Another bend in the path...

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.

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:

• 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

Thanks so much!

Steve & Grace

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

Christmas To Do List

Strategic Partnership with Careforce International

Neil Ostrander, CEO of International Teams Canada (ITCA), and Philip Chester, CEO of Careforce International (CFI), are excited to announce a strategic partnership that will benefit both organizations as they work together to care for those in need in Canada and around the world.

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

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.

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!

Facebook available for free on mobile phones in much of the developing world

Just came across this...
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=391295167130

Looks like a list of about 50 countries in the developing world that now have Facebook for free on mobile phones (ie. no data charges). 

Should be interesting to see how this impacts many of the people we work with.  Now people with almost nothing who live in squatter communities in the Philippines can access facebook on their cell phones.

May also open up new avenues for ministry in those countries too.

Interesting stuff to be praying about.


Steve.

Steve's Update

What an exciting several months we have had.

In the office, I'm continuing to work on various computer-related projects for the office.  We've been improving our email systems. We're in the process of re-shaping various online systems as we seek to stay relevant to the next generation in a world of social media.  We're excited by the possibilities this brings in terms of education, giving, communication, and mobilization in this generation. We're also updating various internal systems, and working on various other projects to better enable our staff and missionaries to serve in the areas God has called them.

Outside the office, much has been happening too.  Grace and I have been seeking ways to be relevant in the community God has placed us.  We are so excited by the opportunities in our neighborhood.  It's quite the international mission field.

We've been connecting with internationals, at-risk families, single parents, and various others that God has placed in our lives. There are several that are now showing an interest in coming to our church and/or life group. 

At the same time, God has been hard at work in our lives, teaching, stretching, molding us into his image.  That's a hard thing at times! Working through our brokenness is humbling, painful, and sometimes lonely.  But it's often in the brokenness that God is able to do incredible things.  It's often there that we see Him glorified.

Thanks so much for your prayer and support of our family. You are all such an important part of what we do.  Please continue to pray:

• protection - we have an enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. Pray for our whole family.
• wisdom in the work Steve is doing at the office
• guidance and opportunities in the ministry we have in our community

Thanks so much!

Steve.

Deep Thoughts

Last Friday, we did a spring cleaning at the office -- cleaning windows, lights, etc., as well as going through our storage room -- organizing, and getting rid of stuff we don't need anymore.

One of the things we've had there for years is a bunch of boxes of t-shirts that someone gave us to pass on to the less fortunate around the world.  We have over the years sent these sorts of things with missionaries and short term teams to distribute to people they're working with.  And the poorest of the poor out there are often happy to receive a new shirt, even if it has some odd thing printed on it. 

So why not these?  Well the shirts were advertising flea medication for dogs.  The sorts of people who are happy to wear strange shirts are usually also the same people who cannot afford medicine for themselves and/or their children, let alone an animal.  The shirt would be a constant reminder of how poor they are, and how rich we are.

It got me thinking about how privileged we are here in Canada. We buy the "export quality", or grade-A products from other countries, and leave the bruised, low-quality stuff for the locals.  We want to pay less, and get more. And we really don't want to know how businesses manage to deliver on that.  We complain about how bad our health care is, even though we have it far better than over 80% of the world. We expect nothing but the best, and call it charity when we give our junk away.

Yes, I'm generalizing here.  Some are certainly worse than others.  Some are incredibly generous.  Some are committed to buying fair-trade.  And finding good ways to use things we no longer need is a good thing.  But our western society seems to have pretty high expectations of what we "deserve", while hardly even thinking about how we impact the majority of the world who has so much less.  I know I'm more guilty of this than I would like to admit.

The divide is huge. The needs are many.  And not just financial. Poverty has many forms. Spiritual. Moral. Physical. Emotional. Relational. Visible and invisible. Our own western society is just as needy as any other. We have much to give. How much more do we have to learn?

Grace's Space

Right now, life is pretty..um..abundant. Jesus said that He came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. I think it's safe to say that we are experiencing that abundance right now in all areas of our life except perhaps for sleep. Sleep seems to be the one thing that we could always use more of around here.

Some wise people have said that before God calls you into something new, you first have to be called out of where you are. That phrase could probably be used to sum up our fall journey. Over the course of a month or so, I was catapulted out of my church bubble and into the real world. Before, the majority of my relationship time was spent with friends from within the church. Now, most of my friendships are with people in my community. Some of these relationships have been in process for several years, while others are brand new.

Three years ago, my kids and I followed a young mom through our complex so we could meet her baby. About two weeks ago, she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. Yesterday we started shopping for her wedding dress. May I say how much I love looking for wedding dresses?

Yesterday we had an impromptu dinner party with our neighbors. We were celebrating one month of them being in Canada. Although this is a brand spanking new friendship, I think we have shared more meals with them in the past month than with any of our other friends. Over the past several months, having people over for dinner has become a constant. I think we're averaging about once a week, but I'm not quite sure. Either way, I am having a lot of fun feeding both new and old friends. Our home is becoming a safe welcoming place for people to drop in and be fed. Unfortunately, I'm still working on the clean part.

After attending a birth in November, I stepped out in faith and registered for a doula training course. Although this has been the next step in my long-term plans, I was scared. Much of the process calls for me to step out of my comfort zone, something that has been becoming smaller and smaller over the last couple of years. My wonderful husband really came alongside me to help this happen. He's arranged childcare for when I had a birth, went with me to Toronto for the training, encouraged me when I was discouraged, prayed for me often and has just generally been wonderful. I attended my first birth as a doula in March and am currently on call for the next. After the March birth, I have become much more confident in many areas of my life, including driving. I have two years in which to complete the certification requirements which include attending 3 births. In November, I worried about how I would get my births in, but now it looks like I may have all three by fall. That boggles my mind! God is good!

As my life picks up speed, I'm struggling to maintain balance. Please pray for me that I will develop good habits, especially around rest and nutrition. As I have added more children to my life, finding and maintaining a quiet place has been challenging. After sustaining a head trauma this fall, my headaches/migraines have become more frequent. I would greatly appreciate prayer for physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Kids Corner

As winter turns to spring, we are seeing our kids grow and flower just like my garden. They are continuing to grow both physically and as people. As a result, we are learning to pray and lean on God much more!

Aris will be 7 next month! Wow! She continues to enjoy school, especially geometry and science. She will be participating in her very first science fair today. After much thought, Aris decided to do an experiment. Although we helped, she demonstrated great initiative and independence. Aris continues to make new friends both at school and at home. She is very compassionate and friendly. Unfortunately, Aris has been struggling physically, emotionally and scholastically the last several months. Please pray for complete healing for our lovely little girl.

Zane is currently upside down. At almost 5, he is a little monkey. Even in his sleep we find him experimenting with new ways of experiencing the world (sideways, upside down, etc). Zane mostly enjoys school and is excited to be reading and writing "just" like his big sister. He is also very proud of having his art work on the bulletin board at home. He has a new best friend, our new neighbor, whom he enjoys loving on. He is also enjoying riding his new bike and is looking forward to participating in this year's Ride for Refuge. Please pray for Zane as he continues to learn moderation, self-control and obedience.

Our baby is now 2 years old! Kian turned two at the end of February. Bit by bit, he is becoming a big boy. His favorite things include climbing, running (typically away from Mommy), chocolate and zerberts. Although he is very spirited, he is also very sweet with the best giggles. Kian is beginning to speak in sentences and is increasingly independent as he tries to be just like his siblings. He is also determined to be toilet-trained. So far we haven't had any success, unless peeing in the tub counts, but Kian has decided that he wants to use the toilet. We're just following his lead. Please pray for Kian as he learns patience and obedience.

A Strong Sense of Place

Enoka Dumo (50) was born to Sudanese parents in the Adjumani refugee camp in northern Uganda during the war. When Enoka's children grew up, they applied for refugee status in Australia and escaped the camp. Enoka, however, turned down the offer. He believes he is called to lead his people.

Enoka is the national leader of Impact Southern Sudan and the Director of SERM, an International Teams partner organization that equips and trains pastors. International Teams provided SERM with bicycles that they use to deliver the gospel to neighbouring villages and tribes. In addition, with the help of International Teams, Enoka is building schools for his people in Kajo Keji, Southern Sudan.

In thousands of villages across Africa, children fortunate enough to afford uniforms attend mud-walled schools with straw roofs. Every year during the rainy season the entire structure is weakened or often washed away and must be rebuilt.

With the help of International Teams, Enoka is rebuilding schools out of solid brick with galvanized steel roofs.

The government and local leaders have even started to take notice. Nevertheless, in spite of being a respected elder in his community, every weekend Enoka crosses the border back into Uganda to his home in the Adjumani refugee camp. Enoka's strong sense of place and commitment to his people keeps him in Kajo Keji and Adjumani building schools, preaching the gospel and leading his people.

You can help Enoka build schools in Southern Sudan. To donate to this great program, go to https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/donate.aspx?EventID=26061&LangPref=en-CA.

International Teams Intern: 'It's a Great Life'

"Being an intern with International Teams has changed me in a million ways," said Intern, Julia Clark. "I'm more thankful for the great way that I was raised. I see things that I took for granted. I have more of a desire to get involved with God's kingdom work globally."

Julia has worked with refugees in Kenya since 2006 as part of a multi-national team composed of Canadian, Kenyan, Filipina, Nigerian, and American workers.

Julia's team conducts literacy, ESL, Bible studies and sewing classes. They offer counseling, organize community development projects and advocate on behalf of refugees, primarily women and children. They raise money for student scholarships, uniforms, books and lunches. The team serves refugees from Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Congo and the Great Lakes region of eastern Africa.

"I feel very blessed to be able to work as an intern in Kenya. To go where God leads is the beginning of a great adventure and the best place you could be in. I'm a relational person so working in Kenya and meeting people--it's a great life."

What have we been up to?

So much has happened since our last update.  It’s been exciting to see how God has led us — here at International Teams, as well as in many other areas of our lives.

My role at International Teams has continued to evolve.  As we’ve grown, and had various staffing changes, I’ve been able to narrow the focus of my role.  The main graphic and web design work are now being done by a really talented graphics designer we’re working with.  This has released me to serve the organization in other technical areas, including using my background in Software Development!

I’ve been developing several systems to help automate, and better organize various things our home office does.  One such system has enabled our donor services group to handle the organizations significant growth in the last year without needing additional staff.  The Ride for Refugees had 37% more donations this year over last, and yet, donor services has been able to close their books in half the time, with more accurate and detailed data in our accounting system to boot.

I’m now working on a project to bring our various database systems together so that we have a simplified, controlled, accurate picture of the information we need to track as an organization.  This will provide great benefit to our mobilization, communications, and donor services departments.

I’ve also been busy maintaining back-end systems for the Ride for Refugees.  This exciting fund raising event has raised awareness of the plight of refugees, and over $800,000 to help with about 100 different refugee ministries around the world.

In addition to these main tasks, I assist in various projects for our national office, and with missionaries as they pass through.

As a family, we’ve been enjoying getting involved in the kids school, and our community. Our kids attend an extremely multi-cultural school.  We have kids who were born in over 30 countries, and half do not have English as their first language.  We’re enjoying building relationships with families of various faiths.  Please pray for us as we seek to be Christ to our new friends!

Grace’s Space

This fall has been challenging for me. Several important things in my life were brought to an end, leaving me sad, hurt and confused. In the midst of this season of change, although painful, God has richly blessed me.

My relationship with Steve has gone to a whole new level. He supported me, spoke on my behalf and continues to pray for me and over me. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband.

My relationship with God has also deepened significantly . At the beginning of this, I spent a dark night of the soul seeking God and He answered. I must confess that I don't exactly like or completely understand His answer. But I am beginning to trust God with all my heart, even when it doesn't make sense.

Through this turmoil, my pastoral couple has come alongside Steve and I.  They have not been with our church for long. And although I really like them, we hadn't gone very deep. As a result of this fall, I now know them much better and have built significant trust with them.

However, although there are many blessings, I still hurt. I must confess that I don't understand what God is doing, or how this will end well.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to assist a friend as she gave birth.  Before she went into labour, we were talking about how our lives are part of a story that isn’t finished yet. I started thinking about Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1-44).  I tend to skip over the middle and go straight to the happy ending. I forget about the middle of the story, where Mary and Martha experienced deep grief.  They asked their dear friend, who they knew could heal their brother, for help.  He didn't come.

I can imagine their grief over their brother's death, and that deep sense of abandonment by their friend. Could Jesus really heal? Was Jesus really their friend? Or were the beliefs that those women held dear false?

In this time of grief and deep questioning, I am choosing to hold on to what those two women found out. Yes, Jesus did love them. And yes, His Power was sufficient to bring complete healing in their situation. So as I wait for His power and glory to be revealed, I will strive to remember that He too loves me and will bring about complete healing in His time.

Kids Korner

Our kids are continuing to grow physically, spiritually, mentally and I hope emotionally. Their growth occasionally results in conflict for us, but we are mostly enjoying their new skills and abilities.

Aris is now 6 1/2 years old and in grade one. Thankfully she was put in a class with her closest friends and continues to build friendships among her class.  Aris is apparently very quiet and a good listener at school. French is one of her favorite subjects, although I can't think of a subject she doesn't like.  Aris really likes to learn. She has taken to using French often at home. She likes to pretend that Grace is a francophone and Aris is teaching her English. Steve is greatly amused by this game, as Grace purposely pronounces English words with a strong Quebecois accent.  Aris has also taken a keen interest in her personal appearance. She has started doing her own hair. Yesterday while doing her hair, she decided to give herself bangs. Since this was in defiance of the rule "no cutting hair" Grace had to give her a lecture, but did agree that Aris did a very good job. :) Please pray that Aris will sleep well and for healing of a perpetual sore throat.

Zane is four years old and in junior kindergarten. He has the same teacher that Aris had. Mrs. Gilbert is very kind and patient.  Zane has made at least two good friends and enjoys going to school. Zane is becoming much more independent and can do up his coat without help. He loves to play videogames with his dad and likes watching and playing with transformers. He’s also become a little entrepreneur — collecting empty bottles in the woods by our house and returning them for deposit. Please pray for Zane, and ourselves as we seek to teach him balance in life, self control, and submission.

Kian is now 20 months old. He is finally walking and talking. Although Kian showed signs of doing both before 12 months, he refused to walk or speak until he was 14 and 15 months old. His first consistent word was tickle. :) Kian loves to be ticked and will try to tickle himself. Although Kian is quite spirited and has a temper, he is also very funny and sweet. He loves to give kisses and zerberts.  Unlike Aris and Zane, Kian got rid of his soother before he was a year old and instead carries around a blanket that Grace's mother made for him. He also likes playing with transformers, superheroes, cars and blocks. We are very impressed that he builds with them, instead of knocking towers down like his siblings did at that age. Please pray for endurance and patience for us as we teach Kian obedience and for Kian that he will have an obedient heart.

Transformation Story: Ecuador

God is doing exciting things around the world.  Things that I get to be a part of behind the scenes.  Things that you are a part of through your gifts, prayer, and partnership in my ministry.

I’d like to start sharing some of those stories so you can join in the excitement, and be in prayer not only for what I do, but for all those I serve.



One of our many church partners, Carmen Bajo Church, Ecuador, feeds 150 children with a budget that only covers 115. In this community, so severely limited by extreme poverty, the church offers marriage counseling, addiction support, prison visits and youth outreach programs. Jorge and Maria* are an example of lives being transformed by this program.

Jorge lived for music, alcohol and his friends and would regularly beat Maria. Then Maria began attending church. Noticing a change in Maria, Jorge went to church too where he learned that God has a far greater plan for his life. Jorge entered counseling. Today Jorge and Maria are leaders in the church’s couples counseling program.

*names changed
photo credit: Stephan Alexander

Transformation Story: Rwanda

Our Rwandan partner, the Vivante Church, organizes a feeding programs for street children; basic math, reading and life skills training; micro-enterprise and business management training for widows; medical care for orphans and HIV/AIDS patients; and pastoral support in the Kiziba Refugee Camp, and more. This front-line ministry provides is making an impact in the lives of the desperately poor.

Daniel, for example, was an orphaned genocide survivor. He slept on the street, scrounged for food and suffered from an abscessed tooth so badly infected that it was slowly poisoning him. He showed up at Vivante Church, joined the International Teams feeding program and received medical care. Today he is supporting himself as a Commissioner (Real Estate Agent).

photo credit: Gary Sharpe

Ride For Refugees 2009

This year my family participating in Ride For Refugees on October 3!  Steve, Aris and Zane will be riding, while Grace and Kian volunteer.

The kids are particularly interested in getting involved this year, partly because Steve & Grace have been involved for years, but mostly because they have a refugee friend.  One of Aris's class mates last year was a refugee from Eritrea. His daddy was in jail simply because he was a pastor of a non-state-approved church. This little boy was quite fearful much of the time.  It's broken the kids heart's, and given them the desire to help refugees.

We're joining over 1000 other riders and volunteers in Australia, the USA and Canada to help raise over $1,000,000.

And we're glad we are because...

The numbers are staggering - there are 67 million refugees and internally displaced peoples according to a United Nations 2007 report. Over half are women and children, vulnerable and voiceless while they flee war, persecution and tribal violence.

The RIDE is a way that we can personally connect to this crisis, and it's a way for me to make a real difference in a refugee's life.

Please help support us by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link below:

Steve:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2368728

Aris:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2351356

Zane:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2351351

Of course, a pledge or gift of cash or check would be equally great! Just be sure to email me so I can send you directions, or pick it up personally.

Thanks for your support! It really encourages us!

Steve, Grace, Aris, Zane, Kian

** Follow the RIDE on Twitter and Facebook:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/Rideforrefugees

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4139343828