“With a heavy heart”

April 27, 2007 Letter from Lynda
“With a heavy heart”

My dear friends:

It’s with a heavy heart that I’m writing you this month. I’ve long had a policy of not writing when I was down, but hey! Sorry for that, as we say in Tanzania.
I last wrote that I was heading to Canada. I had to leave earlier than expected when I learned that my dad was in hospital for his heart.

Dad had open-heart surgery on 26th March. I arrived in Vancouver as he was rolled into recovery. His first 7 days saw him up and around, giving his nurses a run for their money. But then, he fell ill with pneumonia, which led to organ failure and other infections. He fought a tough battle for 22 days in ICU on life support.
Monday morning, the 23rd of April, Dad lost the battle to a heart attack.
It’s been a difficult thing.

We’ve had a huge blanket of love and support thrown over us – thanks to many of you for that. My mom is doing remarkably well, and I’m given the gift of being with her in faith; in sorrow and in hope. My two sisters and brother have been, and will be with us, for the service next week.

Oh, the memories…!!! I’m realizing that of all the memories I hold of my dad, it’s been those of the last six years that I find the dearest. We really got to know each other (finally!) through working together on the CanaDares/Vijaliwa project. And so, there’s a resurgence of new and positive energy that I will take home to Tanzania with me in June.

In his professional life, Ken Gunning worked tirelessly at improving the standards of accounting, not only in several capacities for the CICA and the Canadian government, but also for the international accounting community. My dad fought hard to establish a standard of excellence for our little project. It hasn’t been easy! We intend to continue that fight on his behalf.

Excellence is a tricky destination, and of course, an impossible goal. After all, we are dealing with children coming from difficult circumstances (read that - human beings living in or emerging from extreme poverty). But, when dealing with cultural difference and numerous other structural barriers, holding that high standard as a beacon has seen us through some troubles that have certainly ended many such fledgling (and even more established) projects.

Meanwhile, Stephen has been doing an amazing job of holding the fort at the house in Msongola. Hopefully, he will be able to send some recent photos, and we will get them posted on this website. He tells me that since my departure, there is a brand new big chicken coop, some ducks, a goat stable (not sure if it has residents yet!) and a 175 meter 3 foot-deep trench for the plumbing from our well to the house, eagerly awaiting the generator and pump.

Well, I think that’s all for now. Again, I have to thank you all for your prayers and support. They are felt and much appreciated.

Blessings,
Lynda Kearns
Vijaliwa Vingi Society
http://www.canadares.ca