Minneapolis Airport

We are one step closer to Tanzania! We've crossed into the US and are waiting are flight to Amsterdam. Celine and the Richards' got some shut eye on the airplane but I was too excited. There was a little excitement getting on board in Saskatoon. Jamie and Roxanne were asked to partake in a random search. Pray for us! The group is excited and nervous and tired and forming run on sentences.  

1 day 6 hours 36 minutes until...

In 1 day 6 hours and 36 minutes I will be with the Mission Team in Tanzania. For the past 16 days I have been in Nairobi, Kenya visiting my family. I have had such an amazing time with them and enjoyed every moment spent with them. It has been 3 years since I was last here and not many things have changed apart my little cousins, there are not so little anymore. My first days here where spent sleeping due to the jet lag and time difference, but once that was over I started to really enjoy everything. Africa is a place like no other, it is very unpredictable. Walking or driving down the streets you see cows chickens and goats roaming around. The other day as I was walking up the hill to go home with my aunty 2 cows were following us. I thought is was so cool at first until they started to got closer to us, but eventually they turned around down the hill. Also the food is so fresh which makes you want to eat lots. My favourite are the mini bananas they are so sweet and delicious, I can eat so many in one sitting oh and the meat is just scrumptious. My favourite places in Kenya are, my uncle home and the market. Being with my family brings me so much joy and only meeting them 2 times in my life we have so much to learn about each other and in the market they're so much things to see and buy and here you can bargain almost anything in the streets, but I notice for us foreigners everything is almost doubled. I have had a great time here with my family and I will miss them dearly but it is time to bring water to Tanzania. Preparing for this mission trip was kinda difficult even though I was born in Africa, my way of thinking, living and my body is all Canadian. I had a lot of guidance from my family and friends. The most difficult part for me was packing. I wanted to bring everything but I was constantly reminded that I could buy things there, once that was done I was Ready for a journey of a life time. My greatest hopes for this Mission trip are to be able to share and grow in my faith, help provide clean drinking water, bring hope to Tanzania and lastly my greatest hope is that  God opens my eyes to new avenues of services for him. 

Saskatoon Airport

Well, we're here. At the airport. A little groggy, a lot tired. Nina is sprawled out on the airport floor. We're saying goodbye to our loved ones and I'm on my phone blogging. It's exciting! It's delicious (our last timmies for six plus weeks) and we are ready to go. I love you mom. Minneapolis here we come!

Things I'll miss

Well the plane leaves tomorrow and I am so excited I can hardly form complete sentences. With that in mind bear with me as I list the top ten things I will miss in Canada.
1) My Mom
2) Everyone Else
3) Going up to Bosco
4) Canoeing
5) Fresh Pickerel (walleye)
6) Dad's Cookies
7) Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral
8) My library of books
9) Apple/Rhubarb Crisp
10) Playing Catan or Axis and Allies

I'll make sure that I post something early tomorrow. It is frantic in the house as we scramble to get ready.

New Adventures...

I know I'm excited. Today is my last day at the COOP. Then its full time packing and preparing for university. As many of you know my folks have sold there home so I need to pack, not just for Africa but for school afterwards too. Life is full of adventures, and this Mission Trip is one of my coolest for sure.
In Africa I'll continue my vocational discernment. Serving the Lord among the poor, the thirsty, and the hungry. This is an awesome opportunity for me to do my duty to God. There is a need and our team can help fill it. This is about living Christianity, loving our neighbours as ourselves. Sharing the suffering of others. Through the sweat of hard work we will make the lives of others better and I'm sure our lives will be made better in return.

Mathew

One Week until Departure

Well the Prince Albert Diocese Mission Team has one week till departure and I for one, am incredibly excited. We leave Saskatoon Airport early on the 30th and that is the part I am least looking forward too. The flying. I know that it is supposedly safer than driving... but I don't like the take-off, or the landing, or the part when the landing gear enters and exits the plane. Anyway who wants to read about a fear of flying. The team is getting ready. Last Friday we gathered at the renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral for the 100th anniversary and received a blessing from His Excellency, Bishop Thevenot. And now we're packing. I know that in my house there have been debates on what to bring. My father, for example, thinks I should pack several pairs of wool socks. Though I acknowledge that they repel water and are static resistant, they are also much warmer than cotton socks, and that is a pretty big consideration since it is Tanzania and not Tibet. I'll probably pack a pair or two, but there is no way I am stuffing my suitcase with wool socks. Besides socks, I'm also packing One World Futbols courtesy of the Johnsons, whose suitcases I hear are bursting at the brim with socks.

So my writing style goes from fear of flying to socks...

Since this is the first post maybe a bit of background information would be a good idea. Two years ago our group through the suggestion and guidance of the Diocese of Prince Albert began meeting and raising funds for a well project with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. We had a variety of events that were well attended including a gala dinner a starvathon and a St Patrick's Day dance. Though there was some stress at the raising of the funds and a bit of worry as the size of our group dropped from twenty to twelve and again to ten, we persevered. Many thanks are due to Warren Dungen and Kayleigh Skomorowski for the leadership they provided though sadly both were unable to join us for our trip. We pulled through. And now fortified with the Bishop's blessing we prepare to fulfill our mission.

Please pray for us as we prepare.

Mathew Derworiz