Quote of the day ...

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.

Samuel Johnson
English author, critic, & lexicographer (1709 - 1784)

This quote bring to minds me of the bible verse ...

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6

Verse for the day

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16

Rwanda cuts diplomatic ties with France

Prayer Request...
(from Serge and Jennifer Kamari, Kigali, Rwanda)

We are not sure what you have heard or read regarding the current relations of France and Rwanda. Rwanda has a commission investigating the role of France in the 1994 genocide and has uncovered some very heinous things.

As France has learned about what has been uncovered about them, they have taken measures to divert the attention from themselves and just this past week have issued arrest warrants for various Rwandese in conjunction with the genocide and have internationally stated that President Paul Kagame should be tried for the genocide as well. This has caused a stir in Rwanda to say the least. Nothing violent, just people raising their support for the Rwandese government and speaking out against the French.

The Rwandan ambassador to France was home within 24 hours and the French ambassador and all things French (NGO's, schools, cultural centre) were closed here in Rwanda within 72 hours.

How does this affect us you might ask...

Well... the house we live in is owned by the Rwandan Ambassador to France. He has returned and wants it back. Our landlord came by this afternoon to tell us. We do have a contract which states we have two months to move BUT that is not a very long time to find a house that is suitable for us, have any upgrades done to the house and move. God brought us this house from a pretty impossible situation and we're trusting him to do the same.

Serge and Jen

Toward Becoming Empathetic and dropping our denominational gaurds

I read the "Weekly Reflections" from the Henri Nouwen Society and this quote caught my attention.

The Baptist fellow recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and I had no question about rushing to his side. His family stood solemnly at his bedside, where he rested with a Bible as well as the daily newspaper on his lap. When I approached, he clasped my hand with both of his and related his prognosis in an open, almost serene manner, and all our differences evaporated. After visiting briefly, I asked to pray over him. With one hand on his forehead and another on his cheek, I prayed not a Catholic prayer, or a prayer of any other denomination for that matter, but a heart-to-heart caring of one human being for another who names one God. My friend rose up from the pillow and sealed the moment with a heartfelt kiss of gratitude.
by BARBARA FUHRWERK

What moves me is the love that wells up in the face of life-threatening illness. Love that bridges barriers, love that transcends the theological arguments and love that compels genuine compassion and prayer.

As I near the end of my forty's, I'm struck by how much the gospel of Jesus seems to have grown over this decade. His reconciling work, his love for the poor and brokenhearted are so much 'bigger' than I ever imagined. I've seen his love in action, breaking down barriers between people who would by race, tribe or family be enemies -- but there they are worshiping together.

Followers of Jesus anticipate heaven, a place where all that is wrong with this life will be fully and completely changed -- and my weakness and hate will be replaced with love and perfection beyond imagination. I've been wondering if the mystery is really right here, right now. God at work through the words and example of Jesus, pulling people together who would easily find ways to be separated.

May the unity of spirit, the bond of peace, grip us in such a way that we early seek out those who are different from us and break the barriers with Jesus' love.

Big News for Michael

Michael completed his driving test today — and he passed!
His comment was, "That's a load off my mind!"
No kidding! Yvonne and I are thrilled for Mike and thankful to our friend Faith Morphy for her investment into him through her business, Young Drivers of Canada.
Faith did a little "pretest" with Mike last evening, which gave him confidence as well as, some last minute instructions. Thanks Faith!
If you want to congratulate Mike you can e-mail him at mike_ostrander@hotmail.com

Pictures of Brett in Manila (mom and dad too)

As you can see from these pictures, Brett spends time with people who live by a dump. For these squatters, these pictures represent a little bit of 'normal life'.

Included are a few photos of Brett's new apartment along with a picture of him with Jessemyn, a favorite from the church in the dump.

More Photos of our recent trip to Manila

Manila web album ... click the photo below!

Manila 2006

Brett's new apartment and gang ministry

As we started the gang ministry, it became clear to me that we needed a place close to where the teens live. A ‘safe place’ we could meet with them. I found a wonderful apartment in a nice neighbourhood that meets all our criteria, that is, the right location and it is big and cheap. It is a 2-bedroom apartment with two floors in a new building, which is in good condition. The landlord is great guy who lives two houses down and seems very supportive of me, my team and our ministry.

These are exciting times because we see so clearly, that God is leading us and guiding us, and with the gift of the apartment, I believe it will take our ministry to the next level. The community is accepting me (us) well, and many of the local kids know my name, so that is nice.

We were able to get some things for the apartment... a couch and chair, bed, and a fridge. The apartment needs to be set up for youth to be able to come in, watch a movie, sit and relax, and talk. The idea is that we meet with gang members one-on-one and separate them from the larger group. What is so exciting is that it is begging to work! Very soon, we will have a regular Bible study time as well.

The other night, I discovered that right beside my house there are kids from the same gang hanging out there and doing "tambay" which is so close to the English of "standby.” This gives my team and me regular access to a key group of youths and provides lots of opportunity for conversation time and for building trust.

As of now, we have about seven youth that we think we can take to the next step and present the gospel. It is hard because if we move too quickly in presenting the gospel we can turn them right off and make is so hard to get another chance. The hard part for me is that because they are from the low-income families it is more common that they do not speak English, so I do not really get to make the verbal presentation, which makes me sad, but I can do lots to help. I can encourage and strengthen my teammates Rodel and Jason as they are becoming bolder in their witness.

Also, I have already had some great conversations with my landlord. He has been teaching me about some history, and I have been talking about what I do, and even what it is to be a Christian. I am extremely confident that in time he will come to the lord, I see the desire for something great in his life, and I know only God with fill that longing.

I am excited and thankful that God has provided an apartment and a ministry base for our team. However, moving into this neighbourhood, new ministry, and new apartment has increased my expenses.

Therefore, to make our new apartment fully functional I am asking for some one-time donations to complete the set up. And I am asking for increase of $300 in monthly support.

I ask that you become part of the changing of the youth’s lives. The needs are so great, but the opportunities are even greater. Please join in on seeing lives transformed by the power of God.

I thank you for your support in prayer and finances already, but now is the time to step the ministry happening right now.

Brett Ostrander

PS. Please pray with me for safety, wisdom and guidance for that I know prayer is the most important. And pray for my teammates as well.

Calls for peace in Congo

Congo-Kinshasa (MNN)--The loser in Congo's landmark presidential elections, Jean-Pierre Bemba, rejected the results this week, vowing he would contest them.

Meanwhile, the incumbent president, Joseph Kabila, is trying to unite fractured parties to begin repairs to the infrastructure.

It's a move that will be the hallmark of what kind of administration Kabila wants to run. The infrastructure eroded under Mobutu Sese Seko's regime until electricity, communications, hospitals, schools and decent roads were regarded as luxuries.

Wages for state workers have gone unpaid for months, sometimes stretching out into years. That includes teachers, which, in turn, has seen a severe decline of education.

Although Kabila has already been in power for six years and not fixed these problems, the people are hopeful. Peace has been a newcomer to the region, and while it isn't absolute, it's not a full-blown civil war anymore.

click link for more ...
Articles - Mission Network News

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Our boy Brett

Brett Ostrander, standing at the Elora Quarry, Summer 2005

It's Sunday morning and usually we get a call from Brett who is serving the poor in Manila, Philippines. Not today however.

Yvonne and I spent a couple of weeks with Brett in October this year, and did a lot of "firsts". Brett leased his first apartment, purchased his first couch and chair, along with a bed and kitchen items.

Very fun for a mom and dad to be a part of milestone. However, what really thrills us is our son's love for Filipinos. He has great friends, like brothers and sisters. He moved into a neighbourhood that is full of people and lots of children and you can just watch him build relationships. I think he get's the big heart for people from his mother!

It's never easy to let you son go, and encourage him to move to the other side of the world, but Yvonne and I have great peace about this whole situation. He is where God wants him and that is enough for us. Yes, we do miss him and his Canadian friends.

Brett we love you and we are very proud of you. Mom and Dad.

Yea, right

Microsoft Exec Says Vista Is So Safe He Doesn't Need Anti-Virus Software

The security in the new operating systems has improved so much that Windows co-president Jim Allchin lets his son run a PC without anti-virus software.

Nov 10,:57 PM

Windows co-president Jim Allchin has said that Windows Vista, which met its release to manufacturing milestone earlier this week, is so superior to Window XP on security that he feels safe letting his own son run a PC without anti-virus software.

A prominent security analyst countered that that attitude would be fine as long as everyone using Vista was a seven-year-old.

During the Q&A portion of a telephone briefing with reporters Wednesday, Allchin said he was proud of Windows XP SP2, another operating system effort he led. "[But] there were things that we couldn't put in that product," he said.

"Don't misunderstand me, this is an escalating situation. The hackers are getting smarter, there's more at stake, and so there's just no way for us to say that some perfection has been achieved. But I can say, knowing what I know now, I feel very confident."

So confident, in fact, that his seven-year-old son's Vista PC lacks anti-virus software.

"Honestly, he doesn't have an antivirus system on his machine. His machine is locked down with parental controls, he can't download things unless it's to the places that I've said that he could do, and I'm feeling totally confident about that," Allchin said. "That is quite a statement. I couldn't say that in Windows XP SP2."

"Sure, if everyone treated their employees like seven-year-olds, and locked down their PCs 100 percent, how could a virus load?" said John Pescatore, a Gartner analyst and the research firm's resident security expert, on Friday.

But that's not going to happen. And in the real world, Windows Vista does need anti-virus software.

"As soon as you allow users to load anything, and everyone will allow that in Vista, then you need AV [anti-virus]. For two reasons, one small and one big," said Pescatore. "The small reason is the hope that it will block viruses and worms. But the big reason is so that you run an AV scan once a week and remove viruses before they can cause too much damage."

Another Vista opinion that Allchin put forward on Wednesday got better reception from Pescatore.

"It's my opinion that the severity of the [security] bulletins will be less [in Vista than in XP], as well as the number will be less," predicted Allchin. "That's to be proven, so we'll see about that. Vista will have issues in security because the bar is being raised over time, [but Vista] is the most secure system that's available, and it's certainly the most secure system that we've shipped. So I feel very confident that customers are far better off by using Windows Vista than they are with anything that we've released before."

Windows Vista will reach corporate volume license customers this month, and consumers on Jan. 30, 2007

reset in a new location

Speaking Hope is back. I've reset my blog in a new location so stay tuned for new posts and perhaps some past posts.
Neil