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Date: 27th August 2007
Great work King Kevin
Kevin you have done so well and you are such an enthusiast for the evangelical work you have been doing. I am happy to think you are on the way home but, like you, I will miss Africa, miss seeing it through your eyes. As I have said so many times before, you have brought St. Paul to life for me. And after all these years including years of studying him in seminary. Kevin, congratulations on a great job of evangelizing and reporting. You are King. They will miss you when you have gone!
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
Great work King Kevin
Kevin you have done so well and you are such an enthusiast for the evangelical work you have been doing. I am happy to think you are on the way home but, like you, I will miss Africa, miss seeing it through your eyes. As I have said so many times before, you have brought St. Paul to life for me. And after all these years including years of studying him in seminary. Kevin, congratulations on a great job of evangelizing and reporting. You are King. They will miss you when you have gone!
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
Date: 27th August 2007
At least Vince and Owen dressed up!
Did you get to dance with the bride? Maybe they will post wedding photos on the web and we can all look at them. Nice farwell bash for you. I am looking forward to seeing you at the airport. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
At least Vince and Owen dressed up!
Did you get to dance with the bride? Maybe they will post wedding photos on the web and we can all look at them. Nice farwell bash for you. I am looking forward to seeing you at the airport. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
Date: 26th August 2007
Impressed...
That is one of the coolest travel stories I have EVER heard. That's the kind of thing you will be telling your grandkids in fifty years. Unreal. I have to get to Rwanda.
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
Impressed...
That is one of the coolest travel stories I have EVER heard. That's the kind of thing you will be telling your grandkids in fifty years. Unreal. I have to get to Rwanda.
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!
Date: 23rd August 2007
Rain, rain, go away
Dear Kevin, You are right, be careful what you pray for! At least it must have cooled you off a bit. I can't believe that you had 50 show up for Ruhi book 1! That's amazing. Makes you realize what you could do with more time. Oh, well. You can always go back one day. Be happy with what you did accomplish. See you soon. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Be Careful What You Wish For
Rain, rain, go away
Dear Kevin, You are right, be careful what you pray for! At least it must have cooled you off a bit. I can't believe that you had 50 show up for Ruhi book 1! That's amazing. Makes you realize what you could do with more time. Oh, well. You can always go back one day. Be happy with what you did accomplish. See you soon. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Be Careful What You Wish For
Date: 23rd August 2007
You should see the one that got away!
Dear Kevin, You are very ingenious and persistant. That was quite the gear setup you had! I think that the week link was the bait. You should have used meat instead of potatoe. Oh, well. There is always next time. I'm glad you are coming home soon. Looking forward to your party, not the next day though, dishes, dishes! Love Daddy
From Blog: And This Little Piggy Went....
You should see the one that got away!
Dear Kevin, You are very ingenious and persistant. That was quite the gear setup you had! I think that the week link was the bait. You should have used meat instead of potatoe. Oh, well. There is always next time. I'm glad you are coming home soon. Looking forward to your party, not the next day though, dishes, dishes! Love Daddy
From Blog: And This Little Piggy Went....
Date: 14th August 2007
Chainsaw Dad
Dear Kevin, I don't snore that loud! At least I have never noticed. Sounds like you are having great trips and experiences out in Rwanda. Make sure you are not too hard on the police, but I agree you shouldn't have to pay fines for bogus infractions. Keep up the good work! Sorry that you don't want to come home. We'll try to make your return as easy as possible. I'm building a shed with a tin roof for you to sleep in. I can even set up a hose over it for the rain sound. We will feed you only rice, potatoes and beans. I'll turn off the hot water in your bathroom. We'll boil all of your water. It will be just like Rwanda. Love, Daddy.
From Blog: The Days After Chris Part II - I Pray For Rain Down in Africa
Chainsaw Dad
Dear Kevin, I don't snore that loud! At least I have never noticed. Sounds like you are having great trips and experiences out in Rwanda. Make sure you are not too hard on the police, but I agree you shouldn't have to pay fines for bogus infractions. Keep up the good work! Sorry that you don't want to come home. We'll try to make your return as easy as possible. I'm building a shed with a tin roof for you to sleep in. I can even set up a hose over it for the rain sound. We will feed you only rice, potatoes and beans. I'll turn off the hot water in your bathroom. We'll boil all of your water. It will be just like Rwanda. Love, Daddy.
From Blog: The Days After Chris Part II - I Pray For Rain Down in Africa
Date: 14th August 2007
You and the law...
One of these days, little brother, the law is going to catch up with you and all your fast English speaking and arm waving aren't going to save you! Riley and I almost died of laughter reading about your "speeduling" incident. And I can picture it all too. Well, minus the complete language barrier. Zambian police were similar but at least we all spoke English, sort of. Sorry you have to come home in 14 days.
From Blog: The Days After Chris Part II - I Pray For Rain Down in Africa
You and the law...
One of these days, little brother, the law is going to catch up with you and all your fast English speaking and arm waving aren't going to save you! Riley and I almost died of laughter reading about your "speeduling" incident. And I can picture it all too. Well, minus the complete language barrier. Zambian police were similar but at least we all spoke English, sort of. Sorry you have to come home in 14 days.
From Blog: The Days After Chris Part II - I Pray For Rain Down in Africa
Date: 7th August 2007
Hey Kevin: I thought my kayaking trip was difficult until I read about yours. The only flips I managed were the one's we had to do on purpose to practice rescuing each other. The hardest part of my trip was the camping out and trying to find a private place to go to the bathroom. I'm so glad you're still alive! I don't think I would have made it back in one piece! Hope to see you when you get home! Celia
From Blog: Going to the Source (Part III)
Hey Kevin: I thought my kayaking trip was difficult until I read about yours. The only flips I managed were the one's we had to do on purpose to practice rescuing each other. The hardest part of my trip was the camping out and trying to find a private place to go to the bathroom. I'm so glad you're still alive! I don't think I would have made it back in one piece! Hope to see you when you get home! Celia
From Blog: Going to the Source (Part III)
Date: 30th July 2007
It's a Wild World
Dear Kevin, Your blog entry reminds me of the Cats Stevens song "It's a Wild World" where he warns someone of the dangers out in the world. You are learning to avoid them yourself. Their are crazy people everywhere. I'm sure Uganda doesn't have a monopoly. Tell us more about the wonderful Ugandans. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol....flashback to the 1960's, anyone???
It's a Wild World
Dear Kevin, Your blog entry reminds me of the Cats Stevens song "It's a Wild World" where he warns someone of the dangers out in the world. You are learning to avoid them yourself. Their are crazy people everywhere. I'm sure Uganda doesn't have a monopoly. Tell us more about the wonderful Ugandans. Love, Daddy
From Blog: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol....flashback to the 1960's, anyone???
Date: 28th July 2007
Reasons for a flashback
Hey Baby Bro! I think I know why you were accosted by so many people with illicit things: Your physical apperance. The last time I checked you had a semi-beard that makes you look... um... iffy. That is all I will pontificate on that topic! It sounds like you are getting lost less on this trip to Uganda! That is good! Maybe not having the Lonely Traveller's Guide is a good thing. It seemed to lead you astray last time. Keep up the blogging!
From Blog: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol....flashback to the 1960's, anyone???
Reasons for a flashback
Hey Baby Bro! I think I know why you were accosted by so many people with illicit things: Your physical apperance. The last time I checked you had a semi-beard that makes you look... um... iffy. That is all I will pontificate on that topic! It sounds like you are getting lost less on this trip to Uganda! That is good! Maybe not having the Lonely Traveller's Guide is a good thing. It seemed to lead you astray last time. Keep up the blogging!
From Blog: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol....flashback to the 1960's, anyone???
Date: 16th July 2007
The housekeeper from hell or not?
All I want to know is if she was shaped up or shipped out?! And exactly what did the attitude change look like, in what form did it take? I'm glad you're busy busy busy. Finally something productive... you must be excited and exhuasted in the good way. Jealousy isn't the right word but it's the first word that comes to mind. I never thought I'd say this either Kevin but I miss you.
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
The housekeeper from hell or not?
All I want to know is if she was shaped up or shipped out?! And exactly what did the attitude change look like, in what form did it take? I'm glad you're busy busy busy. Finally something productive... you must be excited and exhuasted in the good way. Jealousy isn't the right word but it's the first word that comes to mind. I never thought I'd say this either Kevin but I miss you.
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
Date: 12th July 2007
Bustin' Out!
Dude!! I haven't responded in awhile, I know, things have been a bit crazy. So I currently have nothing to do at work so I just read over the last few entries. Following are my comments: 1) You were always were hard-headed ;P 2) All manner of Africans I met would always ask me if it was true that many North Americans/Europeans didn't know their neighbours, and that sense of community is something I profusely miss! (Tanzanians are especially community oriented and consider strangers even their best friends). I always described it in this way: if a man in Africa was rich and had no friends then he would regard his life as useless, but if he were poor and had the support of entire communities then he would be the richest man in the world. It's also what I observed that made poverty bearable for those stuck there. 3) A man and his mansion. Living in a big house is no crime. In fact I think sometimes things of beauty and grandeur (whether physical or otherwise) are sometimes things we can and should admire to give us aspirations. The ability to have a large house and beautiful cars comes with working hard to better life for you and your family and your community essentially. Think of the hundreds of people this man likely employs. The balancing act comes when you are challenged with having to detach yourself from material possessions, for whatever reason, can one? Or does greed overcome? That is where conflict starts. And as a last comment, with my small amount of experience with East African communities, I'm willing to bet he sends at least a third of his family through school. A terribly optimistic guess, I know, but I prefer to think the best of people it keeps me happy! (realistically, I do know that likely there is corruption that this man deals with/in, but without meeting him I'll never know....) 4) Thanks for the 'Memorial Centre' entry, such things make my heart ache but give me a firmer and firmer convictions about the processes of change I must assist. 5) I hope you're taking notes from Chris! ('Chris' cooking', pistachios...hahahaha! Very modest!)!!
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
Bustin' Out!
Dude!! I haven't responded in awhile, I know, things have been a bit crazy. So I currently have nothing to do at work so I just read over the last few entries. Following are my comments: 1) You were always were hard-headed ;P 2) All manner of Africans I met would always ask me if it was true that many North Americans/Europeans didn't know their neighbours, and that sense of community is something I profusely miss! (Tanzanians are especially community oriented and consider strangers even their best friends). I always described it in this way: if a man in Africa was rich and had no friends then he would regard his life as useless, but if he were poor and had the support of entire communities then he would be the richest man in the world. It's also what I observed that made poverty bearable for those stuck there. 3) A man and his mansion. Living in a big house is no crime. In fact I think sometimes things of beauty and grandeur (whether physical or otherwise) are sometimes things we can and should admire to give us aspirations. The ability to have a large house and beautiful cars comes with working hard to better life for you and your family and your community essentially. Think of the hundreds of people this man likely employs. The balancing act comes when you are challenged with having to detach yourself from material possessions, for whatever reason, can one? Or does greed overcome? That is where conflict starts. And as a last comment, with my small amount of experience with East African communities, I'm willing to bet he sends at least a third of his family through school. A terribly optimistic guess, I know, but I prefer to think the best of people it keeps me happy! (realistically, I do know that likely there is corruption that this man deals with/in, but without meeting him I'll never know....) 4) Thanks for the 'Memorial Centre' entry, such things make my heart ache but give me a firmer and firmer convictions about the processes of change I must assist. 5) I hope you're taking notes from Chris! ('Chris' cooking', pistachios...hahahaha! Very modest!)!!
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
Date: 11th July 2007
St. Paul-no videos.
Hi Kevin, thank you for your great report on your visit to Gishanda. I am very impressed by your activities and not surprised at your tiredness. You are St. Paul and this is your most recent Epistle to the Canadians. Although I do wonder at your packing your donkey with candies and videos. St Paul would not have either but he would have taken a bottle of wine. No, he wasn't a drunk, but he did say that a little wine was good for the tummy. You say that Candies are good for the tummy and the psyche. I am still bothered by your visit to the shrine where the Rwanda holocaust is commemorated so graphically. You captioned the piece, "They ceased to be human". The ironic and tragic thing is that they didn't cease to be human, they just let their humanness get a hold on them. The human condition is one of "fallenness". Man is capable of greatness, of love, of intense charity and brotherly love. But man can also show the beast side he has inherioted all these generations. He can turn into a beast and we have had all too many examples of how this has happened in our very own lifetime. Adam and Eve had a beautiful garden to live in. The myth maker, story teller, tells how they were given the "keys" to the garden but told not to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. This is what they quickly did and were expelled from the garden. Their two sons, Cain and Abel competed strongly, one was a shepherd and one was a farmer/gardener. And Cain rose up and slew Abel. And God caught him out and asked him where his brother was. "I don't know", he replied, "am I my brother's keeper?" We all have our "garden", our innocence, our greatness of spirit", and we sometimes choose to be expelled from it. It is our " fallen" nature. And so the Christians and others say you must be "born again". You must get a new chance to go back to the garden and leave behind the fruits of original sin. And that willfullness is the original sin. Sometimes we can express this willfullness in our sexuality but sexuality has nothing to do with original sin per se. The Africans of the holocaust were no less human than all of us, darn it. Sorry to be so preachy, but, that's what I used to do. Good luck to you in your journeys. The Bahais in Rwanda are so fortunate top have the Andersons living with them and to have a visit from St. Kevin. Dom't forget to dance for them. You should have the Kigali Elephant Hop down cold by now. I trhink you have a spelling mistake in the name of the next town you are going to visit. You say Cyangugu. Surely the name is Cyangogo. I would not want you to make a faux pas in your visit. God bless all of you. I am so impressed.
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
St. Paul-no videos.
Hi Kevin, thank you for your great report on your visit to Gishanda. I am very impressed by your activities and not surprised at your tiredness. You are St. Paul and this is your most recent Epistle to the Canadians. Although I do wonder at your packing your donkey with candies and videos. St Paul would not have either but he would have taken a bottle of wine. No, he wasn't a drunk, but he did say that a little wine was good for the tummy. You say that Candies are good for the tummy and the psyche. I am still bothered by your visit to the shrine where the Rwanda holocaust is commemorated so graphically. You captioned the piece, "They ceased to be human". The ironic and tragic thing is that they didn't cease to be human, they just let their humanness get a hold on them. The human condition is one of "fallenness". Man is capable of greatness, of love, of intense charity and brotherly love. But man can also show the beast side he has inherioted all these generations. He can turn into a beast and we have had all too many examples of how this has happened in our very own lifetime. Adam and Eve had a beautiful garden to live in. The myth maker, story teller, tells how they were given the "keys" to the garden but told not to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. This is what they quickly did and were expelled from the garden. Their two sons, Cain and Abel competed strongly, one was a shepherd and one was a farmer/gardener. And Cain rose up and slew Abel. And God caught him out and asked him where his brother was. "I don't know", he replied, "am I my brother's keeper?" We all have our "garden", our innocence, our greatness of spirit", and we sometimes choose to be expelled from it. It is our " fallen" nature. And so the Christians and others say you must be "born again". You must get a new chance to go back to the garden and leave behind the fruits of original sin. And that willfullness is the original sin. Sometimes we can express this willfullness in our sexuality but sexuality has nothing to do with original sin per se. The Africans of the holocaust were no less human than all of us, darn it. Sorry to be so preachy, but, that's what I used to do. Good luck to you in your journeys. The Bahais in Rwanda are so fortunate top have the Andersons living with them and to have a visit from St. Kevin. Dom't forget to dance for them. You should have the Kigali Elephant Hop down cold by now. I trhink you have a spelling mistake in the name of the next town you are going to visit. You say Cyangugu. Surely the name is Cyangogo. I would not want you to make a faux pas in your visit. God bless all of you. I am so impressed.
From Blog: The Days of Chris Part I - Gishanda and Muhazi
Date: 9th July 2007
hi kevin all i wanted to know was your favret part of rwanda.
From Blog: Oops, Betty's a guy.
hi kevin all i wanted to know was your favret part of rwanda.
From Blog: Oops, Betty's a guy.
Date: 9th July 2007
hi kevin the goat story was really sick. you are really mature now. i wish you had babysat me and sam and will.
From Blog: Oops, Betty's a guy.
hi kevin the goat story was really sick. you are really mature now. i wish you had babysat me and sam and will.
From Blog: Oops, Betty's a guy.
Date: 8th July 2007
I don't know how you were able to go through that Centre. I have Dallaire's book but I haven't had the courage to read it. You have had a very transforming experience this summer, and I'm guessing it will be hard to come back to the developed world, and especially to Alberta with its booming economy and conspicuous consumptive ways. By the way, Les and I were just watching Zambia and Uruguay in the FIFA U20 tournament from Victoria. Zambia, the underdog won!!! Thought you'd get a kick out of that. Keep writing. Your insights are wonderful.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
I don't know how you were able to go through that Centre. I have Dallaire's book but I haven't had the courage to read it. You have had a very transforming experience this summer, and I'm guessing it will be hard to come back to the developed world, and especially to Alberta with its booming economy and conspicuous consumptive ways. By the way, Les and I were just watching Zambia and Uruguay in the FIFA U20 tournament from Victoria. Zambia, the underdog won!!! Thought you'd get a kick out of that. Keep writing. Your insights are wonderful.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Date: 8th July 2007
I can see why you are so enthralled with the country. It is beautiful. I was also touched by your comments, a few entries back, about the way Rwanda is rebuilding and becoming unified. I was doing some research for the Martyrdom of the Bab on the Bahai site and noticed the quote on the home page about the unity of the world having to come before other problems are solved. Sounds like Rwanda is on the right track. Sorry for the late entry. I am catching up on reading your blog.
From Blog: Beauty at the Least
I can see why you are so enthralled with the country. It is beautiful. I was also touched by your comments, a few entries back, about the way Rwanda is rebuilding and becoming unified. I was doing some research for the Martyrdom of the Bab on the Bahai site and noticed the quote on the home page about the unity of the world having to come before other problems are solved. Sounds like Rwanda is on the right track. Sorry for the late entry. I am catching up on reading your blog.
From Blog: Beauty at the Least
Date: 6th July 2007
Loved hearing from you
Hi Kevin, I guess this is the best way to access you and answer your nice e-mail. I didn't realize that I could write you without it being posted. I find your blogs absolutely amazing and having been to Africa, I can really relate. This is a great experience for you! Please save all your blogs-maybe publish a journal. I just got back from Ottawa where I said good-bye to Martina, Danika and Kiana. They have gone to Germany for a visit before meeting Philip in Lisbon two weeks from now. They will be studying Portugese for three weeks and then on to Mozambique. I will write again soon. Lots and lots of love, Nana.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Loved hearing from you
Hi Kevin, I guess this is the best way to access you and answer your nice e-mail. I didn't realize that I could write you without it being posted. I find your blogs absolutely amazing and having been to Africa, I can really relate. This is a great experience for you! Please save all your blogs-maybe publish a journal. I just got back from Ottawa where I said good-bye to Martina, Danika and Kiana. They have gone to Germany for a visit before meeting Philip in Lisbon two weeks from now. They will be studying Portugese for three weeks and then on to Mozambique. I will write again soon. Lots and lots of love, Nana.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Date: 5th July 2007
Caring
I'm glad you care, Kevin. I hope to learn that when hearing events in the news, they strike home rather than just be something happening 'over there'. Love, Mom
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Caring
I'm glad you care, Kevin. I hope to learn that when hearing events in the news, they strike home rather than just be something happening 'over there'. Love, Mom
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Date: 5th July 2007
Quite the eye opener
Dear Kevin, quite a lesson in history. They say we should learn from history, but we take a long time to learn. I hope it has made a positive impact on your life and not allow it to jade you against humanity. Just looking at the recovery Rwanda has made inspires you. Love, Daddy
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Quite the eye opener
Dear Kevin, quite a lesson in history. They say we should learn from history, but we take a long time to learn. I hope it has made a positive impact on your life and not allow it to jade you against humanity. Just looking at the recovery Rwanda has made inspires you. Love, Daddy
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Date: 5th July 2007
Genocide
Kevin, this is your best blog yet. I don't know how you can capture and retain so much detail in one visit and describe it in one writing afterwards. I really do get a great insight into the Rwanda Holocaust. You would, among other things, make a great judge. You look at and listen to everything. You don't rush to judgement, excpt for crocodiles, and you are very disinterested as an observer. I really enjoy reading your blogs. I am now forwarding them to Philip Baker who has Diplomatic status and is on his way to being a big wheel in Africa. Be sure to save all your blog material. You have something that should be published. Keep up your plain old Calgary style. of writing. Don't get into literary flourishes, though. I am so impressed by you and what you have done and are doing. God bless.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Genocide
Kevin, this is your best blog yet. I don't know how you can capture and retain so much detail in one visit and describe it in one writing afterwards. I really do get a great insight into the Rwanda Holocaust. You would, among other things, make a great judge. You look at and listen to everything. You don't rush to judgement, excpt for crocodiles, and you are very disinterested as an observer. I really enjoy reading your blogs. I am now forwarding them to Philip Baker who has Diplomatic status and is on his way to being a big wheel in Africa. Be sure to save all your blog material. You have something that should be published. Keep up your plain old Calgary style. of writing. Don't get into literary flourishes, though. I am so impressed by you and what you have done and are doing. God bless.
From Blog: And They Ceased To Be Human
Date: 3rd July 2007
Welcome Home
Dear Kevin, I'm glad that you are happy in Rwanda. It is a great feeling to finally feel a part of a place. I hope your last couple of months go well. Say hello to the Andersons for us when they arrive. Wish Jacintha a good trip home for us. ....Daddy
From Blog: Home and Family and Feelings of Community
Welcome Home
Dear Kevin, I'm glad that you are happy in Rwanda. It is a great feeling to finally feel a part of a place. I hope your last couple of months go well. Say hello to the Andersons for us when they arrive. Wish Jacintha a good trip home for us. ....Daddy
From Blog: Home and Family and Feelings of Community
Date: 3rd July 2007
Slightly green
Wow Kev! The adventures you have had! I can't believe you have swam and kayaked in the Nile! Wow! I am glad that you survived all the fun of kayaking. And you saw Auntie Nancy and the girls! I am SO envious. Keep having fun, doing all the good work you are and write all about it! I miss you so much!
From Blog: Home and Family and Feelings of Community
Slightly green
Wow Kev! The adventures you have had! I can't believe you have swam and kayaked in the Nile! Wow! I am glad that you survived all the fun of kayaking. And you saw Auntie Nancy and the girls! I am SO envious. Keep having fun, doing all the good work you are and write all about it! I miss you so much!
From Blog: Home and Family and Feelings of Community
Date: 1st July 2007
Crazy!
You're right, Kevin, it did get crazier! I can't believe you are so insane--wait, yes I do! Looking forward to reading more 'sedate' reports. Love, Mom
From Blog: Going to the Source (Part III)
Crazy!
You're right, Kevin, it did get crazier! I can't believe you are so insane--wait, yes I do! Looking forward to reading more 'sedate' reports. Love, Mom
From Blog: Going to the Source (Part III)
michelle china
non-member comment
??
kevin I don't understand why they held the wedding party at night .Because in china we always held it in the morning or at noon
From Blog: Wedding Crashers - African Style!!!