***See a video of Marlene performing with her mother Joan Elliott and her late brother Tim in 1997(-just 4 months before his death) on YouTube ***

....inserted Mar-01-08

WHEN YOU FEEL THE URGE TO GIVE UP AND QUIT ~ EXCERPT TAKEN FROM AN EMAIL SENT TO ME FROM A TRUSTED FRIEND

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."

Continuing He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others." He said.

" The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

Your time will come," God said to me." You will rise high!

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

" Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. "

[1/8/2006] TRAGIC NEWS... Tragically in South Carolina late Saturday night, January 7th, 2006 Warren Parker of the Parker Trio was struck by a truck and died from his injuries. Warren, along with his family, are all close friends of the O'Neill's both personally and professionally. Warren is survived by his best friend/partner in life and ministry, Shannan. Please uphold Shannan in prayer along with Warren's parents Brian and Edna, his sister Julie and her husband David, nephews Ryan and Matthew. Remember also, the other trio members Angie and Brandt White.

Donations (if desired) can be made to:
Parker Outreach International
P.O. Box 296
Pickering, Ontario L1V 2R4

Although it's hard to understand the why's - may God's glory and presence be evident in the coming days.

Absent from the body and present with his Lord and Saviour, who Warren so faithfully loved and served!

Brian Warren Parker
July 16, 1971 - January 8, 2006

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2005

O'Neill Ministries is pleased to present a brand new CD !

An anthology of 13 of your most requested songs from Marlene's first seven recordings. All digitally re-mastered and compiled on one fabulous disc! Including the hit single, "Praise His Name"

Have your VISA or MASTERCARD ready and contact:

› phone: (905) 275-8580

› email: contact_us@marleneoneill.com

› or print a mail-in order form right here

"Twatotela Lesa!" ("Praise God!" in the language of Bemba)

A Brief Mission's Trip Overview: Briefly, in close affiliation with the government of Zambia and the local Chingola Health Department, a team of 13 of us conducted 8 medical clinics that were free to the local people there as well as conducted a One-Day Women's Conference and several Youth Rallies and Concerts.

Following a flight schedule that was a little mixed up and mass-confusion as we headed towards the gate, 6 pieces of luggage (two personal bags of luggage and 4 hockey bags full of medical equipment) as well as two of our team members in Canada did not make the flight. All bags and persons followed seven days later and met us in Zambia safe and sound. As well, we were to meet two registered nurses from the UK along the way who would join us but they were detained due to a British Airways strike (…or so we thought…). To our surprise, they actually arrived at the Retreat Centre on the evening of August 15th following a series of events, miracles and answered prayers. These miracles included departing England on an airline other than a British Airways flight, missing their connecting flight in Kenya, but sitting down in frustration at the Kenya airport beside someone to whom they shared their plight to find out that he owned his own private plane and offered to fly them to Chingola, Zambia where he lives! He and his family were hosting a birthday party for their daughter that night and invited the two nurses to stay for a meal. Long story short…a guest at the party heard their story and as it turned out he and his family lived next door to the Musenga Retreat Centre! He drove them directly to the front door!! Wow, talk about miracles. This is exactly what the team needed to bind us together and prepare our hearts and spirits for the work ahead.

Travel time was about 3 days including several time changes and finally landing in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa (6 hours behind Ontario time) on Saturday, August 13th. We were stationed at the Musenga Baptist Retreat Centre. This is a large piece of land purchased and hosted by missionaries from Germany and occupied by several local African families. Our quarters there were comfortable and complete with all amenities (except for the occasional power outage). We had four African cooks who took time away from their families and lived there with us for two weeks preparing our meals. Our final week was spent in Lusaka and Livingstone.

On our first day designated for rest and relaxation myself and a few other team members played ball with the children who live on the property. They sang Sunday School songs for us and I truly enjoyed their laughs and playfulness. An eye-opening moment came about an hour later when their playfulness started to die down and I asked, "OK, what shall we do now?" One of the 11 year-old boys said, "We are hungry." I didn't know how to respond. I was quiet and then others joined in with, "Yes, we are hungry…we are thirsty…we would like some juice..." I asked the Lord for strength as I responded honestly with, "Well, I can't give you that right now, but let's sing some more!" It broke my heart and brought me to tears. They were so bold (or comfortable) with me that they openly asked for food.

Basically, we held eight (8) medical clinics at local Hospitals and Medical Clinic facilities administering general medicines. The morning started with a short devotional, during which I sang, and concluded with an invitation for people to give their hearts to Christ. Many responded! Praise the Lord! Hundreds of donated medications included topical creams, eye-drops, Advil/Tylenol, anti-nauseant, muli-vitamins, anti-worm meds, etc. 'We' were 1 OB/GYN Doctor, 1 Pediatric Doctor, 5 registered nurses, 1 pharmacist, 1 computer teacher, 1 Doctor of Theology, 1 singer and 2 other volunteers. We also administered the Word of God, as situations would allow in the clinics. Men and mothers with their children were attended to. Most walked for several hours and then waited in the hot sun for several more hours to be seen. Roughly, 5000 patients were seen in all with several different ailments including unbelievable open sores, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, STD's, malaria, yellow fever, malnutrition, hypertension and general aches/pains and respiratory diseases associated with their life style there. I did all of the adult patient registration in addition to music ministry before the clinics and at the concerts. The responsibility of patient registration gave me the chance to get to really know the people, their stories, their ailments, as well as their humor. There are so many individual stories and to tell them all would fill many pages!

In addition to a wonderful One-Day Women's Conference, there was a strong emphasis on Youth Evangelism this trip as we joined alongside several Youth Leaders of the different communities. They helped us with interpretation and hosted the rallies/concerts. Hundreds attended each Rally and Concert (all in different locations including the cities of Chingola and Lusaka). With the use of interpreters, (and our meager attempt at Bemba-their local dialect) the positive message of Christ rang out loud and clear in addition to practical teachings on the basics of personal hygiene, and general health issues. Because of the donation of several new NIV Bibles, I was able to bless many of the Youth Leaders and young adults with their very own copy! I sang at all of the Sunday church services, was featured at the evening concerts along with local church choirs who sang too. What a tremendous joy! I was thrilled to see that they still remembered some of the songs that I sang there 2 years ago like "I Lean On You Lord", "So High" and "How Great Thou Art".

Again, the singing of the local church choirs and congregations was something to behold! Most choir members and attendees arrived late - something we learned how to get used to as the weeks went on <smile!>. Some mothers had their babies strapped to their backs as they stood and proclaimed God's goodness to them through heart-felt singing. Again, no background music or accompaniment, but rich, 6-part harmony full of emotion and musical expertise! It's a good thing they don't depend on musical accompaniment (as their music guest from Canada does!). The church in Lusaka rented a beautiful sound system for me complete with CD player for the concert. But, you see, parts of the country of Zambia have a problem with the local energy system and the electricity seems to go out without warning sometimes for hours at a time! No streetlights or emergency generating systems makes it very difficult to see at night out in the street. Not to mention put on a concert! But we went ahead anyways. By candlelight I sang a full concert accapella! The electricity came back on during our closing prayer. I think there is a valuable lesson in there somewhere about the fact that a musical concert must be about the Message of the songs and not all of the other things put together to make it sound 'nice'.

I hope to share more stories and recounts of this trip to you soon. I returned from a 3-week mission's trip to Zambia, Africa a little battered by the elements there along with adverse reactions to some of the food and travel. But, none-the-less, a person who has again been impacted by the experiences that God allowed me to witness. This experience again has affected me personally and spiritually. It has given an even greater depth to my personal music ministry as well.

From the bottom of my heart I want to say "Thank you" to those who provided me with encouragement, monetary support and much-needed prayer.

"Lesa amipale!" ("God bless you!")
Marlene

See a 'Face to Face' article on Marlene O'Neill - A 'getting to know you' page, meant to be a fun, informal look at women connected with the Canadian-based Women Alive organization .

Just click here

Marlene O'Neill has been cast as 'Anna' (Christian's wife) in..."Pilgrim’s Progress: The Musical" (Music, book and lyrics by Suzanne Rutherford; arrangements by Charles Cozens; directed by Anne Allen)

Suzanne Rutherford: An accomplished musician, received her Honour B.A. French Specialist from Trinity College, University of Toronto, in 1980, and then went on to graduate from The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto in 1995 with First Class Honours in Piano Performance. A professional songwriter, she served as a jury member for Canada’s 2000 Juno awards. Her work on Pilgrim’s Progress began in 1996.

Charles Cozens: Orchestrator-composer for Quartetto Gelato, Canadian Brass, the NYLONS, Hanaford Street Silver Band, and Swingstep, 2000 Dora nominee for Most Outstanding Musical.

Play Synopsis:
Playwright Suzanne Rutherford has taken this classic story of the search for faith, and fashioned it into a 21st century setting pop/rock musical that has the accessibility of “Joseph”, the dramatic power of “Les Miz”, and the sharply focused humour of "This Hour Has 22 Minutes". Pilgrim’s Progress combines a scathing satire of contemporary society with John Bunyan’s famous allegory to create a unique, daring new work of astonishing range and power that is totally relevant to the current day struggle of people trying to find spiritual meaning...

Marlene is thrilled to be involved in the Playwright's Festival at the Lighthouse Theatre in beautiful Port Dover, Ontario. Marlene will be part of a cast that is made up of professional actors, singers and directors. They will be conducting workshops from September 22 to 26, 2003 with a final performance reading on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 7:30pm.

For more information, visit the Lighthouse Theatre's website.

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