Family time

What an incredible 3 weeks this has been. Between church visits and the thank you barbeque…we were able to spend some time with our family too.

The Recycle Hope jewelry has piqued a lot of interest at various functions and we look forward to our biggest event ever to be held. The Ontario Christian Gleaners is holding a World market place event on November 17th at their facility in Cambridge, ON and we have been invited to showcase the jewelry as one of the vendors. Our oldest son Bart has developed an online store in which the jewelry is available for purchase. Check it out at: www.esperanzafairtrade.com .

We were thankful to celebrate with Jane’s parents their 55th wedding anniversary.

Spending time with our children and granddaughters was such a blessing…and sharing special moments together with each of them was a thrill.

John & Raquelle share a moment at the African Lions Safari while watching the elephants take a swim.

Dan, Jeannette & Camryn

We visited historic Montreal with Lucy Conte and her family after speaking at Fabre St. Church in the morning during which the children presented a fabulous musical drama during the service about serving for kids called “God of this City” based on the song by Chris Tomlin.

It was a pleasure to show our guests from Mission Direct in the U.K. - Nigel, Susan & Susanna Hyde the wonders of the CN tower in Toronto and the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls even if the men did occasionally discuss business.

Hard to believe….but John has left Canada to return to the Dominican this morning to resume his duties as Mission director for the Samaritan Foundation. Jane is spending a few more weeks in Canada connecting with family and friends.

Our health cards are renewed, drivers’ license updated, but we are still working out a few bugs with OHIP. The 5 year extension has run out for continuous health care and we were informed that it is necessary to wait an additional 2 years before reapplying and during which time we are required to spend 5 months of each year in Canada. Please pray that an exemption to this situation will be resolved soon so we may continue working faithfully in the Dominican with continued health coverage.

Church visits

Sunday morning we were thrilled to attend Marshall Memorial church in Ancaster to give a brief undate on the work that has happened since their last visit and to encourage them as they prepare to send another team down once again in February 2013. Pastor Robin and Mary Ella, we missed your presence but look forward to meeting you soon. Your congregation is like family to us. Thank you for supporting and upholding us in your prayers as we travel this journey together.

Last night we had an awesome visit with the Caledonia Congregational Church. We met the team members who are coming on their mission trip next February and were able to share about the work that is being done in the Dominican. We pray that your fundraising efforts are successful and not only raise awareness (& funds) but also create a tight knit bond between both new and returning team members.

Our team schedule calendar for 2013 is filling up fast....so if you are interested....please contact us now to reserve your slot.
Blessings to all!
John & Jane

Coming to a church near you!

Many of you have been asking where we will speaking while we are in Canada.
Hopefully we will be at a church near you.


Sunday, Aug. 12:
Marshall Memorial United Church, Ancaster, ON.

Wednesday, August 15:
Caledonia Congregational Church

Sunday, Aug. 19
Christian Baptist Church, Newmarket, ON.

Sunday, Aug. 26
Fabre St. Pentecostal Church, Montreal. QC.

Blessings and we look forward to meeting you all soon.

BBQ Social

You’re invited to a "BBQ SOCIAL” on August 22, 2012 while we are in Canada. Please join us in celebrating the 5th anniversary of our work serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with The Samaritan Foundation.

To show our appreciation for your prayerful and financial support during the past 5 years, we would love to visit with each and every one of you. The BBQ will be fired up at 12:30 for lunch and we’ll keep cooking right through supper time for those who cannot make it earlier. Please bring a lawn chair and a smile, and we will take care of the rest!

Please RSVP to: jphuizinga@gmail.com so we can be prepared for your attendance and for directions to this event.

Thank you in advance!

Nest Of Love School Inaguration

Today marked the final chapter for fundraising efforts of Andy, Jon, Dale and Ian...4 men who committed themselves to raise the funds in partnership with Mission Direct so the the Nest of Love School could be built.

Today they witnessed the inauguration and dedication ceremony...along with many visitors. What started as a dream for Evely Peniche to help the neighbourhood children and began with an after school program for 8 children in the garage of their home, has grown and now become an accredited Christian School with 350 students attending on a daily basis. One woman with a dream...lots of prayer...and a great team of fundraisers....has made the Nest of Love School what it is today.

The teachers are wearing their new uniforms for the coming school year.

May God continue to bless the task set before you as director and the teachers as they instruct the students to grow in God's love.

Andy, Jon, John and Jaime take part in the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the close of the program.

Paraiso Gardens update

The garden area has been divided into individual plots of approx. 100 square meters which is sufficient size to grow enough food to feed ar family of 5 throughout the year. The homes which are on the interior roads and do not have much growing space were the first to receive a garden plot.

Classes were held to explain the concept of the garden project and the rules of the tool lending program.

Afterwards, gardens are allocated, contracts signed and the work has begun.

Each family has created a fence around their area and have begun to cultivate the ground.

 The ground needs to first be burned to get rid of the weeds and the fire ants. Early in the morning or after 5 pm when it is cooler outside. whole families will socialize as they work.

 

Augustine has been hired as a garden manager to translate & oversee the tool lending program. 

Ed is mending the fence where cows have been entering into the garden area.

 About 150 gardens have been allocated at this time. It is a joy to see them taking such pride and ownership in their work.

McKinney 1st Baptist Church Returns

A large team of 30 from 1st Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas enjoyed a return visit to the DR in July. For some of the team members...this was their 6th or 7th return trip while for many others it was not only their first time here but also their first time on a mission trip ever. The HOPE jewelry shop ladies gave a warm welcome to the entire team on Sunday morning by providing a refreshing snack and drinks after the church service.

 Pastor Kenneth and his wife Terry did an amazing job organizing and leading their team both prior to and while in country even the returning members who were eager to renew the friendships they made in the past years.  

Yes…it was hot out but that didn’t slow down the team from their various activities of construction, soup packaging, painting, rebar and moving blocks. John checked some of their muscles at the beginning of the week to ensure they were up to the task…and they proved it during the week.

A few of their highlights include their visit to a local rehab center for recovering alcohol and drug abusers who shared their testimonies and how these Christian brothers encourage each other to overcome their addictions.

Secondly, for the returnees a chance to see the changes that have taken place at the Nest of Love School in the past year especially since their team had painted the entire 1st set of classrooms last year in preparation for the school year beginning in their new location.

The team encircled the entire house as they prayer a blessing on it and their sponsored family during the dedication.

Thank you 1st Baptist McKinney for sharing in the joy of helping others in a foreign country and we hope you were blessed as much as you were a blessing to others.