Just received my textbooks in the mail for my last class which is coming up in mid-April. Then after class comes graduation! I am looking forward to my final class with Professor Culy on the book of Hebrews. I was extremely happy to have one elective left so I could finish my program off with a class that I know I will enjoy.

It’s amazing to think about what has transpired over the past three years at Seminary. More than I would have ever have dreamed. Here are a few hi-lights.

1. To begin a chance to play volleyball again at a competitive level. To top off the volleyball experience a trip to CCAA Nationals which was a first for Briercrest in going through the difficult ACAC conference.

2. Also, learning in an incredible environment with great professors and fellow students has been a pleasure.

3. The opportunity to coach high school volleyball last year was a huge hi-light and finishing with a provincial bronze was very sweet.

4. Watching our two oldest kids grow from toddlers into school-aged kids. It is crazy how fast time flies. This year we are taking one to Kindergarten and the other to Pre-School.

5. Most exciting of all the addition of a new baby son who was born last August!

We have really enjoyed our Seminary experience. Without a doubt there was also some challenging times, living on a Student budget is never easy. But God has been incredibly faithful through the entire experience from providing for all our physical needs, to giving Amie the strength to care for the kids when I have been gone playing volleyball and studying, to giving me the time and clarity of mind to finish off all these courses that are required for my program. Also providing us with an incredible church family that we have come to appreciate so much.

Although, Seminary is ending and we have completed something significant. Our trust in God must continue to increase. The journey is not over. A new one is just beginning. And we know that He is faithful to His promises.

We have been asked by a few people, “where is Kenya?” Here is a map of Africa with Kenya hi-lighted. The Equator runs right through the middle of Kenya. Mombasa is right on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

This past Sunday, Amie and I were invited down to Mossbank AGC church to share about the opportunity we have to serve in Mombasa, Kenya at Pwani Bible Institute. We left early Sunday morning with clear skies in C-port. By the time we were south of Moose Jaw the weather turned incredibly foggy and windy. It slowed us down a bit but we were able to make it on time for their Sunday School.

During the morning service I was able to preach and then share about the opportunity to participate in God’s work in Mombasa. It was exciting to share our vision for providing “Theological Famine Relief” for the people of Kenya. Thank-you Mossbank AGC for your interest in hearing about the work of God in Kenya!

1. Before 1920, the area now known as Kenya was known as the British East Africa Protectorate

2. Kenya is named after Mt. Kenya the second highest peak in Africa

3. In the centuries preceding colonization, the Swahili coast of Kenya was part of the east African region which traded with the Arab world and India especially for ivory and slaves. (This is of interest to us because we will be on the coastal region. This trading accounts for the Islamic presence along the coast.)

4. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore the Kenya region, they built Fort Jesus in Mombasa in 1593 to solidify their strength in the region.

5. The vast majority of Kenyans are Christian with 45% regarding themselves as Protestant and 33% as Roman Catholic. (Yet, in the Mombasa area the stats are different.) Sixty percent of the Muslim population lives in Coast Province, comprising 50 percent of the total population there.

I thought it would be fitting to show you all a picture of what travelers see when they first enter Mombasa, Kenya. These giant tusks are a gateway into the city of Mombasa.

There is much to be done before our arrival in Mombasa in 2011 but the journey has already started. This Sunday we are off on a short road trip to speak at a local church about the work in Mombasa. We are both looking forward to the opportunity to share a bit of our story and the story of what is happening in Africa.

This weekend our college/seminary hosts over 1100 students from all over western Canada for an exciting weekend full of fun and challenge.

A few of the events are open to the community so we were able to go and watch Dustin Kelm unicyclist extraordinaire. He had a great challenge to the students about trusting God and also put on a entertaining show. Our kids loved watching him do all kinds of tricks. The hi-light was probably him riding on his 10 foot high unicycle! Very cool! He also did alot of other great tricks and had a lot of different kinds of unicycles to ride.

Thought I’d give you some pictures of the kids. I know there are grandparents and great-grandparents out there who love pictures of the kids. So where are a few to keep you all happy!
Boys, they can be cute when they want to be!

Ten years from now, in Saskatchewan small town coffee shops they will speak of “The Blizzard of 2010.” The Blizzard that reeked havoc on people’s weekend plans. The Blizzard that knocked out power and phone in places like Rockglen and Coranach. The Blizzard that built the house of the chiropractor down the road. Stories will abound of the foolishness of man in regards to such a weather event. Like the story I heard the other day of a young man who decided to venture out of his driveway when all the roads were closed and the wind was still gusting at over 50 km/h. He was digging his car out with an ice skate and ice scraper wearing only sweater and running shoes. From the accounts I heard, this young fella didn’t even have his defrost turned on until someone turned it on for him. He car was later found just around the corner stuck in a drift still in town. The snow plow went around him all night leaving a ridge of snow as high as his car.

And I’m sure stories like these are growing and will be much better told in 10 years down the road.

Here is a few pics of the aftermath of “The Blizzard of 2010.” I (Jon) went out with a few Seminary friends on the monday morning and dug a number of people out of their driveways. It was a great time. In the end I was apart of cleaning out about 5 driveways which includes my own! Nothing like shoveling in the dark and watching the sun come up. Actually I could think of better ways to watch the sun rise.
This poor family really needed some help. They had it the worst of anyone on the street. The car was almost buried.
I didn’t shovel this one out but it shows the depth of the snow well.
This is the drift beside our house.
Its been nice to have Dad’s truck at our house. The only problem is I don’t want to give it back!

The wind was howling all night. We wake up to the snow blown into dune like piles. The wind is still blowing now. The Snow that fell yesterday was so light and fluffy its being push around easily. It does remind me of a sand storm, except the opposite extreme temperature. Jon headed out to try to see if he could shovel us out to get to church. Likely we have his parent’s 4×4 truck. So I think we are going to make it this morning. One does feel like cuddling up with a tea and a book on days like today.

I just had to add this last one of Ian. Cuddling with bunny, trying to get some sleep in before church.