We were both born and raised in Alberta, Canada.  We were married in 1982 and did our first overseas assignment in Kenya in 1985/86 with the Canadian government.  We both fell in love with Kenya and some of the people we worked with became family to us.  

We visited many times over the years and when Mike retired in 2007, we returned to Kenya as missionaries with SIM. While in that position we connected with an orphanage in Kerugoya which we ultimately changed into a foster care system and started an official Canadian charity called HUGS for Africa (Helping Underprivileged Groups through Sponsorship).  We were able to support and educate 20 young people over the next 14 years. We also supported Bible Study groups in High Schools throughout Kirinyaga, training students to be Bible Study leaders.  Although we officially closed the charity in 2022, we continue to work with our local Kenya church and other Christian charities to help families in need and to continue with the Bible Study training in 8 High Schools and train Bible study leaders and do leadership training in churches.  

We are grateful to CDM for the partnership, and we thank the Lord for His unceasing blessings.