We Have Arrived

Kieran and I have landed in Liberia!  We arrived late last night after a very long couple of flights.  It was so nice leaving the airport and seeing our Liberian friends and of course Don.  Kieran and I must have been pretty jet lagged, we both slept until noon!  We are staying at ELWA compound right on the Ocean.  It's beautiful!  We had air conditioning all night!  Don, Kieran, and I explored the beach a little today.  Kieran got to see a traditional fishing boat and some wild life.  I'll let him tell you more.  Well that all from me today.  Tomorrow we will be heading to Joshua's house to see Don's brick machine.  Should be a good day.

- Tania



Kieran here.  The trip getting to Africa was long and tiring, but I got to watch movies on the plane so that was great!  The first thing I noticed when we got off the plane was how hot it was.  There were lots and lots of people.  It was very exciting seeing Daddy and Augustine.
Today we Mommy and I slept until noon.  We got up and had lunch and walked along the beach.  We saw lots of crabs and lizards with orange and black bodies!  Daddy and I went for a walk and saw a old cracked fishing boat.  It was about 14' long.  Things are going really well.  I got to ply Dominos today too.

- Kieran

From the trentches

When I say "from the trentches". I'm not referring to Liberia or Don. I mean from my home. People often don't realize that being left at home when your spouse is on a mission is really difficult. Don is away serving the Lord, doing what he is called to do. Gods got him. He is making a difference to people and working hard to do so. This is when satan turns his attention to the people at home. I wonderful missionary I know once said, "the worse things are for the people at home the bigger the impact your making away". He didn't say this to encourage devastation at home. He spoke the truth. Again this isn't always the case but for me it is. Every time I've been left at home while Don is on a mission it has been awful!  Last time an ice storm hit in April, my van broke down, I had no water for three days, and all the kids got sick. I was so busy praying for Don and trying to keep it together that I had frogotten about myself. My need for prayer and for support. This time there has been no ice storm or major repairs, praise the Lord!  The struggles are still there and although they may be different but the medication for them is always the same. Prayer and support. So, please pray for those left behind. I know of a few mission teams heading out soon and these teams will need prayer. Just don't forget those left behind, pray, support, make a meal, have a coffee with them, be positive, and keep encouraging them.  As RedGreen would say "we are all in this together"

A quick Don update too. Don is doing well he is working with a dozen young men and they are about 75% done building their first brick machine. All materials have been purchased and the machine will be complete by Monday!  T

Meet Kieran

Kieran is 8 years old and my middle son. He's a wonderful, kind, gentle child, and he will be heading to Liberia this November!  I'm so excited to share this experience with Kieran. Along with Don and myself, Kieran will be helping in construction of the school. Kieran will also have opportunities to participate in sports activities (soccer) with local children and visit a local Christian school. Kieran has been waiting to go to Africa for years and was so brave in preparing for this journey. He took his shots, all 7 of them, like a champ!  Along with his siblings, Kieran has sold apples, gone door to door, and helped out at our yard sale. All to help raise money for this worthy cause. It has been so exciting to see all the kids working together!  I can't wait to see what lies ahead for Kieran! 

"Please sponsor me so that I may accomplish great things for the people of Africa.  God is calling me to go to Africa so I need to listen".      

- Kieran

To sponsor Kieran please donate online through QYFC.com  

or call tel:613-969-0471

Liberia 2016 Update

Hello everybody, 

With summer coming to an end and the new school year starting we are kicking the Liberia mission into high gear, so I thought I would give an update of what is happening.

This November we will be returning to Liberia. We will be travelling as a small group this year which will consist of my lovely wife Tania, our 8 year old son Kieran and myself. Kieran is super excited to be travelling with us and his caring nature and good work ethic will be a great asset to the mission. Although we are a small team I trust that God will do mighty works through us.

I will be travelling to Liberia the first week in November. In my first week in country I will be preparing the construction site for the upcoming work and assembling our work crew. As well I will be working with Joshua Milton Blahyi (aka former General Butt Naked) and the group of war affected youth that he is mentoring. I will be teaching Joshua and his boys welding/ fabricating skills and how to build a clay brick press that I have designed. The clay brick press dramatically reduces the cost of construction.

Tania and Kieran will join me the second and third week in November where we will continue with construction on the school project and try to support as many of YFC Liberia's programs as possible.

We ask for your prayers and support in our fundraising efforts. We are currently renting out our house through Airbnb with proceeds going towards the mission and have raised $4000 to date. We are also starting our letter writing campaign and are trusting that God will provide the funds to accomplish the work that He has laid out for us in Liberia.

As always your prayers and support are greatly appreciated, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or just would like some more info on the mission or Liberia. If you are interested, donations can be made through qyfc.com

Blessings

Don

Called to Serve

"As each has receive a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace"
1 Peter 4:10. Hello everyone Don here, today God has laid it on my heart to talk about the call to serve, the bible is full of examples of our call to serve others. Imagine a world where everyone answered this call, the young helping the old the rich serving the poor, I think it would be a little glimpse of what heaven looks like. Jesus gives us the countless example of service "When He had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13: 12-14 or "Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28. I could go on and on but the point is we are all called to serve, whether it be serving in our church, our community, our country, or half way around the world. It can be as simple as sharing a smile with someone who really needs it, or holding a door open for someone, God will use your service and multiply the yield exponentially. Service comes in many forms it can be physical service, financial support, or emotional support, it all depends on how God uses the gifts that He has given you for the glory of His kingdom. So this week I encourage everyone to spend some time in prayer and ask God "How can I serve my brothers and sisters for the furtherance of your Kingdom?" and really let God speak into you and His almighty plan for your life. It all comes down to following the example of Jesus by showing and spreading God's love to all "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35.
For something a little different I would love to hear how God is using you, leave a comment about who you are and how you are answering the call to serve. I think it would be great to see God's hands and feet serving around the world,  and you may help to inspire someone who is feeling the call to serve. Can't wait to hear from you.

Blessings
Don