Sunday, May 26, 2013

Our Week in Pictures

Dan and I with a group of youth after we taught a life skills class. This session's topics were friendship and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will influence you for the better.
Dan et moi avec un groupe de jeunes après que nous avons enseigné une classe de compétences de vie. Nous avons parlé de l'amitié et l'importance de s'entourer de gens qui vont vous influencer pour le mieux.
My wonderful husband grilling us some chicken for supper!
Mon mari merveilleux nous griller du poulet pour souper!

A beautiful African sunset.
Un beau coucher de soleil africain.

Dan and I in front of a cane sugar field! They say that Mazabuka is the sweetest town!
Dan et moi devant une champ de canne à sucre.

Lisa, Dan (you can see his eye in the corner) and I went to visit our taxi driver's home. He has been our driver for the past two weeks.
Lisa, Dan (vous pouvez voir son oeil dans le coin) et moi sommes allés visiter la maison de notre chauffeur de taxi. Il a été notre chauffeur pour les deux dernières semaines.

We visited four schools this week. We spoke on friendship, romantic relationships, and of course on the word of God. This past Thursday, Dan had the chance to share his full testimony while visiting a group of young men at a correctional school. It was a very powerful afternoon, and Dan prayed over all the young men. We were really inspired, when we left that school.

Tomorrow morning, we are leaving for Kazangula. We will be spending the week with another group of short termers from Canada. Each day will be spent teaching lifeskills in the local schools! Please pray that God gives us the right words while we share, and that God would speak through us!

Thanks so much for all the love and support! We will update you at the end of the week!

Nous avons visité quatre écoles cette semaine. Nous avons parlé de l'amitié, les relations amoureuses, et bien sûr de la parole de Dieu. Jeudi dernier, Dan a eu la chance de partager son témoignage complet en visitant un groupe de jeunes hommes dans une école correctionnel. C'était un très puissant après-midi, et Dan a prié pour tous les jeunes hommes. Nous avons été vraiment inspirés, quand nous avons quitté cette école.

Demain matin, nous partons pour Kazangula. Nous allons passer la semaine avec un autre groupe de Canadiens. Chaque journée sera consacrée à la dynamique de vie de l'enseignement dans les écoles locales! Merci de prier pour que Dieu nous donne les bons mots alors que nous partageons, et que Dieu parle à travers nous!

Merci beaucoup pour tout l'amour et votre soutien! Nous vous tiendrons au courant à la fin de la semaine!


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Life in Zambia

Where do we begin?

We've already been in Zambia one week; time flies! As we got off the plane in Lusaka at 530 am, we were introduced to the warm, African sunrise and the friendly security at the airport. Shortly after customs, Lisa picked us up and we traveled to our first guest house. By the time we were introduced to our bedroom, already made our decision. Our bags fell to the floor and we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows. 

We were very tired and the jet lag was catching up to us. It wouldn't have been so bad, if we didn't spend two nights in flight and a ten hour layover in London (to the Tower of London we went).  But by 10ish, we were abruptly awoken, thrown in a van, and brought to the SIM Zambia headquarters. The missionaries here are quite friendly and surprisingly multinational. It is great to see how Christians from all over the world are coming together in ministry. After some training with one of the missionaries, Vijaya (Vee-gee), we were invited to her house for some Singaporean food. What an exciting first day!
Dan at the Tower of London
Brittany at the London Bridge
Us at the SIM office in Lusaka


On our second day in Lusaka (Lu-sa-ka), Lisa brought us to the Scripture Union regional office for a quick meeting with the Director. Then we travelled two hours by bus to Lisa's house in the Mazabuka (Ma-za-boo-ka) district, which is where we will be spending most of our time.
This is where we are staying

After getting acquainted with the Zambian culture, we were on the move again by Thursday, to visit Precious, a Zambian national, in Gwembe (Gwem-bay). As soon as we were welcomed into Precious' home, we began learning Tonga, the language of the Southern Province tribes. We tried the national dish, Nshima (pronounced shee-mah), which was delish! You know how much we love trying international cuisine. Precious even surprised us by having authentic Zambian outfits made for us with the Zambian flag in the print.
Precious's wonderful home. 
Lisa, Precious and Brittany
Supper! Nshima!


On Friday, we went to one of the local primary schools, and taught our first Life Skills class. "What is Freedom?" was the topic, which described how we are free to make life decisions but we must understand that we must face the consequences. The group that received us was 110 boys and girls, from grades 7,8, and 9.


Saturday, we met at a local church men's and women's club, where we gave our testimonies, presented Scripture Union, and discussed the problems which youth in Canada and Zambia face. On Sunday, we were presenting again at church while Precious preached on trusting in God, (a favourite of Dan's).

Lemon tree!
Town of Gwembe

It was difficult to leave Gwembe, as the people were so friendly and the hospitality was spectacular. On Monday morning, we returned to Mazabuka to start working with the local SU office. When we got there, we met with the Peer Educators for Scripture Union and discussed our role in this week's school visits. These young Zambian men and women teach the Life Skills program in the districts' local primary and high schools. They often choose to do this between their completion of high school and the start of post-secondary education. 

Today, we visited the first two schools, and we had a blast! The team split up and taught two classes on what love is and how God loves us. We really felt that the students got the message and that they are excited for more lessons.

I just thought I'd mention that it's our anniversary today so we will go out for a special supper after our bible study tonight.

Finally, just a couple cute stories.

Since we've been here, we've been going for morning runs. Each morning, when we arrive at the track, there are a few kids who join in with us for a run. It makes us smile when we see the same kids waiting for us.

A few days ago in Gwembe, Dan was working out at an outdoor sports field. He found some cinder blocks that could be used as weights. During this exercise, he noticed a group of ten boys spying on him from behind a brick wall. This is normal, as the Zambians are quite curious about us. He disregarded them and continued his workout, until he heard some giggling. As he turned around, there were ten small boys, between the ages of 5 and 9 who were imitating him while he carried out his workout routine. To his surprise, they were even lifting lifting small stones, broken bricks, and any rubble they could find.

Thank you everyone for your love and support. We miss you!

xoxo -Dan and Brittany


Saturday, April 20, 2013

Spaghetti Lunch!

Hello! Bonjour tout le monde!

I hope you are all doing well! :)

We are hosting a spaghetti lunch tomorrow at our church in Jonquiere. We feel so blessed that the whole church is helping us! We've spent the evening preparing mass amounts of sauce and spaghetti!
If you have a moment tonight can you please pray for our day tomorrow. Pray for:

  • organization and that the afternoon will run smoothly
  • for us to have great fellowship and great conversations with the people in our church
  • that people would feel encouraged and inspired to go out into the mission field. whether that be another country or that they feel encouraged to get more involved in their own community
  • and that the Lord will abundantly bless everyone who comes and all those who give
Here's some pics of our evening while preparing the spaghetti.

MASS amounts of spaghetti. 
These pictures are about half of what we've made!

Thanks for all of your support and love. I can't believe we are leaving in three weeks!
Our first newsletter is coming out this week! We will put it here on the blog and we will send it to your email.

If you are not on the email list, send us a message and we will put you on the list!

Bonjour mes amis!

j'espère que vous allez bien. Nous avons un dîner missionnaire demain à notre église, au menu sera prevu du spaghetti. Nous sommes tellement  bénis que tout notre église nous soutient.
Si vous avez le temps ce soir, pouvez-vous prier pour nous. Priez pour:
  • que tout se deroule comme prevu
  • que nous aillons de bonnes conversations avec les membres de notre église
  • que les personnes soient inspires d'aller en mission dans les autres pays ou dans leur propre région  
  • que les personnes presentes et les personnes qui donnerons soient benis.
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.


Have a great evening everyone.
-Britt & Dan Guindon

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Missions Training

Hello all!





This past week from Tuesday to Friday we did our missions training in Montreal, Quebec. It was an incredible week! We were lead by a passionate missionary couple named Willie and Angela. We were mightily blessed while we were there and we learned so much. We were met by God's presence the entire time we were there and we left feeling so encouraged. We did sessions on several different topics to get us ready for our short term trip. Such as; finances, spiritual warfare & the occult, the basics of evangelism, what does S I M believe, and we learned more about Zambia. We left their home totally on fire and passionate about what we are going to be doing in Zambia.
On Friday morning we skyped with the missionary we are going to be staying with in Zambia. She answered our questions about what to wear (ranging from our shoes to what to wear to church), how to greet people when we arrive, and what to pack for our rural camping trip! She also shared her passion for the APPLE ministry and her prayers for the ministry's future. Dan and I loved seeing her vision for the young people of Zambia and we are now so excited to be a part of it!
If you want a prayer bookmark we can mail one to you, just message me with your email address. Also soon I will be putting up info on how to donate to us or the ministry!
We love you all!
XO


Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand
    when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.


EN FRANCAIS:

La semaine dernière, du mardi au vendredi nous avons fait notre formation missions à Montréal, Québec. C'etait une semaine incroyable! Nous avons été menés par un couple passionné missionnaire, Willie et Angela. Nous avons été puissamment bénis quand nous étions là et nous avons beaucoup appris. Nous avons été accueillis par la présence de Dieu tout le temps que nous étions là et nous sommes partis feeling tellement encouragée. Nous avons suivi des cours sur plusieurs sujets différents. Comme; les finances, le combat spirituel et l'occultisme, les bases de l'évangélisation, ce qui SIM croire, et nous avons appris plus sur la Zambie. Nous avons quitté leur maison en feu et totalement passionné par ce que nous allons faire en Zambie.
Le vendredi matin, nous avons skypé (?) avec le missionnaire avec qui nous allons rester en Zambie. Elle a répondu à nos questions sur ce qu'il faut porter (comme nos chaussures de quoi porter à l'église), comment saluer les gens quand nous arrivons, et ce qu'il faut emporter pour notre voyage de camping en milieu rural! Elle a également partagé sa passion pour le ministère Apple et ses prières pour l'avenir du ministère. Dan et moi avons beaucoup aimé voir sa vision pour les jeunes de la Zambie et nous sommes maintenant tellement excitée d'être une partie du ministère!
Si vous voulez une prière signet nous pouvons envoyé un par la poste à vous, juste message moi avec votre adresse e-mail. Aussi bientôt je vais mettre ici des infos sur comment faire un don à nous ou au ministère!
Nous vous aimons beaucoup!
XO

Friday, March 1, 2013

Zambia

HELLO EVERYONE!

{{Do you enjoy my excellent paint skills? }}


Dan and I have some very exciting news! We are going to Choma, Zambia for a month this April- May! 



We will be serving with a ministry called A.P.P.L.E. Which stands for Aids Prevention Plus Life Education. You can learn more about the ministry here
During our time there, we will be leading life skills classes in Zambian public schools. We will be encouraging other young people to live their lives in the fullest and healthiest way! We will teach about how to live a wise and Godly lifestyle. Topics that we are going to talk about will be:

  • Freedom, Choices and Consequences
  • Communication
  • Family, Friends, and Love
  • Growing Up
  • Sex and HIV/AIDS
APPLE focuses on behavior change as a means of AIDS prevention.


Dan and I have been very excited to share the news of our trip! We have wanted to do a missions trip for a few years now but the timing was never right. We have been working with S.I.M since 2012 to find the perfect trip for us and we have finally found it! We have created this blog to keep all of our loved ones informed. We will be posting in both French & English. We want you all to follow along with us on our journey and to partner with us in prayer.

We are going for our missions training in Montreal this coming week. We will post more soon!
Much love!

This weeks prayer needs:
  • God to prepare our hearts for our trip to Zambia
  • For financial provision
  • For safe travels to Montreal
  • For every detail of our trip to come together smoothly

Psalm 118 Give thanks to the Lord, for HE is GOOD; His love endures forever.



Bonjour tout le monde! 


Dan et moi avons des nouvelles très excitant! Nous allons à Choma en Zambie pendant un mois cet Avril-Mai!


Nous travaillerons avec le programme A.P.P.L.E. en Zambie pendant un mois.
A.P.P.L.E. signifie:
Aids (SIDA)
Prevention
Plus
Life
Education
(L'éducation sur la prévention du sida et sur la vie)

Vous pouvez en apprendre plus a propos de cette mission ici.

Notre équipe dirigera un programme d'aptitudes de vie visant à prévenir le sida, d'un point de vue biblique mondial. Nous atteindrons des centaines de jeunes zambiens dans les écoles locales.Les sujets que nous allons parler sera:

Liberté, Choix et conséquences
communication
Famille, Amis, Amour et
Grandir
Le sexe et le SIDA


Dan et moi avons été très heureux de partager les nouvelles de notre voyage! Nous avons voulu faire un voyage missionnaire depuis quelques années, mais le moment n'était jamais le bon moment. Nous avons travaillé avec SIM depuis 2012 pour trouver le voyage parfait pour nous et nous l'avons enfin trouvé! Nous avons créé ce blog pour garder tous nos proches informés. Nous allons ecrire toujours en français et en anglais. Nous demandons pour les personnes qui vont prier pour nous. 

Nous allons pour notre formation missions à Montréal la semaine prochaine. Je vais ecrire bientot!
Merci beaucoup et Dieu vous bénisse



SVP priez afin que Dieu
-nous bénisse et nous protège
-nous prépare pour notre séjour
-pourvoie à tous nos besoins
-prépare les coeurs des jeunes zambiens
-nous forme à être ce qu'Il veut que nous soyons !

Psaumes 118

Célébrez l'Eternel, car il est bon,car son amour dure à toujours!


-Brittany & Dan