By Robyn Rexin
There was a Vavenby Community Picnic on Aug. 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Community Hall. It was a sunny and fairly warm day. The event was organized by Denica Kelly. Visitors from as far as Cranbrook and Prince George were present.
When the children first arrived they chose pictures to colour. Then there was a nature scavenger hunt where they had to find things such as a spider web which was the scariest for some children, a worm, rock, tree, bee, squirrel, etc. The children coloured the item on their chart as soon as they found it. There were prizes for all participants, their choice of bubbles or a hockey puck.
Next was the healthy lunch of a mixture of tuna, egg, ham, and turkey sandwiches plus a vegetable tray and fruit tray. There were snacks, water, and juice boxes throughout the day.
To end the picnic Cindy Wilgosh took over. Everyone formed a circle and sang some songs. The last one was the good – bye song where each person took a turn shaking the rattle.
The children also enjoyed their time playing on the new swings and slides.
There will be a Play Group this year at Vavenby Elementary for children who are preschoolers. It will be on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., beginning Sept. 6th. The children will do crafts, listen to stories, and there will be a theme for every month. For more information call Denica Kelly at 250 – 674 – 3530 or email her at denicak@yellowheadcs.ca
Strong Start, another fun and learning experience for preschoolers and for parents / guardians to get out, begins this year on Sept. 11, at 9:00 a.m.
Approximately 50 people filled the Vavenby Christian Church (VCC) on Aug. 26, to say their goodbyes to Vienna Moilliet before she leaves for the Philippines to do her missionary work with women and children living on the streets and with those who have been in sex slavery. She will also be delivering some babies.
Moilliet gave the talk on Sunday. She explained how she went back and forth on deciding whether to go but she knew she wanted to do something about helping these women and not just think “What can we do?”
Her dad Ian told how he had opposed the idea of her going back to the Philippines. Vienna said that he wouldn’t talk about it for three months. Then Ian finally accepted the plan and told her how proud he was of her and how courageous she was. There were tears from both of them but Ian knew his were not because his daughter was living on the streets, or with an addiction, or because she’d lost her faith.
Vienna explained that she will be working with Safe Refuge International, a place that takes in these needy women and helps them to heal, find a purpose, receive an education, and share the love of Jesus with them. Vienna’s part will be to learn as much as possible, be a listening ear, build relationships, help with activities, and help in whatever physical, spiritual, or emotional way possible. She plans to be involved in maternity clinics as well.
Vienna’s former classmate from when last in the Philippines, Ellora Couch, plans to join Vienna in one and a half years. They hope to expand what Safe Refuge is doing to other parts of the Philippines where there is no place for women with needs to go.
Vienna said that she needed prayers for herself and her family’s emotions when it was time for their goodbyes on Sept. 2nd and so she will be able to learn the language as soon as possible. She feels that it is very important to learn the language and as she branches out into other parts of the Philippines she will need to learn other ones. She explained, “I was not good at speaking in tongues.”
Vienna feels very humble to the churches that are sending and supporting her. She calculated her financial needs will be $900 – $1000 per month to cover everything from food, rent, and immigration fees. Anyone wishing to donate money can send a cheque towards the Philippines Mission to VCC at PO Box 99, Vavenby, B.C. V0E 3A0. This way the donor will receive a receipt.
After Vienna’s talk the congregation prayed over her to play a part in Safe Refuge International and for her safety. There were tears and breaks in people’s voices. Then everyone enjoyed a huge and delicious potluck lunch. This was also a time for people to talk to Vienna individually. When asked how she was going to get all of her clothes there she explained that she was allowed two bags of up to 50 pounds plus a carry – on for the plane. Everyone will miss this loving, caring and cheerful young woman. She will be gone for two years and then come back for a visit for 6 – 12 months and then go back to her mission.
