Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Orphanage projects

While in town, Emma and Bekah will be working with the kids in the orphanages. Using the art supplies they have brought from home, they will be using visual arts as a point of contact to reach the kids. They will also assist the newly hired English teacher 2 days a week. It is very seldom that the kids have the opportunity to get out of the orphanage, and we would like to take them on some regular outings.
Cost : $200 / month

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Bus Ministry

We would like to hire a bus 4 days a week. . One day a week we would like to assist the seniors to the market. Once a week the kids from the orphanages could go on outings . We could use the bus to bring supplies to the various projects that PI and Loads of love are involved with . We would also be able to provide a bus to church with us on Sundays. By hiring the bus on a monthly , permanent basses we will be able to save teems money and provide subsidized bus service to other groups visiting the area . The bus will also be our primary source transportation.
Cost: $575 / month

Behind the scenes

As we are preparing for an extended stay in Central Asia , we thought it would be a good idea to outline some of the projects we will be involved with, as well as the costs associated with them. When you look at the total cost, it is easy to think " what could I do" , but by breaking the projects down into smaller pieces, maybe it won't seem so bad. Over the next couple of weeks, I will provide a breakdown of expenses.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

A GOOD FRIEND

I think back to the first time I travelled overseas, there was a young man that even at that time was no stranger to the mission field. He is just a regular guy with a young family, a job and I am sure if fair share of day to day bills, but over the years, he has always been able to take the time
to make a difference. It is one of those things.... When you hear that Julius will be on trip with you, you feel reassured. He works so hard, and cares so much. He brings joy to all he meets, and rolls with the punches, and somehow always manages to stay humbly in the background. For me he has been an example and an inspiration.
I look forward to many more years of partnership.

displaying his new "Home made Canadian Flag"


giving out fresh fruit to the disabled


Despite lots of work to do, he always takes the time to give undivided attention to the kids.

A generous spirit, and a warm heart.

Never afraid to clown around a little if it makes the kids laugh.

I think that we could all learn a lot from Julius.....We can make a difference!






Sunday, October 21, 2007

TRAVEL TIPS

Before I share some of the travel tips I have acquired over the years, I must first give a disclaimer. Although some of these may appear to be "Potty Humor" I must say that they have served me well . I wish I could take credit for them myself, but I have gleaned them from other experienced travelers.

Rule # 1
*"NEVER trust a fart"..........Bob Campbell

Rule #2
* " Finish every meal with a piece of a BANANA...They taste the same coming up as they did going down".........Julies Hofer

Rule #3
* "If irritated by the person sitting beside you on the plane.....get out your laptop make sure they can see the screen, then push this LINK...sit back and close your eyes." .......Mike Selby

now I am sure that there are other great travel; tips out there that we will all find very useful....if you know of any, please comment!

Saturday, October 20, 2007

It's not all clowning around for Goderich

Sam and the team have arrived in a town in Central Asia. The church from Goderich has raised $25,000 that must be invested in the orphanage in the village. To date they have invested in new tile on floor and walls in kitchen ,A complete reno of water pipes feeding new kitchen and new electrical throughout kitchen and dining room..., New heating pipes and system for one half of building that they used in summer but never in winter....They are building to hold water heating system and a winters supply of coal. That leaves almost 1/2 the money left....they will be buying a new water heater for kitchen...putting in counters...tables..shelves.
This is serious stuff! No clowning around. But they also have two clowns with them...."Herbie the Hobo" and "Buttons"...What a hit they are with the kids....sharing the love of God in this special way...they are booked in orphanages, the hospital...playground program...local church. For more updates on this trip check out the following sites...

http://www.possibilitiesinternational.blogspot.com/


Friday, October 19, 2007

Touch down

Friday, October 19, 2007

Team K07 has arrived in Central Asia
The team from Goderich has arrived in Central Asia.Sorry about no pictures as of yet but I will try to update everyday and from this day forward have a pic to go along with the post.Everyone is doing well to this point. Michelle Findlay borrowed my converter plug for her curling iron and the cover came off so she tried to pull the plug out of the wall socket....hello....you guessed it....220 volts baby! Shazzaaaam! Peter now finds his wife more "electrifying" than ever. She is fine folks...Connie MacVicar is missing one bag of luggage. We are working on getting it. Please pray...all her personal items are in it. Steve Root decided to have "beef tongue and cheese" today for lunch...hello....he is a "freakshow" with a gut of steel! I love the guy...he is hilarious and a real trooper. For some reason he and Pastor Scott enjoy picking on me...and you know me I never deserve any of that.Anyways...gotta jet....get some sleep....gotta get over my jetlag.Will update tomorrow with pictures.
Sam out
Posted by sammyweltenpi at Friday, October 19,

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

And the adventure begins

Today is a big day for the team from Godrich Ontario. They will begin the 22 hour journey to a village in Central Asia where they will be building a new kitchen for the Orphanage there. Just think, this winter, the orphanage meals will be cooked INSIDE.

So call me a coward....really I'm ok with that !

Check out my cool Outfit.... I was in the market picking up some supplies when I attract the attention of some of the vendors... Eying me up they determined I was a football player, and Eying them up I determined that I was in no shape to be tackled. I told them we could not play because we had no helmets, So out came the gold hats.... Then I explained that we had no ball at which point they stuffed a purse with cloths and were ready to go..... so I did the only thing I could and put on the "quarterback jacket" then explained to them the # 1 rule of football is You can not tackle the Quarterback....in fact that offence would put you out of the game forever..... You all know that rule don't you?... For the next 15 minutes I watched as these guys beet the tar out of each other....I am glad I had the special jacket on.!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

More great news for the kids in the village



More great news for the kids in the village. I don't know if you have been following the posts over at http://www.possibilitiesinternational.blogspot.com/ Not only has the Church in Godrich come on board in support of the kids, but they have gone wild. They originally committed to $10 000, and now they have raised over $25,000. Whats even better news is that they have 12 people heading over to help with renovations. I'm telling you , things have sure come a long way from the first time we went there. You can check out some of the history of the orphanage at this previous post .... A Place In My Heart

Friday, October 12, 2007

PILE ON !


How many of you can remember playing Pile on with your Dad. This is something that these kids would never have the opportunity to experience if it were not for a team from Possibilities International..



One more reason that you can not gauge the success of a missions by the the physical accomplishments.






Sunday, October 07, 2007

Smile

I have been around long enough to know that its a good photo of kids that bring in the support. It seems shallow, but I must confess that every now and then I or one of the team get the perfect shot of an orphan.... the " Money Shot". And its not just a ploy to gain support from others, I frame these shots and have them hanging on the walls on my own home. Fortunately there are supporters of PI that are deeper than that. For a few years now they have been working in an institution in Uxxxxxx for disabled and mentaly ill ladies. As we pulled onto the grounds, the reception was incredible. there were about 60 ladies waiting . They were all dressed up and had flowers for the team. As we walked through the institution we were shown all the work that has been completed by PI workers. every thing from a heating system to a craft room. (notice how I said a heating system and not a new heating system... that's because until PI got there, they had no heat at all.) There is a lot of work left to be done but you have to admit ,at least now there is life in their eyes.

Friday, October 05, 2007