After getting a
quote for airline tickets to
Kenya, Mike calls me from work with much enthusiasm, "Are you up for an
adventure?" The travel agent offered us two different routes. The
first route was through the Amsterdam which we had traveled
the last time to Kenya. The second route was through London and
Dubai. The second route was quoted as being $1500 less and about a half
a day longer to get to Kenya. "How do you pronounce the last place you
mentioned? Where is it?" I asked being my careful, yet curious self. I
looked up Dubai on the Internet and to think I never knew it even
existed. It looked like a futuristic city with amazing
architecture that I have never seen anywhere, not even in National
Geographic. What stood out also was the emerald coastline along this
modern city with a hotel shaped like a giant sail jutting out of the
water. Regardless of the glowing reports of Dubai and its airline, I
demanded that Mike find information from people he
knew who had traveled this route. Next, it was down to the store that meets most of my needs, good old reliable Wal-mart. How will we ever survive without Wal-mart for two years? It has been my lifeline! I am both blessed and plagued with practicality. I pick up two packages of stacked plastic containers to store in our Kenya stash. I convinced myself ten plastic containers should last us our time in Kenya if not destroyed in the microwave.
In the afternoon, I receive another call from Mike. He sounded pretty pleased with what he is about to tell me. " I got through to a minister in ONE call! He sounded keen about having share with their church!" What's the big deal? Mike figures it takes at least 6 to 8 calls on average to get a hold of the pastor at any church he has to call. This quick connection was heaven sent.
Then, the financial statement from AIM in Toronto arrived. Our outgoing support is at 82% I quickly checked the new donors on the list to determine where to send thank you cards. I calculated the amount we know is coming by July and added it on into my personal records. "We are getting there! We need to pick up speed in our preparations!"
I commented that evening, "Oh Mike, we need to update the email and address list of our supporters on the computer!" If we started as soon as the children went to bed, how did it get to be 11pm so quickly?
"By the way Bernadine, tomorrow evening I need to measure and weigh the thirty-three boxes of blankets to get shipping quotes."
Tomorrow is another day of preparation.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
We currently have 82% of our
monthly support. We anticipate leaving at the beginning of August in
order to get some orientation into dorm parenting and prepare for the
school year. We've been to a few churches this winter and have more on
our schedule.We will be sharing at the following churches:
March 13 - Midland United Baptist Church
April 2-3 - Nashwaaksis United Baptist Church mission conference
April 10 - Steeves Mountain United Baptist Church
May 15 - Douglas United Baptist Church
Blessings,Bernadine will be sharing with WMS groups at the following churches:
March 3 - Waterloo St. United Baptist Church
March 21 - Central United Baptist Church
April 5 - Hillcrest United Baptist Church
April 19 - Tabernacle United Baptist Church
Bernadine, Michael, Julianne and Evan
You can see our previous newsletters on our website at www.kijabe.org/mission2004.
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Michael and Bernadine Steeves |
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Africa Inland Mission |
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Canadian Baptist Ministries |
