Visit to the hospital

Today we delivered a refrigerator to the hospital , one that they desperately needed .  While there we were alerted to an issue that they are having .   They have a water treatment center there , and they are having trouble with the pump and now things are baking up.  they have tried repairs and tried replacing with a smaller pump but nothing has worked ... things are getting desperate for them .  They need $400 CDN for this .  Please consider if you can help this time sensitive need.

We are looking forward to our friend Ed Dickson coming at the end of the month , he will be home from Ukraine and Central Asia and will be at a coffee house meet and greet on Saturday the 28 at the Havelock Centre and then will be speaking at the Norwood Pentecostal church on Sunday morning the 29th.  Love to see you there. 

As a bonus , we will have some honey from the farm for sale at these events with the proceeds going to support Ed and Natasha.

 

On the mend

 It has been a difficult couple of months. I started with some blood in my urine a couple months ago . A series of tests were run then Friday ended with surgery.  The whole time we were in Kyrgyzstan there was a degree of discomfort and every time I did too much I would start bleeding again.  

Saturday I was sent home.   

As I look back I can see how faithful God has been .  Julie has been so supportive nursing me back to health. People have been calling and checking in and even solved buy to bring meals .   

Not wanting to deal with guests when I was fresh out of the hospital, we closed the bnb for a few days.   It was so nice to get to be the guest .   

Here is the last review we just received .

The Old Farm House 

 Public review ★5

 This place is an absolute gem, tucked away down a wooded lane. This old farmhouse is one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. John goes above and beyond as a host. He provides bottled water, oatmeal, coffee, and tea, milk, and other breakfast items. The space has a very nice living area with a gas fireplace, Roku connected TV for streaming and the comfiest reclining chair known to man. I cannot recommend this place enough.

So that recliner, that roko and that fir place have been where I have been held up.    The next guests arrive in the morning so I guess I better get back to work.  But I am feeling much better.

More coal on the way .

The coal deliveries have resumed.  We got a few donations and we were able to get a truck load for the children's home . This is one of three loads they will need this winter.

We got another load out at the farm as well.this will do 5 more families.

I am out of the hospital now and today I had some post op procedures .. now to mend.  

When I got home I got a special care package from Amelia hahha. Chocolate and coffee.. she knows her Pop. 

 It's still going to be a long road to recovery but at least the pain is subsiding.

On delivery !

We delivered the fridge to the orphanage today .. now we just need to pay for it.   We have also ordered the medications for all the kids . They will arrive in a couple days.  

While there we made a good conection with the director and some of our team has been invited back to do some crafts with the kids.  It is so important that the kids have some contact with people outside the orphanage.  The success of an orphan depends heavily on connections.   Just knowing someone is there for them can keep them on the right path, and if they need a restart then the farm can be there for them.  But before I go to far, we still need $500 for this need.

Meanwhile back on the farm coal has finally started to arrive.  We had funds for two loads but we're waiting for good coal to arrive to town.  

We were able to get coal up to the mountain school .  The winter season is here for them so it was good we were able to deliver . 

 

Next up is a shelter and school that we help every year.   For them we can have the coal delivered directly. For the winter they will need three loads of coal at $500 a load .. We will deliver each load as soon as the donation comes in. please consider  helping and sharing this with someone you think may be able to help. 

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Urgent need .

We are down to the last few days with an incredible family.  Before they go,there are a few needs that we would like to get met.  The Chui orphanage would like a refrigerator and medications for the kids . 

The fridge will be about $400, and for the medication we are hoping that our friends at LSI ( Luke Services International,) will be able to provide the medications for us at a discounted price .

 If anyone can help with this, we need about '$700 .. we won't know the total until Monday when the medications arrive.  But that's when we will have to pay.   Please consider this need. 

Working on the jet lag !

 Home safe and sound ...  Picked some apples from our orchard in Canada and unpacked our bags .. at least this time I waited until the sun was up .

Last night we had a bit of a frost so the apples will be ready for picking in a few days . 

But let's go back a few days .

We had a fun good buy day with the folks from the farm and from the city.    

Stopped on the top of the mountain pass for a group photo .

John photo bomb Julie and Olivtina as we came over the mountain.  

We met up with everyone at the bowling alley. 

Some pictures of the gang a out for supper. 

We had a 5 hour flight to Dubai, then a 19 hour layover and a 15 hour flight back to Toronto .

It was meant to be a 2 hour hop on hop off bus tour, but with out side temperatures of 42C there was not a lot of hopping , especially when we had a seat at the top front of the bus with A/C blowing in our faces ... we just stayed put and enjoyed the commentary.    

I was a little concerned about the 15 hour flight but we got two isle seats beside each other and both seats had no one beside them, as well the seats are slightly wider and a bit more space in front of us. also the flight was nice and cool , so that made all the difference .  I even used a blanket for part of the trip.

All in all it was a good trip home and we did it with out any complications .  In three days I go in for pre-op and set a date for surgery , praying it will be quick so the I can get this over with.  

Medical request from orphanage .

We were contacted by the orphanage that we brought kids from to the lake .. they just did a round of medical checks to be ready for school.  With over 100 kids , the list of required creams , ointments and medications is huge .  

To cover all the needs fot the entire orphanage , they need $342 USD. 

I think about how much my own medications cost and suddenly $342 does not seem so much .. but that said I don't have $342 with out your help . 

Today was a work day around the farm , while Julie and I did shopping for events at the Kashar over the next couple days .  

Some of the boys were busy painting the varanda in front of the gift shop.

Nic was busy cleaning all the washrooms 

The girls were busy scrubbing the carpets .

while the others worked on the new fence over at the first house . 

Yesterday we had another busy day , starting early we packed food hampers 

Next we loaded the truck with 5 tons of coal for 5 families .

Lots of incredible sights and sounds .. like finding some camel's. 

It was such a blessing to be able to share security ... Heat and food with those in need . 

Over the weeks ahead this family will hopefully be doing many more of these deliveries.  It works out to about $100 USD per family.. these deliveries were funded by one of their boys.. but they will be here for 3 more weeks and will continue to bag and deliver as donations come in for coal .. let's keep them busy. 
 

School supplies delivered .

 We started early this morning making popcorn and getting things ready for the mountain school house.  We had $100 come in last night , so we just need $400 more to cover today's deliveries. 

20 kids were there and received school supplies.

The parents were so relieved to get these supplies,the kids were more pleases with the popcorn , juice and cotton candy. 

The teachers got a big box of supplies as well as a large bottle of honey.

They have about three weeks to go then the new school house will be ready .. 

After giving out the gifts we drove through the traffic up the mountain to the water falls. 

Great day .. now we are back to the farm .  I will take it easy, but the family is busy with Nick working on fences with max.