate that the funds are for the Rwanda Library Training)</span></div>
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We are also looking for library cataloging supplies<br />
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Thank you for reading this blog post. We are excited about making a difference to literacy in Rwanda.<br />
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-2708455786322814622014-10-19T19:31:00.001-07:002014-10-20T17:12:48.727-07:00One little library in Haiti<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Little by little the bird builds its nest" </h2>
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This Haitian proverb seems relevant to the project I was able to join in September 2014. With the organization <a href="http://www.heartsandhandsforhaiti.org/home.html">Hearts and Hands for Haiti</a> - we set up a school library in Tarasse near Gonaives, Haiti. Now 400 children have a library full of books to increase their learning and fuel their imaginations. </div>
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It's a little library, but it is a start. </h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda and I giving the teachers a library orientation</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Tarasse School, Haiti now has a library. As we were giving the teachers a tour of the library, they expressed great joy at having all these books to use. One teacher asked if we could return to give instruction on how to incorporate the books in their classroom instruction and principal Cherismond Delva, said that he had never dreamed that he would have such a library at his school. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarasse School library</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the library</td></tr>
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Our team --6 people from Raleigh, NC and me the sole Canadian, arrived at Tarasse School to find out that the library--on the 2nd floor-- wasn't ready. The roof had to go on and the shelves needed paint, construction dust was everywhere. But that didn't stop us.<br />
Our team set up a work room in one of the new classrooms downstairs. We cataloged approximately 650 books--many we had brought with us and some books were from Cherismond's office.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library team: Sarah, Janet, Paul, Mindy, Mieke, Anne and Brenda</td></tr>
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We worked hard in 32-35 degree heat and high humidity. We had battery operated fans to help move the air around--all I can say is--it was really hot and muggy but everyone was cheerful. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne & Paul adding labels</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mindy on the computer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet working on the Encyclopedies Mega</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonas, librarian at Poteau helping me catalogue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda (in orange shirt) our fearless leader</td></tr>
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Haiti's main language is Creole. French, the official language is introduced in early grades in school and taught exclusively in the higher grades.Schools are competitive, school fees are charged and children must wear uniforms </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Although laws are changing, many children in Haiti do not attend school because they cannot afford fees or uniforms</span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious rice and beans for lunch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.heartsandhandsforhaiti.org/">Hearts and Hands for Haiti</a> supports 7 schools in or near Gonaives--helping to cover school fees and providing food for lunches. Schools are highly competitive, wearing a school uniform from a particular school is a status symbol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Schools can have 30 to 50 children in a classroom with wooden desks and just a blackboard for class instruction. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">"Why should we let the children read fiction stories?" </span></h3>
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<span style="text-align: left;">As we gave a tour of the library to the school staff someone asked this question, and it is a good question to ask. We brought out some examples of books that although they are "imagine" they are so relevant to encourage a reading lifestyle and can be useful in the classroom. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">In Haiti there is a lack of a reading culture.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn_qnVkcAZW2GG2PKF9dV1Y7VzXJAPTJeHDbxvc4hzrAM8Fi-Cqztf8tP5AHfFjEUNQfZrSLKGSWHez-0eJ0Hbwmm6gE3HOr10MnTgFb-u2OkGrFItVf7053OIPQrxOBnVL14G6PZk5M/s1600/download+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn_qnVkcAZW2GG2PKF9dV1Y7VzXJAPTJeHDbxvc4hzrAM8Fi-Cqztf8tP5AHfFjEUNQfZrSLKGSWHez-0eJ0Hbwmm6gE3HOr10MnTgFb-u2OkGrFItVf7053OIPQrxOBnVL14G6PZk5M/s1600/download+(3).jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonas, who works in the first library at Poteau, reads aloud to the children</td></tr>
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It is humbling and satisfying to know that this project met a direct need at a school that had no library, no books for classroom instruction or for pleasure reading. </h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">|This is how we commuted to Tarasse, 40 min drive from Poteau</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so fun to read Brown bear, Brown Bear in French "Ours brun, ours brun, dis moi ce que tu vois?"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2010 I went to university to earn a Library Technician diploma. The main reason was so that I could help set up a library with <a href="http://www.seedsofhopecm.com/index.php">Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry</a> in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4495129425246003021#editor/target=post;postID=6309594695307442083;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname">Zambia</a>. Through my school at <a href="http://www.ufv.ca/libtech/">UFV</a> I connected with Paula Lindsey, another student in the program who helped to set up a library in Haiti with the non-profit organization called <a href="http://www.heartsandhandsforhaiti.org/">Hearts and Hands for Haiti (HHH)</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSz7HJ_fiSHq3Nk6rbdgTs9l-vFuJv-PoIdqmwTMQbwvmGIFEkTTA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSz7HJ_fiSHq3Nk6rbdgTs9l-vFuJv-PoIdqmwTMQbwvmGIFEkTTA" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I contacted Paula to see if we could compare notes about our experiences, we had a good visit and discovered a similar passion for library work in developing countries.</span><br />
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Last spring Paula invited me to go with her to Haiti to set up another school library at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHiiFENA1Y">Tarasse</a> school. It didn't take me long to decide I wanted to go. As it turns out Paula can't make the trip this time but I am leaving September 20th and will return October 4th.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am joining a library team from Raleigh, N.C. </span></h2>
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I don't know a lot about Haiti as I've spent more time learning about and visiting Zambia. I did read Paul Farmer's biography <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Mountains-Beyond-Tracy-Kidder/dp/1846684315">Mountains Beyond Mountains</a> by Tracey Kidder. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about Haiti, global health, tuberculosis and anti-retro viral medication distribution in the developing world. Paul Farmer founder of <a href="http://www.pih.org/pages/our-history">Partners in Health</a> was instrumental in making ARV's freely available in developing countries that have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few facts I have learned about Haiti:</span></h4>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Haiti is 27, 750 sq. km. - smaller than the Netherlands, about the same size as Rwanda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">For a Canadian contrast, Haiti is smaller than Vancouver Island</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Haiti's population is 9,996,731 compared to Vancouver Island which has a population of 749,000)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Haiti established independence when African slaves revolted against the French in 1804</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The earthquake in 2010 killed 300,00 people and displaced 1.5 million</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Haiti is the poorest country in the Northern Hemisphere and is inundated with foreign aid</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://www.fashionfame.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Haiti-Presidential-Palace-quake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 2010 earthquake destroyed much of Haiti and left 1.5 million people displaced</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">HHH, a Christian non-profit organization has been working in Haiti since 2001 strengthening churches, establishing schools and supporting children's homes. The literacy rate is very low in Haiti and reading is mostly done for academic purposes </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Haiti, reading for pleasure is not a cultural norm</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first school library, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeLCjRgs3YQ">Siloe Mission School</a> in Poteau was set up in 2011, now a second library is going to be set up in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHiiFENA1Y">Tourasse</a> . This library can potentially provide books for 500 children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I am collecting books in French, children's books, fiction and non-fiction. We will be setting up the library, cataloging the books, training teachers about library practices and reading to the children-in French. </span></div>
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-40349711977275061052014-04-12T16:45:00.000-07:002014-04-12T16:45:02.132-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Monks are my neighbours,</h1>
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A community of prayer and work</h1>
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by <span data-scayt_word="Elsemieke" data-scaytid="1" style="color: black;">Elsemieke</span> <span data-scayt_word="Wishart" data-scaytid="6" style="color: black;">Wishart</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px;">Every</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px;"> time I walk along the rolling hills of Westminster Abbey in Mission I feel like bursting into the opening song from Sound of Music “The Hills Are Alive”. The hills at Westminster Abbey are alive with monks working, visitors strolling and cows grazing the green pastures. Giant rhododendrons grow in the verdant forest (it all blooms gloriously in May) and the sounds of the steeple bells tolling regularly are reminiscent of church bells in a European village. </span></div>
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When visitors, who come from all over the Lower Mainland and around the world, walk the grounds there is a good chance they will pass a monk or two. Guests come to admire the beautiful church with its spectacular stained glass windows, built by Norwegian architect,<span data-scayt_word="Asbjørn" data-scaytid="17" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Asbjørn</span> <span data-scayt_word="Gåthe" data-scaytid="18" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Gåthe</span>, and they come to admire breathtaking views of the Fraser Valley. Walking to the southern lookout you can see the meandering Fraser River, and look to Abbotsford and Mt. Baker, and in the east Mt. <span data-scayt_word="Cheam" data-scaytid="19" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Cheam</span> in Chilliwack. My interview with Father Abbot John<span data-scayt_word="Braganza" data-scaytid="20" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Braganza</span> was on the feast day of St. Benedict, and we had a short time between the morning service and midday prayers. Arriving as people were leaving the church, it seemed like everyone wanted to talk to the abbot. </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Westminster Abbey is home to 33 Benedictine monks – including Father<span data-scayt_word="Dunstan" data-scaytid="21">Dunstan</span> Massey, who is the resident artist. The monks live their lives in community, by the Bible and the Rule of St. Benedict which includes the Latin motto <i><span data-scayt_word="ora" data-scaytid="22">ora</span> et <span data-scayt_word="labora" data-scaytid="23">labora</span></i> or ‘pray and work’. “All monastic life is focused on the Word of God,” explains Father Abbot. “It is about Jesus...living in community is the basis of Christianity.” Becoming a monk is a decision that is not taken lightly. It is a long, slow process beginning with a year of <span data-scayt_word="postulancy" data-scaytid="24">postulancy</span>, when the candidate is introduced to the way of life, learning how to live the Gospel. If he expresses a desire to continue after the first year, he becomes a canonical novitiate for one year. Then he will commit to three years of formal monastic instruction, and this is where serious intent is expressed. Following this time he becomes a monk through a ceremony of solemn profession that is very much like a marriage commitment. “You have to really want it....it’s a calling,” explains Father Abbot, who began his journey as a monk at the age of 18. The monks work hard on the 80 hectares of land raising cattle, chickens and harvesting hay. “It is all part of ordinary life that is lived everywhere else.”</span></div>
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The monks at the abbey follow the rule of St. Benedict, a document that was written in Latin (80 per cent of which is Scripture) around 480-597 AD. St. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries has been translated into many languages and revised often to accommodate modern rhetoric. The rule book outlines the rules of monastic life which this community of monks live by. There are also 200 to 300 oblates – lay people who are not monks but associate themselves with Westminster Abbey—who live by the rule of St. Benedict as well. </div>
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The rule book includes guidelines for life through work, study, private prayer, common prayer and rest. The lifestyle of a monk may appeal to some as being restful, yet the days are busy. “We all work about six hours per day,” says Father Abbot. Breaks during the day include time for prayer and meals. The Seminary of Christ the King, first founded in 1939 in <span data-scayt_word="Ladner" data-scaytid="26" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Ladner</span>, BC, is now operated at the Abbey in Mission by the monks who live there. There is an all boys’ high school teaching Grades 8 through 12 and an accredited college where degrees can be earned in arts, theology and divinity. Some <span data-scayt_word="laypeople" data-scaytid="27" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">laypeople</span> teach at the school. The abbey also has 36 rooms available for guests who want a quiet retreat from their regular lives. “Some people book a year in advance and come back every year,” says Father Abbot. Everyone eats together in the dining room and may join in with common prayer. </div>
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The monks are at peace, living all their days in community together, while professing faith, hope, and charity, existing obediently and monastically. </div>
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<em>April 2014 (2014-04-02)</em></div>
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-63095946953074420832013-11-25T19:01:00.000-08:002013-11-25T19:01:12.442-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2>
Why I became a librarian</h2>
<i>The original story I posted about why I became a librarian got deleted so I am posting the story again using an article that was published for an online magazine in Australia. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLQwz1GIJwfQ_AX60VCUDWW61cLd-7stukZxJt9cn0bMpLDgzHxb3Cs7V_UGyLaXjkaQaMxLkzSYIE5JX1_-CKdtKXZmMG9db4Gk6WLNhda75NxQrhnl2Z1H7Ghy0pV-L1tjD80wbxu4/s1600/Mieke+Africa+Librarian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLQwz1GIJwfQ_AX60VCUDWW61cLd-7stukZxJt9cn0bMpLDgzHxb3Cs7V_UGyLaXjkaQaMxLkzSYIE5JX1_-CKdtKXZmMG9db4Gk6WLNhda75NxQrhnl2Z1H7Ghy0pV-L1tjD80wbxu4/s1600/Mieke+Africa+Librarian.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm just a nerdy librarian who wants<br />
to read books to kids in Africa</td></tr>
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School libraries in Zambia are about as common as
giraffes in Canada. If you look in the right places you can find them but they
are not naturally a part of the environment. </div>
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In 2009, Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry, the
Canadian NGO that I am affiliated with was building a school for more than 120 HIV affected
children in Ndola, Zambia.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Mieke/Documents/Grace%20Library/WishartE%20IASL%20Story%20Submission%20.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I volunteered to set up the school library. Since I didn't have any librarian training,
I registered for the Library and Information Studies program at the University
of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC.
In June 2012 I received my Library Technician diploma. After much packing,
planning and organizing Grace Academy High School now has a well equipped
school library. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Mieke/Documents/Grace%20Library/WishartE%20IASL%20Story%20Submission%20.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[endif]--></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.seedsofhopecm.com/index.php">Seeds of Hope</a> (SOH) looks after children affected by
and infected with HIV. Caring for these children is an insurmountable task that
includes medical care, food, housing, education and most of all love. It was a
privilege to be involved in the task to set up a library for this special group
of children.</div>
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I have made yearly trips to Zambia since 2001 when SOH
established a home for children orphaned by the AIDS crisis. During the first
years we were more concerned with giving the children quality of life before
they succumbed to illness as a result of AIDS but in 2004 anti-retro viral
medication drastically changed their circumstances. Children who weren't
expected to live into their teens became healthy and began to thrive. SOH had
to start planning for the futures of these children. They established a
boarding school called Grace Academy on a 55 acre plot of land just outside of the
city of Ndola in the Copperbelt region of Zambia.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Zambian grandmother cares for 11 grandchildren.</td></tr>
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A library isn't the most pressing item on the list when
deciding how to help orphans and vulnerable children (OVC's) in a developing country. <span style="line-height: 150%;">But
we all know that once the very basic human needs of OVCs are met there is a
need for education and information to provide hope for a future. A well
equipped library is an integral component to providing a good education for
children. Unfortunately there is an extreme lack of libraries in Sub Saharan
Africa, including Zambia. I am convinced that libraries have an important role
in alleviating poverty in countries like Zambia. I wrote a </span><a href="http://www.rw.org.za/index.php/rw/article/view/20" style="line-height: 150%;">research paper</a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> about this that I presented at the Pan-African Reading-for-All Conference in Botswana in June 2011.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading for All Conference. It was cold<br />
in Gabarone, Botswana in June</td></tr>
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Funding for libraries is almost non-existent in public
schools in Zambia and if a school does have books they are often locked up for
safe keeping. One school—Baluba Basic School—near Luanshya has 1,000 pupils and
only 800 books. This means if 800 students each take one book home, 200
children are without a book. When I visited this school and asked to see their
library I was told that the room was locked and the teacher with the key was
absent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxLbYSPSP5YnIgKqSZCM6d_WWKNUCkktpt_bW5C7aU9x4A43SH8j2I_q5qt8E5QsZNTiqFrhCc7_LNcf1lvuM5isBr0-1AZcdPiq8uaR-p8YT0r0xyK0UThHa_BAQiSyWMSHpskkiHQc/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxLbYSPSP5YnIgKqSZCM6d_WWKNUCkktpt_bW5C7aU9x4A43SH8j2I_q5qt8E5QsZNTiqFrhCc7_LNcf1lvuM5isBr0-1AZcdPiq8uaR-p8YT0r0xyK0UThHa_BAQiSyWMSHpskkiHQc/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We donated extra books to Baluba Basic School</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zHibvvwMj9VWh7wCLmOQwGxtsuLguuBuDmTc9iw8HgockVUeeszphIQRwsfKRt8JVle8Mt-b0JWtlXdCMLI0iW2aXZ0_BHQMlwDoNMQADrBZ-CMLvu0TmJ7Fy5UYKQ9flwkHVXWqaD8/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zHibvvwMj9VWh7wCLmOQwGxtsuLguuBuDmTc9iw8HgockVUeeszphIQRwsfKRt8JVle8Mt-b0JWtlXdCMLI0iW2aXZ0_BHQMlwDoNMQADrBZ-CMLvu0TmJ7Fy5UYKQ9flwkHVXWqaD8/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>For Grace
Academy library we collected approximately 8,000 donated new and gently used
books in Canada. Volunteers helped me sort through the donations and divide the
books into fiction, non-fiction, reference and textbooks. We packed the books
into 110 banana boxes collected from grocery stores (banana boxes are sturdy, stack
well and are uniform in size). We kept a general record of the titles we packed
but we did not have time to make a detailed list. Ideally I would have liked to
catalogue the books before shipping but a container became available sooner
than expected and there was only enough time to pack up the books. </div>
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In September 2012, a team of eight volunteers—two of us
library technicians and the rest willing helpers—travelled to Zambia to set up
the library. We had two short weeks to get the books on the shelves, start the
cataloging and hire a librarian. </div>
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We spent time organizing the books, stamping, sticking
on spine labels and barcodes and taping. We had brought all of our supplies
with us, including book ends. Meanwhile carpenters were still finishing some of
the shelves and building the desk for the librarian.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSic-20OmwPuUfe6tgWuSDbpv1OaghTwq8spHU7VaqHaW4INM0k4nruBa-fvQFXRm5k-3JKsUgYiXmdGp3XSAheXGgvbEEsRxm5AU-6y27uQd_mPcZwJHThFkVdXwudgDKYVfwi1fDyvg/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSic-20OmwPuUfe6tgWuSDbpv1OaghTwq8spHU7VaqHaW4INM0k4nruBa-fvQFXRm5k-3JKsUgYiXmdGp3XSAheXGgvbEEsRxm5AU-6y27uQd_mPcZwJHThFkVdXwudgDKYVfwi1fDyvg/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JoLCI2fRA0WKQmoWn3bNt6xGblmJeLunPLLKDl3-k0ubAyDzmW71SUNxCJ3Cywrv4PIfRDqjLOcHYgVgo3nnKhidg2lAx3S1hc4BB2X2hLtwiN0adVGhBewRJ6U_RPfLBrVeC9Q7vHs/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JoLCI2fRA0WKQmoWn3bNt6xGblmJeLunPLLKDl3-k0ubAyDzmW71SUNxCJ3Cywrv4PIfRDqjLOcHYgVgo3nnKhidg2lAx3S1hc4BB2X2hLtwiN0adVGhBewRJ6U_RPfLBrVeC9Q7vHs/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a>We chose to use an open source integrated library
system called <a href="http://obiblio.sourceforge.net/index.php/Main/OpenBiblio">OpenBiblio</a>, designed for small libraries it was fairly easy to
install and it was free. There was no internet available so we could not import
MARC records.<br />
<br />
We had refurbished bar code scanners and one of our team members
donated a laptop. We also managed to purchase a printer/photocopier in Ndola. The
library room is part of the annex of four laboratory rooms across from the high
school, this room is a perfect size, has windows, electricity, a secure door
and a good roof.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with Zambian librarians</td></tr>
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One of the big questions we had when planning our trip
to Zambia was <i>will we be able to hire a
librarian</i>? Finding and hiring a librarian in two short weeks in Africa
seemed difficult to do. Anyone who works
in libraries understand how important it is to have a librarian to connect the
resources to the patrons. We wanted the library to come to life and be a vibrant
component of the school. I sent out an email to the IASL International
Development SIG and Dr. Barbara NcNeil, University of Regina connected me with
Mary Chipanshi, Nursing Liaison Librarian at UOR. Mary Chipanshi contacted her
niece who works for a company in Zambia,
she gave my information to the records manager, Lazarous Musitini who made
arrangements to meet me at our project. Mr. Musitini brought Mwansa Mwape, a recent library
studies graduate from the University of Zambia. I am grateful for the IASL SIG
group that made it possible for me to connect with Mr. Mwape and we were
extremely pleased to hire him. He began his librarian job immediately. </div>
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When we interviewed Mr. Mwape for the job, one of the
most important questions was <i>What do you
think about having a large part of the collection being made up of fiction
books</i>? This question came to our attention after another Zambian librarian
who was helping us declared we had far too many fiction books for an academic
library. I had to explain that in North America we encourage students to read a
lot of fiction knowing that in order to create life-long readers we must
instill a love for reading in the children. When children read for pleasure
they naturally become better readers. Zambian acquaintances have told me that
reading is considered an activity for academics—the idea of reading for
pleasure is not part of the Zambian culture.
Mr. Mwape told me that he had been taught by a professor from America
who explained the importance of encouraging reading for pleasure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOsgUkYX5TgMTzj6AuWx7J-bLKrKTfxQWHf6JqZgYnqo2aY2YUz-lvA-mrrYFACtqL0jKggvkCpP5A4NTQXeViTLiAdqUggwq-WK3DqAhHLCr3j_HokoXeob2At6QHAlQIamPM4H7k00/s1600/IMG_1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOsgUkYX5TgMTzj6AuWx7J-bLKrKTfxQWHf6JqZgYnqo2aY2YUz-lvA-mrrYFACtqL0jKggvkCpP5A4NTQXeViTLiAdqUggwq-WK3DqAhHLCr3j_HokoXeob2At6QHAlQIamPM4H7k00/s1600/IMG_1832.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last minute purchase the<br />
Guiness Book of World Records was a hit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The library is now open, the librarian is cataloging
the rest of the collection and he is training the volunteers. Best of all he is
facilitating the borrowing of books and encouraging the children to enjoy reading.
While we were setting up the library we let the students help us, this made our
job busier but the reward was watching the children as they would work on a
book—they would eventually take a second look at the book they were working on and start to get absorbed with the content.</div>
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I am thrilled to think about the possibilities that are
in the library, the potential for learning and creativity that can be sparked
and the love for reading that is now being passed on in a part of the world
where a library did not exist before. </div>
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And that is why I became a librarian.</h2>
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-63449444178106744792013-11-09T20:24:00.001-08:002013-11-09T20:24:19.041-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Piloted by the Gospel</h1>
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<b style="font-family: arial;">Saved on a missionary ship</b></div>
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by <span data-scayt_word="Elsemieke" data-scaytid="1" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Elsemieke</span> <span data-scayt_word="Wishart" data-scaytid="2" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Wishart</span></div>
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When Cindy Wade began working at North America Indigenous Ministries (<span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="3" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">NAIM</span>) based in Abbotsford, she had no idea that <span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="4" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">NAIM</span> had a connection to her mother that dated back almost 60 years. It wasn’t until Cindy started reading the book <i style="font-family: arial;">Blessings of Obedience</i> by William W.<span data-scayt_word="Lottis" data-scaytid="11" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Lottis</span>, that she read something familiar to her. The book tells how <span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="10" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">NAIM</span>was started by a seafaring missionary called Cap <span data-scayt_word="Stabbert" data-scaytid="13" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Stabbert</span> and his ship called <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i>, named after a man who died at age 31 while bringing the Gospel to the indigenous people of North America. </div>
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Cindy’s mother, 70-year-old Maryann <span data-scayt_word="Burchart" data-scaytid="14" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Burchart</span> remembers when her daughter brought the book home. “…She told me ‘I’m reading this book I think you might know something about this<i style="font-family: arial;">,’</i> and I remember being flabbergasted, reading about the <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i> and all the names that I knew.”</div>
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<img alt="" src="http://www.lightmagazine.ca/media/images/EL%20%20piloted%20by%20-%20Willis%20Shank.jpg" style="font-family: arial; height: 225px; width: 390px;" /></div>
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Maryann knew about the ship because as a little girl she lived in<span data-scayt_word="Shearwater" data-scaytid="15" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Shearwater</span>, an isolated town on British Columbia’s rugged west coast, the <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i> would drop anchor there. It was the most exciting event for <span data-scayt_word="Shearwater’s" data-scaytid="16" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Shearwater’s</span> inhabitants. “I can’t describe the excitement,” said Maryann. “The ship used to come in; we never knew when it would arrive. There was excitement beyond anything...We would hear the music come over the water, <i style="font-family: arial;">Blessed Saviour Pilot Be,</i> and we would just drop what we were doing and run to the wharf.” </div>
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The <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i> went to all the communities up the coast with the purpose of ministering to the aboriginal people who lived in isolated towns and villages. The ship was equipped with medical and dental services, staffed by doctors and dentists, but the main purpose was to bring the Gospel to the people.</div>
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Maryann’s parents ran a Sunday school but had no real fellowship with other believers. “There weren’t other Christians in the community so that gave us a real link.” When the <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i> came in, a service was held on the ship that was open to anyone who wanted to take part, and Maryann did just that. “That was where I accepted Christ as my saviour.” She was 10 years old and the moment is indelible in her mind as the moment when she was saved. “Then my dad was baptized by Captain<span data-scayt_word="Stabbert" data-scaytid="17" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Stabbert</span> in the ocean.” This memory is precious to Maryann especially since her dad passed away from a heart attack when she was only 11.</div>
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<span data-scayt_word="Shearwater" data-scaytid="19" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Shearwater</span>, a former air force base, had a sawmill and, in the summer,<span data-scayt_word="gillnetters" data-scaytid="23" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">gillnetters</span> and trawlers. Maryann’s dad was the accountant at the marine works, and the family lived in <span data-scayt_word="Shearwater" data-scaytid="20" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Shearwater</span> for three years without ever leaving it. </div>
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<span data-scayt_word="“Shearwater" data-scaytid="24" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">“Shearwater</span> had no real amenities – a little tiny store but you wouldn’t get fresh milk or anything, that had to come up from Bella Bella, we would have to get a boat and go over and get our groceries,” Maryann recalls.</div>
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There were 10 to 12 kids in the whole community, they were taught in a one-room school. When children reached Grade 9 they had to move to Bella <span data-scayt_word="Coola" data-scaytid="25" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Coola</span> to attend high school. Library books were shipped in from Vancouver Public Library. Because it was a former <span data-scayt_word="airforce" data-scaytid="26" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">airforce</span> base every house had an air raid shelter in their backyard and the children would play in the old mess hall. “We would lay plywood down and roller-skate as much as we wanted.” There was no electricity, the town was powered by a generator. Maryann loved her life there—the freedom and living by the ocean. </div>
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This story comes full circle when, 60 years later, Maryann’s daughter Cindy began working for <span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="27" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">NAIM</span>. Maryann, who had retired from working at the Surrey School District, enjoyed helping out at the office. “I volunteered at <span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="28" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">NAIM</span> for two months, from there they asked me if would be willing to work for them.” Maryann worked in the accounting department and filled in for the receptionist when needed, but she recently retired due to health concerns. </div>
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"You couldn’t work with better people,” says Maryann. “It’s family. It’s<span data-scayt_word="Christ-centred" data-scaytid="31" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Christ-centred</span> – we all stop and pray if something comes up.”</div>
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Maryann remembers the excitement when missionary ship the <i style="font-family: arial;">Willis Shank</i> arrived in <span data-scayt_word="Shearwater" data-scaytid="32" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Shearwater</span>, and she remembers the song <i style="font-family: arial;">Jesus Saviour Pilot Me</i>; the words ring true as God’s faithfulness is evident. He has been leading Maryann from the time she was a little girl, giving her heart to Jesus on a ship, to 60 years later working for the same ministry that is still faithfully bringing the Gospel to indigenous people in North America. </div>
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<i style="font-family: arial;"><span data-scayt_word="NAIM" data-scaytid="34" style="color: black;">NAIM</span> supports missionaries who minister the Gospel to First Nations people in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington State, New Mexico and Baja Mexico. <a href="http://naim.ca/" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">naim.ca</a></i></div>
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-51149054297957266882013-10-05T09:26:00.003-07:002013-10-05T09:28:38.713-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">No One Has To Die </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of Malaria</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Occasionally I write articles for the <a href="http://www.lightmagazine.ca/"><span style="color: blue;">Light Magazine</span></a> a monthly Christian magazine that is published in the Fraser Valley. I enjoy meeting the people and interviewing them about their interesting lives. Last month I met Stuart Spani and interviewed him at <a href="http://www.centralcity.ca/"><span style="color: blue;">Central City</span></a> mall in Surrey. It happened to be his 81st birthday. Stuart was funny and energetic and he is tirelessly raising funds to stop malaria from killing people. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is convinced that </span><a href="http://www.malaria-defeated.org/video.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">No One Has to Die</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit his website </span><a href="http://www.malaria-defeated.org/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Malaria Defeated</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and read the story below, pass along this information to anyone who can benefit from this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Taking the deadly sting out of malaria</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Missionary Stuart <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="102">Spani</span> outside a <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinic" data-scaytid="103">ZoClinic</span>.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting up <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="1" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by <span data-scayt_word="Elsemieke" data-scaytid="2" style="color: black;">Elsemieke</span> <span data-scayt_word="Wishart" data-scaytid="3" style="color: black;">Wishart</span></span></i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Malaria is deadly – a child dies of it every minute, and it kills 3,000 people every day. Those who do survive suffer from its effects: a weakened immune system and days of feeling achy with pounding headaches. Most of the world’s malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">North Vancouver resident Stuart <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="8" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is dedicated to eradicating malaria, village by village. He compares the number of fatalities from this disease to having a 911 terrorist attack daily. <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="9" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is working on a project to set up treatment clinics, called <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="7" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span>, to wipe out malaria. The clinics were started nine years ago. At a cost of only $400 per clinic they operate with a three step plan: early detection; quarantine; and grow your own free medicine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="11" style="color: black;">Spani</span>, who at 81 years old is still active in missions trips to end malaria, first got involved in 1996 when he heard a choir from <span data-scayt_word="Mizoram" data-scaytid="15" style="color: black;">Mizoram</span>(a state in northern India) perform in Vancouver. He was so inspired by the story of Christian hope in <span data-scayt_word="Mizoram" data-scaytid="16" style="color: black;">Mizoram</span> – “a community of over 700,000 people with no homeless, no starvation, no beggars and where all are literate” – he decided to visit. <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="12" style="color: black;">Spani</span> was 64 years old when he went on his first missions trip to India. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> In <span data-scayt_word="Mizoram" data-scaytid="17" style="color: black;">Mizoram</span> <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="18" style="color: black;">Spani</span> met <span data-scayt_word="Malsaum" data-scaytid="28" style="color: black;">Malsaum</span> <span data-scayt_word="Dawng" data-scaytid="29" style="color: black;">Dawng</span> Liana (<span data-scayt_word="Dawng" data-scaytid="30" style="color: black;">Dawng</span>) a man studying to become a doctor. <span data-scayt_word="Dawng" data-scaytid="31" style="color: black;">Dawng</span> had suspended studies after his father died of malaria, to take care of his family. After six more people in his village died of malaria, <span data-scayt_word="Dawng" data-scaytid="32" style="color: black;">Dawng</span> created the <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="20" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span>, setting up the first one in his village in 2004. Since then no one in his village has died of malaria. <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="19" style="color: black;">Spani</span> was so impressed with the effectiveness of the clinics that he partnered with <span data-scayt_word="Dawng" data-scaytid="33" style="color: black;">Dawng</span> to raise funds to eradicate malaria village by village in India and around the world. The plan is simple and inexpensive, yet life-saving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Early detection and quarantine</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">When a <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinic" data-scaytid="35">ZoClinic</span> is set up in a village, a local person is trained as a technician to identify malaria using a microscope. The technician visits each house to describe the early symptoms of malaria (headache, fever and vomiting) and he tells people to come to the clinic right away if symptoms appear. If the test is positive the patient is treated immediately. Malaria treated within 24 to 48 hours has a high cure rate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Malaria is spread when an infected person is bitten by a mosquito and that mosquito passes on the larvae to another person. Patients are isolated under a mosquito net at the clinic to contain the infection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Free medicine</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Many poor people cannot afford to pay for nets or malaria medication—they may purchase less expensive (and less effective) medication and usually quit when the symptoms disappear, which is too soon to be malaria free. This results in loss of work for several weeks and sometimes death. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">But the <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="36" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span> dispense free medicine—a bitter tasting tea made from the <span data-scayt_word="artemisia" data-scaytid="39" style="color: black;">artemisia</span> plant. The Chinese have used <span data-scayt_word="artemisia" data-scaytid="40" style="color: black;">artemisia</span> for 2,000 years to treat fever; during the <span data-scayt_word="1970s" data-scaytid="42" style="color: black;">1970s</span> it was discovered to have anti-malaria capabilities. Drinking <span data-scayt_word="artemisia" data-scaytid="41" style="color: black;">artemisia</span> tea for five to seven days will cure malaria after which a second test is done to confirm the patient is malaria-free. <span data-scayt_word="Artemisia" data-scaytid="43" style="color: black;">Artemisia</span> is easy to cultivate. “One plant can make 1,000 cuttings, producing enough plants to treat 3,000 people,” explains <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="37" style="color: black;">Spani</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="45" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is raising funds to set up clinics in all 55 malaria-prone countries in the world. In December 2012 there were 100 <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="48" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span> in India and in March 2013 <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="46" style="color: black;">Spani</span> <span data-scayt_word="travelled" data-scaytid="53" style="color: black;">travelled</span> to Africa with his grandson Mike to visit the 28 <span data-scayt_word="Zoclinics" data-scaytid="54" style="color: black;">Zoclinics</span> in Burundi, Rwanda and Zambia. Funds are in place for 28 more clinics in Kenya and West Africa while <span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="47" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is raising money for 50 clinics in various African countries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="55" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is not sure how much longer he will be <span data-scayt_word="travelling" data-scaytid="60" style="color: black;">travelling</span> on missions trips. “My family thinks I should start acting my age,” he jokes. “Seriously, I am not sure how much longer I can travel like that by myself. I took a grandson with me last time.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span data-scayt_word="Spani" data-scaytid="57" style="color: black;">Spani</span> is determined to use <span data-scayt_word="ZoClinics" data-scaytid="58" style="color: black;">ZoClinics</span> to take the deadly sting out of malaria by raising awareness and money. He is a living example that we are never too old to make a difference in the world. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">To help: stuart@lightspeed.ca. For more information: malaria-defeated.org</span></i></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">October 2013 (2013-10-04)</span></em></div>
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-89167703462471333992013-09-21T15:56:00.000-07:002013-09-21T15:56:22.621-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tomorrow is Sunday </h2>
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which means I'm going to church, last year on this Sunday I went to church as well but I was in Africa. And church in Africa is a little different than our church in Canada. I was in Zambia to set up the library at Grace Academy and the day after we arrived in Ndola we went to church.</div>
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Mainly, it's the singing that I love about going to church in Zambia. We usually visit Elim Pentecostal, this one church in a compound (township) that used to be called Chipolukusu-which means <i>curse </i>in Bemba (the local language). Citizens of the community decided to change the name to Mapalo which means <i>blessing</i>. Another story I heard was that years ago a white guy named Chip Lukas owned property near this compound and it was named after him. I really don't know if that's true.<br />
There is so much singing at this church. First there is praise and worship, then the women's choir, then the youth sing and then the men. Then there is testimony time and some people sing a song as a testimony and we have offering and there is more singing. So many people are gifted with beautiful voices.<br />
We introduced our team and there is a stereotype that white people visiting Africa take a lot of photos, which is true, we do. But this time it was turned around because as I was introducing all the team members they would stand up so everyone could see. One of our team members is almost 6'10" tall by any standards and the Zambians collectively ahh'ed and pulled out their phones and started taking pictures of this very tall man. It was a funny moment.<br />
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mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-9256955415470730462012-10-28T18:43:00.001-07:002012-10-28T18:47:12.756-07:00 Zambia Missions Trip 2012<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Time Will Tell</span></h2>
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When poverty in Africa is mentioned in the media we are often bombarded with photos of starving children. These photos touch our hearts to inspire us to give money towards a cause; but when we see too many photos of emaciated children we tend to criticize the organization and say that they are trying to manipulate us into giving more money. </div>
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I have taken my own photos of starving children in Africa. These are children who have crossed my path and touched my heart on missions trips with <a href="http://www.seedsofhopecm.com/">Seeds Of Hope</a> in Zambia. I know that my motives have been altruistic, there are people who can never travel to Zambia themselves to witness first hand the poverty that has been overwhelming, I want to show them in photos. I also don't want to forget.</div>
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<i>Photos help to communicate the great need</i></h3>
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It is hard to tell you what it feels like to hold an 11 lb child who is two years old, to put a diaper on him that is meant for a newborn - and have that diaper be too big for him. I've stroked the swollen ankles of the child who's body is fighting in one last battle to save the internal organs and I've rubbed my hands along the bumps of his spine and ribs. I've tried to feed the little one with a milk, sugar and egg mixture to get the nutrients into his dehydrated body; and then I've watched that child take its last breath. How can I take a photo of what it feels like to bury that child, a child who has died of starvation?</div>
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<i>The images in my memory are greater</i></div>
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<i> than any photo I have ever taken</i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3iXHL2Tz9z9cL7_4UZK3shC_UJfhawVYmAZhiu1OaLHFenO7ZIVTFfOq4ucbz8FTtou-3ZCzYdQdQPGKG6DAZG0ztKtsxIZOpOvmCofz1nYrJs9PuBH2CCtBDKaDgwP8sWNfmdBw1HQ/s1600/PeterMarcus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3iXHL2Tz9z9cL7_4UZK3shC_UJfhawVYmAZhiu1OaLHFenO7ZIVTFfOq4ucbz8FTtou-3ZCzYdQdQPGKG6DAZG0ztKtsxIZOpOvmCofz1nYrJs9PuBH2CCtBDKaDgwP8sWNfmdBw1HQ/s1600/PeterMarcus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and I with Peter Marcus</td></tr>
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Thankfully some of these children have been saved. We have "before" photos of the children when they first arrive, then after some time has passed the "after" photos tell the story of hope. </div>
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And that's why I was so pleased to have this photo taken a couple of weeks ago when I was in Zambia to set up a library (blog post about this will come). </div>
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This is a photo of me with my friend Maggie. I met Maggie 10 years ago on one of my missions trips to Ndola. She was working with a group of volunteers who would visit the sick in their compound (township). Over the years we have kept in touch and when I go to Zambia we usually see each other. Maggie and I have some things in common, we are both mothers and we have both lost family members to AIDS and we are connected through Seeds of Hope. Together Maggie and I have helped a few children.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST0BA0nomarSrLs6FEnAXIcoTuGhuWX8dAwfpHPPxc1SOQuTVDg9ozd9Rb_oLqW7-TbLBy2o7aHBZVgJlbhM-vstVgLgLFNfslwiZ6q4hum2LrpoH63ohH6x9u9w1l-7AMRoIZ2XsCj8/s1600/DSC_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST0BA0nomarSrLs6FEnAXIcoTuGhuWX8dAwfpHPPxc1SOQuTVDg9ozd9Rb_oLqW7-TbLBy2o7aHBZVgJlbhM-vstVgLgLFNfslwiZ6q4hum2LrpoH63ohH6x9u9w1l-7AMRoIZ2XsCj8/s1600/DSC_2232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saskia with Peter Marcus in February 2009</td></tr>
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In 2009 my family stayed in Zambia for two months. We asked Maggie if she knew of any children who needed help. She said she knew of a baby who was doing poorly, she introduced us to his mother who was willing for us to help her son. My family took this little boy in, and he did look like the child in all those starving baby pictures. The day he arrived my daughter <a href="http://justsaskia.wordpress.com/">Saskia</a> took care of him staying up with him all night so that she could feed him small spoonfuls of high protein milk. By morning Peter Marcus had already improved. Gradually he gained his strength back, he started to smile and respond to our family and he began to eat regular food. </div>
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Peter Marcus stayed with us while we were in Zambia and he eventually moved into the <a href="http://www.seedsofhopecm.com/our-projects/buseko-childrens-home.php">Buseko Children's Home</a> where he lived for a year. Eventually his mother missed him so much that she took him home with her. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjfRJbUeCHTZVfMUxb_CJFxUNkcbImrZk5688jezjk6Zw50vRrbNs5iMxpLFCLcAg75jCQmlfQ5u7wxMN_29U6ICXJXxnaOp3nNFWEViHG2whLYNwwKUvt7nbhIcCwaiYzxLLiuLEurI/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjfRJbUeCHTZVfMUxb_CJFxUNkcbImrZk5688jezjk6Zw50vRrbNs5iMxpLFCLcAg75jCQmlfQ5u7wxMN_29U6ICXJXxnaOp3nNFWEViHG2whLYNwwKUvt7nbhIcCwaiYzxLLiuLEurI/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loved the apple</td></tr>
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That was 3 1/2 years ago--this year, in October, I was in Zambia and I was reminiscing with one of the caregivers who remembered when Peter Marcus came to Buseko. I mentioned that I would love to see him. So we arranged for Maggie to bring him to meet me. And there he was, no longer a starving baby, but a healthy looking little boy. He had no clue who I was, and it didn't really matter, he was a bit shy to see me until I gave him an apple and then his face lit up. </div>
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I do have a picture of Peter Marcus when he first arrived in very bad shape but I think I won't post it this time.<br />
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<i>You'll just have to take my word for it. </i></h3>
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<br />mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-44923127047125310022012-07-28T15:03:00.000-07:002012-07-29T20:16:30.438-07:00A River Runs Around It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;">On my return visit to Belize last month I had to ask myself, </span><i style="background-color: white;">did I do any good on that DTS outreach 28 years ago?</i><span style="background-color: white;"> I remember whacking a lot of jungle bush with a machete (pronounced with a silent "e" like a French word), if we chopped at a tall bush, fire ants would fall down our backs and sting worse than a wasp. We swam in Roaring Creek where little fishes nibbled at our legs, we all thought they were baby piranhas, but I found out this time they are only sardines.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4gv3TVa0B0_LHgbQIiXjnD8yCKWcgVBEnmc5o06DdZpfqPT4Ridb7Gx_w_l6aIPfBQzIOUdAMKafikhkr31l8eg7gvueCw5myDklY2SUYT0adg-7wBNBbkWeDIGIgQpR7MuuUgE9qCU/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4gv3TVa0B0_LHgbQIiXjnD8yCKWcgVBEnmc5o06DdZpfqPT4Ridb7Gx_w_l6aIPfBQzIOUdAMKafikhkr31l8eg7gvueCw5myDklY2SUYT0adg-7wBNBbkWeDIGIgQpR7MuuUgE9qCU/s400/IMG_1181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YWAM Belize</td></tr>
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Robin and I visited <a href="http://www.ywambelize.com/Home.aspx">Banana Bank</a><span style="background-color: white;"> the YWAM base</span><span style="background-color: white;"> in Roaring Creek near Belize's capital city Belmopan. Belize is located in Central America on the Caribbean, south of Mexico, east and nestled beside Guatemala. My DTS </span><span style="background-color: white;">outreach missions trip</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to Belize with </span><a href="http://www.ywamsalem.org/#/about-us/">YWAM Salem</a><span style="background-color: white;"> was in 1984.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.ywambelize.com/OurStaff/Valencia.aspx">Santiago and Liliana Valencia</a>, the directors of the YWAM base welcomed us and gave us a tour. I remembered the oxbow shape of the property that was all green jungle with a deep river winding around it, but this time we walked around neatly landscaped property, cement sidewalks and brightly painted houses built Belizean style--raised off the ground, no glass windows, only screens.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheum3_Jy1F93loUWMV8tDkrp4WIDwy9jukciwYi7M03mnxl3JiG1g__2zwSu0AS1QLeGk1x47V98TmiS1X1OB4iv1NdpQezrlsN2aDFmbSVDBJwQ58OJ-F_2bHCIvs0q3cmz2CmlFJWBQ/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheum3_Jy1F93loUWMV8tDkrp4WIDwy9jukciwYi7M03mnxl3JiG1g__2zwSu0AS1QLeGk1x47V98TmiS1X1OB4iv1NdpQezrlsN2aDFmbSVDBJwQ58OJ-F_2bHCIvs0q3cmz2CmlFJWBQ/s640/IMG_1175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I walked to the original prayer chapel, the first and only structure on the base in 1984, it is now the DTS classroom and I tried to imagine all the inspiring words that must have been spoken and prayed inside this building over 28 years. The memory of these words are infused in the hearts of those who passed through. Were they transformed and motivated to "go into all the world?" and bring glory to God? I'd love to know, but I like to think so. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4LbQWh4UQSyOEckMWSWjBqRhSszKVqPH8aPYebTymuY3iXmq7U6YNihP-d6AUEUWts_Fi7zY1wy15mMfgSyHDVdFwX3zWcmlViBH2XaQmjan3NmRuktrh9vKQUhk4lMHQJ9qTPJHTBI/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4LbQWh4UQSyOEckMWSWjBqRhSszKVqPH8aPYebTymuY3iXmq7U6YNihP-d6AUEUWts_Fi7zY1wy15mMfgSyHDVdFwX3zWcmlViBH2XaQmjan3NmRuktrh9vKQUhk4lMHQJ9qTPJHTBI/s400/IMG_1176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original prayer chapel is now a DTS classroom.<br />
This was the only building on site in 1984. </td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Lily introduced us to her two sons plus a few of the six boys that live with them. She explained to the boys who we were, and mentioned that I had helped cut bush at the very beginning. Then she said, "so you need to say 'thank-you' to her for the work she did." I was taken aback as I had not expected this, after all, I really hadn't contributed very much to the entire project.</span></blockquote>
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The YWAM base runs regular <a href="http://www.ywambelize.com/Ministries/DTS.aspx">Discipleship Training Schools</a> but they also host mission teams from the USA. An organization called <a href="http://www.wondervoyage.com/">Wonder Voyage</a> will arrange missions trips for churches and groups, Belize is one of the countries they work in. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So what good came from my doing a DTS outreach? What is happening with YWAM in Roaring Creek? These days there is a soccer </span><a href="http://www.ywambelize.com/Ministries/FootballMinistry.aspx" style="background-color: white;">Football Ministry</a><span style="background-color: white;"> with the boys that came over the bridge from the neighbouring Roaring Creek which is known to be a "dangerous community"--shootings are common--the soccer club offers a safe environment for teenage boys. The soccer players are now competing, winning and FIFA is taking notice of them. The boys benefit from learning how to play soccer in a safe environment, and they get good Christian teaching with discipleship classes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Would this have happened even if I had not gone to Belize all those years ago? Absolutely, my contribution was not crucial, but I participated in something that God wanted to do there.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And maybe it's not about what good that I did on that outreach but maybe it was more about what good the outreach did for me. My</span><span style="background-color: white;"> time in Belize in 1984 instilled in me a desire to be involved with missionary outreach and a confidence that God wants me to be a part of what He is doing in my community and in other parts of the world. I learned about working together as part of a team with all kinds of people in an environment that wasn't exactly comfortable. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This outreach was a training time for me, a primer for the rest of my life. Like the water in Roaring Creek, I didn't stay long but I passed through. It's a part of my life and perhaps I was a little part of the life in this place. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOYGcT2Z5khUzoGAMczabjWlUAEqHvEGlYTELnoaohbHA0V_TohYhReUh97JMWcj5iwMhIZ8vdxcxlPEB1GCNV7us3akw8RcfCHb1gmtlyiJvMt20EInMhvFFR-P7yAxbNYqJAJ7awHQ/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOYGcT2Z5khUzoGAMczabjWlUAEqHvEGlYTELnoaohbHA0V_TohYhReUh97JMWcj5iwMhIZ8vdxcxlPEB1GCNV7us3akw8RcfCHb1gmtlyiJvMt20EInMhvFFR-P7yAxbNYqJAJ7awHQ/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roaring Creek </td></tr>
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I think Robin and I will return one day to Roaring Creek, perhaps for a summer of service. I heard that there is a mobile library travelling around Roaring Creek, Robin likes to coach soccer and well, the base has a big beautiful kitchen, I can always get busy baking cinnamon buns! </div>
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</div>mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-56236161165205228872012-07-02T18:42:00.001-07:002012-07-09T19:58:03.051-07:00Back to Belize<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WRkncCnEbsNulRCQc0MAGblHz_K6-u1HXob_l34W4cuIaIxi5uY8ZlHhL5i00QY05NeWr7YjoC4IkymNGuaqGtR4cxNvOal9se2gd2WrdH6zLCk7Xwgvka3STKAg5XS8lKwOtiF-G0s/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WRkncCnEbsNulRCQc0MAGblHz_K6-u1HXob_l34W4cuIaIxi5uY8ZlHhL5i00QY05NeWr7YjoC4IkymNGuaqGtR4cxNvOal9se2gd2WrdH6zLCk7Xwgvka3STKAg5XS8lKwOtiF-G0s/s320/IMG_1217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The main road in Hopkins, ending at the Caribbean</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"The bus to Punta Gorda has just left" said the taxi driver, hoping that we would be willing to pay the $90 US fee to drive us to Hopkins Village. We had just arrived at the bus depot in Belize City from <a href="http://ambergriscaye.com/index.php">Ambergris Caye</a>. The traffic was held up and we missed the bus to take us to our next destination. No worries, we climbed unto the next bus headed for Benque, knowing it would stop in Belmopan where we could connect to Dangriga. Belize is such a small country that the bus system is very easy to use, even for us tourists--very inexpensive.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This wasn't my first visit to Belize, I was there in 1984 for my <a href="http://www.ywamsalem.org/">Salem, OR YWAM </a> DTS outreach. That trip about 30 of us had traveled for ten days from Oregon through California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, down through Mexico to get to Belize. Robin and I weren't married yet, but he heard all about my two month outreach and he had always talked about going back to Belize to visit the places I had stayed at.This June we had two weeks holiday and we decided it was time to visit Belize. I will write about our last three days first. We rode the bus from Belize City to Dangriga and then took a taxi to the Garifuna village of <a href="http://www.hopkinsbelize.com/">Hopkins</a>.</span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z30rCxdHXFaKt27LdJqsSTEkgWcew5Bd4mnJ7tfD-CG8Fi34oF6kwwCtSzufkKouAXGB-ptkK1WZGuLWhIX8D_MlCy8FiKev1gVBPHEY9Ao4a0T6T5NQu4INB8-wA6AoCFda8Gfphms/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z30rCxdHXFaKt27LdJqsSTEkgWcew5Bd4mnJ7tfD-CG8Fi34oF6kwwCtSzufkKouAXGB-ptkK1WZGuLWhIX8D_MlCy8FiKev1gVBPHEY9Ao4a0T6T5NQu4INB8-wA6AoCFda8Gfphms/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Miss Bertie's Library</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Last time I was there we had no electricity, we drank bleached lukewarm water, were eaten by sand flies and well, let me say the bathroom facilities were "primitive." Most of Hopkins has changed, except for the road into the village, it is still unpaved, potholed and rough on the suspension of the vehicle.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> I walked around the village hoping to see something familiar, but I didn't recognize any of the buildings or the people. There are resorts going up just outside the village, there is a school several churches and best of all we found a library. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8jBLMtanR-qThJrXThaVEY6JLYSGfKQr4xIWgzwOKPO7jaDU1No8FTBOZpDXhwG6tzwqGIUeSmG4TXoRRbrXdZEe9bbf-rMLZpzELqA-BWSLcN7RTKGq_9beoBwpxnJ3dQgZ6TK1YjE/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8jBLMtanR-qThJrXThaVEY6JLYSGfKQr4xIWgzwOKPO7jaDU1No8FTBOZpDXhwG6tzwqGIUeSmG4TXoRRbrXdZEe9bbf-rMLZpzELqA-BWSLcN7RTKGq_9beoBwpxnJ3dQgZ6TK1YjE/s320/IMG_1240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library has 1500 books and a view of the Caribbean Sea</td></tr>
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This library was built by a Peace Corps worker called <a href="http://missbertieslibrary.blogspot.ca/">Miss Bertie</a>. After she passed away unexpectedly the library was named after her. I met with a couple of volunteers who open up the library in the afternoons. The children come from school to check out their one book or to look at the books on the shelves. The boys especially like to look at the picture books of animals. I wasn't sure what to expect when visiting this remote Garifuna village by the sea, I did not expect a little library and this was a serendipitous surprise. This is my first post about my trip to Belize, I have more to say and more photos to post.<br />
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</div>mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4495129425246003021.post-14484011253016031392012-04-24T08:57:00.000-07:002012-04-24T08:58:56.881-07:00First Blog Post For Me Ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My first blog post, taking the leap from just thinking about writing a blog to actually typing out my thoughts and posting them online. After this initial post I plan to get over trying to make a perfect grand entrance to blogging. I'm not sure what topics my blog posts should cover, libraries, missions, helping HIV affected children in Africa, writing, being a mom of children almost grown, human trafficking, being a Christian and all the things I can't write about but want to!! It's intimidating to write a blog but something I want to do. So here goes my first post, so I can get writing and hopefully inspire, encourage and inform some people out there. </div>mamamiekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875958007700699111noreply@blogger.com0