Grandma Johnny

A Blog For Support

2012-02-10T04:42:00.001-06:00

This blog is new and under construction

so be sure to save it in your bookmarks

to go back and check for updates:

Harris Family Support

Donations

2012-02-08T13:35:00.001-06:00

Anyone wondering where to donate clothes, household items, toys or whatever the Harris family might need, you can contact Tammy-Lee Gilroy at 786-4109! They could use almost everything at this point! The sizes are as follows, girls clothes in sizes 10, 8, 6 and 3/4! Boys clothes in sizes 4/5 and 2! Diapers size 5/6, also mom is in maternity clothes in sizes xl for tops and 18 for bottoms. Continuing to uphold the Harris Family in prayers and we are so thankful that they are physically okay and all safe:)

Thanks to everyone who is being so helpful in this situation!

It Is Gone

2012-02-08T07:46:00.001-06:00

Just some pictures of the house!

Taken June 2009

Add caption


Taken August 2010

Oh Yeah

2012-02-07T13:16:00.002-06:00

We went to the mall and the kids wanted their picture taken with the "Pony"!!!

We are South!

2012-02-05T07:58:00.001-06:00

Well, we are as south as we are going to get! Arrived yesterday and noticed that we did not have to wear our heavy winter jackets!!! We are enjoying an 12 C (54 F) this morning, not sure what the high will be.
Rwanda is in the middle of their day with a 30 C (86 F) - oh I'm missing it but it is nice to have a bit of coolness!

Surprised Keelyn and Kiersten! That was such fun!!! (It is so heart warming to be recognized by your grandchildren!) We are so glad to be here and get another chance to visit our family in Alabama.
We had a good, safe trip down, 3 - 10 hour days of driving. The GPS is a wonderful tool, but ours doesn't seem to know the difference between 'Quick' and 'Major', or else I don't. We had a wonderful scenic route the last few miles, which wasn't bad, just not quick or on major roads (that I would call major roads). And the last few miles you always want to go quicker! We never got lost and we tried to follow the directions - good thing for 'recalculations' option!
Mostly cloudy and rainy on the way down. The snow, little that is around, disappeared about half way down if I'm right! It seemed like it went a lot longer than I thought it would. There didn't seem to be much more than what Saskatchewan had when we left there.
The green grass started to show for sure by Tennessee, and leaves on the trees too!

Going to go enjoy a bowl of 'Grits', then we will attend church with Kirk and Candace!

Happy Birthday

2012-02-03T00:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Becky!

On The Road

2012-02-01T15:19:00.000-06:00

Yes! We are on the road again! We traveled from Saskatoon to Strasbourg and have been here visiting Mom & Dad! The beginning of a 4 month travel trip in North America. We head to the States soon and then on to Ontario, back to Saskatchewan before our last leg in Alberta!
Nice to have our car back and be in charge of the speed limit and direction and stop when we want!!!! A little bit of freedom. But along with that is the churches and supporters to visit and tell of our experience in Rwanda! We are really excited about this trip and hope that we can be an encouragement and blessing to those who have encouraged us and blessed us!
Got to go and visit some more and eat cake and drink coffee!!!! I'm sure that I'll put every pound back on that I lost in Rwanda!!! You got to love family and home!!!

We are now in Canada

2012-01-27T05:47:00.002-06:00

We are home in Canada now. We thought that there would be more snow here, but there seems to be no more than a skiff! We are going to be busy with traveling, visiting, paperwork, and sharing with others our time in Rwanda in the few months we are here in North America!!!
We hope to get to see all of you, but I can't promise.
Do contact us, we are willing to see you if it would work out!!!

Home to Canada

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000-06:00

We are flying home right now. We have spent 7 months in Rwanda and Burundi. It has been a wonderful, warm time, and we do not regret spending it there. We were called by God to go and we did. And we will go back!

But right now is the time to see our children and grandchildren, and family members, and catch up on the news in North America. We have missed family for some time now and will be more than glad to spend time visiting and sharing hugs! We hope to be busy with visiting our supporters and supporting Churches during this time also.

I believe God is leading

2012-01-22T00:30:00.000-06:00

Well, we have this friend, Alex, here in Rwanda. He was Peter's translator, in May 2010 when we were here then. He has wanted us to visit his village, since we landed in Rwanda in June 2011. It didn't work out for us to go during our lecture phase of DTS (Discipleship Training School), nor did it work for us to go during our outreach phase, as we were in Burundi! So when we got back, we decided that Dec. 29 to Jan. 1st weekend, would work for all of us. We traveled with Alex to Nyagatare, Rwanda. It was about a 2 hour drive by bus, out to the northeast area of Rwanda. As we rode, we noticed the land changing, it wasn't like around Kigali. In fact, it was looking a lot like the area of Saskatchewan in which I grew up. The trees weren't much different, the cattle weren't very different, and the people are not that different either! And the weather was like a warm summer day in Saskatchewan! We had a wonderful time ministering there for the weekend. Thursday was witnessing, and teaching, and Friday was the same. Saturday, we were witness to 20 believers being baptized! Sunday, was a time for a service, and goodbyes! We were truly loved by the congregation and we were blessed to be there. The hunger they showed to hear the Word of God, was dear to us, and it was a blessing to be an encouragement to them.

You can see pictures of all this on the Happy New Years! post.

Ryabega is the village, where Alex is pastor of the church, and has a burden to help the people there.

*******************

We were wanting to see the places that YWAM Rwanda have here in Rwanda, there are 3. So we traveled to one of the places last week. As we were traveling there in the taxi car, along with Method (he & his wife are directors here at the YWAM base) and Remco (another fellow from Holland), we were noticing that it was looking very familiar! Yep, we were going to the same place. We were exactly in the same area as Alex's village. In fact we could even see the village we were at the last weekend in Dec. across the valley on the next hill.

Ryabega across on the next hill.

We really were excited to see the water tanks on the YWAM land, the well in the valley that supplies water to the tanks on the hill, and to hear about the plans for the land. It seemed like it was the same as the vision Alex has for the village - education for all ages.

The water tanks that supply water to those living close.

The well pump/generator situated in the valley.

Being that we were in that specific area, by two different men, and not even knowing that the two pieces of land were that close, we really feel that God is telling us something! We are looking into seeing what God wants us to do when we come back after our trip to Canada, and it is really looking like we will be working in the Mutare area of Rwanda. (click here and it should open a Google map showing you how to get from Kigali to Nyagatare passing through Ryabega!)

Pray with us as we listen to what God is wanting us to do in this area, as we believe He is calling us to work there. The need is great! We pray that we will fit in, and be a help, and show God's love to the people we will work with.

Cards from Africa

2012-01-21T09:49:00.000-06:00

Just down the street from where we live right now, is a place called 'Cards from Africa'. Usually when we go for a walk it is after 5PM and they are closed. We heard about this place from a friend and happened one day to go for a walk earlier in the afternoon and decided to stop in. They were very busy with making cards, but the accountant was there, and gave us a tour of how they make their paper from used paper they get from businesses, color it, and use it to make the cards. It was nice to hear all about it, and the way they are helping orphans make a living! We purchased a few, and were excited to know that they start each morning off with a time of worship to God. They have a website and will ship the cards to anyone who places an order. I'm sure you will enjoy the webpage - Cards from Africa, and maybe just get your next cards from there!

You will love this!

2012-01-20T04:41:00.000-06:00

I've been following Kisses from Katie - The Journey - blog and have enjoyed it so much. If you get a chance you should visit there and read what is happening in her life. I'd love to read her book some time too - Kisses from Katie, (which you may find in your favorite store).
I notice that she is posting to another site too, (in)courage and was very touched by a post on there entitled: Praying For Strangers: The Resolution.
Like I said if you get a chance to read them do - you will not regret it.

Frank Sewing Association

2012-01-18T09:08:00.000-06:00

We had the wonderful opportunity to go and see the Frank Sewing School in Burema, Rwanda today. Thanks to Ron & Sheila, Audrey & Jerold, and our tour guide, Dennis.

The church, school building, and rabbit farm, far left.

All the ladies but 2 were working in the fields while we were there.

New born baby rabbits. (Hard to see)

Happy rabbit farmer, Father James, who has already helped someone else get started in the community!


Took a little tour of Burema, and the children would follow us, and before you knew it they had slipped their hands into yours!

I was so glad that we were able to visit there.

Glad too, to hear and see how a little education can help people!

So excited to know that we will be coming back and helping others in another needy community!

Happy Birthday

2012-01-13T00:30:00.000-06:00

Okay so this isn't you - you're not old, nor yellow! I will have to get another picture of you! (hee, hee)

Happy Birthday Jason!

Building a Church

2012-01-09T08:38:00.001-06:00

Our last week of DTS Outreach the team built a 'church'!!!

Dec. 5-10, 2011

Well here are a few pics!!!

Starting out framing walls.

Sawing to the right length!

Framing!

Filling in where the rain gutter is.

First tarp!


Almost finished - taking a break!


Not sure what to say here!!!


Trusting!!!!

Shows where the rain gutter is at the top of the low wall.


Just about finished with the roof!

Building the stage!


Chairs!

Next day - Sunday Morning Worship!!!!

A church full!!!

Praying for those who accepted Jesus as Lord of their life!!!!

Happy Birthday

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 5th Birthday Prince Wyatt!

Learning French

2012-01-06T08:04:00.000-06:00

Okay I've started! Don't know how far I'll take it, but I want to learn French.
It 'seems' like everyone here expects us to know French. They will greet us with "Bonjour.", thinking we will answer and talk to them in French. So if you do answer with the little bit of French that I do know, it actually is dangerous, because I have to always explain that I only know English. They will ask us where we are from and when they hear "Canada.", they say "Canadians should know French!" Then we give the excuse that we are from Western Canada and didn't have it enforce upon us.
And now I'm kicking myself for not learning French. So I found a wonderful free program online to download. I've taken the first lesson or so and have found it quite enjoyable.

Byki Language Learning Software Downloads.

It seems to be the best that I've found - didn't do too much research, but I like the way this one teaches.

S'il vous plait. Check it out!

Remembering

2012-01-04T00:45:00.002-06:00

Alfred Frank Salmond

Born January 4, 1920

Verndale, Saskatchewan

Died December 31, 1974

Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan

Buried January 4, 1975


Peter Claude Salmond - Alfred Frank Salmond on Skip

Peter was at a camp in 2008 and saw a horse just like his dad's. He got me to take a picture of him, one like he remembered of his father on a white horse, taken sometime in the early 1970's. When we got home and saw the two pictures together, we noticed a few differences, as you can see! But it is nice to have the two pictures.

Got the pictures uploaded

2012-01-03T06:11:00.000-06:00

check out the New Year's post!

Happy New Years!

2012-01-02T14:31:00.001-06:00

I know, I'm one day late! We were out in a village and were doing ministry work and had no time to go to the internet. It was a very exciting weekend, evangelizing and visiting and meeting new friends and also doing a bit of teaching! Oh, and the baptisms were great!


The children that came to the afternoon meetings.

Peter teaching!


Peter teaching!


The area around Nyagatare, and Ryabega, Rwanda where we were.

2 of the 20 people that were baptized on Saturday.

Blue Sky Hotel in Nyagatare where we stayed!

A few of the many cattle we saw.

Down river from where the baptisms took place.


Sylivia, my translator! Now a best Friend!

Alex and Epiphanie - Pastor of Jesus is Lord Church, a wonderful couple! (with 4 children)

Happy Anniversary!

2011-12-29T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 11th Anniversary!

DTS Rwanda Update December

2011-12-28T06:20:00.000-06:00

So our six months of DTS training are over! Twelve weeks of lectures, and 13 weeks of outreach! We had a great time with the other 15 students and 3 staff on outreach into Burundi. We spent 1 week of Briefing at YWAM Rwanda base, then 5 weeks of ministry in Gitega, Burundi, and 6 weeks of ministry in Bujumbura, Burundi. The 13th week was spent in Bujumbura debriefing and preparing for Graduation – Friday, Dec. 16th.

We travelled back from Burundi to Rwanda on the 17th of December and then left for a short time, to a couple of places in Rwanda, for a rest, and to spend Christmas on Skype with our children. The MOST DIFFERENT Christmas we have spent as a family for sure!!! Peter and I had the most relaxed Christmas that we can remember. We missed all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season this year. But more so, the family gatherings that come with the fun and food of the season! We did see some Christmas trees in stores and in homes here, but there really is not much for celebrating and such, here in Rwanda at Christmas time. We understand that there is more celebrations at New Years!

We are leaving on a trip tomorrow (Dec. 29th) to northeastern Rwanda to a village to do some evangelism. We are going with Alex – the translator Peter had when we visited Rwanda in 2010. We are going to his home village and will be there for 4 days, coming back by January 2nd. We are excited to be going and ministering there. Please pray for us as we travel and minister to the people.

After that, we plan on getting together with a few others that we have come to know, and see what their ministry is, and do what we can to help out. Nothing is written down, so we will mostly go when and where the Lord leads. A little like our weeks of outreach were like, – the Lord only knew how to prepare us for it. You are not sure what you will encounter, but it is always exciting to see who the Lord puts in your path, and how you can be a Blessing to them, and be Blessed in return!

In 28 days we will be heading to the airport, January 24th, and fly to Canada, arrive early on the 26th of Jan. We hopefully will get a visit in with most of you in the 2 or 3 months that we plan to be in North America before we come back to Rwanda.

So we have a busy month left here, and then a couple of busy months visiting with family and friends. Please keep us in your prayers during this time. There will be lots of traveling to do and we also need your prayers in setting up a schedule for the time we spend in Canada & USA. If you would like us to come for a visit please contact us and we will try our hardest to schedule you in!


Christmas Day 2011 in Kigali, Rwanda

Making African Tea for Breakfast

2011-12-28T02:18:00.000-06:00

Thanks Fahamu for helping us to make breakfast!

First time to make African Milk Tea and to cook at the YWAM Rwanda Base!

Lighting the coals.

Heating the milk and water.

Lemon grass, grated ginger and finely ground tea leaves added to milk and water.

After boiled, strain off Milk Tea, and add sugar.

Add bread, Blue Band and jam - African Milk Tea Breakfast!

Christmas Story

2011-12-25T04:41:00.000-06:00

Luke 2:1-20

New Living Translation (NLT)

   At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.   And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
   That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”   Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
   “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
   When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
   They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Christmas Day Photo Shoot in Rwanda

2011-12-25T03:00:00.000-06:00

Okay, so we got a little bit carried away with the photo shoot - these are the best of 99 pics!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RWANDA!

Blessings

2011-12-24T07:10:00.000-06:00

The Lord God has blessed me with 20+ people in my life the last 6 months. These people have been God's chosen ones. They have blessed me with their personalities, character and love for God. They have blessed me - in loving me for who I am. (Oh yeah, you got tears in your eyes too!) That's what LOVE does I guess! These new lifelong friends have a special place in my heart and I hope that we will get to talk to each other, and see each other, lots over the rest of my lifetime.
Hats off to all of you, Stay true to God, and Stay strong in your Faith in Him!
Congratulations to the Survivors of June DTS 2011!

Happy Birthday!

2011-12-20T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 5th Birthday Princess!

DTS Grad 2011

2011-12-18T00:05:00.000-06:00

Graduation Dec 16, 2011

More Photos on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150633689105200.484438.827625199&type=1&l=ff000961e3

Happy Birthday!

2011-12-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 87th Birthday Dad!

Happy Anniversary!

2011-12-14T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Update on DTS

2011-12-10T10:54:00.001-06:00

A lot has happened in the last six months but not much has been documented here.
There are a lot of pictures loaded on my computer and a lot of memories in my mind.
In a week today, we will be traveling back to Rwanda.
It has been a packed full 6 months.
We have enjoyed the experience and will have many memories for years to come.

Mostly though, we have made many friends that will last a lifetime. The 'journey' was like one of those 'bonding trips' we took as a family. Yeah, we are now a part of another family. Bonding trips have their "ups and downs", their "good and bad", their "highs and lows" and this one was no different. We all got to see all sides of each other, for better or for worse!
A few times, I secretly (now not so secret), was very glad I was married and had my husband as my only room-mate!
Seriously though, I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything else.
What good would it have done to have lived through the last 6 months NOT doing God's Will!
No, I'm very grateful to have gone through some tough times, than to be out of His Will!

Now to carry on with what God has planned for the rest of our lives.
More to come on that when this week is over.

Happy Birthday!

2011-12-09T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Princess!

King's Centre

2011-11-14T02:26:00.001-06:00

Enjoying a 24 hour break at King's Centre in Bujumbura, Burundi!
Picture to come since I forgot to bring my camera cord with us.
(Yes, breaks do class as ministry!)

Photo compliments of King's Centre

The Church/House

2011-11-13T13:49:00.000-06:00

These are some pics of the house in Bujumbura the 20 of us are staying in. It is also being used as a church.

The outside cooking area.

Toilet Week Three And Four And Five

2011-11-13T13:19:00.000-06:00

Toilet construction!

The new toilet foundation!

Half a day's work - half the walls up!

Cleaning inside.

Walls complete - starting the roof.

Putting tiles on.

An American couple were helping out too.

The door was made and hung!

Burning the old toilet!!!!

Toilet Week Two

2011-11-13T11:13:00.001-06:00

More pics of toilet digging, and window installation, and the curtains.

Taking the windows up to Zach's house.

The bricks have dried nicely, and have been stacked.

Preparing the window opening for the frame.

Also they dug the hole deeper.

The curtains!

Their house with the windows in.

The following day when we came back,
I noticed that they had rearranged their few belongings they owned.

Toilet Week One

2011-11-13T10:34:00.002-06:00

Here are some pictures of the toilet we built from the bricks we made.

Current toilet is on the left, digging new hole in the middle, their house in the back centre.


A lot of sweat hauling the water to make the mud for bricks!!!!


Digging the new toilet hole!

Mixing mud to make the bricks.

Chopping straw for the bricks - Zachary's wife.

First day bricks laying out to dry - about 60, and the team that did it.

Taking a break from digging.

Dried mud on my legs from mixing it to make the bricks.

While we made bricks, Peter worked on the window frames.

A November Update

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

First week of November 2011

Hi,

We are doing great here in Africa. It has been some time since we wrote and would like to let you know that we are doing great! We have truly been blessed in doing the Lord's Work!

At the time I am writing this, (pre- written because we have power now but not internet access, and don't know when I will get this sent), we have 6 weeks left of DTS (Discipleship Training School). The four and a half months have flown by and we have been blessed by serving God here, as I said. We have been in Burundi Africa for 6 weeks doing the outreach part. The first place was cooler, at Gitega Burundi, than when we were in Kigali Rwanda, and now this second place, Bujumbura Burundi, is hotter than Kigali. We have enjoyed the change and realize that coming back to Canada in the middle of winter will be a great shock!!!!

The work in Gitega was both evangelical and physical labour. We built bricks out of mud and then built a toilet out of the bricks. We also, for the same couple and son, put windows in their small house. Peter built the windows (two were made so he copied from those) 4 in total, and Diane sewed the curtains for them (by hand). All of the team had a chance to help with the toilet. We did door-to-door ministry, children ministry, church ministry, and sport ministry. Getting involved in the lives of the people living in the area. We, as a team, were sad to leave as we felt like we may have abandoned those that came to know Jesus and need more discipleship. Pray that the Christians there would take up where we left off.

There is such a need here, that we didn't see in Canada. The need, for not only the work of the Holy Spirit, but the physical needs of the people. Because we are white, we are associated with wealth! And it hurts us to just not be able to help as we see the needs. Their greatest need is of course, to know Jesus and have the freedom to see Him work in their lives. In a way it is a bit frustrating to be taking the time to go through DTS, but we realize that that is what God wanted, and that it is the best way for us to get to know the people, language and culture. We have been learning a little bit of the language, mostly our fellow students are teaching us. The children have been learning English in school and so they try out their knowledge of English on us when they see us. "Good Morning" in the middle of the afternoon, is what we hear often, and "How are you?" too. They also talk French to us thinking that all white know it, but being from Western Canada and not being forced to learn it, it leaves us regretting that decision.

Continue please to pray for us as we "Finish Well" with the time we have here in Africa. I, Diane, have experienced a little bit of digestive problem, but am doing well. Peter has been doing great too. We are very thankful for your prayers, and have realized that we cannot do this without the prayer support we have.

Thanks again, and may God be with you,

Diane & Peter Salmond

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-29T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 10th Birthday Princess!

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-27T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Princess!

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-22T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 9th Birthday Princess!

Miss Everyone.

2011-10-18T17:00:00.000-06:00

We are doing well! we are finished 3 of the 5 weeks here in Gitega Burundi, then we travel to Bujumbura, Burundi and will be there for 5 weeks and then one week for the Graduation.

We have made bricks for a toilet that we are building for a couple and their son. We made windows and installed them and then I made curtains for the windows. It was fun, and I enjoyed doing that for them. This week I believe we will be building the toilet with the bricks we made. I've taken lots of pictures but those will have to come later.

We have had opportunity to help out at the Youth For Christ Centre that is down the road a ways. We, as a team, have had opportunity to share Christ with the other workers. Peter and I don't communicate verbally with the nationals but we do it otherwise as best we can.

It is cooler here in Gitega than it was in Kigali, Rwanda. And we have been told that it is very hot in Bujumbura.
Continue to keep us in your prayers, and we love and miss you all terribly much!

Happy Anniversary!

2011-10-17T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 58th Anniversary!

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-03T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday John!

Happy Birthday!

2011-09-30T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday!

2011-09-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Candace!

We are traveling now!

2011-09-22T01:00:00.000-06:00

Today we will be traveling from Rwanda to Burundi. It will be about a 7 to 8 hour bus ride. We will appreciate your prayers as we cross the border. And we will need your prayers each day for the next 10 weeks, as we are on Outreach there in Burundi, until December 17th.
As I write this, we are packing up our belongings and cleaning our room, that we have lived in for the last 3 months. The last few days are very busy doing last minute things - as you all know when leaving on a trip!
We have had such a great time in the Lecture phase of DTS, that we leave with sadness, and yet are glad to be 'doing' what we have learned.
Hopefully we will be able to keep you updated regularly during the next 3 months!
Thank you for putting us on your daily prayer list!

Celebration Party

2011-09-21T09:00:00.001-06:00

We had a party on Tuesday afternoon, to celebrate us all finishing the lecture phase of DTS.

An Adventure

2011-09-21T08:51:00.000-06:00

There is too much to say about these pictures, but it will give you an idea of the fun we had while preparing the last few days for Outreach! Only 18 out of the 20 of us that are on the team were able to participate for this. Tuesday, Sept. 20th.

Someone checking to see that all 18 of us got on the 'taxi'!

Dancing area!

The "toilet" area!

The 'sleeping' area!

The 'preaching, drama, arts' area!

Another sleeping area!

Three Months Left in Outreach

2011-09-19T09:41:00.000-06:00

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

    Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

    As we write, we have finished all of the classes, for the lecture phase of our training. Our training here, has been very helpful and refreshing, giving us many new angles, and ways of presenting the gospel, concentrating on all areas and aspects of life in the people we will work with. We thought we were to old to go back to school, but God is so full of surprises. We are never to old to learn more of life, and of God's wonderful and Holy Word.

We need to once again, sort and pack our belongings, some to take with us and the others to store here at YWAM Rwanda base, until we return in December. We and 15 other students and two staff, plus our DTS leader and his family, will be going to Burundi Africa, to do our outreach. The first 5 weeks will be in Gitega, Burundi. We will be staying at a Youth For Christ base there. Then we will move the whole team to Bujumbura, Burundi for the last five weeks before returning to YWAM Base in Rwanda for debrief on the 13 - 14 of Dec. and then we have Graduation on the 16th. After that we will stay at the YWAM Rwanda base, until the 24th of January, seeking what the Lord would have us do. Then we will return home to Canada. We look forward to seeing many of you while we are home.

    We hope to visit all our family while we are in Canada for about 2 or 3 months. We also plan to visit our supporting Churches during that time. If you have a spot in February, March, or April, please let us know. We would love to come and share what the Lord has done and will be doing in our lives.

    We are so thankful to the Lord for each one of you, God has blessed us with amazing friends and family who have stood with us over the years and we want to say a big thank you to each one of you from the bottom of our hearts.

    We will have email contact once a week or so, we hope!

Prayer Requests for the 10 weeks in Burundi:
team unity,
save travel,
open hearts/doors for ministry work,
boldness to share God's love to the people we meet,
money for those that have not finished paying for the training,
for our families back in Canada and USA, as we may not have any contact other than emailing.

THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH,
Peter and Diane Salmond

Meet Jaggen and Ruth and Family

2011-09-17T15:19:00.004-06:00

The following is a letter from Jaggen - our DTS Leader and his wife Ruth. They are wonderful people who are dedicated to God and are being led by Him to serve in Burundi Africa.

Dear Friends,                    September 18, 2011

Hello, my name is Jaggen Nzunguri. I am married to my wonderful wife Ruth of 4 years, and we have 2 children, Praise and Favor. We have been with YWAM Rwanda for six years. I have been working in Discipleship Training School (DTS), and with a mercy ministry that works with people who have HIV and AIDS, and with street kids. I also work with other YWAM bases in East Africa.

Right now I am the leader of the DTS June school. We will be going to Burundi on the 22 of September, 2011 for 3 months of outreach ministry. There are 17 DTS students who have been under my leadership. Also coming with me are 2 other DTS staff, who will help me. We will be working in 2 different places, of 5 weeks each, in Burundi. The ministry work we will do as a DTS team is evangelism, mercy ministry, teaching, discipling, and also reconciliation.

I am telling you all of this because YWAM is a faith support mission, meaning my support comes through the people God has spoken to. Our goal as a family, is to pioneer a YWAM base in Burundi, which is my home country. My family and I will be staying in Burundi after the DTS students are finished their outreach. As we are moving to Burundi we will need financial support from those who are called by God to support us.

Our needs are the following:
Rent –                               300,000 Frb (Burundi Franc)    ($250.00 USD)
Power –                              60,000                                        ($50.00)
Water –     60,000                                       ($50.00)
Food –                                500,000                                     ($400.00)
Phone & Internet –             50,000                                        ($40.00)
Praise’s School Fees –        66,000                                        ($55.00)
School Transportation –     120,000                                      ($100.00)
Total:              1,156,000 Frb                             ($945.00 USD)

The support we have already coming in totals 125,000 Frb ($100.00 USD) we praise God for this.

Prayer Requests:
- Through friends that God will meet our financial needs.
- God's protection on our family in Burundi
- Health for us.
- Opportunities or open doors for ministry.
- More staff to join us in Burundi.

You are welcome to contact us for more information at:
Email: evangelijagen@yahoo.fr
ndoricimparuth@yahoo.com
Tel: (+25779936393)
We are also on Facebook – Jaggen Nzunguri , Ruth Ndoricimpa
I also have a blog – Vision for YWAM Burundi - http://visionforywamburundi.blogspot.com/

God bless,
Jaggen & Ruth

You can also support them through YWAM Vancouver Canada the same as you would for us, except that you would put Jaggen Nzunguri's name instead of ours. Please pray for them and give as the Lord God leads you.

Small Group Hamburger

2011-09-14T12:16:00.001-06:00

We all had a craving for a hamburger,

so our small group (English speaking)

went for a hamburger today for lunch!

Great time by all!

Outreach Sunday

2011-09-11T14:00:00.000-06:00

Church we went to in Masaka part of Kigali.

We were all introduced.

Dance by some.

Skit.

Floris gave his testimony.

Jaggen preached.

Masaka Genocide Memorial site.

They fed us very well.

Get ready to go back to the base.

A Visit!

2011-09-10T03:57:00.000-06:00

Last week we went to visit Noah who did some interpreting for one of our teachers. Found out that he had a very nice house. And he invited us to visit, and we did! He is a wonderful host. You will find some pictures HERE of our time going there and while we were there.

Just Sitting Here and Rambling

2011-09-09T12:53:00.000-06:00

And listening to some old hymns. I'm sure glad that I put some music on my computer before leaving Canada. Last Mountain Boys, and Randy Travis are two of the ones I'm listening to as I type. It's nice to have a little bit of home music. (Seem to be needing it today!)
I handed in my last report for DTS today. One more week of classes left and then one week of preparation before we leave on Outreach. Wow, it's going to be over before we know it. We have been busy with getting ready that the time seems to have flown.
Read on Facebook of autumn happening in Canada. Chokecherry syrup, vegetable gardens being harvested, the weather cooling! Seems like it is early! Here the rains have just started, it has become cooler, and it's not sunny every day either.
I have had to alter some of my clothes, by hand. I took in two pairs of pants and a top, and remodeled two skirts. It's almost like getting a new wardrobe, almost, I said. It is nice to have the small change when you've been wearing the same thing week after week. Peter's work pants need mending, but I never brought any patching material with me. Don't know what I'll do about that! It'll come to me though.
Lots to do tomorrow - practice for outreach, attend Ladies Breakfast, wash clothes, do my journal book, fill out staff evaluation forms, and visa forms for our trip to Burundi, and try to fit in some time to relax as we have Outreach on Sunday. (that might be why I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.)
Need to go hit the hay. Sure thankful for a roof over my head and a nice bed to sleep in, 3 meals a day and all the pure water I want to drink! Not everyone has that!

God is good!

Sorry, So Sorry!

2011-09-07T23:43:00.001-06:00

I was looking up something on the internet and came across this blog -

Three Months in Kigali.

So I started reading Elaine Lowe's experiences in Rwanda.

The blog post entitled - SORRY

was one I had a chuckle about.

It is so very well written and I'm sure that my fellow Canadians will enjoy it too.

I don't know Elaine at all, but Thanks Elaine for your post. It is so true!

Another Chance to Minister

2011-09-04T07:31:00.000-06:00

We went to John Sunday's church today as a team to minister to them.

It was a great day and we all were glad of an opportunity to share.

Skit - picture is of Eve being tempted by satan.

Peter shared his testimony, a lady from the church translated.

Interpretive dance, 10 students were involved.

Rebecca also shared her testimony.

Vivine shared a message.

Igitenge

2011-08-31T05:54:00.000-06:00

No, it's not a spelling mistake!

Don't ask me to pronounce it,

although I've been told a number of times!

But I do know that it means material or cloth!

I bought some igitenge and then asked a shop down the street from here to sew it up. And specifically asked her to save me all the scraps. She was very generous and even gave me scraps of other material that she had laying around.

1st material - was a smaller piece, 4 yds. I think.

Made a 2 piece outfit with pockets, and scraps for quilts.

2nd material, 6 yds I believe.

Made this outfit, with pockets, the head piece is big enough to wear as a wrap skirt!

The extra material she gave me.

I just bought the material and paid to get it sewn up. In the price of sewing it up - included the thread, 4 zippers, 2 buttons, and lining for the tops and the top of one of the skirts! All for the price of what I'd probably pay for the thread to sew both items! I really miss my machine, but I couldn't have sewn these up for that. Now I'm set with two more skirt outfits for outreach!

Happy Anniversary!

2011-08-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Team Trusting

2011-08-25T14:30:00.000-06:00

Olivier Mugwiza is one of our DTS leaders. His blog, oliviermugwiza, has his story (part of it) and other interesting tidbits about his life, on it. His most recent post is about DTS and Burundi. You will find a very interesting picture of Peter and I there, about a trust building exercise we did! Enjoy taking a peek into his life!

Salmond Prayer Letter

2011-08-23T09:01:00.001-06:00

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

We have now finished eight weeks of our DTS (Discipleship Training School)
   The first week we studied the Nature and Character of God, it was a very good course on getting to know God better, the more you understand Him the stronger you become.
   The 2nd week was learning about our Identity In Christ and Our Relationship With Christ. This was understanding who we are in Christ as His children. There was a gentle reminder that faith without action is dead.
   The 3rd week, I always love this topic, for many of the students it was the first time they had heard and understood, The Father Heart Of God. One of the question we were asked to talk about, discuss and answer was: Is everything that has happened to you in your life God's will? It proved to bring out a lot more questions, and a number of conclusions by the students. There was 4 - No, 10 - Yes, 5 - I don't know. So it made for a very interesting week, as students and staff alike dealt with personal issues in relation to the Father heart of God. As in God being Father and Mother to those that have no parents, or to those who had parents that never treated them right, and other issues along that line.
   The 4th week was Interpersonal Relationships, and a good week of developing that.
   The 5th week was Fear Of God, Pride & Humility! This week was understanding our position in Christ.
   The 6th week was: Sin, Repentance, and Restitution! The week looked at deep areas where we may be hiding sin. and how to deal with it.
   The 7th week was: The Holy Spirit! This week we didn't really learn anything new but were reminded again of the work of the Holy Spirit.
   The 8th week was: Praise and Worship! This week we are learning how to write a song of praise and worship to God!
   The 9th week is: Prayer, Intercession and Spiritual Warfare!
   The 10th week is: Stewardship, Servanthood, Cost of Discipleship!
   The 11th week is: Worldview and Cross Culture!
   The 12th week is: Missions, Evangelism, Discipling Nations for God!
We have enjoyed all the weeks so far and are looking forward to the ones to come.

God has blessed us in many ways. One of those blessings was during the third week, we officially/unofficially became the parents in the DTS classroom. It is not uncommon for us to be called mom or dad by most of the students and sometimes even by some of the staff. It is a real honor here to be older. There is such great respect for the elders in this culture. They do not want to allow us to work to hard, because it is the responsibility of the young people to do all of the work. They find it hard to believe that Diane and I lived alone in our own home and did all of our own house and yard work. So it is part of the culture we have to understand, and they are starting to understand ours a bit more as well.

We have also been learning some Kinyarwanda language from the students in our interaction with them as we go about our day to day activities. Words like 'Good morning', 'How are you doing?', 'Hello', 'yes' and 'no'. They will all be very helpful as we go into ministry in the villages or in the city later on, during and when we are done DTS.

We have been here for eight Sundays now and we have been to seven different churches, three of them were english services and the others were Rwandan services, but we have had a translator for them. So the services have been very good, and we have been received very well by the Family of God in each of these churches.

So this is a little about what has been happening with us, since our arrival in Rwanda. Please continue to pray for us as we have a long way to go with our training yet, and much more to learn. God is also opening up opportunities to minister here during our training. We have been on three outreach opportunities, and have been blessed! We ministered by sharing the gospel, we visited and were an encouragement to HIV/AIDs victims – singing and praying with them for their needs, we also, were given a whole service and as a team ministered in different ways – skit, singing, testimonies and preaching.

We are hoping that once the Outreach starts we will have internet access. Outreach starts the last week in September and goes to the middle of December, so if you don't hear from us in that time please continue to pray for us. The plan right now is to go somewhere in Burundi, Africa. It is the country just south of Rwanda and we have about 5 students from that country taking classes with us. We are asking you for your prayers during this time and even now in preparation for us and for those that we will be ministering to.

Please pray for our children and their families – LaDonna & Jason Harris, and 6 children, Kirk & Candace Salmond, and 3 children, Jason & Becky Salmond, and 3 children, and John Salmond. We have had opportunity to talk with all but John on Skype and that is great but this is a new experience for all of us to be separated like this. Please remember them in your prayers, too. And our other family members – parents and siblings and families! We have been blessed by all.

We want to say thank you for your many prayers and financial support for the last few months. You are a part of our team, and if you have any questions about our time here in Rwanda please email us. We would really love to hear from you all. We love you all and miss you. But God is good and is keeping us well.

If you are not, and would like to, information is on this blog as to how to support us (or you can contact us by email).

What we are doing this week

2011-08-22T11:39:00.000-06:00

We have been praying for the famine in Somalia for the last few weeks.

It is more than sad, what is happening there to the people.

This week we wanted to do something more, and we are!

YWAM Rwanda is praying and fasting,
saving the money we would spend on two meals a day,
then we will send it to Somalia.
Please join us this week!

Just For Fun

2011-08-22T00:01:00.001-06:00

Just for fun I thought it would be neat to see what day of the week I was born. It then reminded me of a saying/poem about the days of the week and about the child that was born on that day.
So Peter found this site about the poem by:

Mother Goose, called Monday's Child Is Fair Of Face

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go.
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child born on the Sabbath Day,
Is fair and wise and good and gay.

So because it gives option to find out what day of the week you were born, I thought it might be nice to see. So -

Peter was born on Saturday,

Diane was born on Tuesday,

LaDonna was born on Saturday,

Kirk was born on Tuesday,

Jason was born on Saturday, and

John was born on Saturday.

Saturday's child works hard for a living.You are ambitious, enjoy work, and like to accomplish things.
You know what you want!

Tuesday's child is full of grace.You have many talents, and are fun to be around.
You dance through life!

I found that interesting! But it was just for fun!

More of Peter's Birthday

2011-08-21T05:48:00.000-06:00

You will find more pictures of Peter's birthday on Fahamu Kibambazi's webpage/blog.

Click HERE and it will take you there.

Fahamu is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and currently is one of the DTS leaders.

You can also read more of his story on his web page.

Enjoy!

Trust and Washing

2011-08-20T03:50:00.000-06:00

Yesterday for our 'Big Group' (an hour each week all spend together talking about whatever is on the 'table') we took 2 1/2 hrs. Peter was leading and we were on the goal of building trust within the group. So we did some trust exercises. The first one trusting someone to catch you when you fall backwards into them. The second one is to form a circle with someone in the middle and that person keeps their feet planted in one spot and falls toward the circle of people around them and they roll you around the circle without letting you fall. The third one is where you fall backwards into the arms of about 10 people from about a 6 ft. height with someone laying on the ground under the arms that you are falling into.
Trust - do you trust those who will catch you.
Trust - do you trust those that are catching the person dropping down onto you.
Trust - do you trust the person falling, that they will keep their arms tucked and not spread them out as they fall and hit you as you catch them.
After everyone was given a chance to be in each of the different positions, we then stood around and talked about it. It was something that even the staff had not done. So for all it was a learning experience.

So today is cleaning day!

We have clothes to wash and sheets and the floor in our room is needing a washing too. Below is Rebecca, one of our fellow students, helping us do our wash. She learned a few more English words, we can communicate but it is limited. God Bless you Rebecca!

I have a lot to learn about how to wash here. Our clothes have been washed each week by us, but I think that they are much cleaner this week than they've been since we've come! Rebecca, you're a dear!

Peter's Rwandan Bday Party

2011-08-18T13:57:00.000-06:00

We talked with Becky, Nolan & Makenna & Daeton on Skype - The grandchildren wished Grampa Pops a Happy Birthday! and then we went out for the 'garden party'!

DTS staff and students surprised Peter for his Birthday!
Thanks "DTS Family" for making Peter & I feel at 'home'!

We had ice cream and peanuts!

And they prayer for us!

We are so Blessed!

And Margaret (one of the DTS Leaders) phoned Peter and sang "Happy Birthday" to him!
Thanks everyone for making his day very special!

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Happy 55th Birthday Peter!

Weather, Praise and Worship

2011-08-17T12:47:00.000-06:00

We've been here almost 9 weeks now!

And today was cold!

Okay, give me a chance to explain.

It has been raining off and on for the last couple of days, and there has been very little sunshine. So the breeze seems cool coming off the wet foliage. And last evening, I put on my sweater that I brought with me, for the first time. It was chilly outside. Today, I wore extra clothes and even put on socks and shoes, rather than my sandals - they're broke any way. I've been wearing them almost every day since we got here, and now they are broken. But, they are getting fixed! And the sheet that's been covering us at night, just didn't cut it last night. We had the bedspread on too, all night. We aren't wearing 'fall type' coats, like some of the others yet, but we seem to be climatizing.

Today, we performed songs that we wrote based on Psalm 100. We were given a bit of time to be creative to write and perform the songs over the last 24 hrs. The Staff even invited some producers in to hear what we had come up with. It was quite the day. Lots of fun and very different from any of the other weeks. We all did very well, and maybe we might see our songs (or some of them) produced!!! It was great way to learn more about praising and worshiping our King! It is nice to have a 'light' topic this week, as last week we were going through the work of the Holy Spirit! Don't get me wrong - last week was great, but you might say that it was a heavier topic!

The view we have from our room. The blue roof is the dining hall. Taken the first week in August when we had lots of sunshine.

Another Bday Party

2011-08-16T01:38:00.003-06:00

Last night another student - Dieudonne - had a "First Time Ever" Birthday Party,

a year younger than our third child.

Guest of honor - Happy Birthday Dieudonne!

These were very tasty, meat filled, served with milk tea!

A time of prayer for the honored guest!

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy 1st Birthday Prince!

Special Sunday

2011-08-14T09:26:00.000-06:00

Today we went to be with Favor and her family as she was dedicated at her church.

The first time she has been off the base, her first outing!

Jaggen & Ruth, Praise and Favor.

We are just leaving to catch a 'bus', the YWAM base sign is beside Peter's head.

I knew Jaggen was worship leader at his church, I didn't know he knew how to play the keyboard. The man is full of surprises!

Mama Favor giving her praise to God! Pastor is holding Favor.

Church Leaders praying for Favor.

On the way home, we walked past this statue in Kigali, a woman and child.

And later, had brochettes and potatoes, and Fanta, at a restaurant near the YWAM base, Praise's favorite.

It was a wonderful time for all! Although, Mama Favor, Favor and Chantelle had to head back right after the walk past the statue. (But we did bring brochettes home for them!)
Thanks Jaggen's family for a wonderful time to share with you! (and Moise for translating!)

Lately

2011-08-12T13:03:00.000-06:00

Lots has happened since last post,

Our closet is finished! Sure is nice to have the room more organized!

So we moved the table too!

Peter has had opportunity to help once or twice a week in the kitchen with meal preparation!

Ruth & Jaggen had a special occasion tonight!

They introduced their new daughter, Favor, to everyone and we had a time of prayer too!

Yes, this had to happen!!!!

We were told to dress smart. It was the first time I've worn this full outfit here.


We were told we looked 'SMART' - the highest compliment!

Wednesday's Outreach

2011-08-04T12:27:00.000-06:00

We walked to outreach - about 1 hour - uphill most of the way!

We went with two YWAM Staff that work

with the APRECOM work with YWAM Rwanda.

This is just one of many of the places APRECOM works at in/near Kigali.

I'm not sunburned, but I am very hot! Only about half way there!

Same time, this is what we were climbing.

This is where we came from.

On the first distant hill, is where the YWAM Base is.

Chicks with hen at the yard where we ministered.

I was basically told to take the motorbike home with Amiss, a YWAM APRECOM Staff.

I think this is my first motorbike ride (in a skirt)! No need for a helmet, it was a very safe ride!

Tonny and Moise, two fellow students, very near the place where we ministered. Not as many hills south of there.

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

Happy 7th Birthday Princess!

First Outreach Sunday

2011-08-02T12:00:00.004-06:00

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for our outreach on Sunday, July 31, 2011!
The two pictures below are of the skit we did at the church we went to. Two students shared their testimonies also.

In the beginning, God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.....

Eve took the fruit.....

Margaret, preaching the Word, is one of our fearless DTS Leaders.

The country side near where we went.

We left the base at about 8:15 AM and took two bus rides to get to our destination, which was on the outskirts of Kigali! We arrived at about 10 AM. There were some pretty steep roads that the bus had to climb and descend. We had a wonderful time sharing, and were treated with Fanta and sweet bread after the service. (That is a very big Thank You given for going to their church - there were 20 of us that went.) We had to wait then, for the bus to come and pick us up, so Peter started some 'games' with the children that gathered around him, and then he pulled out his track (paper evangicube) and started sharing the gospel with them, with Vivine (another Rwandan student) translating, although some of the kids knew a fair bit of English. The two of them were able to lead 4 children to the Lord, and told them to attend the church we were at.
We got on the bus by 3:25 PM and were home (back at the base) by 5 PM.

A Party

2011-07-28T13:45:00.000-06:00

This party was 'bitter-sweet'!

I cried and I laughed.

We have a fellow student, John Sunday, that had no birth date, and we found it out awhile back,

so we gave him the same birth date as our son, because he was born in the same year as Kirk.

Well today we, Peter and I, went up town and bought a cake for John's birthday party.

While we were riding the bus up town, I got to thinking that the only thing I did for Kirk's

birthday was to post "Happy Birthday, Kirk" and a picture on my blog! and I started to cry.

Here I was going to buy a cake and spend money on John and I hadn't even bought anything for Kirk.

(I'm sorry Kirk! I still love you very much, just like I love all my children!)

Anyway, we got the cake, and we got decorations from the "GO Team" that is here at the base from Holland. They had someone on the team celebrate their birthday since they've come and so they had a few decorations, and I asked if we could use them, and they graciously gave them to us. So I'm sure that they will be well used by the time the 6 months are up! Thanks GO Team for your generosity!!!!

The party turned out great and we prayed for John that he would have many more great birthdays.

And then, they prayed for Kirk!

That was so great!

I can hardly believe all the consideration that is taken

to make each and everyone of us feel so loved while we are here.

So Kirk,

they wanted me to make sure that you knew they prayed for you,

and will pray for you,

and that they all say Hi!

and that they all wish you a very Happy Birthday!

and that they all consider you their brother!

and that they were glad to celebrate with 'your twin' here!

I hope Kirk, you were able to have a celebration with friends and family today too!

Peter said we should have put Kirk's name on it too!

Happy Birthday John!

The guitar player was instrumental (no pun intended) in John being here at DTS and has been here this week translating for our teacher. It was cool that he was here for this week.

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Kirk!

Practice, rain, game, books and a skirt!

2011-07-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

We've been practicing as a team all this week and last. Some are doing a choreographed song, then we are all involved in a skit, and there is a song we will do too. We will be going on 'outreach' this Sunday to a church somewhere not to far away. It is the first time for us as a team to do this. So you ca pray for us as a team this Sunday, July 31st.

Last week we went out in groups of 3 or 4 and did an hour of witnessing just down the streets from the base. It was a good experience. We used the EvangeCube! (same as the one we used last year when we were here.)

Today it rained a bit. They usually don't get rain at this time of year. Personally, I'm glad it rained. It has been really dry, the grass is turning brown and my nose is noticing the dryness. Also have noticed that I need to drink more water too. Everything has a fine layer of dust on it, inside and outside buildings. The rain was very refreshing!

Today we did the 'Angel Game'. Nothing new except the name of the game. We picked names and we now each have a 'secret prayer partner'. I like the name - Angel Game!

We are 1/3 of the way through our class room time - 2 months left of class room time and 3 months of outreach. WOW! Saying it that way makes it seem like it's a long time till we will be done. But we will look back and consider the 6 months well spent. We have been learning a lot! This week is on "The Fear of God, Pride and Humility". The teachers have been great and the teaching has been wonderful. Each week is a new topic and a new teacher! We have 3 books to read and reports on them to hand in during the 3 months. A new book of the Bible to read and report on each week. And a Journal due every Monday morning about the week before that has to be 4 pages long. There is work duty 3 to 4 times a week. And then help in the kitchen on the weekends.

Last Saturday when we were out, we went to the 'market' where the seller has 1,000 items in 2 sq. ft. to sell it in. We were looking at skirts for me and I noticed a white with red lettering tag on an item. There were no tags on any of the items of clothing - it's all used. Yes, if you've guessed right, it was a "Value Village" tag. I tried to show Peter, and one of the 'guys' realized I was trying to, so he helped. We had a good laugh. Trouble is I never got anything that day. They were asking more for the skirt that I did pick out than what I would have paid for it in Canada at Value Village! I've heard it is better to go at the end of the day - like you would garage sales and get it cheaper because they want to get rid of it! We will have to go another time. (We even had a local person go with us to help us!)

And Today

2011-07-26T22:42:00.005-06:00

So, today, we had this, which we've had before, but I hadn't taken a picture of it and put it with the other meals.
So, we have spaghetti with meat balls, thinly sliced raw onions, cucumber in vinegar, pineapple, and cold bean/potato/carrot salad. That was a GOOD meal!
Also last night we had (and I'll have to get a picture some time) sweet potato, peanut sauce and rice. The sweet potato are white and are quartered lengthwise and then deep fried - and they are good. The peanut/(and a something I don't know and don't like the taste of) sauce is okay. I'll have to get a picture for you sometime.

Meals

2011-07-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Meals are prepared on 3 coal burners.

Sorry it's a bit dark but you can see the three pots.

Two pots on two 'burner' and one 'burner' with no pot!

The water is heated there too for dishes.

(Reminds me of Watson Lake Bible Camp cooking, except I haven't had to cook here yet!)

Coal stacked in corner in kitchen, bagged and tied.

Green beans with carrots and tomatoes, spaghetti, and pineapple (at the top of the plate). Water every meal!

Typical meal - beans, rice, maize (kind of reminds me of GRITS but it is made much thicker) and vegetable mixture.

Pictured is Sunday breakfast - 2 bread (hotdog bun size), 1 egg, papaya, and "Blue Band" margarine. Our weekday breakfast is just 2 'bread', and 'Blue Band'. We've bought jam to have with it. Also served with tea or milk tea - alternated daily.

Margarine.

Once a week for breakfast we get 2 small bananas, and sorghum porridge - hot, thick, and drinkable (not my favorite). Adding salt helps it go down.

Sunday morning we have to pack our lunch - same every Sunday - 2 passion fruit, 2 small bananas, and 2 bread (hotdog bun) per person. We have peanut butter and jam that we bought to help it along. We have learned to take our full portion as we are quite hungry when we get back from church - sometimes 1:30 pm!

Fahamu really likes to eat "Cassava" with his fingers. The white is the cassava root, dried, ground and then cooked to a thick mush, and the green is cassava leaves cooked up to a thick soupy texture. He takes a small piece of white and dips it into the green and swallows without chewing - like spaghetti that goes down without chewing!!!

Again beans with carrots, rice and maize.

Fahamu, again, eating his beans and maize the same as he does the cassava!

Here is Prince having 'faith that he will move the mountain'!

Rice, beans, and greens! with an Avocado. Sometimes we get pineapple! The greens REALLY remind Peter of the greens he had growing up, and we are pretty sure it's the same thing!

Peas (grown till hard like the beans and then cooked) with carrots, rice, banana with carrots and tomato sauce, and papaya.

I must add here, that we have really enjoyed the meals we have been getting. Everything is vine ripened and so therefore very healthy. The 'cook', (haven't pictured him yet) is very good at what he does and he really 'enjoys' cooking!!!

Not pictured but we have had cabbage (cole slaw) and it hasn't upset our digestive system. The pineapple has bothered Peter, so he doesn't eat it - though he'd like to! I haven't pictured any meals with meat, but we do get the occasional meat (beef), cooked till it is tender. They have a pressure cooker that they use to cook the beans and the meat. It is used probably every day.
So, we are being well fed!

Today We Had A Hamburger

2011-07-23T11:15:00.000-06:00

Yes we did and was it the very best hamburger in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!!!

at Cafe & Resto Olympiade Ltd. Kigali, Rwanda

Sorry but yes you really have to come all the way here to taste the best!

And it had nothing to do that it was 2 PM by the time we got to eat

(not because the meal was late, we just got to the cafe late)

Thanks Evelyne for taking us there, what a treat!

Celebrate B-day for Vincent

2011-07-20T23:09:00.000-06:00

This is the first student Birthday that we celebrated!

We made popcorn on the coal 'burner', and made great salted peanuts and had 'Fanta" too!

Happy Birthday Vincent! (orange shirt sitting in the chair under the light)

Great time to celebrate! Some of the students have never celebrated their birthdays!!!!

The Weekend July 16 and 17

2011-07-19T23:05:00.000-06:00

This weekend was full. There was a wedding at the base here - two of the staff got married. It was a two day affair, and new to us.

Day one.

Day two.

Sunday morning.

We also went to the fourth church in the four weeks we've been here. This time it was to our "new son's" church, and we got a few pictures.

Life This Week

2011-07-15T11:53:00.000-06:00

Lots has happened this week, more than these pictures can tell. But it will give you an idea.

James, from England, has been our neighbor since June 24. He left this week on Wed. Thanks for your friendship and jam, peanut butter and marmalade!

John, is our new son! He didn't have a birth date, so we gave him one. Because it was July and he was born in 1981, we told him he could share a birthday with our son Kirk. So he is very happy to have us as 'parents'. He is very glad that he will be celebrating his Birthday this month!

Due to the teaching this week, we all had a chance to - nail to the cross, burn, and bury - our pain. It was a very moving experience to watch as others released their pain to God and renewed a trust in Him!

We were all given a chance to sit on a chair and be the recipients of being Blessed! It was very good to hear "I love you" and "You are a wonderful person" and "God has great things for you!" etc., being said to each and every one of us. This just pictures Peter and I, as you can see, but everyone got a chance to be Blessed and that took a while but it was so worth it!

This week has been extra special. Throughout the week, we, who are now the only white people at the base, and the oldest in the DTS class, have been dubbed "Mom and Dad" (even the leaders are younger than us). We don't mind at all! If it is the only reason for us being here to fill the role of being parents to them (some don't have any parents), then that's just okay! I, personally, have been so blessed this week with "our new children" wanting to do everything for us, yes literally everything - our dishes, sweeping, cleaning our bathroom {and it's not done like in Canada} hauling water, etc. and that's because of the culture, in respect for elders.

Favor Gabriella

2011-07-10T12:22:00.000-06:00

Favor is her name, and she's 3 weeks old.

She was born just after we got here.

Today we went to visit her, Jaggen, Ruth and brother Praise!

If you notice above my head is a picture of their family without the newest addition. We were able to take a family picture and give them a copy. Praise God for digital cameras and computers!

It is culturally acceptable to call the father of the family "Papa and then the name of the youngest child" - 'Papa Favor', and the mother too - 'Mama Favor'.

Some of the other students in our class are young, and so therefore to show respect to us they will do things for us, and they want to call us 'Papa ___ and Mama ___". One of the gals asked me the names of our children and at the end of the conversation she said that she would like to call me "Mama John"! I'm not so sure that I'd respond to that as I'm not used to it, but it was very nice of her to show me respect in that way. It makes Peter and I feel accepted by these dear young Christians that we are studying with.

DTS Week 2

2011-07-09T05:53:00.000-06:00

We have had a great week!

We got our work duty this week, and I'm in the Communication/Reception Office answering emails. (still learning) and Peter is in maintenance, sorry no picture yet! But he is enjoying it!

The majority of the Hong Kong team left this week, made for a lower noise level in the dining room at meal times! They were good to have and they had a great time of ministry in the area too!

The progress on the new staff housing building is coming along. I believe it will hold two families.

This is three of the 17 in our class doing their work duty - HAPPILY!!! Great job guys!

The turkeys look like it must be getting close to Thanksgiving, I hope!!!!!

Another Grandchild

2011-07-07T10:39:00.000-06:00

It's a Boy!

Daeton Reese Salmond

8 lbs. 15 oz.

Born July 6, 2011

at 7:58 PM

son to Jason & Becky,

brother to Nolan & Makenna!

Blessings on each of you!

Blessings on you

as you lean on God for guidance

in bringing up your family to love Jesus.

DTS Classes

2011-06-30T12:49:00.000-06:00

There are 17 students, pictured here with leaders and baby "Blessing", daughter of one of the students.

Classes run from 8 AM till 4 PM, we go for a walk then. Pictured here with us is Jaggen the DTS Leader.

This is the scene at the end of the street that YWAM is on.

First Week

2011-06-24T13:57:00.000-06:00

We have been here now for about one week. I think we've settled into the time change.

There hasn't been much to do, except to go to the market, Nakumatt, a grocery/hardware store, to pick up items that we "need". A pail to help with the laundry, toilet paper (as we have to provide our own), electric cord, to plug in our Canadian items, umbrellas, and a cell phone.

We have not had a problem with the food, it is cooked well and is tasty. We have mostly, beans and rice. Cassava is a favorite with them, they eat everything but the stock. Leaves and root (two different ways) and it's not bad. Cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, and peas are some vegetables we've had. Bananas, papaya, pineapple, avocados, passion fruit and oranges are the fruits. Although banana can become a vegetable. We've also had spaghetti. Breakfast is either, black tea with sugar or milk tea with sugar, and bread (like hotdog buns but a bit bigger) that you spread “Blue Band” - margarine on, or a drinkable porridge made from something (?) (they have told us but I didn't write it down). There has been some beef in the meals but not like we are used to. Our digestive systems are getting used to all the vegetables and fruit. And we have been drinking the filtered water and been doing okay. We are very thankful to God for this.

Our room is large with a bed, table, two chairs and a small cupboard. We hope to get a 'wardrobe' to hang our clothes in rather than on the line that is hung from window to window, as you can see in the pictures.

Cupboard where we would like to have a closet/wardrobe.

Temporary closet where we want to put the cupboard.

We went for a walk up the road and there are little shops all along the way. They sell everything from meat to cell phones! We found one lady store owner who spoke English and we bought Fanta (pop) from her. Two pop, old glass bottles, cost less than a Canadian dollar, that was our treat for the week.

We have been learning a few words, mostly greeting words. We are also learning how to clean things Rwandan style, bathing, clothes, and rooms.

Peter had a cough before we left Canada and got medication for it but it came back so he went to see the Doctor here with another fellow, Jaggen, and got more meds. He is doing fine now.

We have found it a bit warm, but not overly. It cools down right nice a night, and is bearable in the day. This is winter, dry season, now and you will see them wearing sweater or coat in the mornings till it warms up.

We have found out that we will be the only Westerners taking DTS in June to Dec. Pray for us as it has been a long time since we were in a classroom situation.

Right now, since Sunday, there is a Hong Kong team of about 20+, aging 14 yrs, and up, that are here doing ministry work for 2 weeks. Some are Canadians from China and they had a more of a problem getting into Rwanda than we had. For some reason, unknown even to the staff here, the government isn't letting in Canadians like they did. We have a temporary visa for 15 days, and will be getting one that will last a year. Pray that things will go well with getting the visas.

Tidbits of the last week!

2011-06-20T08:07:00.001-06:00

Brussels Hotel restaurant, birthday luncheon. If you look close you will see a 'Fry' in my Hamburger Bun.


Brussels, just down from the hotel.

Passion Fruit at YWAM Rwanda, I think I like them!

The view from our room at the base.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-18T22:59:00.000-06:00

Have a great day Dad!

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

2011-06-18T10:02:00.000-06:00

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Our flight over here was good, we had some delays in Toronto and Montreal, so when we arrived in Brussels we were too late to catch our next and final flight to Kigali.

Therefore we stayed over night in Brussels!

It was my Birthday that day, June 16, and so at the luncheon meal at the hotel, the others - a group of seven adults, who also missed the flight, sang Happy Birthday to me!

The 'others' that missed their flight were also going on to Kigali to do a short missions trip. It was nice to spend a bit of time with other fellow believers! And we also met 2 separate couples, with separate events, that came over here to do safari type adventures. It was good to visit with them. Hope everyone is going to have a great end to their journeys!

Then the next day we were given the opportunity to upgraded to First Class and have a very luxurious flight on to Kigali. (Thanks Air Canada for the unexpected Birthday gift - hotel room for one night and 3 meals and upgraded seat to First Class! I would never have thought that you would have been so generous!!!) It was very nice actually, to have a break from the airplane seats and have a bed for one night!

We were warmly welcomed by the YWAM Rwanda staff here, some that night, some the next day! What a blessing to be here! Today we went for a bit of a tour, and went to "town" in the afternoon to do somethings and pick up some stuff we will be needing over here. We did pick up a phone so that has eased our minds and maybe Family back home in Canada and USA!

On another note, we ask you to pray for us, that God would keep us healthy and that we would draw near to Him in every way as we learn and serve Him here in Rwanda.

Happy Birthday!

2011-06-15T08:00:00.006-06:00

Happy 6th Birthday Princess!

Getting Ready To Go

2011-06-10T11:45:00.002-06:00

Dear Supporters,

Some of you may be wondering what's been happening in our lives the last few weeks. Well, an awful lot!

We had about 9 days of garage sales and moved out of our house and cleaned it for the possession date - yes it has been sold - May 20, 2011. That about covers the days from the 1st of April til the 20th of May. We were able to sell a lot of our worldly possessions, and the stuff we wanted to keep is in a 10 ft. by 16 ft. shed at a friend's place just out of Prince Albert. We gave some of the stuff away, and the rest we threw out. We also sold the truck just before we left for a two week trip to the USA. We still have the car and so we drove down to Huntsville, Alabama. We had a very safe trip there, stopping at Strasbourg to see Diane's Mom and Dad and Betty and Ron Howard. We had a wonderful time with Kirk and his family, and took more time coming back. - we did some "all night driving" on the way down. We stopped to see Auntie Deone Gruchy on the way back and it happened that we also visited with a few cousins, Verla, Lorelee, and Linda and Lee. And at Strasbourg we visited again with Mom and Dad, Ron and Betty, and Kelvin and Arlene.

We arrived back in Prince Albert June 4th, and paid the last of the bills, etc. We still have the car to sell, and to sort through the last of the 'stuff' - what fits into the 50 lbs. category will be going with us! We are planning on staying with Leona and Fraser (Diane's sister) in Saskatoon till we fly overseas.

Please continue to pray for us as we have a few things to do before we fly out June 15th. On June 16th we will be landing in Kigali, Rwanda. We will have a few days before DTS starts on June 27th to get settled and hopefully meet up with a few friends we met last year.

If you would like to donate to our support in the ministry God has called us to through YWAM, click HERE for information on how to do it.

Traveling Home

2011-06-06T15:57:00.000-06:00

Got a bit boring,

Looking at the tires of the semi got a bit more interesting

when trying to get a picture of our car in the reflection!

Visited the House on the Rock

Last time we were there the gardens weren't this nice!

A Few More Pictures

2011-06-06T15:45:00.000-06:00

We had a lot of fun at the Lake House!

Keelyn happy to be going to the Lake House!

Conner enjoyed his new present!

And his Birthday Cake!

Kiersten was sure that Grandma would love the Lake House!

Adventurous Day

2011-05-26T19:33:00.000-06:00

Opryland Hotel, Dave Ramsey FPU, and a round of "I Can Do That"

Pottery I Found

2011-05-26T19:22:00.000-06:00

Can you pick the one that doesn't belong?

Kirk's Work Place

2011-05-24T21:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday and Today!

2011-05-24T21:31:00.000-06:00

We've been a bit busy, and having lots of fun!!!

Grampa digging out the Bamboo off the lawn.

The girls and Lucy helping!

Posing for a picture with Lucy!

Ice Cream Mustache when we went shopping!

Ice Cream Mustache #2 !

Conner's B-day Supper! Loved the food!

A Happy Birthday Boy!

Spin The Bottle with the individual pancake syrup bottle!