Jim's Blog
Blog Entry - Feb 23, 2010
The two tragic deaths marking the Olympics this year, in the context of the ongoing challenges facing Haiti put a lot of things in perspective. The death of the Georgian luger, hours before the games begun, left a blanket of fear, despair and loss for many athletes. While watching the Georgian ice-dance team compete, I found myself thinking, "I wonder if the young luger who died was a close friend? Are they in mourning? Do they feel their hard-earned moment in the Olympic spotlight is empty?"
As I write, we have yet to watch figure skater, Joannie Rochette compete. But what rollercoaster will she be on? Her Mom, who died of a massive heart attack just a few days ago, was her greatest inspiration and dearest friend. How will she be able to perform? And if she should win, how will she cope with the compound emotion of hearing the anthem, the roar of the crowd and the brokenness of her heart? Surely the glory is overwhelming, for a moment. But the relationships lost forever, the love gone, trump the short-term magnificence of victory.
Blog Entry - Jan 26, 2010
The recent earthquake in Haiti is a profound reminder to us all of our vulnerability, humanity and interdependence. The fact is we NEED each other. Any and every "life-accident" can literally "turn our world upside-down". We have no guarantee of tomorrow. Jesus put it well when he said,"…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34).
In other words seize the day.
So - today is the time to be thankful, engaged, proactive and gracious. Now is the time to "redeem" our world's brokenness - and do it with a smile. Remember, the day may come when we'll need help from Haiti!
Blog Entry - Dec 21, 2009
As our families gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, I cannot help but be humbled by the spirit of Jesus. As Visionledd moves into a new year of ministry and partnerships, I am so grateful for everything the Lord has done for us. He has walked with us every step of the way. He is there when we bring food relief to orphans or build a Life Centre in a community devastated by poverty and disease. He leads us as we provide vocational training to widows and discipleship training to young leaders. But above all, He is with us when we share the news of what His birth over two thousand years ago did for our world.
This Christmas I want to challenge you to give a gift of meaning. Our heavenly father has given us the ultimate gift - the gift of eternal life. He has blessed us with so much. I pray that you will turn to Him this Christmas with an open heart.Whether you serve at a local soup kitchen, sing carols at a nursing home or give a gift in support of Visionledd's ministry, each of these will provide just a little hope to someone in need this Christmas.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and much joy in the New Year.
Jim
Blog Entry - Dec 04, 2009
As I was searching for direction for the New Year, I was encouraged by the passage found in Ephesians 1: 11-14 which says:
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory."
Through the ministry of Visionledd, God has given us the incredible opportunity to offer an Inheritance of hope and peace to orphans and widows devastated by HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. God has entrusted us with His children. We have been called to be a father to the fatherless and a defender of the weak. We have also been marked by His life - His spirit is forever guiding our plans.
Give a legacy of hope to a child, mother or widow in need. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ we know that "in Him all things work out for the good, for those who love him and have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Blog Entry - Nov 17, 2009
I recently received an email from my friend and colleague, Richard Brown. I pray that his words will inspire you the way they have inspired me.
In Bemba, umwanyantaJesu means, "where Jesus went through." If God truly lives with the broken-hearted and if the angels of the little ones are ever before Him, then Jesus was in Naikoli today.
I wept inside, while a little tear rolled down my cheek as I held three-year-old Grace Mulenga. Mulenga in Bemba means God or Creator. Maybe you could say I was holding the Grace of God? Grace is a pretty, huggable little girl you just want to love. Grace is also HIV positive. Her mother and father are both dead. She's sick and living with her five-year-old sister and 50-year-old epileptic and deaf grandmother. Her grandmother sells charcoal, making barely enough to feed her family. Because of her illness she sometimes falls asleep and wakes up to find someone has stolen her charcoal.
Today we took this broken family a 50 kg bag of maize and a 2 kg bag of sugar.
It will last one month - then what?
Jesus wants us to be His hands and feet to seek out and help the vulnerable in His name!
There were several other real life opportunities that we had to bring hope to the desperate. People with names and a story: Peter Mupeta - 56-year-old widower, suffering from the after effects of a stroke, 30-year- old Bernadette Mwandu dying from AIDS, Faless Banda - HIV positive with Tuberculosis, Jonathan Soko, just skin and bones from AIDS.
The good news is that all each of these men, women and children were prayed with today and all were left with some food and hope in Jesus name.
Blog Entry - Oct 21, 2009
I recently received an email from Rita Prins, the Executive Director of Visionledd’s ministry, WOW that reminded me of the warmth and closeness I feel to God when I am caring for and ministering to communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Rita’s report brings both stories of celebration and great need. Her team of dedicated men and women from The People’s Church in Toronto, Ontario are experiencing African culture for the first time.
Since their departure, the reports from the field have been refreshing. So many lives have been transformed since our last visit to these communities. The orphans and widows they are caring for have introduced them to a new kind of faith – one outside the comfort we know in Canada. One of complete dependence on God – without government support and without the comfort of a job, home or family.
Yet even though they have nothing, these widows are hopeful for the future. Their faith in God – their trust in Him in all l things, is a testimony to the work Visionledd is carrying out in these communities of need.
Blog Entry - Sep 14, 2009
Over the Labour Day weekend, I was in southern Manitoba on a family weekend retreat on Pelican Lake. The fascinating aspect of this beautiful location is that the old Cantelon family farm is just a short drive away. My Irish forbearers immigrated to southern Ontario during the Irish potato famine, and after several tough but successful years of farming near Lake Huron, a couple of the Cantelon boys moved to southwestern Manitoba to set up their own operations. They began a "steam threshing" business and did contract harvesting for wheat farms across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. They soon became very successful.
One day Elmer, the oldest of the four sons who operated the threshing business, was in Winnipeg arranging a major contract. That evening he returned to his hotel, fell into bed, and opened up the "Gideon Bible" that the local Gideon chapter had placed there. I don't know what passage he read but it struck him forcefully with his need of God. He got out of bed, knelt down, and tearfully committed his life to the Lord. Next day he returned to the farm and led his brothers to Christ. They all became preachers, their sons became preachers, and their sons' sons (of which I am one) became preachers. My own sons and my daughter are also in the ministry. The beat goes on . . .
So I sit here and reflect on the impact of the Bible. I remember how the Lord spoke vision into my life ten years ago through the words of the prophet Isaiah:
"learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).
Out of these words, came a burning in my heart to do just as God had commanded. My years of ministry have taught me that God's word has the power to change lives, helping to build both families and nations. His word is key to Visionledd's work with orphans and widows, central to our mission's DNA. I have a high view of scripture. It's the powerful nourishment my soul and my ministry requires for sustainability. It breathes and gives life. I drink it in every day.
Blog Entry - Aug 17, 2009
In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to be a guest host on 100 Huntley Street. I am incredibly honored to be able to communicate the great news of our lord and savior across Canada and beyond our national borders. Throughout these segments, my faith has been both nurtured and challenged. Our family at Crossroads is going through a period of change and new beginnings. As I interact with fellow believers on the show, I cannot help but be reminded of the importance of the family of Christ.
Wherever we live, a suburb in Canada or a slum in Africa, we are connected in His love, compassion and grace. We are to reach out to those who are in need of prayer, support, comfort and care. Paul reminds us of this in his passage in 1 Corinthians 12:27,
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
As we take up our roles as a unique member in the body of Christ, we are both challenged and encouraged to explore new terrain in our faith walk. Through my ministry and the work of Visionledd we are able to join with our brothers and sisters in Africa and establish real change in communities of need.
Together we are able to accomplish great things and through these great things we are transforming our world.
Blog Entry - Aug 04, 2009
Four months ago we were in Africa – our conferences were life changing. I just received this note from Pastor Mubanga:
“We learnt that compassion will lead us to see a need, whereas passion will lead as to do something about it, we have had compassion for long enough, now it is time to act.”
His words are so true for the Church in North America. The Church has lost its passion for those in need. We recognize the need and are compassionate towards those suffering, but very little is done to bring resolve to the devastating circumstances many orphans and widows are forced to struggle with each and every day. We have become comfortable and are forgetting the mission God had placed in our hands.
As I thought about all of this, I was reminded of the word of the Lord spoken in Isaiah 42:6 of “I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.”
It’s not enough for the Church to simply recognize the need of those suffering with HIV/AIDS in Africa; it must also actively pursue a resolution by instilling justice and righteousness in the lives of those suffering. We have been called to bring light and hope to the nations. Our work is just beginning – it has started in Kabwe at the Pastors conference and is continuing to ignite in the hearts of our fellow African leaders.
Blog Entry - Jul 20, 2009
I already talked about the paradigm shift from internal to external and the shift from counting people to measuring impact.
The third paradigm shift is in mentoring and modelling.
The 21st century Church is shifting from a call for people to come into the church to a call for them to go out. And the sanctuary is becoming a place of training, encouragement and equipping. The focus is changed from internal spirituality to using the power of Jesus to impact and transform our communities.
A new day is dawned. Christians are practising what they preach. What a concept!
