Changes

Hello everyone. Have you ever noticed how life sometimes makes changes that you never expect? We have seen a lot here in this amazing country of Rwanda.  Genocide memorial week here covered the news this past week. Some of the rules in place for the week include: a half day working only in the morning, no drums to be played, no football (soccer) games, if children are to play it is quietly, and respectfully.  I have looked over the valley here and see the city in the distance, I have to wonder what it would have looked like  20 years ago.  I my mind, I can see fire in many places, gunshots all over, people running, screaming, general mayhem  and anarchy in a very short order. I look at the mist, I cannot help wonder what was going on  a night before, or even few hours earlier,  Did anyone know trouble was brewing, or was the events a complete blindside. Much does not make sense, even years later- i have heard so many people have thought "what was I thinking? Where do i go?  Now what?"  Yet, in the midst of it, the people are making strides to heal the wounds of the past.  I have learned the government tries to provide many opportunities to get counselling to deal with the emotional scars.  Many meetings are in the afternoon to allow people to express emotion, or just to talk.  I find the healing that has happened  has been small, but profound steps.
As i look at the events of the last week, how parallel our life is compared to the people here.  I have learned of emotion that can only be found in loosing a close person.  I have learned to have a lot more patience in knowing I cannot change to many circumstances.  I have learned of how deep that fog can quickly become.  I have learned gained a deeper level of crying out in a time of need, Somehow God brings just the right people into play.  My life is not big, but my God is, even if I do not have a clue what to do.
My life is forever altered in a moment.  My friends here over the age of 20 were altered on a moment. They have learned to start differently. I see the growth has been incredible in this country; while mine will just begin. Healing has progressed, i hope mine does too. Are you ready if time is cut short?  However many car accidents or shootings or whatever bad may come, are you ready for eternity? With  Easter approaching quickly, I had to wonder as much as Jesus spoke of His death coming, how much did it  blindside them at the day of?  When Jesus rose again, he gave the disciples a new life, a new purpose, a new direction.  He conquered the finality of he grave,  lives now transformed.

Renae is no longer with us, she is in a better place, totally transformed.  We shall celebrate her life on April 23, Lethbridge, at 1:30.   
Sometimes God does change plans very quickly..... 

Old things coming alive...

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry there has not been a blog for a while.  Let me explain our life over the last several weeks. With rainy season happening we have lost Internet connection more than like to admit.      However, on a much more serious note, Renae came down with a stomach ailment that has really stopped life as was known, down to just what is necessary. This has come onto her March 16 suddenly, into the hospital for several days, home to start the recovery, only to see a big slide about a week later, and being  admitted again, this time for over a week.  Kim has come in daily to visit and be with, but there is also tending to our children, and doing whatever slight bit needed to be kept running at the children's home.  It sure was not easy to be in the different directions  simultaneously .  The doctors had no concrete idea, even after running some tests, it seemed to take a while for symptoms to be eliminated.  So now, a little later, we do have some concrete points to go with.  Even though it is painful in the process, it is good to praise God in the midst of it, there is a starting point.
Many years ago when Renae was in collage, she got the privilege of going on a mission trip to India with a missionary friend.  Sadly, while there her appendix ruptured, spewing poison all into her abdomum .  Later on  in life, difficult pregnancies took their toll as well.  Now, a few years later still, stomach issues showed its ugly head once again.  Renae has found  out she does have a case of gastritis, but due to previous events, what should take a few days for most people to recover from, could take several weeks.

The doctors have been doing their best, and unknown to us until recently, several international doctors have been monitoring vitals behind the scenes. It has been a process of patience for Kim, often the western approach seems to hit a problem with many tests, fnnd something unusual or spiked, the find a solution.  It does appear here in this country there is more of a "sniper" approach, eliminate on symptom at a time, then find a solution.  Both work , just  a difference of time.                  

I am thankful we have medicine and technology today. I have wondered going  through this storm, what could have this looked like 50 years ago, or even 100 when support looked much different?

Have you ever noticed how things you thought were taken care of, and fully recovered from, come back to haunt us sometimes? Maybe health issues, or a particular habit that could have started as a younger one, released  from for many years, suddenly creep in  twenty years later.  I look at the events of the past, I had to wonder did I fully renew my mind on that subject according to the Bible,  or did I just say for knowledge, not a change in attitude?   Hmmm, points to ponder.

Renae is not discharged from the hospital yet, hoping in the next day or two. Please keep praying for her and the rest of the family.

 Blessings to you all.
-Kim