In Memoriam

A note from J.B.: On Thursday, November 8, 2018, my dear friend Terry Canfield passed from her earthly home into the presence of our Lord. Her health – both physical and mental – had been declining for quite some time, and the woman we all knew and loved had ceased to exist a very long time ago. Though it saddens me that she is no longer with us, my grief is for the loss of the vibrant and life-loving person she once was. Her smile could brighten the darkest room, and her laugh was infectious. She had an amazing work ethic and encouraged others to hold themselves to the same standards. She was a strong, faithful woman who did a darn good job of raising two terrific girls as a single mother. When life handed her lemons, she didn’t just make lemonade, she made lemon tarts, lemon custard, and lemon meringue pie. She took great pride in her abilities but was humbled by her ability to help people. And oh, did she love to read. Her dad used to say she didn’t read books, she devoured them. This was the root of our friendship, our mutual love of all things literature.

I set this blog up for Terry back in 2010, after the Lord laid the calling on her heart to partner with ZOE Ministry, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing financial, educational and spiritual support for children in Africa orphaned by AIDS. The mission trip to Rwanda in July of that year was one of the most meaningful and cherished experiences of Terry's life. I hope you'll take the time to read the posts she wrote; there are only a handful, but the joy that poured from her soul is abundant and clear, especially in her final post, written shortly after her return home from the trip. It warms my heart to know this ministry is still going strong, and I have a feeling Terry's smile is beaming just as brightly as in her profile picture to know it too.

Eight years ago this blog was dedicated to the Lord's plan for Terry. Now I'd like to dedicate it to her, and invite all of you who knew her, friends and family alike, to participate in a sort of "virtual memorial service." Terry had a great gift for making people laugh, and I feel sure she would want us to celebrate her life rather than mourning her loss.

Administrative note: I think giving everyone the opportunity to contribute a full post, rather than adding comments, will allow more flexibility with length and content. In invite you to share your favorite anecdotes, stories, and memories of Terry - anything that will convey how she touched your life as only she could. Feel free to include condolences to her family and I would be honored to pass those along. Please email me with whatever you'd like to share, and I will post your contributions as soon as I possibly can. Thank you.

The Plan He Had for me

So often, when we believe we are answering the call of God, we continue to have doubts, even as we obey...and sometimes we never find out what His true purpose was for us. My trip to Rwanda was NOT like that. All along, I have believed that He wanted me to go to Rwanda - I had no idea why, or how, but He made it happen, and now I know why. We visited many many orphans during our time in the Butare district of Rwanda, seeing them at all stages of involvement with the Ministry - from just beginning, where they were not even food secure, had no housing, and were barely surviving - to graduates after 3 years in the program, who were hard at work and employing others in the coffee and cassava plantations! But there was ONE day, ONE child, whose story touched my heart in a way I never imagined, and I know that she is the reason I was there. Bernadette is 19 years old and has 2 younger sisters. She was born with a birth defect that was so unusual that the villagers considered her cursed, an evil spirit, and she was shunned, her uncle took her out to the jungle to kill her - but family members stopped him. When ZOE found her, they were able to get her the medical care she needed - after trying at 3 different hospitals to find someone who knew how to treat her. I am not sure at what age she lost her parents, but she is now the head of household and cares for her younger sisters. The incredible thing about Bernadette is that, when she started to tell us of her birth defect, our leader/interpreter asked everyone to please stop filming. Bernadette's medical problem was one that, while surprisingly not uncommon, is not one that receives attention or is talked about, because it involves her intestinal tract and her reproductive organs. I have a very very good understanding of Bernadette's problem, because my daughter, Beth, was born with the same defect. When I told Epiphanie (our leader) that, she was shocked, and when she told Bernadette, she was stunned. There were many tears and hugs - Bernadette now knows that she is NOT alone in this, and I pray that that in itself offers some healing for her heart. I KNOW that God sent me to Bernadette so that she could see that God loves her and that, with God, I love her, and Beth loves her - we are her Mzungu family now, and hope to be able to stay in touch with her through Epiphanie. I was able to leave her a cross necklace, and asked Epiphanie to tell her that she is also my daughter now. I am writing this with tears in my eyes and awe in my heart that God could reach so far and work so hard to put this child in touch with someone who knows what she has been through...Our God is an AWESOME God! I have included a picture of me with Bernadette - God Bless you all, and please continue to keep all of the ZOE workers and children in your prayers.

It's Countdown Time!

Well, it's Saturday morning, and we leave for Rwanda on Wednesday - so time is really coming close. God has, as promised, provided EVERYTHING needed for this journey, and I am spending a lot of time in prayer, both for the mission and for all of you who have been servants of God in making your contributions. The outpouring of love has been incredible and I will carry it with me across the world! I am going to try to enclose some photos of the packing preparations...May not get back here before I leave...but I PROMISE, there will be plenty to see when I get back! May God bless each and every one of you, and keep YOU safe while I am away.

Halleluia!

Again, I have to say thank you thank you thank you to all of you wonderful folks who have helped me not only attain, but to exceed my financial goals! There is even money left to buy some moisture wicking, sun blocking, insect repellant clothing, and some spending money! You are all wonderful, and I thank God so much for making this possible - you have been his vessel with your support of $$, prayers and good thoughts!

Terry

Thank you!

How can I begin to tell you how much it means to me that within ten days of sending out 95 letters to friends and family, you wonderful people have blessed this mission with almost $900?!?! This is just amazing to me, and so humbling. I know that God wants me to go on this trip, and I know that He will make it possible, but to see the love pouring in, in the form of checks, and more prayers than I can possibly know about, is just incredible. I have just discovered that there is a section on U-Tube about ZOEministry, so that is another place you can go to learn about this mission that has become so dear to my heart. You will probably get tired of hearing this - but I will never tire of saying it, and I'm sure I will say it many, many more times. THANK YOU!

Oops!

Okay, sorry folks, but I have heard from a few of you, and apparently my letter was not clear enough on one point. If you send a check to Flagler Beach United Methodist Church with "ZOE ministry" in the memo line, it WILL be designated for my mission trip. I am the only person going from my church, so it will not go to anyone else. Currently in the works as far as other fund-raising efforts are the initiation of conversation with Wal-Mart about having a bake sale in the front of the store, and I have contacted the UMW (United Methodist Women) presidents of the two other local Methodist churches. The UMW is very devoted to providing aid especially to women and children, and my own UMW has already been of great help! I know that God is going to make this happen - thanks to all of you for being a part of it!

Terry

Progress report #1

Well, folks, I sent out 94 snail mail letters today, and probably most of you are here because you received that letter! Thank you for checking out my blog! I really feel like I am beginning the journey, now that those letters are out, I have an appointment with my doctor for the required physical next week, and an appointment with the health department to start on my shots - Oh, Goodie! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this mission - thank you so much for being a part of it! If anybody has any brilliant ideas for fund raisers that my church can help me with, please let me know!