JASON & ERIN STEWART

Ironic

2008-06-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's ironic that the last post I did talked about how we were not pregnant and now over a year later - yes OVER a year, we have a 2 month old boy - Gabriel James.
I'm sure that most people have given up hope on this blog. A year is a long time.

Alot has happened in that year. The biggest change obviously is that Gabe is now in our lives. In a nutshell, pregnancy was awful! If you are one of those women who loved being pregnant - great good for you, but don't judge those of us who suffered from extreme nausea and vomiting, intense backpain, horrible insomnia and other symptoms that I don't want to get into. Also don't think that because I didn't love being pregnant, that I don't love my son and don't think that this is a miracle.

Parenting is great. Though we have had difficulty with breastfeeding we are starting to get it (9 weeks later. Gabriel is a gift from God. He's wonderful in every way! I love him with all of my heart! He has enriched our lives greatly!.
Gabe is a strong baby! He has been able to hold his head up since day 2, and rolled over yes rolled over on day 10. I am so proud and excited by these milestones but in the back of my mind I'm thinking that I will be running my butt off chasing him around:)...maybe this is a good thing.

Also in the year since I last blogged, Jason and I celebrated our 1st anniversary! It's hard to imagine that we've been married so short a time...it feels like we've been together forever. Our first year of married was fantastic! I love being married to Jason, he really is my best friend and my hero. I am so proud to be his wife!

Well I hope to keep this going a little better than once every year. I hope you are all doing well - if anyone actually reads this!

Blessings
Erin

Important Annoucement

2007-04-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

I must first start this blog with an apology. It has been quite a while since I have blogged. There are many reasons, lack of time, uninteresting stories, facebook grr. But I figured I owed it to you to let you know we are alive and well. I also wanted to to make a wee announcement. You may have heard that many other couples are expecting little ones, so we wanted to let you all know that we, unlike the rest of the world, are not pregnant.

Life is going well here. I am enjoying married life very much. I think it helps that I have such an awesome husband. Other than work everything is great. I really can't think of much else to write.

I hope all is well with everyone
Love Erin

One bad day, one awesome husband

2006-12-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

So it has been a while since I posted. Life has been busy, especially since Christmas is in 5 sleeps.
The weekend of Dec. 9th Jason and I went down to Ottawa to see the Sens play. It was awesome to see an NHL game and Jason enjoyed his birthday present. Because we didn't want to drive all the way back on sunday from Ottawa we decided to drive to Sudbury after the game. The game started at 3pm so we had enough time to get back to Sudbury by 11:30pm. We did have an agenda for coming back early. You see Vanessa's birthday happened to be the very next day AND the Lansing Christmas concert was also that day. So we got to see the concert and have a Jakola's style birthday for Vanessa, including Dairy Queen cake, sweet eats, and of course horsey face (see Melissa's blog). It was great to connect with the Sudbury crew and see many people who I miss.

So too the title of the blog. A few day's ago I was having a bad day. You know the kind of day that you would do everything wrong and then more, the kind of day that makes you want to call in sick and stay in bed for a month, the kind of day that makes you want to...ok ok makes you cry at the drop of a hat. Yes, that was the kind of day I was having. Jason called me from work on my lunch break and could tell that I was having one of those days. I felt much better after talking to him and left to head back to work. The day was SOOOO long and I finally got home, only to find my husband eagerly awaiting my arrival. There is nothing like coming home to the arms of the one that loves you.
Anyways Jason said "why don't you change and come back and we'll go play some games". So I went to change and there on the bed were 5 packs of my favourite gum (doesn't sound like much but you have to understand my love affair with gum) and 1 single rose. A BEAUTIFUL yellow rose with red edges, it was gorgeous and smelt heavenly.
He had stopped at the only flower shop in Thessalon to send me a little pick me up. I was thrilled. It wasn't one little flower that made my day but the thoughtfulness of my fantastic husband.

So life continues to go well for us. We are adjusting ot married life quite well. I love it. Actually that brings me to the reader questionaire for the day.
They say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. Is this true? Why? and what was so hard about the first year? What was the biggest struggle? What was unexpected? etc. etc. I really am very curious to hear your answers so send them in.

Well I am off for the evening. I hope all is well that you all take some time to celebrate the real reason for Christmas
With love
Erin

Welcome Vanessa

2006-11-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

That's right the rumours are true!!! Vanessa has joined the world of blogging. We welcome you with open arms into the club Vanessa.
It is a fun and fasinating world as you discover more and more tricks to do. I will warn you that it comes with a burden. A burden to keep your readers informed and updated. Sadly I have slacked from time to time and as a result readers like you have suffered as they try to learn more about my life, and use the blog reading as a procrastination tool. Take this responsibility with caution and respect, and fly little butterfly...fly!
You can access Vanessa blog by clicking on the link on the right hand side (labelled "Vanessa") or click here
Know I know some of you are thinking HYPOCRITE, she's a blog slacker. I know I know and all I can do it say I am sorry!
Alright enjoy the blogs
Love Erin
p.s. did anyone notice it was Vanessa the puppy in the picture...haha so funny and so cute, but seriously the human Vanessa does have a blog so check it out!

'Lady' the tramp

2006-11-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Lady is the Stewart's dog (sr.) and she just had puppies. I named one Vanessa, after Vanessa.
Here's are some pics of when Katrina, Melissa and Nate stopped in.
Love Erin

Nate was a little scared
Vanessa
Melissa Katrina and Vanessa

The Happy Couple

2006-11-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends
Ok so the only reason I posted this was cause I wanted to the change my profile picture and this is the only way I know how.
Also I'm looking for feedback on the new design...yes...no...barf??? Let me know what you readers think, after all I do it all for you!
Also when I was changing the blog I lost all the links I had so if you are no longer a link on my blog please tell me and I will add you again!
Love Erin

Pre Ceremony and Ceremony pics

2006-11-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the ceremony and before the ceremony. If you click on the picture you can enlarge them for better viewing
Love Jason and Erin

BUSTED!!!

2006-11-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

Well Julie you called me on it and I am woman enough to owe up. Yes I reposted pictures in hopes of holding off on the blogging. My apologies. My excuse, not that you'll buy it, is that I have been busy with post-wedding stuff. I am STILL writing thank you cards for all of the awesome and generous people who supported Jason and I.

The verdict on married life thus far...AWESOME!!! Way better than I anticipated. Each day I appreciate more and more the man that Jason is. I got myself the best one. (other married women may disagree with this but to avoid arguement I will say that I got the best one for me). The other day Jason and I were talking about what the best thing about being married is. We came up with a few. But lets get the readers involved. Married or unmarried what do you think the best part of being married is (or would be)?

Ok, for those of you who weren't at the wedding I will try my best to fill you in on details. The day started with myself and the girls, Vanessa, Melissa and Angie going to get our hair done. The guys were in Thessalon doing some target practice.
I alway wondered what went through a brides mind the day before and the day of the wedding.
I remember that I was anxious. Not nervous or scared but just ready to marry Jason. It was as if time was going backwards. I kept checking the clock to see how we were doing. Everything went so smoothly and we were back in Thessalon with PLENTY of time before the wedding.
The hardest part of the whole day was the waiting. I was just so eager to get married.

If I had asked everyone before the wedding day if I would be crying during the wedding, I bet 90% of answer would be something like "are you kidding! Of course!" and to be honest that would have been my answer. The truth is I didn't cry! Seriously not a tear! I came close during Kelly's song and when I walked down the aisle cause I was looking at Jason who did tear up. The only time I cried was when I was attemping to say my thank yous at the end of the night, and during the father/daughter dannce. I mean I don't want to brag but I was impressed with myself.

So the wedding itself was a beautiful ceremony, short and sweet, traditional and lovely. Kelly sang a beautiful song (When God Made You - Newsong) and my sisters sang another beautiful song as well (Home - Chantal Kreviazuk).

It rained the day of the wedding, so we headed to the Tulloch's to take pictures. They have a gorgeous house and we got some great pictures. We even ventured outside to get some shots. It was FREEZING! But our bridesmaids and groomsmen were good sports and stood out in the cold for us.

On a side note I just want to say that I had the best bridesmaids in the world.
Angie is someone I have looked up to for a long time. Angie is someone whose love for Christ is so transparent. We have had some amazingly fun times travelling across the country. We have stayed up wait to late, way to many times, having some amzing conversations.
Melissa combined with me creates a totally awesome and fun time. Melissa is a unique person, unlike anyone I have every met. She has the ability to have fun in any situation. She also has one of the most compassionate hearts I've ever seen. One memory that sticks out in my mind, is watching the Keith Green DVD with Melis and both of us clinging to our seats and our kleenex.
Vanessa is my best friend, who as she put it has been inseperable from me since I came to sudbury. We have spent so much time together that it's hard to pick which story is the best. I do recall one of our sleep over - single bed partys where scooter the cat tried to bust down the door with her head, or perhaps the time we were playing games and I had to get her to say Nadia Commanci...haha (yes I realize Vanessa and I are the only ones who get that joke). We have had so many fun times. We've had so many great conversations. We've had many tears and hugs. I trust Vanessa and I love having her to confide in. She has been a rock in my life and I am better for knowing her. She could blackmail me with the information she's got on me, but she uses that information to build me up. I sometimes think we were twins seperated at birth(yes we're 2 years apart).
All these girls mean so much to mean and I am a better person because of the influence they have each been in my life.

Ok back to the wedding. The reception was sports themed, with each table decorated in a particular sport.
We started by entering the hall through a archway of hockey sticks then we busted through a banner (like in football games). Our guests enjoyed Mrs. B's pizza, wings, nachos and cheese, salsa, veggie trays, and great cake.

Jonathan Stewart, Jason's cousin and the best man, made a great speach, that was funny and touching. The girls had the funniest speach, yes comparing Jason to Elvis Stojko, 'uncanny resemblence'. My sisters wrote a song, our parents gave short sweet speaches and we thanked the people mainly involved. I feel though that we couldn't have thanked people enough.

That was pretty much the wedding day. I had a fantastic time. But I am curious to know what those who attended thought. Please tell us what you liked or even disliked about our wedding.

Alright I need to get back to work on the thank you cards. I hope this makes up for my lack of blogging.
Enjoy, Love
Erin

Mr & Mrs. Stewart

2006-11-07T18:26:00.000-08:00

MARRIED!!! Jason and I were married on October 28th, 2006. It was an awesome day and I promise more pictures and details to come, for now here are some pictures from friends of mine.
Love Erin Stewart;)
p.s. If you click on the "Jessica's Blog" on the right hand side you will see some more pictures there. (Under Stewart Wedding)

The most GORGEOUS and GREATEST bridesmaids in the history of the world!(L-R) Angie, Melissa, and Vanessa
Entering the chapel with my dad
Almost there
You may kiss your bride!
MARRIED!!!

Julie said it best...welcome to the Jakola family Jason!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON!!!

2006-10-16T18:06:00.000-07:00

Jason...
Here's to many more birthdays we can share together.
I love you
Your princess,
Erin

20 Red Roses

2006-10-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

I've been going crazy with the pictures but that's ok...you haven't seen many posts lately so enjoy.
Last week I was in Sudbury for 2 showers (only 1 I knew about...pictures and stories to come) But when I came home Jason had brought me 20 (BEAUTIFUL) red roses...for no reason other than he loves me. He's a sweetie. I love him.

They smelt SO good.

I just love them

The man of the hour

Pretty!

Well that's all she wrote.
Loveth Erin
p.s. 17 days

A Day on the farm with Tim and Vanessa

2006-10-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

On thanksgiving monday, Tim and Vanessa joined us for fun times on the farm. Here were some of the fun activities.

Tim and Vanessa with a wee kitty.

The Kitten was alone and hungry so we tried to help it drink.

TRIED

Fairly unsuccessfully

We took Tim and Vanessa for a Quad ride to see the farm...it went well till one of the quads busted...no worries we made it back no problem.

Then some target practise

Vanessa's target...hahaha jokes jokes.

The gang

Jason and I had a great time with Timmer and Vester, come visit anytime guys...HOT TUB!!!
Love Jason and Erin

Aubrey Falls with the other future Mr. & Mrs. J. Stewart

2006-10-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

The day after the barn party Jonathan(Jason's cousin and best man) and Marney(Jon's fiance) joined us for a hike to Aubrey falls...good times...good times.

Jason and Erin

Jonathan, Marney, Erin and Jason

Jon and Marney

I just love this picture...don't know why

This picture I also love...but I know why...check out Jon's expression. He was late on the self timer...behind us is like a 500 foot cliff too.

After some reorganization we got this picture...good job Jon.

Hey look..something cool

T'was a grand day with grand friends.
Love, Jason and Erin

Pictures as promised

2006-10-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Surprise

Good ol' barn yard games

The happy couple

Some of our awesome guests

Thank you so much to everyone who had a part in the best barn party ever
With much love and gratitude
Jason and Erin

Barn Party 2006

2006-09-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

I knew something was up...the insane amount of phone calls, a bridal shower invitation and a partial phone message about a shower. Still with all the clues we didn't expect what was waiting for us around the corner.
This Saturday September 23rd, we headed out for a drive, Jason thinking he was going to drop me off at a wedding showe and then head off hunting with his brother. We drove the back roads for a bit and then pulled into Jason's uncle Harold's farm. We walked down the driveway to the back of the barn and as we turned the corner we heard a loud 'surprise' and saw the face of friends and family waiting for us in the barn. The barn was decorated and set up for a huge bride/groom barn shower. We spent the afternoon playing games and mingling. There were SO many people there. Aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, parents and grandparents. We were so blessed to have so many people showing their support for our marriage.
We shared a HUGE spread of food with our guests and enjoyed opening presents and playing newlywed type games.
The evening ended with our guest giving small speaches about us and stories to share with other guests. It was such a special time for us and it touched us to the core.
Thank you to Tim and Judy who planned this and to all who helped with planning, preparation, and clean up for the special event. We especially want to thank Jon and Marney, Jan and Kevin, Charlie and Rhonda, Harold and Martha, Tim and Mary, my parents and anyone else who was involved. We are so grateful. We love you!

The next day we took a drive with Jonathan and Marney to Aubry Falls. We enjoyed a picnic and hike despite the freezing temperature. The falls were beautiful and made a beautiful backdrop to the 150 pictures we took (on our camera alone). Thanks Jon and Marn...great double date:)

Well I know it's a short blog but I will post soon when I get some pictures ready of both days.
Thanks again to those who helped put on the coolest shower EVER!!!!
We love you
Jason and Erin

44 days and counting

2006-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it's about time for an update.
Things are going well.
Erin

HAhaha ok just kidding. Seriously though things are going great. Wedding plans are falling into place and more things are getting checked off the list. and while I have your attention if you have not sent in your RSVP card you better get on it (or face the wrath of Erin)
And while I am talking about weddings I wanna a say a huge thank you to Jeannette who made are beautiful invitations. Jeannette is great if anyone else is looking for someone to do things like that just let me know and I can hook you up. I recommend her 100%. She's great.
So like I said plans are falling into place nicely. We've started our marriage counselling and we are really enjoying that. We have homework which we both enjoy doing.

I really do want to write more but I have no energy and I just finished doing emailing and other computer things...quite frankly the last thing I want to see is a computer screen.
So things are good. Wedding is coming soon, we're excited, get your RSVPs in and we love you
Jason and Erin

My first time driving a motorcycle

2006-08-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

MY first time driving the motorcycle...

This was taken a while ago but I was looking at it and laughing at my facial expression...it's hilarious! Here it is close up.

Love Jason and Erin

Check out our wedding website

2006-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all
Just wanted to let everyone know that we have a wedding website set up at www.weddingchannel.com and search for either Erin Nisbett or Jason Stewart. Check it our and let us know what you think.
Just another note, we are registered at Walmart, Canadian Tire and Sears.
Here's some pics Enjoy
Love Erin

He's hot!

The most beautiful birthday present!

2006-08-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ok so I guess I tend to let everyone know that it's my birthday or that my birthday is fast approaching. This birthday however is the most specialist of birthdays. For one this is the last birthday Erin Nisbett will EVER have...
This is the first birthday that I haven't been single for (wow that's sad..lol)
And thirdly this is the birthday that I became an AUNT!!!!!!!!! (not technically but pretty much)
Jason's brother's wife gave birth to the most beautiful (seriously she's gorgeous) baby girl on August 4th 2006(my birthday). Callaway Jill Anna was born at 4:30something and weighted 7lbs right on. I have to say that by far, that is the coolest birthday treat EVER. She is SO incredibly cute! And the new family is doing very well.
Here's some pics of my beautiful neice, (and Jason and I)
Love to you all and Congrats Jeremy and Melinda!
AUNT Erin & UNCLE Jason:)

August 4, 1982...12:31am....7'lb 8oz..baby girl

2006-08-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

yes that's right...in 2 more days and I will be 24. Oh how time flies!
Loveth Erin

DA DA DA DUM

2006-07-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Yes Heidi I do have something to share.

Many of you may already know this but I will confirm the rumours. Jason and I are engaged!!! And yes ladies the ring is GORGEOUS!!! (it's getting sized at the moment so I don't have it)
You all wanna hear the story I'm sure..well the girls do so here goes...

After coming home from a baseball, we stopped on the beach in Thessalon to take a walk along the water. I had suggested it'd be a nice night for it, since the sun was coming down. I played right into Jason's hand as that was what he had planned all along. We came back to the car and Jason said "I've got a little present for you". Since he normally brings me gum and it's a favourite of mine I piped up "ooo is it gum" He dug in his bag and turned around holding a ring box. I was stunned, I don't I took a breath for like a minute. The dictionary definition for stunned is:
"To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow.
To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise.
To stupefy, as with the emotional impact of an experience; astound."
That pretty well sums up what I was like.
He got down on one knee and said some really beautiful things...which I can't remember because I was still stunned. I do remember doing a laughing cry though. After he said his speach he said he was going to pray. That just blew me away because he prayed for God to help him love me the best way he could, amoung other things.
He then stood up and gave me the box...to which I said "You never asked" and he was like "Oh yeah! Will you marry me" and my answer was written all over my face "YES!!!"
It was a beautiful proposal.

The ring...ladies don't pretend you don't wanna know. It's BEAUTIFUL. White gold band with a single .33 karat diamond that glimmers in the dark it's so shiney! I could not have pick out a better ring. It is perfect. Unfortunately it's getting sized right now so I can't wear it.

So we are just starting to make wedding plans and all that kinda fun stuff. We have a wedding website but nothing is on it yet so I will let you know when we have more things booked.

So yeah that's my awesome, exciting news. God has given us the green light and we are going!

Many Blessings
Love Jason and Erin

As if it's been this long since I blogged?!!

2006-06-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Shame on me! I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long. Wow...my apologises, and thank you Marge for getting on my tail about blogging.
Well alot has happened in a month, almost too much to blog...so I won't. haha. Life is great. Jason and I are doing awesome. No girls..not yet, but I will let you know;)
A couple of congrats to my friends. Cassie & Dan and Adam & Lindsay were both married on May 27th, 2006. So happy for you guys! Here's some pics from Cassie's wedding.
Anyways I hope all is well with all you guys. Things are great here.
Much love
Erin
(The GBC crew: Amy, Janet Heather, Cassie, Sara, Erin, Ashley)

(Erin & Jason)

Off the market? WHAT?

2006-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends
I realised that I have not actually done a decent blog in WELL over a month. I am so so sorry. But perhaps I can make it up to you with a good blog about some BIG news. Now I realise some of you if not most of you have heard rumours. Well let me tell you the truth... I have a boyfriend!
OK OK stop your screaming girls, yes I know it's exciting and I am VERY excited too. I know you are asking for it DETAILS...well I can fill you in on some of those.
His name Jason Stewart. We first met though his cousin and friend of mine Ruthie Stewart, she has been trying to set us up for a long time and we met last summer but nothing came of it. I am normally against set ups and so that may be why nothing came of our first meeting. But at the end of february we played in an ultimate tournament together. To say we hit it off would be an understatement. Both of us went into the weekend not thinking nothing of the previous attempts to set us up, so there was no pressure. We totally clicked and spent the next month and a half talking. Seriously talking. None of the chit-chat stuff, serious topic and questions. We've now been dating for over a month and it's been so great. God has been so faithful. So what's he like? He's a Christian with high morals and standards. He has a huge huge heart. He's super athletic and makes me laugh! He's great! He is like perfect for me. He's like me but a guy, scary:) He is wicked awesome at every sport...I can't beat him unless he lets me. He played volleyball in high school and he's really good actually, he's not tall but FREAK'N STRONG!!!! He almost packed me and I saw my life flash before my eyes! SWEET! He played hockey for a long time and is SUPER SUPER good. He is a non-typical jock though. He rocks at sports, is competitive but is incredible sensitive, and loving too. He treats me so well, like a princess. It's awesome.
I know he's a keeper cause he sat and watch old volleyball tapes with me for over an hour AND was actually into it!!!
So yeah that's that in a nut shell. Life is good, Jason is great, and God is incredible!!!
I pray you are all well. I'd love to hear your comments!
Peace and Love,
Erin

God is so so good!

2006-04-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
~Matthew 6:25-34

Just trying something

2006-03-30T14:30:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to change my profile picture and this is the only way I can figure out how to do it.

Welcome bloggers!

2006-03-29T18:37:00.000-08:00

Hello there friends!
It has been a long time since I have done a really good blog. I don't fully understand but I was a blogging champ while I was away and now I have become a blogging has-been! I have failed you all. I am sorry.
Life is going very well. I only have 4 more days of classes, 2 quizzes, 3 exams and then I am done my first year at LU. SO EXCITED. I need to find a job though. So anyone in Sudbury that knows of anything let me know please, Merci.
I wanted to welcome 2 new friends in the world of blogging. Mark Smith, who by the ways is Lansing's new youth pastor SWEET!!!!!!!!! and Chrissy Flietstra who is in my bible study group. Blog well my friends. (You can find a link to their blogs on the right hand side)
The second reason for the blog is to pass on a pretty hilarious video of a joke by Tim and Kari...hahaha oh it cracks me up

Video Sharing at DropShots.com
Anyways that's all she's writting cause she is a slacker.
Peace out
Erin

03-01-79...great day

2006-03-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

Yes that was the day that Melissa ____________ Jakola came into the world. What a glorious day that was. All the best my wonderful friend!
BAPPY HIRTHDAY
Love Erin
p.s. BIG JODY HUGS FOR YOU

The brick?

2006-02-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

So we are sitting in class and there is a teacher who is very french (huge french acsent)in the class chatting with us. He says something about how alot of people were missing because of the break(our upcoming spring break), to which Tim immediately pipes up "They went to the Brick". His excuse what that there was a big sale there.
Oh Tim classic! Classy. I'm glad you are a good sport!
Peace Erin

Jumping on the bad wagon

2006-02-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

Saw this on K and K's blog...thought I'd do it too
Peace Erin

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Erin!

Snow White's coffin was made of Erin.
Never store Erin at room temperature!
South Australia was the first place to allow Erin to stand for parliament.
If the Sun were the size of a beach ball then Jupiter would be the size of a golf ball and Erin would be as small as a pea.
In the Great Seal of the United States the eagle grasps 13 arrows and Erin!
Four-fifths of the surface of Erin is covered in water!
The patron saint of Erin is Saint Eugenie!
In Japan, Erin can only be prepared by chefs specially trained and certified by the government.
Erin was originally called Cheerioats.
Over 46,000 pieces of Erin float on every square mile of ocean.

Quiz

2006-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

There is a prize for whoever takes the test and knows the most about me!
click on this link and follow the directions. By the way it took me like literally 10 tries to get the quiz to work cause I kept pressing the 'back' button and it would go back to the make a quiz page..erg

OK Remember there is a prize!
Erin
Take my Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com!

GOOD bye Cort!

2006-01-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well it most certainly has been a long time since I have put a ligitamate blog up...for that I apologise. Life has been extremely busy, but very good. Let's try to do this chronologically...
So Christmas was GREAT! I had such a good time doing nothing. I was home for about 2 weeks and spend them on the couch doing nothing. I think I averaged about 12-13 hours sleep a day...sweet lov'n! Besides working on my parents christmas present I just hung out with my aunt and did nothing. It was well needed! I haven't really stopped since I got off the plane in Toronto. So it was very much needed and appreciated to have some good'ol quality time off.
I had planned on spending new years at Tim's place on the island but thanks to Cort that did not occur. You see cort (the corolla) was very bad and broke his struts. So much so that apparently when I turned corners the wheels also turned...on 45 degree angle. I know I am not a car girl but even I know that that is bad news. So I spent New Years with my mom and Aunt. I was pointing out where Angie, Linda and I had positioned ourselves last year in Times Square. I was a fun night.
The next morning my dad and I headed back to Sudbury, said a GOOD bye to Cort and found a nice car to replace him. The 'new' car is a white 93' white Ford Tempo...with get this a remote start. I though luxury cars were ones that started the first time you turned the key...but this, high class for this car girl! I think I have decided to name her "Betty", as in Betty White...actually it hasn't stuck with me yet but Melissa and Vanessa call her that so...might as well keeper going. Her full name is actually Betty Jane White...for my mom...Thanks Mom and Dad!

School is in full swing, and this semester is already better than last. I have volleyball, badminton and I had aquatic(but I challenged it and don't have it anymore) as my activity classes and 4 other classes. The teachers this semester make a huge difference. There were 2 profs I didn't like last semester and I like them all this one. Very nice.

Next weekend is the teens retreat at Galilean Bible Camp, which I am going to counsel at. I'm excited for that cause there gonna be some 'old school' peps there. Sweet!

Other than that, I've been hanging out at the Jakola's and playing some volleyball with Cambrian (and the shoulder is holding up wonderfully). I'm lov'n those times.

Well that's it for now, I will post a picture of Betty when I get the chance. Again I apologise for my sloppy blogmanship.
Many Blessings and lots of Love,
Erin

p.s. for those of you who went out and voted - way to be a good citizen, for those of you who didn't SHAME ON YOU!!!!

VOTE

2006-01-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the complete lack of blogging. I will update you on my life soon, but not now...
I am just reminding all of you 18+ people that monday is election day and you better get your butts to the voting booth!
Voting is a priviledge and if you use the excuse "I don't care", "I don't know anything about politics" I say to you BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! You can read up on the parties online and make your choice accordingly. It is your duty to vote. So do it!
VOTE ON MONDAY!
Sperin

Happy Birthday Jesus

2005-12-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

Well it's the night before Christmas and I finally decided to blog. I got a bit of time. You'll be happy to know exams went very well and I arrived safely home in Sault Ste. Marie on Monday. I have played a little volleyball, and done ALOT of relaxing! It feels great! I haven't really relaxed for my than a day at a time since I got back so feels awesome. Just wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
And I also wanted to post a few pictures. I've been loooking at some of my old baby/kid pictures. I always LOVED looking at pics from when I was little...and still cute...so have a good laugh.
Merry Christmas
Much love,
Erin

Common you gotta admit I was pretty cute.

That's right I am giving my sister some of my food, I was so sweet! (I'm on the right)

My mom didn't like us very much....jokes jokes (its a fort)I'm on the right

A peace of paper

2005-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I started studying for my STATS exam tomorrow. I took the course online (envision) and he course consists of 2 assignments(25% each) and a final exam(50%). There are 13 unit and the exam covers them all.
Now my original plan was to do a unit a week and then for the final I wouldn't be too swamped and stressed...ok for those of you who know me and are laughing at the thought of me being so studious, you know already that that plan bombed BIG time. I may have done it for 1 week...maybe a week and a half.
So time for plan B study like a mad for 2 days and hope for the best. Yesterday I began to study, reading of the units, assignments. Our course package included a sample exam so I pulled it out and started doing it. After going through most of the exam I noticed on the front page something about bringing a calculator and a piece of paper. I had skimmed over this before, but this time took notice of the piece of paper comment. I read it a few times...could this be true...can I bring a cheat sheet in??? I read some more...it seems to be true. I left it alone for the day and went home to relax. Intending on spending most of friday at school studying.
It's now friday and I decide why don't I check the e-bulletin board for the course (which has been at my disposal for the entire course, and no it was not the first time I looked at it...it was the second) I search through all the different titlers and headings, until I found final exam. As I read the posts my hear filled with joy. To my delight it was true I could in fact bring 1 piece of paper with ANYTHING written on it into the exam. I was and still am so excited.
So that's what I have been doing. Working on my sheet of paper, that beautiful sheet of paper. In fact I don't think I have ever been so happy (or ever been happy) to write an exam...sigh!
So my last exam will be done tomorrow and I can finally relax. Or sweet relaxation, where have you gone my beautiful friend!
So to my fellow students keep on keeping on...you are almost done...study hard...write well.
Much love
Sperin
p.s. someone around here smells like smoke...cigarettes are fithy McNasty!

Diving video....one more exam

2005-12-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hey there friends
Well just one more exam left, man am I ready to be done.
Last friday we had our dive show so I thought I would post one of my dives...the inward...it's not as good as it could be but it's ok. Hopefully there will be more to come. Katrina's got a lot of good vids so maybe she'll post some...coughhinthintcouch.

Upload Video at DropShots.com

I have one more exam left, saturday at 2pm, then I am free!!! Oh what a feeling! I can't wait to be done. On monday I will head home to the sault for some good'ol R&R. Oh I can't wait. Sleeping, playing some volleyball, sleeping, hang'n with family and friends, sleeping...should be good times
Alright I am off to study.
Keep it real,
Sperin

the end is near...

2005-12-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

The end of this semester is right around the corner. I am extremely excited to be done and head home for christmas. This last month or so has been go go go and I am ready to crash and burn. I have exams on the 9, 15, and 17, a dive show and a paper due on the 16. Then I am done. I plan on heading home on the 19th and hanging out in the Sault till...not sure when. Should be good times. I already have plans to play some volleyball at the Dunn:)
And ps for those of you who love and care about me and would like to show you love then you should come out to our dive show. One of my classes is springboard diving, I know it's awesome. Anyways if you are in the sudbury area then head out this way for some good ol' fashion diving.
Peace and love
Erin

DIVE SHOW
FRIDAY DECEMBER 9, 2005
AT LAURENTIAN OLYMPIC GOLD POOL
AT 1:30 PM
~FOR A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF ATHLETIC ABILITY~

Rwanda Video

2005-11-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

This video is a collection of pictures from my 4 months in Rwanda. Its not the one I use for presentation but I made it and it's fun. So here's a little taste of what I did in Africa this summer. I hope that you enjoy it. Let me know.
With much love Erin

Upload Video at JussPress.com

First Video - blanket stealer

2005-11-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

Katrina has been fake blogging it by putting up videos so I thought I woul also do the same...if I get it to work. I'm gonna try to post some Rwanda videos soon.
Here's a little video of Rhuen He likes to come hang out in my room, and well take my stuff, he's just so stink'n cute that I let him. For best viewing tilt your head to the left.
Enjoy

Upload Video at JussPress.com

Waterlooya

2005-11-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

My wonderful friend Melissa and I headed down to Waterloo last weekend for a wedding reception for Serge and Jen(who was with me in Rwanda).
The trip was wonderful, many thanks to the fantabulous Melissa. We did start off however in a HORRIFIC snowstorm, driving by one car in a rock cut. In fact I think I drove about 60km/hr somewhat slower than I am used to. Thankfully Melissa was screaming " 2 Chevrons 2 Chevrons" into my ear so I kept a safe distance.

We stopped in the Tim Horton in Nobel and I saw about 10 people I knew...didn't know them well but I knew them. Then whilst in the middle of a conversation about how Tim Horton's is the hotspot for knowing people my friend from high school Brent Fryia came in. I jumped up and gave him a hug...he's all growed up now and is teaching in the Sault.

We set out again and played many games of 20 questions and Kill, Kiss, Marry (and variations). The downpoint of the trip was driving by the copious (word of the week) amounts of transport between TO and Waterloo, it was actually sickening. Poor Melissa squilled in horror.

Finally arriving at Brian's we relaxing and watched Madagascar...and yes Bri it was a good movie.
The next morning we arose at around 10. Tori helped us with Breakfast and we got ready to head out for the day.
For lunch we hit up an AWESOME Resturant then headed to Lins...something where the reception was. Somehow we managed to arrive I really don't know how but it was good times trying to naviagate. But you get quality when you have 2 quality people in Cort. (the car)

Melissa's highlight was seeing the horse and buggies. Her first time, so she squilled with excitement.

The receptiong was great. It was awesome to see Jen and Serge as well as Lindsay, and the WMB Team (Tillie, Marvin, Jane, Cathy, Andrea and Josh) I also got to catch up with a lot of the IT staff, and finally met Tara. (An 2 months intern for Jen in Rwanda)

We headed back to Carneys for some relaxation time. We were chill'n with Brian having a great time when he excused himself to the washroom...he never came back but did send his wee messenger Tori with a note saying he'd gone to bed.

Melissa and I soon hit the sack and woke up to Keish in the morning. We packed up and headed home, but not after some football and trying out the scooter. Fun stuff.

The ride home was fairly uneventful. Good times and Laughes with the Melissa.
I want to thank Melissa for a great weekend and for driving with me. Also a big thanks to the Carney'sfor letting us stay, but mainly for raising their children to be wonderful hosts and hostess;)

Anyways I meant to write this a while ago so I have forgotten funny stuff but take what you can get.
Loveth
Erin
(Lindsay, moi, Serge, Jen, Tara)

Cell mates for life - Team two...CHEAT TO WIN!

2005-11-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

So I have gotten into a little trouble...

Lest We Forget

2005-11-09T23:13:00.000-08:00

I never fully appreciated being born in Canada until I did not live in Canada. The freedoms that we think are normal for most people infact are not. These freedoms we can experience are in part because of the sacrifices made by men and women who fought and gave their lives so we might live.
I am very proud to say that my grandparents fought for that freedom. There is nothing I can do to thank them and their fellow veterans for the sacrifice they made. The only thing I can think of to make those sacrifices worthwhile is to live my life in the same way, to enjoy that freedom and to fight for each day.
Thank you!

"IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

~Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

PICTURES

2005-10-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys
So I finally got my butt in gear and posted some pictures of Rwanda. You can check them out at
http://www.imagestation.com/member/signin.html
The user name is sperin_1
and the password is sperin
There is more to come!
Enjoy!
Erin

More Roadie 2005 -PEI adventures

2005-09-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

Due to the overwhelming 'loved the last blog' response I have decided to post bit and pieces of our journal...here is the PEI section...

After Elana’s history lesson concerning her family roots in NB and we headed into the city to view the tourist trap also known as Magnetic Hill. Yes after five dollars was ripped from our cold hard grasp, we proceeded up and down, up and down, up and down the hill and steering is a necessity with this maneuver. One lesson learned was that the vehicle should remain “on” during the tour so that use of the power steering and brakes can be utilized.
Confederation Bridge was crossed while listening to the electronic voice repeating tourist info. Upon the travels Tara again requested frequent pee breaks. What caused the breaking point with Angie was the third misattempt at shooting a fruit (unfinished) out the window resulting in the fruit landing once again in the bed of Danny D. Angie piped up “Tara by the end of this trip I am envisioning you with your hands tied behind your back and you dragging around a catheter.”
The first stop in PEI Island resulted in scouring the shore for precious finds in the fishing community of North Rustico. Lunch was had and we were off to visit the maritime legendary land of Green Gables. Only to or horror the charge for entrance into the tourist trap was a whopping $6.50 therefore the ladies bypassed the paying of the tickets and went straight for the exit. That is right. We cheaped our way out. The security of Green Gables had been breached by the ladies, one being a “cop”. Elana walked off with several of Anne’s crabapples. And this was a good thing you see because the Gable wasn’t as green as our nation makes it out to be. Don’t get me wrong…. It was “fine” but not worth our precious cashola.
We struck out from Avonlea and found out that sneaking in was not an option so we headed off to Summerside. En route we came across some young punks who were jumping off a bridge. Angie offered us $15 US each for Erin and Elana to jump off Stanley Bridge. Being the cash sucking leeches that they are, they accepted the challenge. The sea poop infested water felt great. After a few more jumps we heckled Angie to come jump. Angie debated and waited while Elana offered her some encouragement by offering her $15 bucks back. Before the words even came out of Elana’s mouth Angie was in the water. Tara called from below “did you guys push her?”, but no we had not, it was the sweet allure of cash that had sent her over the edge.
Prior to our jumps we had been the eye witnesses to a car accident. Had we been lying in the street we would have been killed.
With rats nest hair and the taste of salt still lingering in our mouths, Elana and Angie opted to take up their seats in the back of the truck and let the wind blow the dirt off. With wicked hair and wet clothes we showed up unannounced on Karen and John’s doorstep in Summerside. Erin’s mom had known the Meadows from babysitting their son Ian.
The Meadows offered us several sleeping accommodation suggestions; one included tenting in their backyard. With no reservation we accepted and broke out the still drenched tent from our previous weather predicament back in Maine. Dinner hosted by a slightly intoxicated John Meadows included rotisserie chicken on the barbie, cold brother to the blue lobster, and overcooked corn- according to Karen. Elana got a lobster shower compliments of the over zealous lobster chopper John and one too many tequilas. Those things have a lot of juice! Remember the white stuff means its good lobster. We dropped our utensils in a hurry and were on our way with Karen to the CELTIC show after realizing that the show was starting in less that ½ an hour. Reeking of lobster, we scored the VIP section beside the band of hotties. It took all the will power Elana could muster not to break out onto stage in song and dance with the wee performers. To our astonishment we learned that a BA in bag piping could be obtained through the school of piping,….thus the very same school the performers were studying at.
Leaving the concert with an exuberant amount of energy, the girls trekked over to a local 50’s diner for ice cream with Karen. The lure of the Juke box was especially enticing to Elana who proceeded to empty her pockets into the machine. Good times were had by all.
Arriving back at the truck we tried to gain entry to it. “where were the keys?” someone asked- all eyes turned to the infamous keys locked in the truck Angie Brohart. It is said the best predictor of future events is past ones. The classic Angie move was bound to happen. It wasn’t a matter of if…. but when.
The wonderful John blew up another air mattress so that we could all enjoy some spacious sleeping quarters. Tara and Angie crawled into their beds for a good nights rest. Elana and Erin took the other mattress. Their night started off well, but as the air slowly leaked out, the once flat mattress took on a V like shape. This new ditch caused the girls to slide into the middle for a major spooning session. Early that morn Erin woke to a slight drizzle. “guys I think it’s raining” Less than 10 minutes later the tent was packed up and the girls were hiding from the rain awaiting Mr. CAA man to open the truck.

The much anticipated Road Trip 2005 Top 50!!!

2005-09-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

About a month ago Angie, Tara, Elana and I set off for a roadie out east...here are some of the things we learned...enjoy!
1) Tara is one of the most gullible people in the world.
2) Elana, Angie and Erin love to prey on gullible people.
3) PEI is not to be confused with PEI Island
4) Sleeping in the back of a truck is not all it’s cracked up to be-while Tara may disagree.
5) Never trust Tara’s travel decisions/direction or pronunciations.
6) Make sure while changing at a ferry stop that all truckers are sleeping.
7) Tara was born without a bladder…….she is bladderless!
8) Pompeii is not the same as Polonia.
9) The lead singer of a band is sometimes referred to as the “head” singer.
10) Angie is banished from gaining custody of the keys.
11) Tara is banished from throwing food and other item from the truck
12) When in dire need of a place to stay, show up on the doorstep of Erin’s friends and they will welcome you with open arms.
13) Don’t play any of Angie’s “bonding” games
14) When camping...count on rain.
15) No dance on table!
16) The people of Digby will rob you blind...stupid ferry!
17) Take heed when you are the only one swimming and others just look on
18) Don’t wear your best clothes while eating lobster in the company of John Meadows.
19) While holding a towel for a clothes changing friend, it’s best to keep your eyes closed and head turned away.
20) Quebec and De Back are two different things.
21) Elana only looks high
22) Celtic…. not Seltic
23) Erin beat Angie in the alphabet game
24) Erin’s memory is similar to the Encyclopedia Britanica
25) Vermont state troopers are hot.
26) Angie will do almost anything for money including jumping from a bridge.
27) Erin can burp out songs.
28) Wrongturns are delayed righturns.
29) We need wide open spaces!
30) You know you’re tight when you recognize other people’s brands.
31) You can get a BA in bag piping
32) You don’t need utensils to eat a chicken
33) Tara is the queen of losing pillows
34) You don’t need an axe to chop a tree down- a hammer will work
35) Bathing is possible just about anywhere
36) Sssssss ssssssss is the official mating call of the mongoose
37) Get me out of this freaking truck!
38) While driving on a scary deserted Vermont road don’t mention to your friends how the atmosphere reminds you of the Blair Witch Project
39) Four people can definitely fit on one mattress
40) Does Cody McEwen exist?
41) Even cops get confused when they see flashing lights
42) There are no hyphens or K’s in Quebecois
43) When you only poop once every 7 days , you can’t help but envy those who poop 4 times a day
44) Pooping after a week long constipation can only be described as delicious
45) A pic is worth a 1000 pees
46) Angie is the clean truck warden
47) Do not take directions from students in Nova Scotia
48) Underwear is optional
49) Loud bars=ears ringing=hearing loss
50) 7 days is all it take to make life long friends

To my road tripping buddies...YOU ROCK!!!
Peace Erin

Erin - "EXPERIENCE THE CHARM"

2005-09-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well it has certainly been a long time with out a blog. My apologises. It seems lief has gotten crazy since I have returned from Africa. I have been adjusting fairly well to life back in Canada, for the most part. I must admit that somedays have been a struggle but those days are decreasing and the good days are increasing.
Things are getting back into full swing here in Sudbury. School is going fairly well and with a slight change in attitude(haha) I'm getting back into things. Bible study and youth group is started up again and I am excited for the year to come!
Kelly, her parents, and the boys just returned for a short trip down south. Passing throught the town of ERIN, Kelly snapped a picture of it's VERY fitting slogan
"EXPERIENCE THE CHARM"
I must visit this wonderful place sometime.

On sunday I did my presentation at church. It went very well, or so I am told. This weekend coming up is our GPS fall retreat. I am very excited for it, should be good times. Hopefully Ariel we don't run into anymore bears of cops!!!
This week also marks my first assignment due...blah. Surprisingly I am pretty much done!
Well this blog is kinda stinky but I am lacking on inspiring stories to share. They will come don't you fret!
Love and peace
Erin

Diving Champ

2005-09-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

WELCOME HOME MELISSA!!! That's right everybody's favourite hairy legged girl is back on Canadian soil. while I have yet to see her I hope to fix that problem asap!

Another significant event to note is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old sher is..cause I am not quite sure but I could figure it out if I wanted.

And Heidi now joins the great band of bloggers...you can check out her blog by going to the link on the right hand sid eof the page. By the way Heidi or should I say POT...calling the kettle black. I didn't see my blog as a link there...hmmm;)

Well I am off to soccer.
Sorry again about being a blog slacker.
Peace and love,
Erin

p.s. wanna hear about my new fav. class...yeah it's diving and it rocks!

Blog slacker...with good reason

2005-09-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a while and I apologise! Where to start.
First of all the road trip with Angie, Tara and Elana was a ROCK'N good time. So much to tell about there but no time...sorry. I will tell you though that Angie did get us kicked out of a Quebec City bar for dancing on the table. Funniest thing ever!!! Classic Angie. Angie maybe you should explain yourself

After arriving back from the road trip I slept in my own bed for a night then heading out to Galilean the next day.
Galilean was good but a struggle too. Things were finally starting to catch up with me and I had a bit of a tough week. Val C was around though and talking with her helped me release some frustration and emotion. It was awesome to be back at camp. I love that place.

Following Galilean I had another night at home and then headed to Aush-Bik-Koon for another week of camp. It was a FANTASTIC week. The first part of the week was a little rough but I was able to talk with more friends and do some 'debriefing' type stuff. I also was able to do a presentation on Rwanda and I think it went pretty well. Anyone who was there is welcome to comment on it.
ABK ended on the saturday and I started school on the following wednesday(3days ago). I must say that my excitement level for school is lacking but I'm sure it will pick up.

This blog sucks and I apologise but I am alive and doing well. I will blog more later...eventually...hopefully.
Peace and Love,
Sperin

Roadie 2005

2005-08-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hello from New Bruinswick!
I am sitting at a public library in St. Stephen, New Bruinswick. We have been travelling through the east states with the intentions of hitting all of the eastern provinces in the next week.
Angie Brohart, my roadtripping partner in crime is joining me along with 2 new friends; Eleana and Tara. So far the trip has been awesome and more details will come, but I do want to leave you with one 'typical Erin' story for your entertainment.

After driving for many hours we all needed to sleep. With no camp grounds in sight we opted to spend the night at a gas station. We parked the truck under the night sky in the back of the gas station parking lot. Tara filled the air mattrice and we climbed into our respective sleeping quarters: Angie in the backseat of the truck, Eleana on some luggage in the cab and Tara and I on the mattrice in the back of the cab. I lay awake for some hours unable to sleep. I had huge paranoia that someone was going to walk away with my big roller suitcase. While I heard phantom noice of the suitcase being taken away I failed to hear the state troupers pull up. Tara explained how we just couldn't drive anymore and they were more than happy to let us stay there. They had actually stopped to let us know it was raining. LOL. Because of the oncoming rain we moved the truck under the canopy of the gas bar and repositioned ourselves. We ALL were on the matrice this time and let me tell you it was one of the most comfortable sleeps of my life! We woke up to the hum of the gas bar and the stares of the gas clerks. Looking as nasty as we did...and the fact that we were sleeping at a gas station must have been an odd sight...haha.

I hope this blog finds you all well.
Peace and Love,
Sperin

Home sweet home!

2005-08-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

I have arrived back home in Canada safely. Shall I entertain you with my traveling stories ... here we go.

Wednesday morning I woke up at 4am and laid in bed till my alarm went off at 4:30am. Morning had come so early! We headed to the airport at 5am and we said our goodbyes. The night before I had to say goodbye to Evelyn, Deborah, Daniel. Not an easy thing to do. And just a note; Goodbye is the biggest oxymoron in the world... byes are never good!
So back to the story I waved goodbye to Jen and Lindsay and was on my adventure home. My flight out left between 7:15 and 7:30am. I was supposed to fly out at 6:30am, I chuckled to myself. The flight to our quick stop in Uganda was hard. I stuggled with the emotions of saying goodbye. When we landed in Uganda and the plane began to fill up, 2 girls from the US sat with me. They were awesome, sent by God! We started talking. They were travelling in a few countries; Kenya, Uganda. They had done missionary work in different countries and we got to talking. Somehow I just felt like I could tlak to them, not sure if it's cause they listened or I could see in their eyes that they actually cared but I could'nt stop talking. It was so awesome. Some more debriefing time.
We arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and started the most frustrating part of my journey. In Addis, I had a scheduled 12 hour layover. They seperate you into groups according to your destination. Last time it took about 30-45 minutes. This time we didn't leave the airport until 4 hours after being seperated into our groups. At this point I am laughing and doing ok. Hanging out with my new airport friends was fun. When we got to the hotel and got our rooms I was feeling pretty tired. I went into my room and started putting my bag down and getting ready to relax. Suddenly I heard a noice from the bathroom. "Hello" I said, "oh is this your room?" came the response. "Yeah, it is". There was a guy in my room, using my bathroom. And stinking up the place...seriously nasty.
Finally I was alone in my room and very ready for sleep. I crawl into bed and laid there...and laid there...and laid there. 6 hours at that hotel and not a minute of sleep. Frustrated I jumped onto the bus very tired. We were back at the airport at around 9:30pm. My flight was supposed to leave at 11:30pm so I was thinking I still had plenty of time. I caught up with my new friends again and hung out until my flight was called to board at 10:30pm. Thinking my flight left at 11:30pm I said goodbye to my friends and went into the boarding room. I was thinking things were a little odd when the plane was nowhere in sight at 11:15pm. By 11:30 my curiousity had turned into irratation, there was no plane around and even the flight crew was just waiting around. 12:30pm no plane, 1:30 no plane, 1:45 plane arrives and passengers and cargo are being unloaded. By 2:00am we are finally boarding the plane.
When I arrived in Ethiopia I was 22...when I left I was 23! Yep my birthday started in Ethiopia.
Now I know that being tired may have been a factor but truthfully I was just down right grumpy and that's how I wanted to be. The guy sitting in front of my didn't help the situation or my mood. I was feeling so squished and uncomfortable. I tried so hard to sleep and I was so exhausted but I just couldn't do it. I finally gave up and just watched movies for the rest of the flight.
Because of the delay in Ethiopia we landed late in Frankfurt. My big plan and birthday present to myself was to shower in Germany. But due to the delay I didn't have enough time and ended up just changing clothes and
washing my face, not exactly the clean feeling I was looking for. Tired but excited I found my way to my Air Canada boarding gate. While in line I chatted it up with a guy from Vancouver. He told me about the Air France crash and a few other air accidents. And as we were boarding the plane to go to Toronto they were actually showing the crash. My new friend and I look at each other and laughed, great timing.
At this point I still haven't slept but the excitement and adrenoline is pumping and I am ready to get home. Once again I got a window seat, infact every flight to and from Rwanda was a window seat, which was good.
Anyways the guy sitting next to me guards American Diplomates and has spent the last 3 months in Iraq. It was awesome to sit and chat with him about his experiences all over the world and recently in Iraq. While the flight was long chatting with him made it seem so much shorter.
So thursday August 4th at 1:30pm I arrived back in my home and native land. My Aunt Eunice was to pick me up but my parents also arrived to surprise me. We went out for dinner and then Dairy Queen for dessert. By 9:00pm I was sacked and ready to sleep. After 48 hours of being awake I was finally able to crawl into a nice comfy bed and get some much needed sleep.
The past few days I have been chatting up with friends and family and I must say that I love seeing everyone again.
On friday I head out east with Angie Brohart for a 9 day road trip, then I am at Galilean for a week, then ABK then school starts...nothing like taking it easy.

I promise to have more about Rwanda and the culture shock I experience. So far so good but we'll see how things go. Thank you once again for all your supports. Your prayers have been my lifeline in Rwanda and have toughed my heart deeply. I can never thank you enough for your kindness and thoughtfullness. You have blessed me more than you can possible imagine. So for that, I thank you.

With so much love,
Erin

Leav'n on a jet plane...actually 3 jet planes

2005-08-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

Today is my last day in Rwanda. It's hard to believe that I will be back in Canada so soon. Yesterday was an extremely emotional day for me and even as I sit here recalling the events I am struggling to keep the tears at bay. I had to say goodbye to Serge and Jules yesterday. 2 guys who have become like brothers to me. I cried like a wee baby. Tonight will be yet another crying night as I say goodbye to Evelyn and the kids...bad news...get the kleenex out! Evelyn, Deborah and Daniel have become family for me. I am dreading saying goodbye. Then tomorrow morning I have to say goodbye to Jen and Lindsay. Man the poor person sitting next to me on the plane...I pity the fool!:)
The shining light on the situation is that I am going home to loving friends and family who I know we welcome me with open arms.

So I guess this is it from Rwanda. Hopefully I can blog in Ethiopia during my 12 hour layover. I feel like this is somewhat reserved but I really am at a loss for words. Please pray for me as I travel and as I readjust to life in Canada. I pray you will be patient with me as I try to process all the things I have seen and experienced here.

Please know that every person I have impacted here is someone you have impacted. By the love and support you've shown me, you have touched these people too! God bless you. Stay safe until we met again.

Love, Erin

p.s. sorry bout the confusion Ed...my birthday is on Thursday August 4. Yep travelling on my birthday alone, BUT because of time change it will be a 30 hour long birthday and I arrive home on my birthday too. Don't worry, I will also be accepting late birthday gifts;) LOL.

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

~Zephaniah 3:17

Gisenyi

2005-08-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

Gisenyi was great! Man I haven’t been so relaxed in a long time. We headed out for Gisenyi on Friday at around lunch. The Bus was not too bad and the view was gorgeous! I always pictured africa as this hot dry barron dessert place. Well its hot and dry Rwanda is all hill and beauty. It’s a beautiful country.
We arrived in Gisenyi just before dark, and met up with Serge’s brother Chris for dinner. I had pizza and it was really good. We went back to the hotel and headed to bed. Our hotel, the Palm Beach, was right on the beach and as I lay in bed I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. It brought me back to my summers at Galilean. That sound is such a beautiful and peacefull sound!
Later that night I was woken up by a loud crack, and I heard a sound I had heard before but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what it was. That strange wonderful sound was the sound of RAIN hitting the roof. IT RAINED!!! I just layed in bed listening to it. Unfortunately it still hasn’t rained here in Kigali, but because Gisenyi is on Lake Kivu it gets more rain, and is a bit cooler.
The next morning we went for a walk. We headed towards the Congo border and could see Goma, the bordering Congo city from where we were standing. It was pretty cool.
We spent saturday at the Kivu Sun, a hotel with a nice pool. I felt like a kid playing in the water. And I was smart about the sun. I didn't get burned...actually I didn't get any colour...my legs are still sickly white...please don't make too much fun, well it is really funny so I guess you can laugh it up!
We finally left the pool at about 6:30pm and headed back to our hotel (which was literally a 2 minute walk). Chris joined us again and we played some games, ate some dinner, and I broke a chair(quite an embarassing/really hilarious moment which I do not want to talk about at the present time), then went to bed.
Sunday Lindsay and I headed to the pool again for a few more swims. Jen and Deb joined us after and then we headed for the bus to leave for 3:30pm. The bus back was a little pack but not too bad. We arrived safely back in Kigali are 6:30pm and after dinner were in bed around 10ish. It was such an awesome, refreshing weekend!

Jason Dunbar gets a very special mention today in the blog. That's right, that awesome guy sent me not only a sweet letter, but he also got friends from camp to write me notes and sent those along too. I was really touched and encouraged by his thoughtfullness.
Thanks so much Jay, that meant so much to me! You're awesome!!!

So 2 full days left in Rwanda and as I prepare for more goodbyes, I also know that there are open arms and many hellos waiting for me in Canada. As I read the comments today I teared up. Aiden I am counting my sleeps too! And I can't wait to see you boys, I miss you so much!

Well I will do internet one more time here in Rwanda and I hear that Ethiopia has internet at the airport (I have a 12 hour layover so that might waste sometime). So keep reading and comment. I will not stop blogging after I am done here. I will let you know of my transition back to Canada and adventures as I go home. So stay posted.

I love you all so much and I am so looking forward to seeing you again. Please remember me as I will be saying many goodbyes in the next 2 days.

With much love,
Erin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHUEN!!!!

2005-07-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

That's right my little baby (not really mine) is 1 year old today! I can hardly believe it. I miss that little guy! I miss all my little brothers! So Rhuen...happy birthday! I love you and a big high five from me:)

Yesterday I got a letter from a WONDERFUL person. She is sweet and kind and her name is Melissa Doner....One of my favourite things about Melissa is how she LOVED it when I used to throw rocks onto the roof of her cabin at night...great times eh Mel:) Thanks so much for the letter, you made my day!

Today was my last official day of ministry. It came with some mixed emotions. While I am excited to go home. Saying goodbye to my english class was very difficult and although I kept it together I did get a little choked up.

Tomorrow we head to Gisenyi for some MUCH needed R&R. I can't wait to go....actually I can't wait to be there. The 5 hour bus ride on very windy roads isn't too fun but it's all good. We come back Sunday night, so you probably won't hear from me till monday...which means I am expecting LOTS of comments...remember what Theresa said...beware of the wrath of Erin.

I pray this blog finds you well.
With so much love!
Erin

p.s. 7 days till my birthday!!!!!!!

8 days till my birthday!

2005-07-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

So since I am so much less busy than normal I though I would spend more time blogging and emailing. I love the internet, a little taste of home.

Things are heating up here in Kigali. Walking during the day is killer, the intensity of the heat is hard at times. Apparently it gets hotter in August. Yikers!

On friday we are going to Ginseyi. It's a city on Lake Kivu, that borders the Congo. I am really excited to rest and relax and debrief. Should be a great weekend.

Tomorrow is my last day of ministry work. I have my english class in the afternoon and then that's it. It definitly brings some mixed feelings into the picture. I am really excited to go back home but it will be hard leaving my friends here!

Speaking of coming home maybe it'd be good to talk about some "expectations" about coming back to Canada. Truth is I am not sure at all how I will react to coming back. I am quite sure though, that I will experience some kind of reverse culture shock. To what degree, well we'll find out. I will warn you of a few things you might notice are different with me. One is that I have stopped using the word "yes". Haha in this culture raising your eyebrows means yes and I love doing it so I literally have taken the word "yes" outta my vocab. Second thing, I look different...I have a SWEET tan on my face and arms...but since I only wear capris or skirts here my legs are scarey white! Just a warning. Third thing, I have noticed that my english is much simplier. So bear with me.
I hope that helps you. I guess the thing I will need most from you is prayer and patience...and lots of hugs:) haha

Well I hope you've started your shopping...only 8 days till my birthday!!!!!!!!:)
I pray this blog finds you all well.
Love and Blessings,
Erin

2nd package, big surpise, violently ill...2 outta 3 not bad!

2005-07-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

So it's been a busy 2 days....
Let's start with sunday when I was violently ill! And by violently I mean extremely violent! I think every half hour that night I was visiting my friend John. I am fine now...well still a little tired but MUCH better. The bad thing about being sick sunday night was that we had something special planned for Jen.

Prior to Lindsay's arrival I had talked with Rhoda (from IT) about doing a special night for Jen. I was thinking like a 'spa' type night. But the wonderful IT people put Jen up at the Intercontinental for the night. (A VERY nice hotel)
She didn't have a clue. Serge told her that they were going to met a friend from Zambia at the hotel and when we opened the door the look on her face was priceless. She had NO idea what was going on. Hahaha. Even when we told her the room was hers she was like I don't understand. HAHAHAHA. We had a great time! Thank you so much Rhoda and everyone at IT for the help. It went great. Oh and one more thing...Lindsay and I took the oportunity to use the AMAZING shower...that is the cleanest I have felt in 3 and 1/2 months...it was incredible.

Another great thing...ANGIE BROHART I LOVE YOU!!! yews the wonderful Ang sent me a sweet package with CHIPS and chocolate syrup...Angie that was so awesome. I am so happy with it...a HUGE blessing (our friendship!)

Well the sun will be going down soon so we must get home. I plan on doing lots of blogs this week, as I only have 1 ministry left then I am done my work here...so keep the comments coming and I will try to post as much as I can during my last week here.

Love and Blessings,
Teacha Erin

Hotel Rwanda and Goodbyes

2005-07-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hotel Rwanda
I had the unique oportunity to watch Hotel Rwanda in Rwanda. The movie came out just before I left Canada and never made it to Sudbury before I had to leave. I think hat that was a good thing though. I had expected to be crying the entire time but I only teared up a bit at the end. I think it was a great movie and effectiver expressed some bold/true comments.
The emotion I experienced the most during the movie was anger. The scene where all the foreigners are rescued made me so angry. Had those soldiers stayed, genocide would not have occured. I think the reason I didn't cry more was that all the killings and brutality that went on was not news to me. I have been to the genocide memorial twice, stood in churches where thousands where slaughtered. I guess there wasn't the 'shock' factor for me. The part of the movie where I did tear up was when the RPF soldiers were protecting the transferring Tutsis. 2 of my best friends here were RPF soldiers and as I looked into the faces of those actors I could see their faces. The more time I spend with them the more they become my heros! They are like brothers to me and knowing that they went though something so awesome breaks my heart. Watching the movie here, in Rwanda, made it very very personnal! If you haven't yet watched the movie I strongly encourage you to do so...I would also love to hear your thoughts on the movie.

Goodbyes
As my time here comes to an end I am both excited and sad. I experienced my first set of goodbyes at the preschool on friday morning. It was there closing day so it was barely half the morning. We sang our regular songs and then went in side for the kids to get their reports. Harriet (a teacher) had one of the girls pray for me, it was an incredible special moment, and surprisingly enough I managed to keep it together. We met with the teachers and pastor afterwards and I though 'wow I am doing good, I can make it with out crying'...oh foolish me. Harriet prayed for me, and it moved me to tears. There was so much passion in her voice, and so much love. We hugged goodbye, and Harriet began to cry. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a Rwandan woman cry. I never realized the impact I had on the teachers. I knew the kids loved me and would miss me, but I didn't think that I had made such an impact on the teachers. We stood hugging and crying together. It was really amazing to me. I was so blessed.

Well I know that this next week and a half will be full of more tearful goodbyes. I'm such a sap! Please remember me these next 10days here in Rwanda and my LONG 2 days of travelling. I will definitely be needing them in the following days.

Please know that every person that has been touch by me here is a direct result of your support back home. Though your support you are ministering to the people here in Rwanda. I am so grateful for your love and support. It has gotten me through some 'rough' times here. I could never epress how much you all mean to me but I hope that you understand that I am so grateful for your kindness.

Love Always,
Teacha Erin:)

"As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another."
~ Proverbs 27:17

P.S. 11 days till my birthday

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!

2005-07-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

So Lindsay and I have hit it off smashingly! We are together most of the time which means we are laughing most of the time, a very good thing. This next story was not funny at the time but we have shared a few laughs at the situation....

Sunday after church the Vivant youth were going to the hospital to visit some patients. Linds and I tagged along. After waiting in the church for about an hour we jumped into a stiffling hot bus where we waiting for like 20 minutes. We finally got to the hospital where again you guessed we waited to go in. There were only 2 people who spoke english so Lindsay went with Eric and I with Salange(sp?). So we're in the hospital talking when all of a sudden I felt like I NEEDED to know where Lindsay was. I looked up to see her with Eric. He had a hand on her and a hand on the patient he was visiting. Lindsay then grabbed his arm, I thought it odd since he was in the middle of praying. I watched as she began to lean into him, something was not right! I dropped the stuff I was holding on to the guy's bed in front of me and started to see to head over to Linds. Then she went down, like a ton of bricks. I don't know how but little Eric managed to catch her and lay her safely onto the ground. I ran over and was like 'Lindsay Lindsay don't worry I'm here your ok' etc. We managed to get her outside for some fresh air and she started to slowly recover. Like the red-headed muzunga(white person) didn't stand out already! To make matters worse for the poor girl while we were driving home Jen had to quickly pull over so Lindsay could have another embarassing moment and harf out all of the food she had eaten that day (harf=puke). While she did warn Jen it might happen. She is feeling much better now and since the 'incident' we have laughed many times about.

Speaking of laughing...I have an INCREDIBLE bad and hard to control habit. I tend to laugh at completely inappropriate times. I think it's because I don't know how else to react so I laugh. Like if I am scared it happens. Like with Linds, it wasn't funny and I was scared for her but once we were outside I was laughing. I told her I didn't think it was funny but I couldn't help myself. What a horrible habit. I apologise if I have even laughed when you have been hurting or something like that. I mean no harm.

Well it's hot and dusty again today, like anyother day and my feet are somewhere underneath this dirt. I hopethis email finds you all well.
With much love,
Erin

p.s. You guys ROCK! I love the comments and the emails and all the support you have shown me. You are wonderful and have been an incredible blessing to me!

'The Purpose Driven Life' - Rick Warren

2005-07-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to the stadium to hear Rick Warren, the author of ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ speak. The president, Paul Kagame, was asked to introduce Mr. Warren. It turns out that Mr. Kagame read the book and then wrote Mr. Warren inviting him to come to Rwanda. As the president spoke I recall thinking how dignified he was and how incredible that such an incredible leader sees the importance of church and state.
Mr. Warren had 3 main points that he talked about:
1)The purpose of life 2) the purpose of Rwanda, and 3) Restoration and Reconciliation.
1)The purpose of life: He did an overview of his book and highlighted the 5 purposes in our life. While he was speaking about service/servanthood, I noticed some street kids in front of me. I had a half filled bottle of water and one of the boys was eyeing it up. I reached over and handed him the bottle. No less than 2 min after I had done that Rick brought up the verse that talks about how serving others is serving Christ. His very first example was this…”If you give a child a glass of water, you are giving me (Jesus) a glass of water.” I looked at the boy, who once hearing the translator, turned to look at me. His smile sunk deep into my heart and I quietly thanked God for His greatness.
2)The Purpose of Rwanda – Rwanda is one of the most unique countries in the world. Mr. Warren said that the country the whole world turned it’s back on, would be the very country that would be an example to the world. I too share this same belief. The people of Rwanda are incredible people, whom I have come to love and respect.
3)Restoration and Reconciliation. Forgiveness is the key to the purpose of Rwanda. Mr. Warren talked of some very key things about forgiveness, comparing the people that tortured and killed the family of the Rwandans to the people that tortured and killed God’s only son Jesus.
I thought Rick Warren spoke fantastically, and spoke words many pople had not heard. I think he did an excellent job reaching the people where they were at and was not a flashy speaker.
When he had finished they had two men give their testimonies. This was a powerful event to be a witness of!
The first man got up and testified that even though he was a christian before 1994, he took part in the genocide. He killed many people in brutal ways. He talked about how he could hardly live with the horrific crimes he had committed, how they consumed him. He talked of how he bagged God for forgiveness and how he asked his victims to forgive him. He humbly told of how God changed his life and made him a new man. As he was finishing he humbled himself and asked the crowd for their forgiveness. He sat back down to the sound of applause.
The second man stood up and testified that before the 1994 genocide he was a Christian. He also testified that he was a survivor of genocide. His family had once been very big but had been exterminated. He himself had been beat with a club and thrown into a deep pit. He spoke of his anger for the murderers. He then told the crowd how he had to face these people, one of them being the very man who had testified before him. He then said something that moved me almost to tears. He said, not by my own strength, but God’s…I forgave him! He amazed me even more by saying that not only had he forgiven this man but that now they are good friends, even visiting each other at their homes. As he sat back down he too was given a thunderous applause. Those two testimonies were so powerful. The combination of Rick Warren and these two men was an incredible powerful testimony to the merciful and awesome God that I love and serve!

The day ended with some traditional dancing. They even inviteed Rick and Kay(his wife) Warren to dance. That’s right I have a few videos of Rick Warren trying to dance the Rwandan traditional dance.

May this blog find you happy and healthy.
With much Love,
Erin

Feel'n hot hot hot!

2005-07-15T03:18:00.000-07:00

Hot is perhaps one of the most understated understatement I have even used...stiffling seems to be more accurate. It is so hot here. We haven't had water in a little while which is common during the dry season in most any African country.

Lindsay and I were really feeling the heat on wednesday. We got dropped off at the Canadian Embassy so Lindsay could register here and were planning on walking back to town. At first we didn't think it'd be that bad. After an hour in the hot sun, we thought differently. The thing that made it the most difficult was that it was up hill the whole way. I know I tend to exaggerate but seriously we would see the crest of a hill and be relieved to get to the top only to find yet another hill waiting for us. We literally walked up hill the whole way. 1 hour, intense heat, all up hill...yeah we were tired!

The heat, dust, and feelings of dirtiness are starting to take its toll on me. No worries though tomorrow I am teaching swimming lessons to some friends here, so I will be in the water:) The feeling of having your whole body surrounded by water is one that I truly appreciate. After we go swimming, we are headed to the stadium to hear Rick Warren speak. He is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, and has been doing some work here for the past few days. I am really excited for that, not only because I really liked his book but also because I would love to hear an English preacher.

Last night I heard that beautiful O'Canada ring tone from my phone and was not disappoint with the caller from the other end. Brian Carney, my IT (international teams) contact called andwe had a great chat. It was great to hear from him and talk to him. I think the sound of my phone is my most favourite sound here. The sweet sweet sound of O'Canada!

Lindsay has been here a week now and it has been absolutely wonderful to have her around. She reminds me of my friends back home so much. [Which makes me miss them more:)] She is a super great girl and we have spent so much time laughing together and talking. She has been able to come with me to my different ministries and might even take over a few. I feel so confident in leaving them in her hands. It is such a blessing to have her here. Also staying at the lighthouse has been so great. The staff is so wonderful here and they treat us so well.

Well I am off to do some more emailing. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. It's that love and support that makes it easier to be here but hard to be away from home.
With so much love,
Erin

1st package, 7th phone call, Lindsay is here...Life is good!

2005-07-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

Wow I know it's been a little while...my apologise...the internet and I have been having a tiff lately and we weren't friends for a little while. Ok So what has happened in the last few days...well Lindsay is here and to say that I am super crazy excited about that would be a huge understatement! She rocks we have had so much fun. Being back at the lighthouse is great too. I love the staff and they were so happy to see me again, as was I. So Lindsay rocks and is very much like me...I know your all thinking troublew and your right! haha

Also The wonderful Miss Angie Brohart made the O'Canada ring tone on my phone play its sweet little tune! We had a great talk and it was really awesome talking to someone who has experience many of the same things I have experienced here. I know somethings will be hard to deal with coming back to Canada so I hope you will have patience for me. One thing I know I will struggle with is the death of my Nana. While I know its true she is gone...from over here it doesn't seem real.

My mom sent me a wicked awesome package! Thanks mom. I have already gotten into the rockets. I am really blessed to have such an awesome family back home. I really appreciate them!

So Rick Warren comes to Kigali today or tomorrow and apparently Laura Bush and Tony Blair's wife(I can't think of her name) will be here very soon. I hope to go to the stadium saturday to hear Mr. Warren speak. Should be good.

Well between chill'n with Linds, and learning to speak western English again, life is good. I hope this blog finds you all well.
Blessings,
Erin
p.s. yes I do arrive home on my birthday August 4...it's ok if you give me my presents late...that's acceptable.
p.p.s. BC would be rock'n but I basically have 1 week to recover before I life gets crazy.

Rain drops keep falling on my head...

2005-07-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

I wish!!! I would love for the rain drops to fall on my head. Its been about 2 months since I have seen rain and I miss it desperately!!! Because it's the dry season I probably won't see rain again till I am back in Canada:( I have always had a fascination with water and storms. I remember sneaking out of my cabin at Galilean and meeting Heidi Blum on the washroom stairs to watch the storms. I think my love for water comes from my parents. Ever since I can remember, we always went to the family swim at the QE pool(now the John Rhodes). I love those times together at a family, I treasure those memories in my heart. I miss rain!

I guess since I am coming home soon I could let you know of my flight details. I will be flying out of Kigali at 6:30am Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 (Rwandan time). I have another 12 our layover in Ethiopia, then I fly to Frankfurt, Germany. After a shorter layover and an 8 hour flight, I will land in my beautiful country. I fly into Toronto at 1:30pm EST. I'm not exactly sure what will happen once I get to Canada (nothing like planning ahead I know) I do know that my aunt Eunice will pick me up from the airport and I will definitly spend thursday night with her. After that well...not sure. My aunt is either going to drive me back to Suds or I will bus it. So that's kind of the plan.

Lindsay is flying out of Toronto today and after travelling, layovers, and time changes she will be arriving here on friday late afternoon. So I only have 2 more sleeps at Evelyn's before I move to the lighthouse to be with Lindsay. I am excited to go but I will really miss Evelyn and the kids.

Well I think that's all for today. The server went once while I was typing so I wanna post this before I lose this. Please know that your prayers and love are being felt over here in Africa. I can't tell you how much they mean to me and how much I am grateful for them.

With much love,
Erin

What's in a name?; The power of acknowledgement

2005-07-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

During my morning walks to school, more and more people say hi or wave or acknowledge me. Seeing me come regularly over these past few weeks and months has given these people some familiarity with me. It's incredible how far a smile can go! Have you ever noticed that the sound of your own name is kind of nice. When people acknowledge you as a person it generally tends to make you feel good. I am going to give all of you a special challenge for this week....talk! Talk to the people around you. Talk to the lady who gives you your Tim Horton's coffee, the mailman who brings you your mail. The clerk you are buying groceries from. Everyone loves to be acknowledged. The next time you see someone serving you with a name tag...use their name. If you show respect to people they will do the same. So step out of your comfort zone and talk. I have no special powers, I'm just an ordinary person who has been able to show the Rwandan people something that few white people have...love and compassion. I am no-where near perfect nor do I 'have it all together', but I do know that it doesn't take much to show love. That smiles are free yet priceless! Every child needs to feel loved. Every person needs to feel loved. Hugs are free yet priceless too!

July 4, marked the liberation from genocide. It was a day to remember those killed, but also to celebrate the freedom Rwanda now has. The president of Rwanda was there. He lead the RPF, the Rebel Army that stopped genocide. The more I hear about him the more I respect him. Serge and Jules say that there is no other person who could do what he is doing for Rwanda. Serge used to be a presidential guard and Jules works at the ministry of defense so they know what they are talking about. Deborah and Daniel go to the same school as his kids and Deborah told us that at least once a week he drops off and picks his kids up from school himself. Seriously how many presidents do that! He could very well get someone else to do it but I think because of the events of 1994 and previous he knows how important family is!

Jen just arrived at the internet and handed me a letter. CODY YOU ARE AWESOME. I haven't read it yet but I am so excited too. Cody you prove yourself worthy of my girl Angie all the time and I am so happy for the both of you. You will be such a blessing to so many people.

So my GPSers (my youth group) heads to Mexico on saturday. Guys I know you are going to have a great time. Be open to what God has planned for you. I am so proud of you all. Have a great time and let me know how things go. I'm praying for you!

Well that's about all she wrote for today. Remember smiles are free and priceless.
Blessings
Erin

I AM CANADIAN!!!

2005-07-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

It is truly an honour and a privilledge to be born in Canada. I love Canada! The people, the land, the culture. I love being Canadian. We took yesterday to celebrate our great nation. Our original plan to have a big party fell thought because of a funeral. So instead we invited Jules and Serge over, as well as Evelyn, Deborah and Daniel to enjoy a Canadian style lunch. Poutine...which was quite good. I went to town with the decorating. IT was red and white everywhere. We even had temporary tatoos(which of course I still have on). While Jen and the guys were in Burundi I had made up some sheets of Canadian facts. The read each one and were surprised with some the inventions and achievements of Canada. Rwanda is the smallest country in Africa and the most densely populated...They were astonished at the size of Canada and it's relatively same population. After a great lunch and great conversation we headed to Jules to watch a movie and relax. Serge was really impressed that we were so patriotic. He kept saying "you really love your country". I really do! I always have but being here makes me more patriotic. We aren't perfect but I love Canada.
I think we did Canada proud. I hope that all my fellow Canadians to time to express pride for our great country.

SUE YOU ROCK!!!
That's right my good friend Sue LeBlanc sent me an awesome letter with some pictures from her marathon and Pat's graduation. Classic Pat with the magazine!
As I read her letter a flood of wonderful memories from highschool came pouring back. I was so blessed to have the friends I had in highschool. We did so much fun stuff, and we did it with out alcohol or drugs. We really did have good clean fun. I can't remember how many times we play football in the school yard across from Sue and Pat's or cricket or hide-and-go-seek in the dark. When I remember those times I can't help but smile and laugh at the crazy and incredibly caring friends I had during my days at the Dunn. I loved highschool because of these friends. Thanks Sue so much for the letter. The pictures were awesome and now you have me craving DQ;) You're an awesome friend.

Almost got smucked!
Jen and I were walking to the bus park on wednesday afternoon. I was walking normal and causious(as always) when this biker(motorcycle) guy almost hit me. I jumped out of the way. We walked about 4 or 5 steps and all of a sudden heard this crash and yelling. I turned to see a policeman grab the guy from the bike and shove him against a bus, with a punch to the back. During the scramble the bike was still moving on the ground and came very close to hitting Jen, like literally centimeters. I was slightly ahead of Jen and both grabbed each other and hightailled outta there. They threw the guy and his bike in the back of a pick up truck and that was that.

My thursday english class went well considering my translator didn't show up. I had told them on tuesday I was going to give them facts on Canada and that's just what I did. It was a more relaxed setting and we had a great time. Teaching those men and women on tuesday and thursday afternoons has become my favourite ministry. It brings me so much joy to see how much fun they have and how much they are learning.

Who goes to Africa and gets fat???
The answer...ME. Seriously I think I'm getting fat here. How you ask?...well the food is freak'n good and there is no where to exercise! So it's quite easy to see how it could happen. Oh how I miss the gym. Cardio and weights...Dale and I yelling at each other to push harder...'Humbers doing it!'...the sweet smell of sweat after a hard work out...sigh...

Lindsey comes on friday...hehehe...I can't wait. She is travelling by herself which is kind of liberating but also a bit scarey...more so in Ethiopia trying to figure out where to go. Pray for her as see has a few long travelling days ahead. She leaves Wednesday night at 10pm EST. And arrives in Kigali around 4pm our time.

Elaine B. I remembered that you got married yesterday. Sorry I couldn't be there but I said a little prayer for you and I know that it must have been a very special day.

This blog has turned quite long. I miss you incredibly. I am very excited to see you all again. May God keep you safe until I can see you again.
With much love,
Erin

I'm famous?

2005-06-29T04:47:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking who this mysterious person could be that was talking about me in
Desbrates. I'm racking my brain and have only come up with 2 people I could think of. Hey mystery person I am flattered...who are you?:)

Things have been going well here in Kigali. Yesterday Jen, Serge and Jules, came home from Burundi and we headed over to Jules for a 'games night'. While not as malicious and vindictive as a Jakola games' night, there were no friends at the UNO table. I LOVE that so much. The best part of games is the trash talk. I felt so awesome being able to be myself. It brought me back to Sudbury, playing settler's or pictionary, at the Jakola's. What I wouldn't give for a little Hoopla action right now...NADIA!

It's hot in Kigali, althought I hear it's hot back in Canada. The thing here is that the woman don't wear shorts...which means I don't wear shorts...which quite frankly sucks! haha.
I wouldn't consider myself a sweaty person by any means. And I've know some sweaty people...volleyball...Nunu, Bro, Stephen. I must say that the disgustingness of my sweatiness here comes very close to the 3 people mentioned. I sit of the bus I get off and I feel like I just got out of a lake. I am gross. Somedays I think I will never really be clean here. And the feet..umm lets' not go there!

My tuesday/thursday english class is going SO well. Man they have learnt so much it's awesome. They have memorized AND understood what I have taught them and that is so important to me. To often I meet people who speak to me in english and don't have a clue what they are saying. So I am so pleased that they actually comprehend what they are saying.

Lindsey arrives in 9 days. Man, you have no idea how excited I am for her to some!!! I really think we will hit it off!

Well I should be off. Let me once agian thank all of you for your INCREDIBLE support of me while I have been here. Your emails and comments are a daily reminder of the love I have back home in Canada. You are more of a blessing to me and the people of Rwanda then you know.

With much Love,
Erin

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Feeling better - thanks for the prayers

2005-06-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well that you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.

Malaria is a problem here in Rwanda and that was one of the first things we thought of, but being sick to your stomach is not normally a symptom. And since I am feeling better, well feeling fine I am sure I don't have malaria.
I did end up cancelling my english on friday and spent the afternoon, cuddled up on the couch.

I got a letter the other day from my Grandma, I laughed reading it as I could picture the things she was talking about. I also got another phone call from home. It was such a blessing to talk to my mom, dad and sister Ali. Ali leaves for Germany on monday and since Amy is working on a cruiseship in the Caribean and I am here my mom has all her girls out of the Country!

Jen, Serge and Jules left on friday morning for Burundi. I love hanging out with them. We have a lot of fun!

On friday Jen and I are planning a Canada Day celebration. I went online to look up cool Canadian facts and put them on red and white paper for decorations. If anyone has any cool ideas let me know! Rwanda's independence day is also on July 1, so it's a holiday.

A week from Canada Day, (July 8) we will be joined by Lindsey. Another Canadian girl who is about my age. I am SO excited for her arrival. We will be staying at the lighthouse which is also exciting. I really think that we will hit it off right away.

I finished Shake Hands with the Devil(finally). I think I have read about 400 pages in the last 4 days! Just out of curiousity has anyone been able to see the movie 'Hotel Rwanda'? I would love to hear your thoughts about it. It arrived in Sudbury after I had left but from what I understand it is very good. If you haven't seen it I encourage you to watch. Let me know what you think.

Well I am off for the day. Love and blessings,
Erin

Sick!

2005-06-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

It's gotten cooler in Kigali. Which is such a huge blessings. The past week it has been very nice here. I do hope that it will rain sometimes. The dust is becoming more and more disgusting. The school yard playground is a haze of redish brown. I wondering how the dust in their lungs effects their health.

Speaking of health, I, haven't been feeling so well and spent some of wednesday night with my head next to the toilet. I am still feeling like crap and am thinking about cancelling todays english class. I ache all over and I just want to sleep. Although I am feeling much better than yesterday I still am not feeling all that well.

Since I stayed home yesterday I had time to read more of "Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda". Genocide happened just 11 years ago. It is wonderful that the country is growing and moving on, but it is impossible to forget the horrific events of 1994. Having come to know a few Rwandans who were soldiers in the RPF, and others who have lost family and friends, the book has become more personnal for me. As I sat on the bus today looking at the beautiful green hills of Rwanda, I could picture them red with blood. The staggering amount of bodies lying on the side of the road is overwhelming. Perhaps it is because I am sick today but I am having a 'down day'.

I pray all is well at home.
I miss you and I love you all,
Erin

Drive-Bys

2005-06-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, nothing like a little guilt to get the comments going:)

So you're thinking I joined a gang...and I'm into drive-by shootings. Well no I'm not, so don't worry. But Jen and I have been doing some drive-bys. After the Vivant street kids there were quite a few extra clothes, especially for toddlers and babies. Jen and I went through the clothes, sorting into different sizes for boys and girls. We put little outfits into bags and loaded up the car. We then drive around looking for street woman with babies. When we see one Jen stops and I jump out give them a bag of clothes and jump back into the car again. It's so awesome! Seeing their faces when they look into the bag is...yeah...awesome!

And the picture...sorry bout that. OK so the team was here in May and that's a pic from the Refugee camp. From L-R kneeling Andrea and Josh (sorry T, they are married)
Standing Tillie, Me, Susanna, Jane and Cathy. Jane's husband (and Andrea's father) Marvin is the guy in the back. The rest of the people are refugees from Congo.

I just want to thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, emails, comments, letters, phone calls and most importantly prayers. I can not express to you how my they and more importantly you mean to me! You are a tremendous encouragement to me and I can't thank you enough. May God bless you for your kindness.
With my love and appreciation,
Erin

First pic...finally

2005-06-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

The team and myself at the Refugee camp

Shame on you!!!

2005-06-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

Mondays are normally such an exciting day for me, because I get to come to the internet and check my email and blog. Imagine my surprise when after 2 blogs there are no comments!!! For shame!!!
HAHAHA jokes, jokes it's all good! Well actually I do love the comments so get working people!;)

So on friday after the internet I went to Amy's to eat. I met a Swedish girl there who is friends with Christopher the guy I met there a few weeks ago. It was great to sit and chat with her.
Also on friday an older man at the internet, asked me if I was Irish. I told him I was Canadian and he said "Well you look Irish!" And Erin means 'Ireland'.

Friday night we headed to Vivant to prepare for the day with the Street Kids. Jen and I sorted through a couple hundred outfits for the kids. It was fun, we were sweaty and gross but we Canadian girls know how to work hard:)

Saturday morning we headed to Vivant. We arranged all the clothes into sections for size. The kids came in, in groups of 10. First they got their hair cut which they loved and then they came in to get some clothes. I loved dressing them. Especially the little kids, man they are cute! Some were picky about what they were getting, but we stayed firm, others tried to come in more then once. Most were so happy. 'thank you' 'merci, merci' and 'rackosay' came from their smiling faces. It was incredible to be apart of that day. While it was slow in the clothing room I went out and did some juggling with some kids. They loved it. How awesome that for oneday they could forget about all their troubles and worries and have fun...like kids should be doing!
When all the kids had their clothes, they had a singing and worship time together. Unfortunately there are no words in the english language to describe how incredible that time was. The kids were singing, dancing and laughing. They were being kids, something they rarely get to be. I found myself attached to a little girl about 3 or 4. She clung to me like there was no tomorrow. I really didn't care though. There was also a cute little boy there. About the same age. I had the 2 of them sitting on my lap. The little boy fell asleep there.
All 250 street kids where given a meal and a Coka or Fanta(pop) and the day soon ended. The experience was indescribable. I thanked Jules (a friend and leader of the Vivant youth) for allowing me to be a part of a day those kids will never forget.
When the kids were all gone we began clean up. I went to work moving benches and chairs. I noticed that everyone was like 'what the heck is up with this girl? moving heavy stuff'. It wasn't till later that Serge told me they were impressed and afraid. Haha. The guys were saying "her poor husband, she could beat him if she were mad at him" When he told me that I just laughed. Too funny. After we were finished at Vivant, Serge, Jules, Jen and I went back to our house for a movie and some dinner. I love hanging with those guys. They are so much fun!

Yesterday I taugh Sunday School. The past 2 times I have been there church was over 4 and a half hours long. Surely today will be different I thought...it was... 5 HOURS LATER!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I did during that time get a chance to talk to one of my english students. We talked about genocide and how Rwanda is now. His father was killed on the second day and his mother 2 weeks later. At 14 he was forced to take care of his younger sister who was 4 years old, and baby brother who was 6 months. I can't imagine what it was like for him to hide from the killers with 2 little ones and still be a child himself. I thank God for my parents.

Sunday afternoon Serge, Jules, Jen and I hung out again. It was very relaxing and needed.

Well I am to tired to type some more so this will be all of the blog for now.
Now you slackers I expect some comments;) But know that I love you and I miss you.
Love and Blessings,
Erin
Saturday was a

Read Ed's blog

2005-06-17T03:25:00.000-07:00

Hey I was just reading Ed's blog and it touched my heart. I encourage you to keep reading Ed's blog.
Also since I can't get any pictures up you can visit the IT website and check out the Rwanda stuff. Good stuff. http://www.iteams.ca/index.pl/rwanda
Peace and love, Erin

My adoring Fans

2005-06-17T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey my friends

Sorry Vanessa I should have explained the DISGUSTING thing. Man that was funny though. Vanessa is not disgusting I will clear that up right away.

Things in Kigali are hot! So hot it stiffling. I continue to watch the brown bath water come off my body. It's gross.

Yesterday was a fairly normal day. Went to the pre-schol then to teach. It is so awesome to see that my students are actually learning. I love teaching too.

Today I teach at Maureen's. The hard class to teach for me. But good news last week I found a really awesome website that will help me with my teaching. I am so happy about that.

Tomorrow we are helping at Vivant church. They are having a special day for the street kids (there's about 200-300 that will probably come) The youth at that church are incredible and serve their community so well. Jules, one of my friends here, is one of the leaders of the youth. He is an incredible guy with a huge heart for God. Pray that the day will be a success.

Well I should be running. Gotta teach soon.
With so much love, and MANY MANY blessings,
Erin

Long time no blog...sorry

2005-06-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

Hello all my faithful readers.
So I haven't been able to blog lately because of life and stuff. So I will try to update you on the past few days.

My walk home from school is amazing and each day the people I walk by get bolder and bolder. They smile, wave and say hello. It is so incredible for me. Being acknowledged here is awesome. I wonder why I get to experience this amazing thing? God is so awesome!

My walk to the woman's association is great as well. Tuesday I was listening to Jeremy Camp and walked with a perma-grin the whole way. The mothers of the children that I stopped to see last week, saw me and yelled "Muzunga" and waved and smiled. In a world that is full of hate and mistrust all it takes is for someone to show a little love to change things. My challenge to you this week is to be that person who steps ups and steps out!

It has become quite hot in Kigali and with the heat comes the dust. When I 'shower' oh man it's nasty, the water is brown!!! Seriously SICK! Sometimes I think I will never be clean again...and the feet..D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G (Vanessa).

On friday I headed to a local cafe to go over my notes before teaching. I met a guy there named Christopher. He's from Sweden and quite funny. It was so nice to sit and chat with someone! I was so relaxed.

Teaching English at the woman's association ROCKS! They are learning so much and I am so proud of them. We laugh all the time. They love my jokes...but then again who doesn't!

Evelyn and the kids have left for Kenya. Diana (her oldest daughter) is getting married there. You may remember that it was here gusoba we went to.

Daniel borrow the movie "Remember the Titans" from a friend and we both LOVE that movie. We have watched it at least 6 or 7 times. I love that movie. I think it's my favourite movie ever.

So I think I may have told a few of you that I would be home on August 7th....I lied. I am actually leaving on August 3rd and arriving in Canada August 4th(the best day of the year) at 1:30pm. Because I travel through 6 times zones on the 4th I will have a 30 hour birthday.

Well still have many emails to write. I have been trying to get pictures up but it's not working...grrr. I'll keep trying. By the way Kelly I LOVE the pics you sent me. Rhuen is HUGE!!!! I hope he doesn't forget me! Give all those boys a big hug from me!

Thank you again everyone for your continued prayers. You all mean so much to me and words can't express how blessed I am to have you in my life!

Love and Blessings
Erin

"He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less"
~John 3:30

It's a small world!!!

2005-06-08T04:44:00.000-07:00

So I get this message from Jen the other day asking if I knew a "Jennifer Provost" and I'm like sounds familiar but I don't think so. To make a potential long story short Jen meets this girl Jennifer Provost (who goes by Claire) at the bank in Kigali. It turns out she is a Canadian from none other than SUDBURY!!! Like holy cow that's awesome. So she is here till september and writing for the Sudbury Star. It sounded like she was very happy to met another Canadian. And I am very excited to met her as well. If anyone knows her let me know so we can hook up this Sudbury connection.

I went to the pre-school again today and as usual had my gang of children following me. I wish I could see it cause I am sure it is quite the site to see. 1 muzunga among about 30 kids.

Today is nice here but it has been very hot over the last few days. Melissa you would love it!

Anyways I just don't feel like typing anymore. I am going to go home and sleep...I feel a cold coming on!

Much love, Erin

Rwanda vs. Nigeria

2005-06-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

Hello my wonderful friends and how are you today? I pray things are well at home. I had a pretty good weekend. Friday we went to Jules' who has been sick to hangout with him.
Saturday I relaxed. It was good.
Yesterday I taught Sunday school for 4 HOURS!!! Actually it was about 4 and a half hours! I find that filling those hours is a challenge. There are about 100 children and their ages are from 3-13. I have little equipment and yeah it's a challenge! But they are so cute! I am working on getting some pictures up asap.
After church on sunday we went to Jules again for lunch and to watch the big football (soccer) game. Rwanda vs. Nigeria. Nigeria is the number one team in Africa. Rwanda played awesome and definitly was the better playing team but a late goal tied it up and the final score was 1-1. It was so fun to hang out and watch sports together with Serge, Jules, Alfonze, Jen and myself.
After the game was over we were going to watch a movie(Speed) but the power went out. This turn out to be a blessing as we were able to spend time talking. For me this was awesome because it is the first time I felt comfortable enough here to talk about the more 'deeper' topics. WE talked about marriage and family and the future and all kinds of things. It was a huge blessing for me and it was great to hear some of their thoughts. So since questions spark the most response to the blog I thought I would ask one.... What do you think the future holds for Erin?

Ok well I am off for the day.
Blessings my friends,
Erin

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " ~Jeremiah 29:11

Miss Canada Miss Universe

2005-06-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

That's right even from the far off land of Rwanda I was able to watch the Miss Universe pagaent. Hey and WE WON!!! Yes miss Canada, when do we ever win tese things...I knew it too! Now for those of you who are like "I can't believe you watch that crap" I say to you, first of all we only have one chanel and second of all I cheer for my country and thirdly Canada is WAY to politically correct!!! Ok that's all of that.

3 sweet letters
A post card from Taiwan, mailed in Canada and sent to Rwanda. Angie Bro that is some great international mail, totally blessed my day. The second from my second grandparents Uncle Abe and Aunt Shirley. A very sweet card that encouraged me so much. And finally from my Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma is so awesome! I am so blessed to have such wonderful family! On both sides they rock!!!

A Great Revelation
Ok so what else has happened in the past few days...well pre-school and teaching english has been going well. I love my tuesday and thursday english class we laugh so much and they are really learning too. I am so proud of them!

Ok so I had this revelation wednesday as I was walking home from school. You see when I leave the school it is normally with at least 2 kids on each arm. Once the leave to go their seperate way I start to pick up stragglers. I love it cause I walk with this mob of children like everywhere I go. I wish I could get a picture. Anyways so as I walk often some little kid or big one will reach down and grab my hand and hold hands with me as we walk. I think it's great. I noticed on wednesday the faces of the adults who would stop what they were doing to watch the Muzunga and the mob walk by. It hit me then that this is a ministry. Most adults see kids as extra mouths to feed or more hands to do work, but they saw me touching and talking with their children. Not afraid or 'above' them in any way. They see that a white person can love their kids. What an incredible message and one I am excited to and priviledge to have. I came here to be a blessing and I am the ne being blessed. God is a great multitasker!

Well I am off to catch up on the email. For those of you who email and don't get many emails back I am sorry but am also so grateful for you love and emails! They make me smile everytime I come check. You are helping me more than you will know!

Until next time, with much love,
Erin

To be blessed you must be a blessing!!!

1 phone call, 5 times the love!

2005-05-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

So your wondering how 1 phone call could bring 5 times the love...well I got to talk to my boys yesterday! It was SO awesome! Man I miss those kids. Kelly you rock thank you so much for that. I talked to Ben first, whose arm is healed up just nice and is almost done school, then Israel told me about T-ball and how fun that was. Aiden got a new bike and I can't wait to see him ride it, it sounds really cool. Hunter said the play went well and he only has a history test left in school. It was so great to hear their voices again. I really miss hang'n out with my little brothers, and of course Kelly. It was so great to talk to all of them. Thanks so much Kelly!!! and boys;)

So anyone heard of Rick Warrer...well for you "Purpose Driven Life" fans I have some kinda cool news. Apparently Mr. Warren and his team will be coming to Rwanda this July. Not sure how long but I will hopefully get to met him and his team. And I just finished the Purpose Driven Life today so that's cool.

Things have been a little more relaxing since the team left. I have settle back into my minstries. On saturday I went to the Intercontinental to chill'lax. Apparently there is some King in town and one of his wifes is staying at the Intercontinental and the other at the Novotel.

Well I am off to figure out how to teach english...hahaha. I pray all of you are well and that God will keep you safe until I can see you again. Until next time, I love and miss you!
Always Erin

Phone calls ROCK MY WORLD!!!!

2005-05-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Well 2 VERY special people get VERY special mentions. A Miss Vanessa Jakola called me on monday night, man it was SOOOOOO good to talk to her! The connection wasn't great but it was awesome to hear Vanessa voice again. Thank you so much Van!!!
And then last night (at 4:00am..lol) Miss Angie Brohart called me. Talking with those 2 was awesome and a huge encouragement to me. Vanessa and Angie, you have no idea how much that meant to me!!! Thank you!!!
By the way any call at any time (even 4am) is coolio!

Ok so where to start, man I know it's been a long time and there is so much to talk about. Well the team was here for 2 weeks and what an amazing group of people. I had a hard time when they left. I may or may not have teared up....
Anyways well with the team here we were so busy so I can only share a few of the things that we were able to do.
Last wednesday we went to the game park. We didn't see Lion's and only saw Elephants from across a lake but we saw most of your typical african animals:) The coolest part of the day was when the land rover got stuck in mud and we got out of the rover and walked around barefoot. We were in the giraffe area and were able to walk within about 50m of the giraffes!!! It was so COOL! Like seriously wicked awesome fun! I was LOV'N it!!! Good times at the game park!

I went to church with the team and it was very interesting as the speaker spoke french, someone translated into Kinrwandan, then my translator translated to english. I got "holy spirit" and "water" out of it...hahaha. I noticed that after a while she just stopped talking, and would say about 10 words every 10 mins. Hahaha, oh well. It was still fun.

We went to Evelyn's oldest daughter, Diana's Gusaba. Its the bartering for the bride type thing. At first it was a little, mmm, slow, but then they had these really cool african dancers and singers and man was it awesome. I got some video, so don't worry you'll be forced to watch it.

So since the team has been gone have been getting into the swing of things. I taugh sunday school on sunday. Wanna know whats hard...trying to figure out what to do with kids aged 3-13, for 4 hours, with little to no-equipment!!! Of all my ministries I think this is the hardest. It is really important though.

The nursery school kids...oh my...talk about cute, I will be bringing home some cute videos of them. I walked home today with literally 4 kids on each arm. And yesterday after I left the kids from my school some other kids from another school started walking with me, before I knew it I have 2 little hands in mine. I saw them again today walking home. Its so great to connect with people outside of my ministries, especially kids.

Has anyone heard of westlife? If you haven't don't go out and by their CD. They are huge here. I'd say they are a mix between the backstreet boy and new kids on the block. In a word...BRUTAL. Why do I bring this up you ask...well at a friends house we had to listen not only to the whole music video DVD but one song (Queen of my Heart)...shudder...

Well I am getting tired of typing and I apologise for this brutal blog, it's hard when you have so much to say. I will start being more faithful to my readers again. Thank you again so much for your love and support. Your prayers are felt and appreciated.
With much love,
Erin
p.s. mom can you email me that osap stuff...thanks.

More Than Conquerors
"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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:28-39

Melissa Jakola - 1st Place

2005-05-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

Melissa Jakola, yes that cool quirky girl, is the winner of the first international mail prize!!!! I recieved a lovely letter and some Taiwanesse gum (by the way melissa it was all gone by the next morning). So Melissa i loved the letter and the gum and i must say that you are not just a dead fish on the sidewalk!!!

Still waiting for lucky phone call number 4:)

ok I will write more when i have the chance and when i am not on a confusing European keyboard/computer

Much love!
Erin

So I'm a good writter but poor speller....

2005-05-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

I hope no one has been too worried in my absence. I am safe and doing well in Kigali. I have been so busy with the team being here. Man they totally rock my world. They are so funny. I am seriously gonna miss them hard core when they leave on friday.

So your wondering what I have been up to. So many things. Man I need my journal here so I can remember. And yes aunt Lori I have been keeping up with the journal daily! Well mostly daily:)

I will tell you of one thing that I did with the teams here. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. Just outside Kigali are 2 memorial sites. Both churches.
The first church we came to was overwhelming. At this church 5000 people were killed inside and another 10 000 outside. Walking into the church literally took my breath away. The church was left as is. Clothing, bones, and dust (from human remains) litered the ground. We walked throught the church on benches carefull not to step on what remained of those 5000 people. This I can say was the hardest thing I have ever done and the worst thing I have ever seen. I imagined the screams and horror that took place. It is sickening! The brutal way these people died. Of that church there were only 2 survivors! 2 out of 15 000!!!! One woman who hid under bodies for 2 weeks before venturing out, and one man who hide in nearby bushes for 2 months!
The second church was cleaned up, and 'taken care of' by Chantal, the only survivor of that massocure. While physically alive, she seemed to be dead. She walked away when she saw any of us cry. She took Suzanna to a wall and said 'this is where the soldiers took the babies', when she saw the tears in Suzanna's eyes she walked away. I wrestled with how she must be feeling and how she could possible move on. It rocked me to my core. At that church 10 000 were killed inside and another 15 000 outside. It literally make me sick to think of the disgusting things that happened in those churches.
There was a special casket for one of the victums at the second church. She had been empalled with a poll (from her vagina) and left to die. Her baby was still on her back.
Since the visit tothe memorials I have wrestled with numberous questions. Some I know may never be answered. But as devestating and heart wrenching as the genocide stories are, there is hope and life in Rwanda! Rwanda is not dead it is very much alive!!! God is moving and working here!!! I see it daily!
I don't have much time online today but now that I am well. That you have encouraged me beyond words and that God loves you! God has blessed the westeren world and its time we start giving back.
Until next time. I love and miss you.
Erin

Incredible Day - Incredible God

2005-05-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in Rwanda I played volleyball at a Congolesse Refugee camp !!! That’s incredible. It was so fun and the people were so excited to have a white person who was female and good play with them. It was an incredible experience being at the refugee camp. At times it was hard to be there. Seeing the horrible living conditions! We drove through some seriously windy and hilly roads and our first view of the camp was breath-taking. Amidst the beauty of the Rwandan country side lies a sea of white tarps. These mud huts are ‘home’ for over 18 000 Congolesse people. Ironically enough the land and home they love and desperately want to return to, the Congo, is visible from the camp.
There is a lack of everything ; food, clothing, school, supplies, education, soap, everything. It is a sad state of affairs and it seems that it won’t be changing either. These people are losing hope.
We were able to bring bibles and other supplies to the camp which were appreciated and needed. But being there I realize just how little we could do. While I believe one person can make a difference, I realize that I can't help everyone I want to. But I also realized that if you can breath you can help someone. Before going up Josh (a team member) did a devotion asking the question 'what prevents people from going and serving others?' You may think I am being rash or rude but quite frankly I believe in North America we are too selfish to help. Not all of us but I'd say that's the main reason. Sure we can say we have no money or no time or we aren't qualified. Jane blew bubbles with the kids...if you can breath your qualified. Today I am wrestling with some questions, the most prevalent...Where are God's people?!
God gave me a gift in that I am very athletic. Funny enough I LOVE sports. God used my love for him and my love for sports to show his love to the people at the camp. I played volleyball at a refugee camp! You have gifts from God! USE THEM!!!
Now I am not saying I am perfect, in fact I have been 'too busy, not rich enough, and unqualified' for too long. But I can play volleyball andusing my gifts is as rewarding for me as it was for the people I was with.

How will you use your gifts?

Blessings and Love, Erin
p.s. I realize this is short but time is limited...I also want to say that this team is FANTASTIC and INCREDIBLE. Amazing people who I have come to love.

Teacha Erin

2005-05-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well that's kind of a stretch. I have been noticing that no one can say my name!!! Seriously the close to Erin is Elrin. I have got Ellen, Hellen, Irene...everything but. But that's part of the language barrier here. "er" and "th" are not used together in their language and so words with those combinations are very difficult to say.

Ok so yes teacher Erin. I had my first day at the nursery school yesterday and second day today. Can I tell yoiu that I was literally maulled! Seriously the kids were all over me. Touching my skin to see if the colour came off, touching my hair, my clothes, everything. Haha. I was lov'n all the lov'n.
I taugh the children a few song (anyone got good song ideas or games let me know). I was sitting in one of the classes today and all of a sudden started thinking about my friend J.P. from Cambrian. We did a placement together in Mrs. Jakola's class and he was so amazing with the kids there. I thought of how awesome he would be there.
The kids are so cuddly and cute and funny...oh my goodness I crack up when they get into their little giggle fits. hahaha

This afternoon was my first experience teaching English and if I do say so myself, I rocked! Haha ok maybe I won't be getting a "world's greatest teacher" award, but I am definitly confident in my teaching abilities. Althought todays class only had about 15, and tomorrows will have about 50..to start.

The team is probably flying out of Germany right now and arriving in Ethiopia tonight and then Kigali at 4 tomorrow. I am teaching till 4 so I won't be able to met them but I am so looking forward to having them, and learning from them. I will go with them to stay at the light house resort which is good cause we haven't had water the past few days. Which sucks more than not having Electricty. I am hoping to have my stuff all 'moved in' in the morning and then I will head to Marion's to teach english and met up with the team after. I am really excited to meet them all.

Ok while I am writing this blog the city is going insane, horns, sirens, screaming, yelling, chaos! At first I was like 'oh my, we're at war' but then I remember that there was a football game (soccer) and by the sounds of it Kigali's team won! Sweet chicken!!! It sounds like the Leafs won't he stanley cup

Alrighty I think I will go, Vanessa you gotta tell me about this job! I wanna here all about it.
Keep up the comments, so far Ed is in first place.
Love and Blessings
Erin

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippeans 4:12-13

ED KNOWS ELVIS!!!

2005-05-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hello my dear friends.
I recieved some of the most exciting news this afternoon as I opened my blog to read the wonderful comments. Today is a special day. My new blogger friend Ed (who is beating EVERYONE in the comment department) knows and is friends with my hero. I can hardly breath. For those of you who know me well you all know who that great Canadian, that I so deeply admire is. But for those of you who don't I will tell you. The great Canadian, that I admire and have HUGE respect for is the one and only ELVIS STOJKO
I can't believe that you know him Ed. That is so cool. I was so mad(ok an understatement I was full or rage!) when he only got silver in Lillihammer, and I cried when he skated in Nagano. He makes me proud to be Canadian. If I could pick one person to have dinner with it would be him. He is my hero(one of them)! Do you think he'd come to Rwanda for a visit:)?
I seem to get more comments when I ask questions. So who is your hero?

So today I went to a primary school where I will be helping out at and teaching at for 3-4 days of the week. The kids range in age from 3-6, and they all came out of the cute farm! Seriously I want to take them all home...OH yeah AND I got to hold a 1 and 1/2 month old baby today. She was so cute, and her name was Faith.

I am starting to get the schedule for my time here in Rwanda. Tuesday-Friday I will at the Primary school in the mornings. Tuesday and Thursday afternoon I will be teaching English to the woman at the woman's association and Fridays afternoons I will be teaching english at Marion's (the woman's shelter). The class hasn't even started there yet and already there are over 150 people that want to learn english! YIKES! That's alot! On sundays I will teach sunday school in the morning at Marion's and in the afternoon I will do English with the children at the woman's association. Saturdays will be my day off and Mondays will be a prep day. So that looks like my week.

The team comes friday and I will be staying with them at the lighthouse resort. I think they have hot water AND showers...hehehheheheh!

I am hoping to get online at least one more time before the team comes, but if not I look forward to your response about your hero.
I pray this blog finds you all well.
With much love,
Erin

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
-Philippeans 4:4

Embassador #1

2005-05-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

First and foremost you must all understand and know that everytime I check my blog and the email I laugh and smile! You are responsible for numerous stares as I have cracked up laughing so many times. And I am constantly smiling. Crazy muzunga! By the wat I think I have to agree with Theresa when I say Ed is kick'n everyones butt in the comment department!!! Ed you rock and I thank you for your encouragement!!!

Saturdays are turning out to be my day off/prep day. So we went for PIZZA with Marion (of the woman's shelter). Coming from Sault Ste. Marie home of the greatest pizza in Canada for sure, I had high standards on what good pizza should taste like. I was pleasantly surprised when tasted the pizza, although not quite as good as the Sault(is any pizza though?) it was still very good!

Later that evening Evelyn was having a family meeting at the house. To stay out of the way Jen and I took Deborah and Daniel to the Intercontinental, a hotel here. We arrived with UNO and SKIP-BO and planned to spend the evening playing games and relaxing. Which is what we did. We enjoyed wonderful milk shakes (which I downed in about 2.5 secs) and free Banana chips and potatoe chips. I was loving it. As we were playing a game of skip-bo a man came over to us, he was loud but funny, laughed alot. He was so curious about the game we were playing and watched intently. He was cheering for me to win so I was happy. Anyways after some friendly conversation he introduced himself as the Lybian Embassador. That's right we were max'n and relax'n with the embassador himself! AND he bought us all drinks (we had soda's) AND we also got an invitation to have lunch with him over a game of skip-bo. How coolio is that! Now we are trying to get as many Embassador's numbers as we can!

Things will start to pick up this week as there is a team coming on friday. There are 7 people coming and they will be here for 2 weeks. It kinda puts my ministries on hold because we will being doing more "1-time" things while there here. Like going to the refugee camp and stuff like that. Also internet will be EXTREMELY limited while they are here because our schedule in packed so don't worry if I seem to disappear for 2 weeks:) Keep praying for me.

Yesterday after church we went to the Novotel to relax before the team comes. I met 2 guys from Lebanon and a girl from India. I love meeting new people so it's nice when I do.

Just a note for anyone thinking of coming to Rwanda...the food is AMAZING! Oh my goodness I LOVE the food...wait a sec now pick up your jaws, yes that is right Erin the pickiest eater in the world LOVES the food here! BREATH...I know I am shocked too!

Tomorrow is my first children's program at the woman's association. I love the kids they are so cute...Aunt lori..how many do you want cause I found about 500 cute ones!

Friday is my first English class so me fallow Anglish techers anny addvice???;)

Ok well I am done for now I will try to blog before the team comes. I pray this blog finds you all well! I will leave you with a verse my friend Avril gave to me(the words are from different translations)

"Be still...Let go...Relax...Cease Striving... and KNOW that I AM God."
~Psalm 46:10

With much love,
Erin

Phone call number 3

2005-04-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends
I just want to say a big thank you to all of you sending emails, writing comments, and praying for me. Everytime I come to the internet it's like a hug from home. I feel so much love here even being so far away! It's awesome! God is good.

Just a quick blog as I am short on time. Yesterday I recieved call number 3...YES! Although it was 2 am here it was still awesome to talk to people. The 3rd call came c/o International teams. A missionary who just returned was doing a presentation and as part of the evening they feature a special "Live from Rwanda" with yours truly. I was so happy to be involved and to talk about what God has been doing in my life and in Rwanda. I hope that I was helpful!

Alright well that's it for now...time is ticking away.
I love and miss you
Erin
ps. I was talking to a friend today(Fowler) who told me she showed Dale (my vball coach) how to access and read the blog...so a very special "HALLO DALE!" goes out to you coach. Now you just have to figure out how to make comments;)

BIG steps!

2005-04-28T03:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took some major steps here in Rwanda. Jen and I came to town to do internet and then she left for lunch with a friend and I was in the streets of Kigali alone! I was kind of excited to be independent and alone. I easily managed to find myself something to eat and find my way to the bus park. And get on the right bus to meet up with Jen at Marion's (women's shelter type thingy). I was proud of myself and being able to get around even a little bit gave me a lot of confidence. I was even early to the woman's shelter and stopped for a coka (coke) at a near by store. So I sat eat my food, enjoyed some coka and watched a very staticy chanel on TV. I am very happy with how I did.

I am excited for tonight because I will be getting a phone call although at 2am, still cool. I talked about it in my blog yesterday.

Jen and I have been at meetings today. Discussing the different ministries I will be involved in. So far Sundays will be sunday school in the morning and teaching English to children in the afternoon. Tuesdays and thursdays I will be doing a kids type program in the afternoon and Fridays I will be teaching english in the afternoon. So my week is coming together nicely.

I must say that I have enjoy reading the comments so much lately. Vanessa thank you for telling me about your nice shower..grrr;) Oh well I will just go suntan:). Funny Ed that you asked what brings me to Rwanda. Yesterday Jen spoke at Marion's and after the service we sat around talking. Across the room from us a woman held her small child 1-2ish yrs old. I caught the little girls eyes and smiled, she returned the jesture and I waved. She began to wave so hard and kept smiling at me. I went over and held her. Her mother was HIV+, so it is likely that she is too. She was small and light and almost fragile, but had this look. A look I can't explain. Children are incredible and while I was holding her, the answer to that question was so clear. I am here to glorify God through serving these people, through holding a child, through caring for their needs, through loving these people.

Anyways I must be off we have some more meetings. I hope this blog finds you well.
Love, Erin
"God is love."
check out 1 John 4

Banter is great!

2005-04-27T03:15:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how much I enjoyed reading my comments about yesterdays blog! I think I laughed out loud on more than a few occasions. Ed I am glad you are reading my blog I will definitly be checking out your. A reminder that comments are welcome from everyone...even people I do not know. You are all welcome to share your comments.

So not too much new to say since yesterday. Today we are going to a women's shelter type thing. I taught sunday school at the same place this past sunday so I hope I will get to see some of the same kids again. They are so precious.

My bites are increasing. And they are starting to itch. I have been taking my Vit B since I got here and I never wear perfume or stuff. I guess the next thing would be a mosquitoe net.

I still dislike Speedos...just my stand on things and I realize to that culture often dictates what people wear.

I hear also that Sudbury and the Sault got some snow...It's beautiful here and you'll be happy to know that my tan is starting to come along:)

I do have some things you could pray about. Evelyn is the woman I am living with, and her children Deborah(15) and Daniel(13). They are amzing people with a hug heart for God. Several years ago someone broke into their home and killed their husband and father. They have all been affected by this terrible event and as Evelyn's other daughter Diana's wedding is approaching, stress is increasing. Because she is marry a muslim it makes things even harder. Please keep them in your prayers as they are all struggling right now.

My purpose driven life is going well and I am sticking to it...Angie I am sure I will actually finish this book;)

On thursday night I will be getting a phone call for something...hahaha wow my information astounds me! It Windows on the World??? I am excited to get a call. And I can't wait to talk to people and answer their questions. It's supposed to be about 10 minutes but I am kinda hoping it's longer. So for everyone who was rushing to call me on thursday night, perhaps it might be a bad time. I am accepting all other calls at any other time though:)
Alrighty I am off. Until we met again stay safe and focus on God.
Peace and love,
Erin

p.s. for those of you doing the bath challenge I commend you, you are doing a great job. For those of you who aren't...shame on you! Actually if I had the chance I would be showering right now too!

Speedos, Mosquitoes, and Teaching

2005-04-26T03:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent most of my day at the Novotel. It is a hotel here in Kigali where you can go hang out and swim and just relax. I was so needing that yesterday, as the past few days have been tough. During my time at the hotel I noticed an alarming amount of Speedos. Now being a lifeguard I have seen many Speedos in my life, yet that doesn’t make me like them any better. I do think there is a purpose for them, like if you’re Ian Thorp (Australian Olympic swimming) and you are competing or training then yeah go ahead. But when you are just lazy around the pool, please for the sake of your fellow humans swimming shorts are better! Perhaps your comments will double as a petition against the dreaded Speedo! As I was leaving the hotel I over heard some people talking. I am sure they were North American as they sounded much like me. They were talking about the news and I found myself suddenly craving information from the rest of the world. I wanted to watch the news and see what life is like back home. It's funny how much you long to hear from the things that are a comfort to you.
Coming out of the Novotel was a surreal experience. Going from this place of comfort and slight reminder of the things of home back into the poverty of Rwanda, was almost as surreal my first trip into Kigali from the Airport.

All my life I have been blessed in not having to worry about mosquitoes. They never seemed to bite me while my sister was always covered in bites. The mosquitoes here are different. They like me. Lying in bed at night it sounds like an airstrip. Here they come at you like a 747. They are so loud!!! But you can feel them biting and the bites don’t itch too much. It just looks like you have a flesh eating disease cause they get red and swollen.

One of the ministries I will be doing here is teaching English. This scares and excites me and so I am asking all of my friends who have taugh English as a second language, who are teachers, really anyone with any ideas for me on some teaching techniques that might be useful. I would appreciate any and all advise you have for me!

Just a note. International Teams Canada has updated their website and there is some stuff on me in there. If you click on the ITeams link on the right hand side of the page you can check it out for yourself!

A CHALLENGE:
To bring a bit of the Rwandan world to you I thought I would offer up a challenge. This may be one of many or one of one challenges I bring to you. haha! In Rwanda there are no showers and no hot water from the taps. So bathing involve boiling you water and washing yourself from a tub. So here's the challenge can you for lets say 3 days to 1 week bath in a tub. All you can do is get hot water and add some cold to it. Then you have to wash your entire body including hair with that small amount of water. I am getting better at this but I still feel that I may not be entirely clean until I get back to Canada! That's a disgusting thought.

Well I am off, I pray you are all well and safe. Thank you for you support during this time of heartache. I am feeling better but it is still hard being here and not at home.
With much love,
Erin

p.s. there has been a WONDERFUL amount of emails sent to me which I love and appreciate and I do intend on writing you all back, but this will take some time. But know that I LOVE hearing from you.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4

Nana

2005-04-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

On saturday afternoon I got a phone call from my mom. Normally I would be happy for such a call but the news I recieved from the other end pierced me like a dagger to the heart. Sometime between the night of Thursday April 21 and the morning of Friday April 22, my Nana passed away.
This news came as a shock. It is so hard being so far away from family at this time but the people here have been so incredible supportive! I can't express how gratefull I am to them and their love. Also as I was checking my email and blog this morning I was reminded of how many people love me and care about me back at home.
While I long to be with my family, I feel a comfort here that brings some peace to my heart.
My Nana was a funny one. Every time I came over Nana would ask me if I had a boyfriend. Haha it makes me laugh thinking of it. She always had the best freezies too. It little things like that, that I have been thinking of, but pehaps the thing I remember most about Nana was her love and pride for her family. I know she loved everyone so much and was always so proud of us. She talked about us all the time and always aske how we were doing, being feel of joy when we were doing well. She was a great person and I will miss her alot.
I think about my family and how they are coping. My sister Amy is working on a cruiseship and will not be able to get home either. I pray that everyone is doing ok. Please keep them in your prayers.
I think I will end this blog short as it is hard for me to write right now. Please know that your prayers are appreciated and felt. And for those of you who commented or sent me emails, I will reply when I have more time, but for now I just need some time to think and pray.
Thank you for everything!!!! I can not express how much you mean to me!
Love Always, Erin
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. "
-Psalm 34:18

Kigali week 1

2005-04-22T01:16:00.000-07:00

Today marks my first week here in Kigali. Among that first are many other first like....drum roll....MY FIRST PHONE CALL!!!!!!! And my first international phone call too. The wonderful person who now has ownership of Erin's first phone call(in Rwanda) is THERESA BIRNIE!!!! It was one of the best conversations on the phone I have ever had. And it TOTALLY made my day!!! I love you Theresa!!! You are the coolest. I loved talking to you. Let's have a race now to see who the second caller will be;) haha I am such a scammer. BTW Angie and anyone else who was wondering my contact information is in a previous blog called "Contacting sperin in Rwanda" or something to that effect. If it's not in April then it is at the end of march. Let me know if you find it. And just for your information Theresa got a phone card and can have 45 minutes for get this $5.00 !!!

Yesterday we had 3 very special treats. Lasanga(so good btw..Jen ROCKS)and Banana Cake (which I had 2 big pieces of)which Jen made them in the coal heated oven...and get this ICE CREAM...it was SO good. We had it at the Legalett(sp?) the european shop where you see other Muzunga's (white people). That's one of the few Kirwandan words I know.
Muzunga - white person(I hear it ALL the time)
Kimirungho - that is the area of town I live in
Rackosay - thank you (i have no idea if i am spelling these words correctly)
Mamoogi - town
Oiya - No (i hate this word because I have to say it so much to people selling stuff or asking for money)
Yeago - Yes
I think that's most of them. Hopefully my vocabullary will grow. And most of those actually probably all are spelt wrong, I just spelt them how they sound.

2 days ago we had a visitor in our room...a big disgusting (D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G for you Vanessa) cockroach. It was sick...good thing Jen was there she beat that thing with her shoe while I hide on my bed!

Yesterday we went to the market. It was an adventure. They see the muzunga's and are all over you like a fat kid on a smartie! There was the cutest boy there who saw me and came over and grabbed my hand! I just stood and talked (well tried talking with him) and kept on holding his sweet little hand. He started to walk with me as we turned to leave but then ran to his mom. I could have easily taken him home...he was cute!

I am getting used to taken the sardin can, I mean bus. When you are at a stop with lots of people you just gotta push your way in...literally!

Well I have a meeting to go to today at a women's shelter where they take in girls off the street. I think all of them have AIDS or are HIV+. I think on fridays I will be teaching english at Marion's. She is a woman who takes in all kinds of street kids. She gives them a home and pastors them. She is an incredible woman. On sundays I will be helping with sunday school there.

Well I think that's about all for now. Thank you so much for your comments and your emails, they are a constant source of joy!
With much love,
Erin
Colossians 1:16b
"everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." (the message)
p.s. By the way I started "The Purpose Driven Life" yesterday and that was the verse of the day.

Shaking Hands with the Devil

2005-04-20T02:18:00.000-07:00

"Shake Hands with the Devil" is a book written by Canadian Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, the leader of the peace keeping force during the time of the genocides in Rwanda. Aptly named, it tells of the horror of the Rwandan Genocides, throught the eyes of a man who tried so desperately to help but could do little due to the restaints of the UN.
Yesterday I was able on some level to graps the pain and suffering that the people here endured, when Jen and I went to visit the Rwandan Genocide Memorial Site.
Overwhelming to say the least. This site was a beautiful memorial to a dark and ugly time in these peoples history.
There were 2 levels of the building. The bottom dedicted to the Rwandan Genocides and the top to the genocides that occurred in other places all over the world.
There were 4 hallways on the bottom floor that formed a circle. The sections were divided into, Rwandan History, Pre-genocide events, the Genocide, and Post Genocides. As I walked through each hall I couldn't help but be moved but the pain and suffering that these people have endured. I couldn't help but wonder how people could do this to there fellow man and how we the 'superpowers' of this world did NOTHING! Which is worse...to kill...or not to care??
To be completely honest I had never heard of the horrifing events that took place here 11 years ago until I decided to come to Rwanda.

In early April the president's plane was shot down and soon after the killings began. Perhaps more worse than killing someone is the inhuman way that most people were killed. Being shot was a nice way to die where other people were literally hacked to death with machettes, bludgeoned with clubs or any hard object, stabbed, thrown into septic systems, and burried alive. Entire families were completely destroyed, leaving no record that they ever even existed. People who were once friends turned to kill there neighbour or else be killed themselves. The propaganda on the radio fuelled scared people into killers. Fearing for there own lives and the lives of their families, they took the lives of others.

After passing through the 4 hallways I came we came to 3 other rooms. I was overcome when I walked into the first room that was full of pictures of victims. Wedding pictures, smiling faces, happy times, taken away in an instant. Through out the tour they were video clips from victims, you could see the pain in their eyes.
The next room housed scull bones and long bone from arms and legs, I didn't stay there long. The last room was particularly impacting. There were displays of clothing that the victims had been wearing. As I walked by looking at the clothes I came to one shirt that hit me like a slap in the face. It read "OTTAWA" and "I LOVE CANADA". Somehow seeing that shirt gave me some ownership. The country I love so much did little to help. I was somewhat ashamed. I realized why these people looked so apprehensively at me. Trust is a luxury that they can not have. They don't trust anyone.

As we moved from the bottom floor to the top floor I saw images on the walls from WW2 and the Holacost. From Bosnia and Cambodia. So many places around the world have been ripped apart by hatred. I thought of my grandparents who fought in WW2. I thanked God for being born in Canada, to a family that loves me and provides for me. For close friends who I trust. For every blessing that I don't deserve.

The last room and probably the hardest to walk through was a room dedicated to the children lost in the genocides. There faces so young and sweet and their lives so violently and unjustly taken from them. There were about 10-15 blown up pictures of beautiful children and below each picture was a plaque stating thing like their age, fav. food, toy, the last or one of the last things they said, and how they died. The brutally these children saw made me sick to my stomach. Beaten with club, stabbed in the head and eyes, burned alive, hacked with machettes. It was unbelievable, yet I know it happened. I am not telling you this because I was to gross you out or make you sad, but to help people become aware of how we had a part in this. We didn't even look saddly at them and say oh no, we completely turned our backs and forgot about them.
The one saving grace from Canada was Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, who in the face of evil did everything he could to try and save these people. He still suffers today from post-traumatic stress.

It seems so clearly to me that both Dallaire and the people of Rwandan need to find the freedom that comes only from a relationship with Christ. Please continue to pray for me as I try to share that with these people.

I love you all.
Many blessings,
Erin

"Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil. Anyone who does not obey God's commands and does not love other Christians does not belong to God."
1 John 3: 7-10

"Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
1 John 3:18-20

A wee more detail

2005-04-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

So the last blog told you almost nothing. Well let my tell you that electricity is a luxury. I had written a very long detailed blog about some of my experience thus far and as I was about to send it we lost power! So this is the second blog of the night and hopefully no more than this! Since I have been here we have only lost power 4 times. Jen tells me that this is REALLY good. It doesn't seem to bother me much as I don't really need it for too much.

Wow so yeah I am here! The flights were actually good and dare I say.... Fun!!! I know I know your all like what hte heck was she on? Well I did take some homeopathy stuff before flying but on every flight I somehow managed to get a window seat. I think that helped or at least I got to see some BEAUTIFUL scenery. Besides flying the flights went well I was able to find my gates without any problems. In Ethiopia there was a man who basically took care of me the ENTIRE time untill we arrived in Kigali. That was a huge blessings as I am sure I would still be in Addis Ababa(Ethiopia) trying to figure out what the guys wanted me to do. In Ethiopia we had a 14 hours layover so when our plane arrived at night we were taken to a cute little hotel for a couple hours rest. Resting was hard and I couldn't figure out why...then I looked at the clock. It was 3pm at home and that's why I couldn't fall asleep. Jet leg can be rough. In the morning we headed out into the bus to head back to the airport to catch out flight. It was on this drive that I first saw and understood the word poverty. People sleeping on the street, children begging, and blank stares of hopelessness could be seen all over. At times it was too much and I had to look at my feet.
Arriving in Kigali I know that Ethiopia will not be the only place I see poverty. Already I have seen many people mostly children begging me for food or money. Because I am white to most think that I am abundantly rich.

Being white in an all black culture is very new and weird to me. People stare ALL the time. In church we had to sit in the front as guest of honor and stand up so everyone could see us. That was interesting but at the same time welcoming. As one of the men said we are different on the outside but have the same spirit inside. The children will whisper and giggle to their friends and often they wave. I wave back to them. I feel a sense of apprehension from some people, and this is understandable as they have little trust due to the genocides of 94'. Today I met a guy about my age who had lost both his parents and 6 of his brothers and sisters in the genocides. His one surviving sister lives in Paris so he is alone here. Jen tells me that this is normal.

I am living with a Evelyn and her children Deborah and Daniel. They are a local Rwandan family who examplify the word servant. They are great people and I feel very welcome. Also I am lov'n the food. I was really worried about that but I really like most everything I have tried. And they have the BEST baby banana's EVER...oh my goodness they rock!

I haven't done too much over the past few days other than trying to orient myself and get over the jet-lag. It is hard at night I find because I want to sleep but I can't seem to fall asleep till late at night well early in the morning. Jen says a day per timezone so after a week I should be into the swing of things.

I want to make sure that I remember to thank you for your prayers. They mean SO much to me and they are much needed and well recieved. Also your emails are a great encouragement to me. I will do my best to reply but I think blogging will be the easiest way to communicate. But do know that I was full of smiles reading about you and your lives back home. BTW congrats to Angie and Cody soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Cody and Angie McEwen:)

Whatelse Whatelse, there is so much that I know I could never write it all down. Please know that I love you all and that being here is where God wants me to be. Your encouragement is much needed and appreciate and never goes unnoticed. Thank you thank you thank you.

I want to post this before we lose power again. Thank you for your love and prayers. I love you very much and pray that God will keep you safe until we can met again.

With much love,
Erin

p.s. and just a note of humour...we were sitting in the car today and now I have one really red arm and one really white arm....hahaha. Jen was laughing at me, well I was laughing at me too.

Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

In AFRICA

2005-04-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hey the power went out 3 time in trying to post this blog so I just want to let you all know that I am safe in Kigali the captial of Rwanda.
Thank for the prayers!
Love Erin

Last day in Canada

2005-04-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hello friends
What a whirlwind of activities and emotions this past weekend! I was so touched by the love people showed me as I prepared to leave sudbury and now as I prepare to leave Canada (that sounds so weird). Sunday night I said goodbye to Stephen and Dale and Vanessa. 3 people I love deeply, but I managed to keep the tears at bay and not cry. Yesterday was another story as I had a rough day with emotions, having to say goodbye to the Verduyn's, hi and goodbye to a secret visitor(can I say yet??), and a goodbye to Angie and Cody after they dropped me off in Waterloo. That was an incredibly long run-on sentence!

Things are still kinda sureal. I fly out tonight from Toronto at 10pm, a nice 8 hour red-eye flight to FRANKFURT, GERMANY. when I arrive I will have a 3 hour layover before I depeart for ADDIS ABABA,ETHIOPIA. I arrive in Ethiopa at 23:05 their time. I have a 14 hour layover there and will go to a hotel to try to catch some Z's. My flight leaves Ethiopia at 13:15 their time and arrives in Kigali, Rwanda at 16:05 rwandan time. By the way just for your knowledge Rwanda is 8 hours ahead of the eastern time zone(ontario). It is 2 hours ahead of the UTC/GMT. So if you are elsewhere in the world and want a goodtime to call(first of all any call at anytime would be awesome and I will wake from the deepest sleep to talk to you) you can figure out the math.

Well I am just chill'n at International Teams right now, counting down the hours till departure!

Please know that your prayers and support has been a great comfort to me as I leave my comfort zone and head out into the unknown. I pray that God will watch over you and bring me back safely so that I can thank you in person for your prayers and faithfulness. May God bless you!
With much love!
Erin

Contacting Sperin in Rwanda

2005-04-11T16:39:00.000-07:00

Just for your information there will be 4 ways that you can hear about my adventures and trials in Africa

Mailing Address:
Erin Nisbett C/O Evelyn Zimulinda P.O. Box 7219 Kigali Rwanda East Africa

Phone Number(this is my personal phone, but I don't know how I will remember all those numbers!):
011 250 0867 1337
*apparently using phone cards is the best method and the "CiCi" card is supposed to be the best. And how cool would you be if you were like "oh I just gotta call AFRICA!" I know you all want to

Email:
championchester@hotmail.com
And of course the blog:
www.sperin.blogspot.com

I’d love to hear from you and I will do my best to write back.
Peace and love!

SURPRISES!!!!!

2005-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying that every person should have a friend as awesome as Vanessa. On Friday night as per the usual I headed to GPS, this week was at All Nation’s for the Edge. It was a great night and Lansing lead a great worship service. Half way through the evening I realized that I could not find my keys anywhere. Unknown to me my sneaky youth group had STOLEN them. Now I know your thinking ‘what kind of horrible unappreciative kids do that?’. Let me explain...under the direction of Vanessa the kids stole my keys to distract me from the real event of the night...my surprise going away party! While I was freaking out about my keys, Vanessa left to ‘pick up Dorothy’, where really she was setting up for the party. Tim C kept me at All Nations until he ‘found’ my keys. He some how manage to make me believe I had invited him to the Jakola’s, sneaky Tim! I didn’t suspect a thing, until I drove onto Aberdeen court and saw more than the regular amount of cars. I walked into the house to find a surprise going away party waiting for me and Kelly on her hands and knees cleaning Israel’s puke. It was awesome, well not the puke, the party! I was totally caught off guard. Sneaky Vanessa had been planning this rock’n trip for a long time and I was so impressed with her first throwing of a surprise party and my first surprise party. I had so much fun and it was great to hang out with my awesome GPSers. Vanessa you are the rock’n-est friend ever and I love you so much!

Saturday I left for Bruce Mines to meet my parents and drop off my car at Angie Brohart’s house. It was great that I got to see my parents again before I left. We had a nice visit, then we had to say goodbye. Even though I didn’t get home to much to visit I will still miss my parents. It’ll be different because here, I know that if I ever needed them my family would be there physically, but in Africa I can’t just pack up for the weekend and go home.

After my mom and dad left Angie, Cody, and I headed to Sudbury. After visiting with numerous family members on the way we ended up at Josh and Jess, and Emma and Matt’s for an intense game of pit. Great times!

Sunday morning arrived and I knew I would be in for some tears as I said goodbye to my church family. Another surprise came up on Sunday when Kelly and Vanessa sang a song for me for special music. “Your just a prayer away” was one of the most beautiful songs I had ever heard! Kelly and Vanessa touched my heart with their song and their love for me. I cried like a baby! Literally sobbing! Then I had to go up to the front. I composed myself rather quickly and spoke briefly about the trip. Vanessa, Kelly and I had a good laugh after when they both said that they couldn’t even look at me while they sang because they would have cried, and the reason they sang before I went up was because neither of them would have been able to sing had I gone up front first!!! Hahaha it was all good and their song was BEAUTIFUL! Such amazing voices! Saying goodbye to the people at church was harder than I thought. I was looking hideous with my nasty tear stains, red face and blood shot eyes!
After church I hung out at the Jakola’s. I had so much fun and I really needed that hang out time with Vanes. God has blessed me with some many amazing friends, and Vanessa has always been there for me. She gave me a going away gift that was along the same lines as her Taiwan journal that I had done for her last year. Among some snack and treats was a journal with jokes and poems and pictures and letter from friends. I cried when she gave it too me. I LOVE IT!!!! Vanessa you are my best friend and I love you so much. I am going to miss you like crazy and I don’t know how I can go that long with out having a conversation with you. You are always in my heart!

Sunday night after church (Eric spoke at church GOOD JOB ERIC!) we played games at the Jakola’s and I had another surprise...a nice ice cream “WE’LL MISS YOU ERIN!” cake. There were quite a few people over and Settlers and Quiddler were brought out for a classic Jakola house games night. I know that I will miss those GREATLY! After those games ended, most people had to go home, but Vanessa and Tim and Simone and myself started up a game of Pictionary. It was a good game but Vanessa and Tim came out on top. Although they rolled 6’s and had easy ones plus we always landed on all-play. None the less quite a SUPER fun evening.

Today I have been hanging out with my sistah Kelly. I love it. I am going to miss Kelly and Steve and the boys so much. When I think about not seeing them I can actually feel my heart sinking and I have to fight back tears. Tonight I will say goodbye to Vanessa, Stephen and Dale. I think they are my final big goodbyes before I leave tomorrow. Waterworks here we come.

Tomorrow Angie and Cody are driving me to Waterloo and I will chill there till my flight leaves on Wednesday night at 10pm. Yeah planes. Blah! Apparently there is a surprise person and story for me tomorrow...SO many surprises!!! I LOVE IT!

Well I guess that is it for now. Peace and love. God is awesome!

Suckered by the Saleswoman

2005-03-31T20:17:00.000-08:00

As Angie Brohart and others can attest, I am quite capable and quite good at the art of "scamming". Rarely do I fall victim to the tricks of my own trade. Today I faultered.
It had been in my mind for sometime to purchase a digital camera and with a price range in mind I headed into Radio Shack. The digital cameras were right at the front so I started looking. Do you ever notice that when you are trying to look at things that the sales people just jump outta no-where! Well this lady scared the crap outta me, which was the first warning sign. She was very bright and cheery, actually a really nice girl. She told me all about this one camera that was really nice and was on for a GREAT price. I tried it out and it seemed nice, in fact quite nice. And here is where she went in for the kill.
"Why don't you try it out for 30 days and see what you think!" What could I do?! What could I say?! I froze like a deer in head lights and then uttered those painstacking words..."ok" She caught me in her web of sales tactics and I fell prey! Although I did get a sweet camera for a great price, so whose the big winner?...

Here are some lessons to be learned from the tricks of the sales person.
1) When entering a store know what you want and how much you wanna pay.
2) Always know where all employees are stationed and watch their movement carefully.
3) Be careful around cheerful employees...they are happy because they smell a sale.
4) Beware of the "try it out line". They all know we are too lazy to actually return it if we decide we don't want it. And with the price of gas it's actually cheaper to just stay home then to make the trip.

I hope these lessons will be learned before it is too late...learn well my young ones...learn well!

Peace out and happy camera-ing!

Back in the S-Dot!

2005-03-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

I said some sad goodbyes and left Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday morning. I forgot to stop at my mom’s work to say goodbye and remember when I was 30 minutes down the highway. So I turned around. This laps of judgment on my part set me back on my time schedule as I was planning to met with my good friend Jason Dunbar in Blind River. He is doing his teaching placement there and had his lunch break around the time I had PLANNED to be there. I arrived at the school 5 minutes before his class was to start. I was so encouraged to talked with Jason because he has friends that are going to be in Rwanda...in the capital!!! How cool AND he told me of me of some exciting news of his own...sounds like a road trip to Mexico! Whose in?
Jason also told me how much he loves to read my blog and how he is going to make some comments!!! Right Jason!
While in Blind River I also stopped at the local I.D.A. drugstore hoping that one Mr. Jeff Gordon...no not the race car driver, but another good friend. We had a nice chat in the pharmacy and I tried to convince Jeff and Jason that they should take a road trip to Sudbury on the weekend of April 8-10, my real friends would!
After leaving BR I stopped at the Wendy’s/Tim Horton’s near Espanola (or stinky town as I used to call it as a child). I was enjoying my spicy chicken when I looked over to see Nathan Mobach walk into the restaurant! I was so excited. We chatted it up and of course he got the invite for the weekend too. How fun!
So that was my adventure driving back from the Sault. Got to see 3 good friends, got some great singing and dancing in the car done and just enjoyed the time with God.

It has been brought to my attention that making comments can me hard. Ok well apparently Steph. B is just a wee bit slow. Below this post will be a line that says comments click on that...then click on post a comment...it’s pretty easy...and I LOVE COMMENTS!!!!!!

PEACE AND LOVE!

Home for Easter

2005-03-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie has certainly been blessed over the last few days as I have been gracing the city with my presence. Ok Ok, so the city didn't give me a key or anything but I have certainly enjoyed being back.

I owe a special thank you to my mom, aunt Deb, and cousin Alicia, who so graciously and talentedly made me some skirts and wraps for Africa. MERCI!

On thursday Sue. L and I went back to the ol' stomping grounds at SJD. It was great to see the few teacher we still knew. But we both commented on how old we felt being back. We also saw a friend we went to high school with who was doing his teaching placement at the Dunn. It brought back a lot of fond memories of highschool and how much fun I had. On friday night a few of us caught up for pizza and conversation. We stayed up talking till 1am. I was dead tired but I LOVED hanging with those girls! I had a great time.

Today we went to my aunt Lori's. It's been a while since I have seen them but they are so awesome. I love going to there house cause my aunt is so cool. My most favourite uncle, uncle Kip died in 98' in a car accident and my amazing aunt has done an awesome job with my cousins (along with uncle David). She gave me a journal and it had a really nice letter in it. It was great:)

Tomorrow I do a small presentation at St. John's. Should go ok. It only has to be about 5-10mins so I can handle it. Then Monday I will just relax and Tuesday I head back to Sudbury. I'm going to stop in Blind River and catch up with a friend, which will be quite exciting and then off to bible study for tuesday night. Good times!

Well I am outs, peace and love my friends!

p.s. 18 days till I leave!

Blogger slacker

2005-03-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

It's true, I have become a blogger slacker. OH the shame! But I am trying to get back to it. It's been harder lately since I have been sick, but no excuses I take full responsibility for my slacking.

So things are going well for me besides this 2 week old cold that just won't go away. The count down to Rwanda get closer and closer, only 3 weeks left! Man I have a lot to do! Pressure is on, but it's good cause I am a clutch player, I love the pressure! Ok in game situation I like the pressure but not so much in this kinda situation. It's good though it'll all get done.

Speaking of games, I got to play volleyball this weekend in a co-ed tournament. It felt so good to be back on the court again. Actually an interesting story came out of the day. I was talking to a guy named Steve and it came out that I was going to Africa and he's like "really I am to...tomorrow!" How crazy is that! He's going to work there for 3 months and has been to Africa before. I grilled him on Africa and he very graciously humoured me and answered all my questions. Very nice guy! Have fun in Guinea Steve, let me know if your ever in Rwanda!

The Sault Star called me yesterday and I had a brief interview with them about my trip. I was kind of flattered when the reporter remembered my name from sports at the Dunn. Anyways there should be an article about my trip in an upcoming paper. Don't know who told them I would be going, but it's kinda cool and I am excited to see what the paper will say.

Steve, Kelly and the boys are gone to a funeral down south so I am home alone for the day. It's so freakishly quite when they are gone. I miss them.

And speaking of missing, I get to go home on wednesday. I am very excited to see family and friends, as it will probably be the last time I will see people before I go away. If anyone is in the Sault let me know and we can hang out. I will be home from the 23-29.

Well I hope all is well.
Peace out my friends,
Loveth Erin

A sleeping baby...a smiling heart!

2005-03-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today was a rather uneventful day. I was rudely awoken at 10am by a caller! how rude I was sleeping so nicely...just kidding I made my way outta bed and headed to the post office to mail a letter...yep that's about all I did. Brutal eh. Well not really. Rhuen fell asleep in my arms today and then I fell asleep too. There is nothing like holding a sleeping baby to make your heart smile. I can't wait till I have my own!
I also got to talk to the wonderful Angie Brohart who just returned from visiting the coolio Melissa Jakola in Taiwan. I was just thinking that I have the coolest friends in the world! Angie and I talked for 121 minutes! What...we had a lot of catching up to do! I am really hoping I will get to see her before I leave for Rwanda. So that was today. Kinda boring but a good day with the boys. I'll treasure these days when I am gone!
Peace out my faithful readers,
Erin

My DEEPEST apologises

2005-03-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

My Faithful Readers
I owe you a big apology for I have been slacking much to long and have left you aching for an update. Here it is finally, you can now sleep at night
Ok so maybe you haven't been missing the blog that much but I am sorry I haven't been writing. Things are going great but very busy. I leave for Africa in less than a month. WOW! So much to do in so little time. Let me update you quickly on some things.
Work - Not! Haha ok what does that mean well my contracted ended and I am no longer with Wallbridge. I had good times there and I miss the people but it's so nice to be free to get things done for Africa. Mike and I worked together on my last day and had fun. Looking back we had some really fun and interesting times. BUT, let me tell you how nice it is to sleep in...umm well it's nice!
Money raising is going very well. Since I started asking for funds about 2 weeks ago God has given me over half of my funds for my trip. I have just over $5000.00 I have teared up more than a few times because of the generousity of people. For those of you who have given your gifts have not gone unnoticed and are VERY much appreciated...your treasures are in heaven!
Trip prep, well my shots are all taken care off and I have some things ready but this will take up a big chunk of my time. I need to get hiking shoes and capries and skirts and yeah lots of stuff. Where does the time go!
So things are going fairly well. If I stay on top of things they will go just fine.

Today I spent the day with Dale going shopping and getting his car fixed...very productive...well on his side! On a totally awesome note, the Cambrian woman's volleyball team came home from Nationals with a BRONZE medal! The medal could have been a different one but during the semi final that they were winning they lost a middle and had to play the game with out her. A new line up and some bad calls made the difference. But girls I am so proud of you! Take pride in your HUGE accomplishments, and don't think about the "what ifs" (I've been there and I know it's hard) but you have accomplished great things and there is more in store for you!

Things continue to go well at the Verduyn's. Rhuen is freak'n huge...that boy is growing so fast, he's so cute too! I love my boys. It's going to be so hard to leave them. They are my brothers. Kelly and I have gotten very close. She is like a sister to me and I love her. Speaking of family I get to see my soon!!! I am so excited! It will probably be the last time before I leave that I will go home. So it's really hard too. I am truly blessed for the family God has given me and I know that I don't tell them or show them how much I truly love and value them! So family I love you and I wouldn't trade you for any family in the world. You have given me so much. I have grown up happy and healthy and I have something alot of people don't...I like myself! I know that I can always be a better person and there are MANY things I need to improve on but I like who I have become and I like me. Thanks mom and dad!!!

OK well I am going to try to be more dilagent on my blogs and keep the updates...mmm updated. Alright peace and love,
Sperin