Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Jesus Loves Malawi Video
Here is a short video that briefly introduces ourselves and the country of Malawi. It was professionally produced for us by Beth Franklin, a very good friend of ours from Deep River. She had some help from a friend named Jake who traveled all the way from North Bay one day to help with the videography. Beth then produced the video, and she did such a wonderful job that we thought we should share it here with all of you. Thank you Beth and Jake for using your gifts and blessing us with such a great video.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Where are we at?
“Where are you at?” is an often asked question in recent e-mails. By this, many people don’t just wonder where we are physically, but also where we are in our preparations to go to Malawi.
Physically, we will still be on the road for a few days. After travelling to different camps and churches this Summer, we had a nice family vacation and are now on our way to Maple Grove, where we will do a presentation at the 49+ retreat. After that, we’ll go home to Deep River. Since the end of June we have only been home for about 1 ½ weeks, so it will be good to be back. Unfortunately it won’t be home much longer as the parsonage has been sold and we need to move out by Nov. 2nd. Repair work will already be underway on the outside before then, so it will likely be an extremely busy and noisy time as we try to pack up our belongings and figure out where to move. We are considering staying in Deep River (which would be an easier and cheaper move, plus we and our kids already have friends there), or we could move further South to be more centrally located for speaking engagements, or move closer to our sending church to build more relationships there. Since we will be living on a limited budget rental fees will play a major part in our considerations. Besides, we will be on the road a lot so it wouldn't make sense to pay high rent. We would really appreciate your prayers that God will lead us to the right place.
Where we are in our preparations for Malawi is a broad question: our employment in Deep River has officially ended, and preparing for missions, moving, speaking engagements, etc. together with occasional part-time jobs will now fill our calendar. We have speaking engagements every weekend in September, a few bookings in October and November, and already some next year. A lot of planning still needs to be fine tuned and we would appreciate your prayers for that as well - that we will be able to set the right priorities and that the timing of various events will fall into place. Once the move is completed we plan to begin learning Chichewa. And in the Spring or Summer we need to take a missions prep course.
At this point, our goal is to arrive in Malawi by August 2010. The Willsons, missionaries in Malawi whom we’ll be working with, will have returned from their home assignment by then and will be able to help us get oriented. One of the first things we hope to do is to travel to the three different Annual Conferences in Malawi, where we will have a chance to be introduced to many pastors, which will help us lay a foundation for future ministry.
So, overall, things are progressing nicely, but we would appreciate your prayers for the many details that remain. Thank you for your faithful support and encouragement.
Physically, we will still be on the road for a few days. After travelling to different camps and churches this Summer, we had a nice family vacation and are now on our way to Maple Grove, where we will do a presentation at the 49+ retreat. After that, we’ll go home to Deep River. Since the end of June we have only been home for about 1 ½ weeks, so it will be good to be back. Unfortunately it won’t be home much longer as the parsonage has been sold and we need to move out by Nov. 2nd. Repair work will already be underway on the outside before then, so it will likely be an extremely busy and noisy time as we try to pack up our belongings and figure out where to move. We are considering staying in Deep River (which would be an easier and cheaper move, plus we and our kids already have friends there), or we could move further South to be more centrally located for speaking engagements, or move closer to our sending church to build more relationships there. Since we will be living on a limited budget rental fees will play a major part in our considerations. Besides, we will be on the road a lot so it wouldn't make sense to pay high rent. We would really appreciate your prayers that God will lead us to the right place.
Where we are in our preparations for Malawi is a broad question: our employment in Deep River has officially ended, and preparing for missions, moving, speaking engagements, etc. together with occasional part-time jobs will now fill our calendar. We have speaking engagements every weekend in September, a few bookings in October and November, and already some next year. A lot of planning still needs to be fine tuned and we would appreciate your prayers for that as well - that we will be able to set the right priorities and that the timing of various events will fall into place. Once the move is completed we plan to begin learning Chichewa. And in the Spring or Summer we need to take a missions prep course.
At this point, our goal is to arrive in Malawi by August 2010. The Willsons, missionaries in Malawi whom we’ll be working with, will have returned from their home assignment by then and will be able to help us get oriented. One of the first things we hope to do is to travel to the three different Annual Conferences in Malawi, where we will have a chance to be introduced to many pastors, which will help us lay a foundation for future ministry.
So, overall, things are progressing nicely, but we would appreciate your prayers for the many details that remain. Thank you for your faithful support and encouragement.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wesley Acres 2
After Severn Bridge we headed straight to Wesley Acres for Family Camp 2, where we again had many opportunities to share our plans to go to Malawi, and talk about how the church’s mission, both local and global, is so close to God’s heart. We added many new supporters to our team and were able to connect with many pastors and lay people who are interested in having us come to their church. Praise the Lord!
We also made new friends from Ghana, and talked to many people that have been missionaries in Africa, both short and long term. It was great to connect with them and learn from their experience.
When we began preparing our kids for becoming “missionary kids,” we talked with them about certain aspects that would be difficult in the next year or so (such as saying good-bye to friends, leaving behind our Golden Retriever and favourite toys, mom and dad being very busy and distracted, etc.). But we also encouraged them to look for the special blessings that God would have in store for us along the way. One of those blessings came in the form of new friends at Wesley Acres who invited us not only for a boat ride, but also to go tubing and fishing the next day, and to have lunch and dinner with them. They also introduced us to several young people from their church and we had a wonderful day with them.
Another surprise blessing came from the camp speaker, Steve Wingfield, and some anonymous friends. Steve offered to bake several pies to be auctioned off for Wesley Acres, and then decided to add two more pies, one of which was for the Jesus Loves Malawi Fund. It sold for $1,000 !!! Thank you very much Steve, and thank you to the very generous buyer(s). We do not know exactly who bought the pie yet, but we are trying to find out to thank them personally. We hope you enjoyed the pie!
Near the end of the week I had the privilege of talking to a man who feels that God is calling him to some sort of mission work as well. Isn’t God good? Pray that God will clearly guide him.
We also made new friends from Ghana, and talked to many people that have been missionaries in Africa, both short and long term. It was great to connect with them and learn from their experience.
When we began preparing our kids for becoming “missionary kids,” we talked with them about certain aspects that would be difficult in the next year or so (such as saying good-bye to friends, leaving behind our Golden Retriever and favourite toys, mom and dad being very busy and distracted, etc.). But we also encouraged them to look for the special blessings that God would have in store for us along the way. One of those blessings came in the form of new friends at Wesley Acres who invited us not only for a boat ride, but also to go tubing and fishing the next day, and to have lunch and dinner with them. They also introduced us to several young people from their church and we had a wonderful day with them.
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Near the end of the week I had the privilege of talking to a man who feels that God is calling him to some sort of mission work as well. Isn’t God good? Pray that God will clearly guide him.
Severn Bridge
After being home for only 1 ½ weeks we were on the road again, this time headed to Severn Bridge. Our main goal for going there was to meet with Dan Sheffield and members of Ryde Centennial and New Hope Churches. We also had a chance to briefly share our vision with the whole camp at an evening service, and also met the Camp Speaker, David Moran. He has been to Malawi, and after hearing me share he said, “Malawi grabs your heart.” It was fun to connect with David and to hear his stories of this exciting and amazing country.
Friday morning Steffi and I met with Dan Sheffield to connect on a wide range of topics, but primarily to take an IDI assessment (Intercultural Development Inventory). In the afternoon we met with members of the New Hope FMC (Bracebridge) and Ryde Centennial Church (Housey’s Rapids, near Gravenhurst), and Dan gave a workshop designed to help sending churches understand missions better. We really appreciate these two churches who have been so supportive from the very beginning!
Since we got to stay till Sunday afternoon, it was also great to re-connect with new friends we had recently made in Housey’s Rapids, and of course we also enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends and supporters, some of whom took a special interest in our children, promising to support them (and us, of course) through their prayers and care packages. Others have started giving on a monthly basis. We owe a big thank you to all the people at Severn Bridge Camp for being so welcoming and supportive, and also to Sterling and Cheryl Cooper for their wonderful hospitality (once again)!
Friday morning Steffi and I met with Dan Sheffield to connect on a wide range of topics, but primarily to take an IDI assessment (Intercultural Development Inventory). In the afternoon we met with members of the New Hope FMC (Bracebridge) and Ryde Centennial Church (Housey’s Rapids, near Gravenhurst), and Dan gave a workshop designed to help sending churches understand missions better. We really appreciate these two churches who have been so supportive from the very beginning!
Since we got to stay till Sunday afternoon, it was also great to re-connect with new friends we had recently made in Housey’s Rapids, and of course we also enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends and supporters, some of whom took a special interest in our children, promising to support them (and us, of course) through their prayers and care packages. Others have started giving on a monthly basis. We owe a big thank you to all the people at Severn Bridge Camp for being so welcoming and supportive, and also to Sterling and Cheryl Cooper for their wonderful hospitality (once again)!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saying Good-bye In Deep River
July 19 was a very emotional Sunday for us as we held the closing service of the Deep River Free Methodist Church. Many tears were shed, but we also celebrated God’s goodness through the church's 30 years of ministry in Deep River. We remembered that what is done for God will last, and that there will be ongoing eternal fruitfulness because of the life and ministry of this church. We also said goodbye to friends who will be moving away, and had the privilege of sharing about our plans for ministry in Malawi with friends who have been so supportive of us over the past 11 years of our ministry in Deep River.
Maple Grove
When we moved to Canada 12 years ago, Maple Grove was our first home. We lived and worked there for two Summers before being called to pastor the Deep River Free Methodist Church. So, going back to Maple Grove always feels a little like going home, and it was great to connect with so many friends and family. (And great to sit at their campfires. Thanks! :-).
We were deeply touched by their support and generosity when we shared our plans. When we first started thinking about having to raise all our own support it seemed like a gigantic task, but with the help of all our generous supporters from various places we are starting to see God’s plan coming together. We still have a long way to go, but are so encouraged by a good beginning. Thank you for supporting us and answering God’s call to help the church in Malawi in that way.
We were deeply touched by their support and generosity when we shared our plans. When we first started thinking about having to raise all our own support it seemed like a gigantic task, but with the help of all our generous supporters from various places we are starting to see God’s plan coming together. We still have a long way to go, but are so encouraged by a good beginning. Thank you for supporting us and answering God’s call to help the church in Malawi in that way.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ryde Centennial
Our very first speaking opportunity at a church (outside Deep River) was at Ryde Centennial at Hausey’s Rapids in the Muskoka area. Sterling and Cheryl Cooper welcomed us with open arms and our kids especially enjoyed all the fun they had prepared for them. They got to ring the church bells, sleep in a “cave,” went for pony rides, got a wagon ride, and of course there was the “super swing” with Tim!
Most importantly, we got to meet the wonderful people at Ryde Centennial, and shared a meal with them after the service. We added several people to our list of prayer partners and supporters. We are looking forward to seeing many of you again at Severn Bridge Camp.
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