November update

Monday was Remembrance Day for Canadians and thousands gathered in memory of those who have paid for our peace and freedom, many with their lives.  Remembrance poppy pins, worn on lapels, are placed near cenotaphs at the end of these gatherings, in honor of the fallen, the wounded and those still serving.  We are reminded of the sacrifice made by our Savior which makes it possible for everyone from every corner of the globe to find true peace for today and for eternity. It is a great privilege for us to be included among the soldiers of the Cross, bringing that message to French (and English) speaking Canadians here in Moncton.

In September, our French ministry, Espérance Vivante, completed three years of Bible studies and one full year of French worship services.  Cherith restarted the weekly French ladies’ Bible study after the summer break, and also began an English Bible study with three young ladies in the church needing to be discipled. We are grateful for those whom God has brought us to minister to, including a few new people since August. We had a nice turnout to go apple picking as a group activity in September.  It was a fun opportunity for our rather international group (7 countries represented that day) to experience a very Canadian tradition.

Before the cold weather set in, we were able team up with the open air evangelist in our church on Saturday mornings at the Moncton Market where we could pass out tracts and have discussions with market goers before K would preach the Gospel standing on a milk crate.  There were a good number who took the tracts, some good discussions and lots of Gospel seeds planted.  We are preparing now for an exciting evangelistic outreach on November 23 when close to 100,000 people descend on Moncton and Dieppe for the Santa Claus parade with 80 floats. The tract we gave out last year was only in English, but since Moncton is officially bilingual (the only city in Canada classified as such), we determined that this year we would have a bilingual tract to hand out. With none available, I translated the tract we gave out last year (with authorization) and formatted a bilingual Christmas tract for our outreach, a tract that should be understandable to anyone receiving it. It also has contact and website information for our French ministry (Espérance Vivante) and for the English ministry (Emmanuel Baptist Church).  Please pray that we will have a good team of volunteers to get out many of the 5,000 printed tracts and that God will greatly use this outreach.

Our plans are coming together for a three-month mini “furlough” next summer to visit our faithful ministry partners.  It’s hard to believe that in July it will be 4 years since we moved to Canada.  God has helped us to nearly complete our travel itinerary with meetings already scheduled in most of our supporting churches.  Lord willing, we will be able to connect with many of our individual partners as well as we visit SC, NC, VA, WV, PA, OH, MI and NY.  Financially, we have been struggling due to Canada’s expensive immigration process and very high taxes.  Over the past couple years, we have spent over $10,000 US and much time in our quest for permanent residency (PR) in Canada.  The good news is that it looks like we have finally been approved for PR and our cards should soon be in hand.  Besides immigration expenses, high taxes have raised our support estimate bringing our support level down to 93%. While we have had to function with less support, the Lord has provided for our needs through faithful supporters and several one-time gifts.  Please pray that God will provide for this increasing need.

Another matter that we would ask you to pray for concerns the need for laborers.  While we have clearly seen God’s hand in bringing us to New Brunswick to minister to the French population here, we cannot understand why there aren’t more laborers targeting this portion of God’s harvest field.  Personally, we have always felt strongly about ministering on a team, yet God has brought us to a place where we minister alone.  The spiritual needs are tremendous among French Canadians, yet working alone, we are extremely limited in what we can do.  Please pray the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers to NB, specifically to team up with us. Along with that, since we do not have teammates, we need replacements to cover our ministry here while we are gone next summer to report in our churches during the months of May through July.  Please pray that God will provide so the ministries we have started will be able to continue without interruption.

Thank you for keeping our children in your prayers as well.  Adrianna, in her senior year at Bob Jones University, is heavily involved in student life and leadership as the ISC (Inter-Society Council) women’s director as well as leading Missions Advance, the student organization that gathers to learn about missions and pray for missionaries.  Caleb went directly from a two week Paris Olympic outreach in France to begin his freshman year at Ambassador Baptist College where he is enjoying his classes as well as taking voice lessons and being part of several musical groups. He is also enjoying many opportunities to serve in his local church including soul winning outreach, running sound board/livestream, song leading and teaching youth. Josiah is in 10th grade and helps in our Saturday market outreach, sings in the choir, and is happy to lend a hand where there is a need.  Please pray for God’s guidance in the lives of our children, especially as they look toward the future.