Greetings Friends!
It's been an incredibly full summer this year, with our family attending and helping at a camp for a couple weeks, a family wedding in Boston, and most recently a funeral. This week, my family is attending Grace's 97-year-old grandmother's funeral in Rochester New York, and internment in North Carolina. (pray for us as we travel with 3 kids!)
In the midst of all this, my work with International Teams is changing. Please read the attached letter carefully. I'd love to chat with anyone who's interested after we return this weekend.
Download Letter Here
In His service,
Steve and Grace Van Bruwaene.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Our Spring Update
Greetings Friends!
It has been a long time since our last communication with you all, and lots has happened.
As many of you are aware, our family has come through a couple of very challenging years. Thanks so much for those of you who prayed for us through this time. I apologize for not communicating more. It's sometimes hard to communicate rough times in healthy ways, especially when they involve other people. But God has been walking with us, sustaining us throughout. Despite Grace's Chronic Fatigue, we've seen lots of great stuff happen, and are excited about where God has us on many levels.
Our kids are continuing to grow. Aris and Zane have been participating in Awana this year, doing lots of scripture memory. Kian started a few weeks ago too. Aris is quite excited about wining first place at the Awana Grand Prix for novelty.
Aris (almost 9) is doing well in grade 3, a very bright young lady. Learning how to deal with bullying in her class has been challenging at times. But she continues to grow and learn in the midst of it. She's currently excited about getting a new pet (snake), assuming she manages to keep her room clean for six months.
Zane (6.5) is full of energy and ideas. He thoroughly enjoys grade 1 (except for the work!). He has been quite enjoying getting outside, climbing trees, and trying to build stuff in the woods beside our house.
Kian (4) continues to grow. He's looking forward to going to school next year like his brother and sister. He even started going to Sunday school on his own recently! He's a smart young man as well, and continues to make us laugh with the interesting things he comes up with.
Grace has been hard at work the last couple years, training to be a Doula (childbirth support person). She celebrated getting all her certification requirements done in February. This weekend, she's taking a doula course called "When Survivors Give Birth". Giving birth often contains triggers for women who've been assaulted. As Grace is hoping to support women in challenging places, this will be very helpful. But it will be looking at emotionally challenging stuff, so not a particularly fun course. Grace has also continued to build relationships with various women in our neighborhood and school community. Pray for her in these relationships as well. There are some cool opportunities. Grace is also working as a youth leader at our church. She's loved by the teens, and has had all sorts of great, deep conversations with them. God is using her in powerful ways there. She recently returned from a missions trip to Mexico with the church youth. Lots of exciting stuff there too! You can read lots more about the Mexico trip, and all sorts of other things in her blog at http://abundantlifewithkids.blogspot.ca/
Steve has been hard at work at International Teams Canada. He continues to work in the national office, in the Online Services department. His role involves managing International Teams Canada's various web sites, online giving systems, communication systems, etc. He's recently been working on building new, and updating existing systems to bring more automation to some of the tasks that happen at the office. Our staff have found this particularly helpful as we continue to grow. And with more projects waiting for his time, he's sure to be kept busy for a long time!
Thanks so much for your prayer. Please continue to pray:
Steve & Grace
It has been a long time since our last communication with you all, and lots has happened.
As many of you are aware, our family has come through a couple of very challenging years. Thanks so much for those of you who prayed for us through this time. I apologize for not communicating more. It's sometimes hard to communicate rough times in healthy ways, especially when they involve other people. But God has been walking with us, sustaining us throughout. Despite Grace's Chronic Fatigue, we've seen lots of great stuff happen, and are excited about where God has us on many levels.
Aris (almost 9) is doing well in grade 3, a very bright young lady. Learning how to deal with bullying in her class has been challenging at times. But she continues to grow and learn in the midst of it. She's currently excited about getting a new pet (snake), assuming she manages to keep her room clean for six months.
Kian (4) continues to grow. He's looking forward to going to school next year like his brother and sister. He even started going to Sunday school on his own recently! He's a smart young man as well, and continues to make us laugh with the interesting things he comes up with.
Grace has been hard at work the last couple years, training to be a Doula (childbirth support person). She celebrated getting all her certification requirements done in February. This weekend, she's taking a doula course called "When Survivors Give Birth". Giving birth often contains triggers for women who've been assaulted. As Grace is hoping to support women in challenging places, this will be very helpful. But it will be looking at emotionally challenging stuff, so not a particularly fun course. Grace has also continued to build relationships with various women in our neighborhood and school community. Pray for her in these relationships as well. There are some cool opportunities. Grace is also working as a youth leader at our church. She's loved by the teens, and has had all sorts of great, deep conversations with them. God is using her in powerful ways there. She recently returned from a missions trip to Mexico with the church youth. Lots of exciting stuff there too! You can read lots more about the Mexico trip, and all sorts of other things in her blog at http://abundantlifewithkids.blogspot.ca/
Steve has been hard at work at International Teams Canada. He continues to work in the national office, in the Online Services department. His role involves managing International Teams Canada's various web sites, online giving systems, communication systems, etc. He's recently been working on building new, and updating existing systems to bring more automation to some of the tasks that happen at the office. Our staff have found this particularly helpful as we continue to grow. And with more projects waiting for his time, he's sure to be kept busy for a long time!
Thanks so much for your prayer. Please continue to pray:
- Continued healing for Grace and our family after some trying years
- Wisdom for Steve in his work at International Teams
- Continued spiritual growth for our family
- God's continued provision for our family as costs of living rise
Steve & Grace
Friday, February 17, 2012
Grace is going to Mexico!
Dear Friends,
Much has happened since we've last written. For that I apologize. During times of transition, it is often hard to know what and when to communicate. However, we appear to have finally settled into a new normal. Over the last year, we have slowly settled into our new church, finally daring to call it home. After attending for almost a year, I stepped out and became a youth leader yet again. Unlike previous churches I have served at, this one had a shortage of senior youth leaders. I have greatly enjoyed building relationships with the girls and encouraging the group in their relationship with God. Now, as one of the youth leaders, I will be heading to Mexico with my youth group over March Break.
Over the past few years, our church(Calvary) has built a partnership with a ministry in Mexico. Each calendar year, they send a team from the church to build houses. This year, our team will be building a house for a single mom and her eight year old daughter. Currently, they live in a very tiny apartment. It has a serious mold problem due to a leaky roof, which is causing health issues. The mother has been saving to purchase the land and our team will provide the labour and building materials. We look forward to sharing God's extravagant love with them through our acts of service.
We have quite a bit yet to raise, and I need to personally raise $500 for my part. If you would like to support me in this trip, you can donate online here:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s2103
Please specify that it is for Grace Van Bruwaene and the Mexico mission. Or you can send a cheque payable to Calvary United Church designated to Mexico Missions-Grace Van Bruwaene and mail to Calvary United Church, 48 Hawkesville Rd PO Box 189, St. Jacob's ON, N0B 2N0.
The team is putting on a fundraiser this weekend. We're hosting Calvary Cafe-an evening of great food and talent. Doors open at 5pm. We will be serving a spaghetti dinner with some delicious desserts. Tickets are $10/person, $5/child and $25/family. Children five and under are free.
If you are not able to contribute financially, please keep me in your prayers. Although I am very excited about this opportunity, I am also aware of the challenges we face. Please pray for safety during the trip as well as wisdom. I desire to lead my girls well and hope to encourage them in their faith during the trip.
Thank you so much,
Grace Van Bruwaene
PS: To learn more about the ministry we're involved with, go to
http://www.eocyugo.org
Much has happened since we've last written. For that I apologize. During times of transition, it is often hard to know what and when to communicate. However, we appear to have finally settled into a new normal. Over the last year, we have slowly settled into our new church, finally daring to call it home. After attending for almost a year, I stepped out and became a youth leader yet again. Unlike previous churches I have served at, this one had a shortage of senior youth leaders. I have greatly enjoyed building relationships with the girls and encouraging the group in their relationship with God. Now, as one of the youth leaders, I will be heading to Mexico with my youth group over March Break.
Over the past few years, our church(Calvary) has built a partnership with a ministry in Mexico. Each calendar year, they send a team from the church to build houses. This year, our team will be building a house for a single mom and her eight year old daughter. Currently, they live in a very tiny apartment. It has a serious mold problem due to a leaky roof, which is causing health issues. The mother has been saving to purchase the land and our team will provide the labour and building materials. We look forward to sharing God's extravagant love with them through our acts of service.
We have quite a bit yet to raise, and I need to personally raise $500 for my part. If you would like to support me in this trip, you can donate online here:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s2103
Please specify that it is for Grace Van Bruwaene and the Mexico mission. Or you can send a cheque payable to Calvary United Church designated to Mexico Missions-Grace Van Bruwaene and mail to Calvary United Church, 48 Hawkesville Rd PO Box 189, St. Jacob's ON, N0B 2N0.
The team is putting on a fundraiser this weekend. We're hosting Calvary Cafe-an evening of great food and talent. Doors open at 5pm. We will be serving a spaghetti dinner with some delicious desserts. Tickets are $10/person, $5/child and $25/family. Children five and under are free.
If you are not able to contribute financially, please keep me in your prayers. Although I am very excited about this opportunity, I am also aware of the challenges we face. Please pray for safety during the trip as well as wisdom. I desire to lead my girls well and hope to encourage them in their faith during the trip.
Thank you so much,
Grace Van Bruwaene
PS: To learn more about the ministry we're involved with, go to
http://www.eocyugo.org
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Strategic Partnership with Careforce International
Effective September 29, 2011, this partnership represents a bold next step for the International Teams partnership strategy, and one that will help ensure the long-term future of Careforce International. The agreement sets out a path where ITCA will run all the back-office functions, with a special emphasis on Online Services, while CFI continues as a separate charitable organization. CFI and ITCA will partner in program delivery and both organizations are expected to see an increase in participation and donor support over 12 months.
Philip says that the partnership will not only allow CFI to focus on the initiatives that are at the heart of who they are as an organization – providing resources to project partners, and sending short-term teams to assist those partners in the work they are doing – but will also assist in growing their constituency of supporters and establishing new programs. “Our research shows that sharing our resources will enable us to maximize and improve impact for our partners through increased efficiency in our operations. Biblically-based collaboration with ITCA will allow Careforce to transfer and share, to the benefit of both organizations. This will mean that Careforce and ITCA will be able to invest a greater percentage of donations directly to the programs and projects.”
Neil and the Board of Directors of ITCA have leveraged their experience, gained from ITCA’s other partnerships, to identify a number of benefits to this unique arrangement. “Nothing is being lost. In fact, we all have a lot to gain through increased efficiency. Partnering with Careforce allows ITCA to increase our program and operational capacity further and faster. Together, we will help more churches who in turn help more widows, orphans and refugees.”
Both Neil and Philip are confident that the future of Careforce programs, partners, teams and overall vision is solid, thanks to a sustainable operational model that will be focused, lean and effective. They are available for more in-depth discussion of this partnership and encourage supporters of either organization to contact them directly with any questions.
Philip Chester
CEO, Careforce International
philip@careforceinternational.ca
905.639.8525
Neil Ostrander
CEO, International Teams Canada
neil.ostrander@iteams.org
519.669.8844
Friday, September 23, 2011
Ride for Refuge 2011
Greetings Friends and Family!
The 2011 Ride for Refuge is quickly approaching (Saturday, October 1st) and our family is excited once again to ride in support of the widow, the orphan and the refugee.
The money Steve is raising will go in support of International Teams Canada, dedicated to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of these marginalized people groups.
Aris, Zane, Kian, and Grace are riding in our Church's team, in support of Welcome Home, a program working with Refugees in the Kitchener Waterloo area.
Would you join us?
You can ride. There are many rides organized across Canada and the US. Check out www.rideforrefuge.org to see if there is a ride near you.
You can sponsor one (or more!) of us. You can find our pages here:
Aris: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263874&langPref=en-CA
Zane: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263861&langPref=en-CA
Kian: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263881&langPref=en-CA
Grace: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1259916&langPref=en-CA
Steve: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1208707&langPref=en-CA
Thanks for your consideration!
Steve, Grace, and family.
The 2011 Ride for Refuge is quickly approaching (Saturday, October 1st) and our family is excited once again to ride in support of the widow, the orphan and the refugee.
The money Steve is raising will go in support of International Teams Canada, dedicated to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of these marginalized people groups.
Aris, Zane, Kian, and Grace are riding in our Church's team, in support of Welcome Home, a program working with Refugees in the Kitchener Waterloo area.
Would you join us?
You can ride. There are many rides organized across Canada and the US. Check out www.rideforrefuge.org to see if there is a ride near you.
You can sponsor one (or more!) of us. You can find our pages here:
Aris: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263874&langPref=en-CA
Zane: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263861&langPref=en-CA
Kian: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1263881&langPref=en-CA
Grace: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1259916&langPref=en-CA
Steve: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1208707&langPref=en-CA
Thanks for your consideration!
Steve, Grace, and family.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Impact Christmas with the New International Teams Christmas Catalogue
The beginning of this year’s Christmas season has given the program staff of International Teams Canada a new reason to celebrate: the launch of the Christmas Catalogue, a brand new initiative designed to provide an opportunity for ITCA supporters and weary Christmas shoppers to purchase more meaningful Christmas gifts.
Neil Ostrander, CEO of International Teams Canada, says that the story of how Sharon's family transformed their Christmas traditions really touched the hearts of staff at the national office. “Her personal testimony of what it means to give a more meaningful gift – including doing the research and finding that perfect charitable cause that connects with each family member – helped inspire us to do likewise. I'm following Sharon's lead this Christmas and I encourage everyone else to do so as well.”
The catalogue, officially launched in the middle of November, contains over 100 unique items specially selected by program leaders to make a lasting impact by providing education, healthcare, food, clean water, or vocational opportunities to widows, orphans, and refugees around the globe. Gifts are available from each of the twelve Impact programs, and include everything from ice cream for street kids in Iraq and sewing training for widows in the Philippines, to milk and bread for orphans in Kenya-Nyahururu, medical insurance for refugees in Rwanda, and Bibles for pastors in Sudan.
Marcee Groen, the Co-Director of International Programs, believes the magic in the Christmas Catalogue is the insight it provides into what is really happening around the world. “It shows the practical, hands-on activity that is taking place and will increase understanding of what International Teams is doing. With increased support, program leaders will be able to keep their projects and initiatives strong and consistent. The items I really love are the ones that build micro-enterprises or supplement the incomes of workers in the countries. By purchasing a sewing machine and materials for a woman, we increase their income and their dignity. Providing food and nutrition for students is fantastic too. It's such a simple way to increase a child's chances at academic success while promoting good health at the same time.”
Brett Ostrander, Host Country Program Leader in the Philippines, says the variety of items and the wide range of price points will allow people to engage specifically with their passions this Christmas. “People can pick items closest to what’s in their hearts, or to the heart of the person receiving the gift. The whole idea is very simple, yet very powerful! Small regular donations to something like the catalogue are a really great way to engage with a program’s key focus, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.”
To make a purchase from the catalogue, visit www.iteams.ca/catalogue or click the link below. Simply add one or more items to your cart, click checkout, and check your inbox for a confirmation email and the opportunity to send a Christmas e-card to friends and family.
Check out the Christmas Catalogue!
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