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!

I'm Back!

Greetings friends!

It’s been far too long since I updated you last.  I apologize for that.


In my last update, I announced that we had a baby boy.  Well Kian is now over 7 months old, and doing quite well!

Since Kian was born, I’ve been on parental leave.  I’ve been helping and supporting my wife and building into my relationships with my kids.  It’s been exciting to be able to get to know Aris’s classmates, and other parents at her school.

While the transition to 3 kids has been an exciting, if not challenging time, I’m pleased to report that Grace has done much better than when Zane was born. (You may recall that she struggled with postpartum depression.)  Praise God for that!

I’ve also been serving my church in various ways, from putting together a new audio-visual system to doing some graphic design work as we moved from a room in another church to a local community center.


From time to time, I’ve had opportunity to do some work for International Teams as well — updates to web sites and services, etc.

As I ease back into life at the office, I’m getting back into managing some of our web sites, assisting with various aspects of this year’s Ride for Refugees, and helping our team with some back-office upgrades that will help us to more effectively serve our missionaries and the church.

I’ve recently completed a project that has significantly improved our web sites and email services in terms of speed and reliability.

Thanks so much for your continued partnership in our ministry!

Steve.

Ride for Refugees

As in previous years, International Teams is hosting the Ride for Refugees.  And we’re growing again.  We will be holding the ride in roughly 10 locations across Canada.  We anticipate 2000 riders taking part, and raising $500,000 for more than 40 different refugee ministries across Canada and around the world.

What an exciting thing to see this fund raiser grow as it has.  It is enabling both our refugee ministries, and many other partner churches and ministries to make a difference in the lives of Refugees.

I’m planning to take part again this year too.  Would you like to sponsor me?  You can at http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=1983939

Would you like to take part in the ride?  It’s not too late.  Go to www.rideforrefugees.com and register to ride, volunteer, or to get more info.

It's a Boy!

We're excited to announce that we have a new baby boy!Kian Tobias was born today at 12:46pm. He was 8 pounds 4.5 ounces.

Here are a few pictures. There's a bunch more to our photo gallery:
http://gallery.vanbruwaene.ca/index.php/2008/2008_02_23
You can even get the full quality ones too! More details for those of you who care about such things:

• Name: Kian Tobias Van Bruwaene


• The birth date is February 23, 2008 at 12:46pm


• He was 8 pounds 4.5 ounces


• He had some trouble breathing at first so was taken to neo natal. We got him back a couple hours later, and he's doing fine


• His first nurse went really well. He's having a bit more trouble now, but is catching on


• Kian was 11 days pas his due date, and was induced. Since we had midwives, this meant a transfer of care, so we ended up with 2 midwives, a nurse, and an OB, plus pediatrics. So we had really great care. I'm sure Grace would be happy to tell anyone who's interested more about the birth.


• Mom and baby are doing well, and looking forward to a (hopefully) good night sleep.

Thanks for your prayers.

Steve & Grace.

A Blessed Year

Another year has flown by. We have been blessed in so many ways.

Our kids are growing. Aris is one of the brighter kids in her Junior Kindergarten class, and is getting somewhat more balanced at home — she’s learning to obey, and doesn’t throw tantrums so often! Zane is also a bright kid, is talking quite a bit, and is fairly intelligible. He’s climbing everything — nothing is safe in our house!

We’re excited about our third child coming in February. We’ve been blessed with a minivan this fall that will make it possible to fit all 3 kids into the car!

Grace is doing quite well emotionally. (The last pregnancy was pretty rough, as were the months following.) We can pray that she continues to do well. Physically, she’s found the pregnancy rough, so we can keep praying for her in that as well.

We continue to feel blessed with the townhouse we moved into just over a year ago. While far from extravagant, we have space to host a weekly youth group, and a weekly ladies group. We’re a few feet away from a beautiful woods, and have a wonderful view. We’re close to a great school that Aris is now attending.

God has blessed me with some exciting projects to work on this year at International Teams. I’ve been able to help develop resources for several of our ministries that they wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise — resources that have helped them to take their ministries beyond what they could have otherwise.

And through it all, God has continued to provide for our needs. We are so blessed by those friends, family, and churches that support us financially, and in prayer. Thanks so much!

May God richly bless you this Christmas Season.
Steve

Making a Difference

I’ve been working hard here at International Teams to help our organization be more effective in it’s Mission.

International Teams runs the Ride for Refugees every year to raise money for Refugee ministry in Canada and around the world.  This year, we’re trying to raise $250,000 with quite a number of church partners.  It’s been exciting to be able to help the Church in this exciting initiative.  We currently have 250 youth and adults signed up to ride.  They’re learning more about the plight of refugees, and doing what they can to help.

I’ve been busy developing the web site, brochures, posters, banners, bulletin board, a magazine add, route maps, etc., that have helped to enable what has become an awesome ministry!  Check out rideforrefugees.com for more information.

I’ve also had the privilege to work with Listen To Learn, a new ministry or International Teams working with Pastors in Africa.  We’ve recognized that many pastors in Africa have a great hunger for learning.  Unfortunately between illiteracy, and the aural culture, providing pastors with bibles and good books is often not enough.  We’ve been developing recorded teaching material in a number of different languages that we can then distribute to pastors on small electronic devices such as iPods.

I’ve invested into this ministry through development of their web site, and other printed material.  Check out listen2learn.iteams.ca for more info!

International Teams recently hosted a training event for short term team leaders that many of our church partners participated in, and found extremely helpful.  I developed the web site, registration system, online resources, helped with other graphic design work.

You, my supporters and prayer partners, have helped make a difference for Refugees, Canadian Churches, African Pastors, and short team leaders.  Thanks so much for your help!

More Effective Ministries

My purpose within International Teams is “Developing Resources that help IT Canada be More Effective in its Mission”. How has this played itself out in the past few months?

International Teams has a ministry in Hamilton, ON. We’re working with churches, helping them to reach their city together. It’s been exciting to see churches from various denominations come together in all sorts of areas to serve and reach their city. This past fall, I helped them develop a web site (www.truecity.ca) that they have found very helpful in facilitating some of this. They had their third annual conference in February, which brought 370 people from 65 different churches together. I had the opportunity to produce the promotional material that helped to make this possible.

International Teams has a number of financial partners who give to various projects, or generally to the expanding work of IT. Up until recently, we’ve found it challenging to communicate how that money is being used. I’m now involved compiling communication to these donors in various formats (print, email, web, etc.)

We’ve also been actively bringing stories from our missionaries together on our web site (www.iteams.ca). I personally have found it an exciting way to hear more about what’s happening around the world. We even send out a monthly email with some of these stories. You can subscribe to it from IT’s web site.

Coming up, I’m starting to work on a new web site for a ministry developing audio training materials for African pastors. What an exciting opportunity to help those in the front lines of communicating God’s word to those who have never heard!

It’s pretty exciting to see God at work, and all the ways I can be a part of it!

Steve's Evolving Role

Well my role with International Teams continues to evolve. This past year, I was doing all sorts of projects, which largely involved graphic design and web development, along with some other computer stuff.

Recently, funding has been tight, and I haven't been as busy as I could be.

At the same time, International Teams has been struggling to communicate with our various constituents as well as we could. Part of the problem in this area has been a lack of people to help pull it off effectively.

So our leaders put two and two together, and decided that I was just the person to help pull this off. As I've already been doing quite a bit of web development and graphic design, my role has now evolved to one in which that is my primary role. Rather than reporting to our head computer guy, and doing projects for the department responsible for communication, I'm now reporting to them directly. I expect I'll still do some computer projects from time to time, and will continue to be our webmaster. But I'll be reporting to the guys who have the work to do, so I'll probably be much busier.

The change also involves some money. In this role, IT is able to free up more budget to supplement the support I raise from churches, friends & family. This past year, they've been putting $400/month towards my support. Starting in April, this is going up to $1000. Praise God! I still have more to raise to be where I should be, but this is certainly a big help!

Feel free to ask questions about these changes, or connect with me for any other reason too! (my contact info should be in the contact area of this site.)

Steve.

Our Christmas Letter

Greetings Friends!

I trust you have all had a great fall! With Christmas just around the corner (or just past depending on when you receive this!), it’s time we get another letter out.

Rather than the usual update on what’s been happening in our ministry, this will be mostly a few snapshots of our Christmas experiences. We hope you like it!

But before we get there, I thought I’d point out a few things you might want to check out. We’ve updated our web site (www.vanbruwaene.ca). It’s now mainly in the form of a blog with posts of our letters all the way back to the beginning. We’re hoping it will be an alternate place you can go to get our newsletters, and also get a glimpse of how we’ve gotten here.



We also finally have a new prayer card that includes Zane! You can post it on your fridge or bulletin board as a reminder to pray for us.

I’ve recently completed the web site for a ministry International Teams is a part of in Hamilton. Check out www.truecity.ca.

We hope you have a great Christmas! Enjoy reading some snapshots of ours!

What has Steve been up to?

It’s been quite a while since the last newsletter, hasn’t it? I’ve been busy developing various resources that are helping IT Canada to be more effective in it’s Mission.

I’ve set up a site that brings news from many of our missionaries around the world. This provides a great place for those interested in what International Teams is doing to read about the latest happenings from the perspective of our missionaries. Check out news.iteams.ca from time to time. There’s some great reading there. You can even add it to your RSS reader or Yahoo Home Page.

We’ve also launched our new web site. You can check it out at www.iteams.ca .

Another big project we’ve been working on here is a replacement for our antiquated electronic communications systems. The first step was to replace our email server with a free service that seems to be working much better, and with very little administration on our part. And the less time we spend maintaining servers, the more we have to do more useful things!

Between all of this, I’ve also worked on other projects including our annual Ride For Refugees, and assisting other teams in the field.

It’s been exciting to see how my knowledge and abilities have been used to help IT Canada be more effective. Thanks so much for your part in making this possible!

What has Steve been up to?

People have been asking me what I’ve been doing lately. And rightfully so. My ministry is to develop resources that help IT Canada be more effective in its Mission. I’ve been busy!

I’ve done the design work for a faster, more useful web site that will hopefully be launched in the next month or so when all the content is ready for it.

I’ve also launched a Blogging system that we’ve begun to use. The vision is to provide a place where our staff, missionaries and short term teams can write about what’s been happening in their lives and ministries. It is not only a great way for them to keep their supporters up to date, but a way for the larger community (including you!) to read about what God is doing around the world. You can check it out at blogs.iteams.ca. As we get more missionaries on it, it will have even more exciting stuff to read!

I have also been hard at work on a training video — “Creating hope for Children in Crisis”. I’ve got a first draft of it done. It will be a valuable resource for teams going to work with children who’ve had hard lives.

I recently set up a “video conference” system using Skype and webcams that enables us to virtually bring in great trainers/presenters from around the world for free!

I’m now working on an email/calendar/contacts/… system. When complete, it will enable us to collaborate more closely with each other in the office, other staff around the world, and church mission consultants across Canada.

What an exciting thing it’s been to be a part of God’s work around the world. And by your involvement in my ministry, you are a part of this team too!

2005 Christmas Letter

Friday December 9, 2005

Greetings friends! 

It has been quite a while since our last formal letter.  Life has been very full.  Those of you who are on email have received a few prayer requests, baby announcements, etc.  We apologize for not getting these out to the rest of you.

So, what’s been happening with us?  As most of you know, Grace gave birth to our new son, Zane Tavish on June 1, 2005.  He’s generally been a happy, healthy baby.  Grace has also recovered well in many respects, but is suffering from postpartum depression however, so that has made things rough at times.  Praise God for Canada’s parental leave.  This has enabled me (Steve) to be at home to help out, with EI picking up the tab.  I'm now back at the office part time, and anticipate being back full time sometime in January.

We had the opportunity to travel to the east coast this fall to visit friends and supporters, and do some sight seeing.  Aside from some challenges I had with my allergies, we had a good time, some great connections, and deepened relationships.

We’ve got a new web site with pictures, a prayer letter archive, info on us and our ministry, etc.  Check it out at www.vanbruwaene.ca. We expect to continue adding more content, so come back once in a while!

As I've moved back into life at the office, I've begun work on producing a training video.  IT will be using this video for teams and individuals who will be working with children that have come through traumatic experiences, such as refugees.  I'm also involved in some new computer projects at the office that IT hopes will improve their web site, (www.iteams.ca) and enhance the way we work together.

Thanks so much for your prayer and financial support over the last year.  You have been so much appreciated.  You’ve had a hand in mobilizing new people to missions, and bringing the good news of the gospel to people around the world.   Please continue to pray for us:

• Grace’s depression has been debilitating at times.  Please pray for healing.


• Our finances continue to be tight.  God has provided for our needs so far, so praise Him for this.  Pray that He would continue to through you and others that He has called.


• I'm taking on new projects at the office.  We want God to be in them.  Pray that He directs them for His glory.

Thanks so much!  Have a wonderful Christmas!

Steve & Grace Van Bruwaene

April 19 2005 Update

Tuesday April 19, 2005

It has been exciting to see all
the ways God provides for us!

Friends and supporters,

It’s been a while since my last letter. And a lot has happened since then! Aris is getting bigger all the time. She is now talking in full (although usually garbled) sentences. Grace is getting close to her due date (we’re expecting June 21). She’s also been busy building relationships with a number of people, including single moms. We’re still involved in the jr. youth group. I have gotten a lot done around the office. We now have new letterhead (and other pieces to go with that), and a new web site. Yes – it was launched today! You can check it out at www.iteams.ca .

It has been exciting to see God continue to provide for us in so many ways. A number of people have given and loaned things needed for Aris, Grace’s pregnancy, and the new baby. We have had enough money to pay the bills. God has been so good. As we contemplate life with two little ones before long, we are starting to think that our little car will be somewhat limiting to our life and ministry. As a result, we have begun dreaming about replacing it with a mini-van. (Yup – we must be all growed up now.) If you have some extra money from your tax return (or elsewhere), this might be something you could pray about putting it towards. It will be exciting to see God provide just what we need.

Thanks so much for your partnership in our ministry. Ron Johnston, a co-worker at IT recently reminded us that “the Holy Spirit accomplishes something significant because a whole team of people share in the ministry. People pray and give and encourage and serve and the Holy Spirit takes those combined efforts and blesses them.” We couldn’t do what we do without all of you.

Your prayer has been very much appreciated. Please continue to pray for us! Here are a few things you can be praying about:

• Praise God for how He has provided for our needs.


• Pray for God’s protection for Aris as she visits her Dad and his family. They are not Christians, and she’s sometimes exposed to things that are not age-appropriate, and certainly not Christ-centered.


• Pray that the projects I work on at the office would have a great impact for the kingdom.


• The refugee ministry I’m working with is considering expanding their facilities. Pray for God’s wisdom and direction in this.


• There’s a possibility of us working with a short-term team in the six months or so. Pray for God’s direction and enabling in this.


• Pray for the women Grace has been developing relationships with (salvation, growth)

Thanks so much for your continued involvement in our life and ministry. Please feel free to contact us any time! And for those who haven’t heard yet, Grace and I have a new phone number: 519-489-2319. And you can always reach us by email at steve.vanbruwaene@iteams.org or grace.vanbruwaene@iteams.org .

May you have a God-filled week.

For His glory,

Steve & Grace Van Bruwaene

Christmas 2004 Letter

Tuesday December 7, 2004

Greetings Friends!

The Christmas season is a time when we celebrate the arrival of our Lord Jesus as a baby 2000 years ago. For Grace and I, we’re also celebrating the anticipation of our next baby. Yes – Grace and I are expecting! The baby is due June 21. We are very excited about this upcoming addition to our family. Life has been pretty exciting these last few months in light of this. Now I have even more to adjust to!

God has been continuing to use us! Grace and I are now both helping out with the Jr. Youth group at the church. We’re also involved in a new church plant – LifeSpring Christian Fellowship. It is quite exciting to be a part of a new ministry to our city.

With International Teams (IT), I’ve been busy in a number of different areas. At the office, I’m the “Special Projects” guy. I’ve been doing graphic design, web site development, and recently replaced some phone lines with internet ones that should save the office $200-400/month. The office Christmas card included here is my latest graphic design work. This role has been an great opportunity to use the gifts God has given me to help this office be more effective & creative in our mandate – helping the church mobilize more people to ministry, and helping those in the field to fulfill their calling.



In my other role with IT, I’m working as volunteer coordinator for our new Refugee Ministry in Kitchener. As it’s such a new program, it’s been a time for all of us on the team to figure out what our roles really entail, and how we can work effectively together. I’m excited to see all the things God will do in the lives of the refugees we serve in the coming year!

As you might imagine, the fact that Grace and I are expecting has had an impact on a number of things. As many of you know, during pregnancy struggles with colds, lack of sleep, etc., can become even more challenging. With morning sickness past, things have gotten better, but there are certainly still challenging days for Grace. Please be praying for her in this.

Another impact has been that Grace will not be able to continue babysitting every afternoon for much longer. This is both good and bad – it frees her up to be more involved in ministry activities when she’s feeling up to it, but also means that we will lose one of our sources of income. This compounds the problem we’re already facing of not having enough coming in to continue meeting our budget. In order to make our minimal budget (minimal day-to-day living costs) for the next year, we’ll need to raise an additional $1200/month.

Thanks so much to those of you who are already a part of our team – those who are praying for us, and those who give monthly and occasionally. It has been such a blessing. If you’re not currently a part of this team, will you pray about what God would have you do? We know that where God has called, He will provide. Please pray that those God has called to be involved would respond to His calling.

Thanks so much for your interest and prayer. May God richly bless you during this Christmas Season.
Steve & Grace

Steve's October Prayer Update

Thursday October 7, 2004

Greetings Friends!

A lot has happened since our last letter. God has continued to teach, use, guide, and provide for us. He is such a good God.

I’ve been kept quite busy lately working on various web and graphic design projects, along with work for Welcome Home, the new refugee ministry International Teams recently started in Kitchener. I’ve found it exciting to be actively involved in a number of different things that will have real kingdom impact.

Welcome Home is holding an open house on Sunday October 24, 2004. It would be a great opportunity to see more of this ministry first hand. You are all welcome to come! I’ve attached an invitation to the event.

We also have a cycling event coming soon to raise money for International Teams (IT) ministries to refugees here in Canada. Neil Ostrander, the president of IT Canada will be cycling 100K on October 30, along with other interested cycling enthusiasts. If you’d like more info on this event, check out http://www.iteams.ca , or talk to me.

Grace has been keeping herself busy being a parent and taking care of another young boy. She’s also begun helping out with the junior youth group at Lincoln Road Chapel. Recently, she’s been struggling with some challenging health issues. Please be praying that the doctors would be able to diagnose and find ways to deal with this soon.

Grace and I have been growing lots in our relationship with each other. It’s been exciting to get to know her better. And while it continues to be a huge adjustment, it’s been a good one. In our last letter, I mentioned that adjusting to lack of sleep with Aris being up at all hours was quite a challenge for me. Well, praise God, she’s sleeping through more often now, and I’m also learning to deal with less sleep, so while it’s still a challenge, I am managing much better than I was.

It has been exciting to see how God has been supplying our needs. We’ve recently had a new financial supporter come on, and most supporters are continuing to support us in our ministry. Praise God! Thanks so much to those of you who are faithfully giving to us in our ministry. For those interested, we’re currently sitting around 65% of our short-term budget (where we should be by April).

Thanks to all of you who have been faithfully praying for us as well. It has been such an encouragement to know that people are standing in the gap. Please continue to pray:

• That we would have wisdom in how best to serve the refugees we’re working with, and that God would be at work in their lives


• Praise God for His provision. Pray that He would richly bless those who are a part of this, and that others who are called would respond


•  Pray that I would be able to make effective use of my time in developing resources for IT, and that what goes out would have real kingdom impact.

 

We have a new prayer card and brochure describing our ministry. If you haven’t received either of them, let us know and we’d love to send them to you.

For His Glory,

Steve Van Bruwaene

We're Married!

Tuesday July 27, 2004

Greetings Friends!

A lot has happened since Steve’s last letter. He hair has grown. He cut his toenails. And there was something else … Oh ya – we got married. What an exciting day it was. We really appreciated having so many of our friends in attendance to witness our vows and celebrate with us. Leading up to the wedding was a fun while sometimes stressful time, but it was exciting to see the things God did that day.

Aris, Grace’s 14 month old daughter, was to be in the wedding as the flower girl. We were becoming concerned about how this would work as every time she had seen Grace in her dress, she had become quite upset. Obviously not something we wanted to have at the wedding. We were also hoping she would learn to walk in time for the wedding. As it turned out, she was happy all through the ceremony. She was adorable walking down the aisle. Praise God for this, and thanks to all of you who were praying for Aris.

There were many of other blessings too. The weather was perfect, the people were wonderful, and although we were rather tired out by the end of the day (especially Grace as Aris woke up quite early that morning), we managed to get through the day stress-free.

Another time of real blessing for us was when we opened the gifts. We were blown away by the generosity of so many friends and family. People purchased all sorts of wonderful gifts for us, gave us over $2000 in money and gift certificates that will be very helpful in getting our new home up and running. We were especially blessed by another gift towards our ministry of $1000. God has certainly blessed us abundantly.

Since getting married, life has been very different for both of us as we adjust to married life, and as Steve adjusts to being a dad. In most respects, this has been quite an enjoyable experience. Steve is still having some trouble with lack of sleep as Aris is up a lot during the night, and he’s just now learning to adjust to this.

So, what are we doing now? Steve is continuing to work with International Teams. He’s working out of the National office much of the time, with responsibilities in developing tools that will assist our mobilizers in getting more people to the field, producing videos, etc. He’s also spending part of his time working with “Welcome Home”, a new ministry to refugees in Kitchener, as volunteer coordinator. Grace has a growing interest in refugee ministry as well, so in addition to being a stay at home mom, and babysitting several children part-time, she’s exploring how she can be involved in this ministry.

An ongoing role every missionary has is in raising support necessary to sustain their ministry. For any missionary to be successful, they need people praying for them, as well as money to pay the bills, and enable the ministry. And we’re no exception. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be working on raising our level of monthly support to a point where our ministry is sustainable. We’ll be doing things like putting together a brochure describing more of what we do, sending letters & notes to people, and visiting with people. If you’d like to visit with us to learn more about our ministry, please feel free to contact us.

Thanks so much for your prayer and interest in our lives. May God richly bless you.



Steve & Grace Van Bruwaene

God knows exactly what He's doing!

Tuesday May 18, 2004

God knows exactly what He's doing!

Isn't it cool to be able to look back, and see what God's been able to do, especially when things weren’t obvious at the time? The last few years of my life have been like that. Since Encounter Teams got shut down at Christmas, I have wondered what God’s been up to. But God's been at work in everything around me, and as I look back, I'm able to see some really exciting things.

During the last few months of transition to my new role, I’ve been able to work on various projects at the office – things that will help us to be more effective in helping to mobilize and sustain our missionaries in the field, that more might hear the gospel. So while at times, I wondered why I wasn’t jumping into “My New Role”, I was able to be involved in kingdom-building work. God knew what needed to be done, and who was able to do it.

During this time, some new opportunities have also developed in the area of refugee ministry in Kitchener-Waterloo that look like a better fit for me than what I likely would have gotten into had I jumped in a few months earlier. Isn’t it great to know that an all-knowing God is the one directing our paths?

This time has also been quite beneficial for Grace. In addition to having the chance to shape a role that she can be a part of, God has been using the time to help her work through some of the stresses that come with ministry life. Grace has, from day one, been supportive of me in where God is calling me, but at the same time has found the idea of living on support pretty scary. Over the last few months, God has been at work in her in that area in all sorts of ways, preparing her for this new life. It’s been exciting to see related discussions come up in small group, chances for her to talk with other missionaries about this, etc. I guess God is good at preparing people for what He calls them to.

International Teams (IT) holds a conference every year to provide times for our ministry leaders from around the world to get together for teaching, worship, connecting and renewal. This year, it happened to be hosted right here in Waterloo. In addition to serving the larger IT community, it was a great opportunity for us to connect with many different missionaries from around the world. Grace was especially blessed by the time – she went from being supportive of me in where God has called me, to feeling that IT is a very good fit for her (“perhaps even the best fit”), being excited about what IT is doing, and feeling a growing passion for refugee ministry. She also got to know a number of our missionaries, and built some great friendships. Again, more signs that God knows exactly what He’s doing in preparing us.

It has been exciting to be able to share what God has been doing in my life and ministry with some of you, and to see how God has provided up to this point. One of my financial supporters recently indicated that as his wedding gift, he’s planning to raise his monthly support for our ministry. What an encouragement that’s been to us. I’d love to chat with more of you in the coming months about what God has been doing, so if I don’t track you down first, please feel free to ask!

Thanks so much for your continued interest, prayer, and support of our ministry. Please pray:

• That God would continue to guide as details of our ministry fall into place.


• That He would be protecting us as we prepare for marriage and ministry together. The evil one would like nothing better than to sidetrack us, so please pray that his efforts are confounded.


• Praise God for how He continues to provide. Please keep praying that more people would catch the vision as we begin communicating in the coming months where God is taking us.

Thanks so much for standing with us!

For His glory,
Steve

Lots of news!

Wednesday March 24, 2004

“How would you like to marry me?” “I’d love to.”

Those words were spoken as Grace and I walked along the Grand River in Kitchener near her parents’ home earlier this month. We’re engaged, and planning to be married on July 10th of this year! It’s exciting to see where God has taken each of us over the last few years to bring us to this point. He’s been preparing each of us for each other, and all that He has for us.

As you know, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Athens recently, working with refugees in a refugee drop-in center started by International Teams (IT). It was a great time to learn more about refugees, and some of the things that I can do to help. It was also an exciting way to serve the people there, build relationships, and have an impact on the lives of others.

Many of you are aware that my role with IT is in transition as well. Several years ago, I felt called by God out of employment in the computer industry into ministry with IT. I sensed God saying “start walking in that direction. I’ll tell you what you need to know as you go along.” So I did. I pursued the ministry He directed me to, and began walking down that road. After a year, it became clear that the particular program I was involved with wasn’t going as IT had hoped (although the ministry of IT as a whole is still thriving). The decision was made to shut that program down. However my call has remained the same – “keep walking down this road, and I’ll tell you what you need to know as you go along”. I’m excited about what He has next.

So, what will I be doing? There are a couple of areas I’ll be involved in here at IT – mobilization and refugee ministry. While details still need to be finalized and we’re seeking input from church leaders, what’s next is firming up.

One of IT Canada’s mandates is to assist the church in Canada in raising up people to mission. I’ll be able to contribute to this effort in a number of ways – traveling with several short-term teams that go out each year, building relationships with team members and encouraging them in wherever God might be calling them. If you’d like to be a part of one of the teams, let me know! I’ll also be able to participate in various projects related to mobilization – developing communication resources (videos, web sites, print, etc.), and developing various computer systems that will assist us in being more effective in our efforts. It’s exciting to have opportunities to make use of skills God has developed in me over the years.

I will also be involved in refugee ministry locally. IT Canada has been developing a new ministry to new immigrants in the Kitchener-Waterloo area this past year. There are opportunities for Grace and I to participate in this, connecting with new families and/or individuals to the area. IT is also in the process of setting up a refugee discipleship/housing project in the area that we may be able to work with in the coming years.

Thanks so much for your continued interest and prayer. It is so valued and needed! Please keep praying:

• Praise God for our engagement. Pray that Grace and I would be prepared for what God has for us
  


• Praise God for the opportunities He has for us. Pray for wisdom & guidance as we continue to make decisions about my role
  


• Please pray for spiritual protection as well. When people are doing what God would have them do, the evil one tends to do what ever he can to confound it

Thanks so much for standing with us. May God richly bless you!

For His glory,
Steve