The Ride is over, but there's still lots to be done

Hello again friends!

I completed the Ride for Refugees this past weekend. I think I must have been crazy -- since I graduated from university 9.5 years ago, I've ridden my bike twice -- in last year's ride, and this year's. This year, At the turn-around point for the 25K route, I was feeling good enough that I decided to keep going. The 50K route was a figure 8 with a 36k loop plus a 14k loop that met at home base. So I did 36K. And that's a pretty bad idea for someone who's not in shape. I shutter to think of what most refugees put themselves through to escape. What I did was nothing in comparison.

But I did make it back. Yay!

Not only did I succeed, but the event also did much better than previous years. Between the 3 locations, we had over 600 riders, and have so far raised over $200,000 that will go to more than 35 different ministries working with Refugees. And we're not done yet -- there's still more donations to be entered into the system (lots of volunteers working hard this week), and more coming in. In fact, you can still be a part of helping us reach our goal of $250,000. Just click on
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/StartUp.aspx?SID=1655280
and you can give to this cause with your credit card.

Thanks so much for your interest and help!

Steve.

Ride for Refugees: Will you sponsor me?

Greetings Friends,

As many of you know, I've been working with International Teams in getting all sorts of resources together so we can run the Ride for Refugees this year.  I hadn't decided if I'd actually ride though till, well today.  After several people talked about sponsoring me, I figured maybe I should do it!

I'm emailing you to ask for your help. On October 13th, 2007, I'm going to ride in the fourth annual Ride for Refugees. The event goal is $250,000 and I'm looking to raise my fair share of that good goal.

Would you please sponsor me?

There are over 35 million refugees in the world. Many are coming to Canada and they need support as they adjust to our Canadian way of life. Imagine snow for the first time. Imagine if the letters all ran backwards to what you were familiar with. Imagine being alienated from your friends and family? They need our support.

Please help me reach my goal and help these vulnerable people too.

To give, go online to
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/StartUp.aspx?SID=1655280
Once there you can donate with any credit card to my personal fundraising goal.

Thank you so much

Stephen Van Bruwaene



International Teams Canada is a registered charity in Canada. Our Audited financial statements are available online at CCRA or www.iteams.ca - for more information about the Ride for Refugees, online giving security, International Teams or any other question concerning this event, please contact Brian Carney, Ride Chairman by email at brian.carney@iteams.org or directly at 519-669-8844 (233).

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!

Exciting Family News

As many of you have already heard, we are expecting our third child. The baby will be due in mid-February. What an exciting time this is for us as we prepare to welcome this new one into the world. Pray for Grace as she carries this baby — pregnancy takes such a toll on a person, both physically and emotionally.

In an email we sent out during the summer, we mentioned that with the arrival of a third child, we would need a new vehicle, as our little car physically did not have space for 3 car seats. Well praise God, we got one last week — a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. It’s in great shape, and was at a great price. Thanks so much to those of you who contributed extra to help make this happen. We feel so blessed.

Upstream Youth

Over the last few years, we’ve been helping out with the youth group of a partner church, as our church, a new plant, hasn’t been ready to run their own youth program.Well this fall, we’ve started our own group — “Upstream”, and Grace and I have the privilege of leading it. What an exciting, and scary thing!

Over the years, I’ve been involved in various leadership capacities, so that’s nothing new. What with marriage and small kids, I have taken a bit of a break in this area though. So this is a pretty new thing for our family.

Pray for our family as we embark on this new adventure, and for the kids we’re working with. We would like to see great things happen in the kids lives, and recognize that our family and marriage need will need extra protection as we step out in this way. Thanks so much!

Growing like a … what?

This September, Aris started kindergarten. She is absolutely loving school, and other than a minor meltdown the night before her first day, there have been no tears. At least not shed by her. Zane, however, took her absence quite hard. I haven't cried, but I am amazed at how big my children are getting. It's hard to believe that my child is old enough to go to school.

My baby isn't a baby either anymore. He talks in sentences, he answers the phone and he's also demonstrated that he has a long term memory. Yesterday as we were walking to school, Aris asked me where my watch was. My watch has been missing for many months, last seen in Zane's possession near the couch. I explained that I didn't know where it was, but that I thought Zane had hidden it. Five minutes after we returned home, Zane handed me my watch! I was amazed, both by getting my watch back and by the levels of memory and comprehension that action displayed.

Not only is Zane showing lots of growth, I have watched Aris change as well. Her motor skills have improved greatly, as evidenced both by her drawings and her computer skills. Yes, that's right...both of my children love to play on the computer. The trick is to make sure it's their games they're playing and that they aren't just randomly pushing buttons.

The kids aren't the only things growing around here. I have begun to create a beautiful garden from my patch of dirt. Although the squirrels are my enemy, I have still managed to create a space that makes me happy. One of this weeks highlights was seeing my toad lily bloom for the very first time.

As my plants have grown and blossomed, so has my belly! I'm 20 weeks, but look a lot bigger. The baby is becoming quite active. We suspect that this one is going to be spirited just based on how hard he/she kicks. Although I'm fascinated by how my children are growing up and changing, I’m looking forward to cuddling a wee one again. And now I must go make cookies… blessings, Gracie :)

The Bottom Line

It’s been so exciting to see how God continues to provide for our needs in so many different ways.With another child coming, we’ve needed a larger vehicle, and we were able to purchase one.  Praise God!  This was made possible through personal savings, donations, an outside billable job, help from International Teams (IT), and a short-term interest-free loan from IT, that we expect to have paid off by May of next year.

With the baby coming in February, I expect to be going on Parental leave for a few months.  During this time, EI will be covering a good chunk of our expenses, so the extra support coming in will help cover what’s currently owing to IT for the car.

Praise God for how He continues to provide!  We are certainly very blessed!  Pray that people will continue to answer Gods call in this area.  We’re looking to raise an additional $1000/month in order to cover current needs plus RRSP’s and car replacement savings.