Sunday, September 9, 2012

Never Enough Thanks

First of all, before writing anything in this blog,  I want to thank all of you for the prayers for Edwin, when his life was spared from a tragic accident 2 days ago.  For those who don't know, Edwin had to pick up some papers an hour away.  He boarded a matatu (taxi) and it sat 15 minutes not moving.  He was impatient because his workload that day was heavy so he got out and transferred to another and off they went.  When he reached his destination an hour later, he received a phone call.  The delayed matatu had been a terrible accident, everyone killed and most bodies dismembered.  There were 24 (not 14) people squished into it, including 3 of Edwin's friends and a family of Mom and her 4 kids.  No one survived and as Edwin returned down the highway, he had to pass by this terrible sight, knowing that if God had not taken him out of the van, he would be gone too.  He knows that he was not meant to go yet as he is not finished with his work here, but all the same, the sight will be imbedded in his mind forever.  I thank you for your prayers and please continue doing so as this will take a long time to get over.  If you can also find it in your hearts, please also pray for the families of these people.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635005-14-killed-in-jinja-accident.html


On a more happier note, we have some very good news to share with you.  We have been invited to join an organization called Multi-nation Missionary Foundation (MMF), starting October 1st.  They have been around for many years and help people like Edwin and myself to be able to provide a tax receipt to donors.  We are extremely excited to share this information with you because over the past  2 years, you always contribute without asking for one.  We are just so happy to be able to do it for you now and at the same time say thanks to all that donated from their hearts.

At present there are no costs.  Your money will come to us at 100% until January 2013.  At that time, they will be rising it to 2% for the one person they will have to hire.  MMF will take care of all the CRA work involving Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels.  When I am living in Uganda, I will never have to worry.  Nothing will change except Edwin will work with MMF directly.  The fundraising and the banana bread will stay the same and I will be in turn be working with MMF.  We are very happy about this new venture.

If you would like to know how to send a donation, you make the cheque out to MMF and put a sticky or little note saying it is to go to Jaaja's Home of Angels.  It will be put into an account set up for us.  I would also like to give some details about MMF.

Mail to:
Multi-nation Missionary Foundation
P.O. Box 2401, Stn A
Abbotsford, British Columbia  V2T 4X3

BN/Registration Number 807375670 RR0001

www.multi-nationmissionaryfoundation.com
Helmut Wiens
email:  helmutwiens1@gmail.com
cell:  778-549-8031

Remember we have to get the paperwork done between Canada and Uganda and this will start  October 1st.


I would like to introduce you to some people that have been very generous in the past few months.  Usually I have lots of pictures of Uganda, but this time I am focusing on our side of the world, to show you what they have done to make it possible in Uganda.



Meet Jordyn, an amazing girl who works so hard on their farm, studies at school and saved enough money to buy a professional camera.  Jordyn is self taught and has started doing the photography at friends weddings and very good at it I might add.  When I was visiting one day, she presented Edwin and I with her very first cheque from a wedding she had done that week.  She wanted to help the kids.  Well, if you don't think I broke on that one, your fooling yourself.  I had tears driving home and am so grateful for people like Jordyn in the world.  Thanks from all of us.  We so love you.






Meet Rachel.  Rachel is 12 years old and wanted to give the kids a present, so what does she do?
She buys bright coloured masking tape and makes flowers on the ends of pens so they can have a pen like no other.  She then put out online fundraiser on her facebook and helped spread the word.  Thanks Rachel....you are a very talented young girl that will make a child smile on the other side of the world.






This gift is from Barbara on Vancouver Island.  She has Barbie doll kits, with polly pocket dolls, all with clothes, hairbrush and shoes.  She then made special bags to carry them in.  For the boys she has Tonka cars, cars and more cars. Thanks Barbara for all the hard work you put into this project and you can bet they will be never put down.   






Remember Jordyn above?  One day we were all at the house and I was telling her friend Jen about the Home of Angels.  She goes home, tells her parents who own Signature Signs Studio and they offered to make us a banner for our Fraser Health Fundraiser last week.  We know how blessed we are to have people like this in our lives.  Thanks so much Margaret and Steve for your beautiful work.  Everyone asked who made this because of the quality.





Fraser Health in Surrey has always ordered lots of banana bread but they decided to carry it one step further this time.  A fundraiser on the plaza of the Surrey Central Tower.  Oh my goodness, this was amazing.  Janita, you missed your calling in life my friend.  You planned this down to the very last detail.  Her and her team of workers prepared brochures, display boards and advertised to everyone.  Thanks to Barb also who recently retired but ran around picking up things and working closely with Janita.  Save on Food again supported us with smokies and buns, Blenz coffee donated all the coffee and The Bread Garden gave the pop and water.  Then there were the volunteers...everyone of you are amazing people.  Thanks to all of you for all your hard work feeding so many and selling the banana bread and also to all our donors who made it possible.  I was nervous when they started ordering 6 loaves at a time but we pulled it off with it being a very good day on the Plaza.


Lots is going on in Uganda too.  I just was too excited to share the news with you today, so when I get the pictures, I will send you an update.

I just would also like to say a thank you to Patti in North Vancouver who donated a box of pens, pencils, colored pencils and books and papers from their school.  These will be very appreciated in Uganda.  There are friends making different things at the moment and I will be bringing it all into the blog when it's time.  I don't want to forget anyone and if I do....I am truly sorry.

Oh....one more thing.  The online fundraiser is up to $8,575.00 with another month to go.  Thanks again to Natasha and to all of you that donated online also.



God bless you all

Barb and Edwin