WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 2015
JUMPING UP A SPOT UFV’s Sarah Wierks moves into 2nd on Canada West’s alltime rebounding list
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Toll-ducking drivers blocked by ICBC 42,000 motorists who owe bridge fees can’t renew licences or insurance A3
In Erica’s footsteps
Erica Schmidt’s husband and daughter visit orphanage to honour her memory
CELEBRATING LITERACY A7 Family literacy day festivities take place at the Clearbrook fire hall and library and The Reach
WACKY WEATHER A10 Unseasonably warm winter weather breaks record in Abbotsford
Vikki HOPES
Abbotsford News
T
he husband and daughter of Erica Schmidt are travelling to Uganda this week in honour of her memory. Henry and Amy Schmidt, as well as family friend Audrey Hovenkamt, leave for the three-week trip on Thursday, Jan. 29 to visit the Uganda Jesus Village Orphanage, which was an important part of Erica’s life. Erica was reported missing in Abbotsford in October 2013, resulting in a massive three-month volunteer effort to find her. Her body was found in a dense brush area in the 2100 block of Whatcom Road on New Year’s Day 2014, and authorities confirmed she had taken her own life. Her family – also including daughter Sophia, son Michael and three young grandchildren – openly spoke of Erica’s battle with depression. Henry, a Bible school teacher, also detailed his wife’s devotion to those less fortunate, particularly at the orphanage in Uganda. Henry and Erica travelled to many places over the years, and they first came across the Uganda Jesus Village Orphanage on one of their trips in about 2006. They visited the site about five times, with Erica often packing suitcases filled with goods such as clothing,
AGRI TECH IN MISSION $800,000 in funding announced for SRCTec, bringing together technology and agriculture. See story online and in the Friday issue of The News Q
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A23
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Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A27
85¢ Photo submitted
Erica Schmidt is shown with some of the children of the Uganda Jesus Village Orphanage.
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