Simple Intention - Great Blessing

Tim & Shirley Dubeau


From the beginning, our intention was simple:  Let’s do something to celebrate our 50 years of marriage in keeping with our 50 years together. Serving is part of our DNA. So when the opportunity came our way to travel to North Africa for nine weeks to help prepare our grandkids’ primary, middle and secondary school buildings to receive students we said, “Let’s do it!” Did it cost us? Yes. Did it stretch us? Yes. 

What did we do? Basic punch-list jobs. Nothing extraordinary: cleaning, painting, repairing doors, windows, classroom set-ups and other miscellaneous tasks. 

As a bonus we assisted a local Fellowship pastored by our son-in-law (a family supported by Hebron!). We came alongside the Fellowship as they renovated a larger worship space to accommodate the ever-growing body of believers serving in this North African city.

It was not all work and no play!! We spent most evenings and shared a few special outings with family. We capped our time away by travelling to Switzerland, France and Germany visiting friends and our granddaughter. All of this on top of building new and deepening old relationships.     

Our desire was to be of service wherever we could.  Volunteering, whether at home or abroad provides an opportunity to reflect the image of Christ into a world that is watching. Let’s always remember we are “blessed to be a blessing!”. Now, this is something worth celebrating!