Cool Donor Stories (Part 1)!

Hi there!
Just want to share two totally cool donor stories. Why? Because it shows just how cool, fun, and FAITHFUL our God can be in providing for His kids!!!

Story #1: The Great Commission

At our dessert night in Blenheim, we had the chance to meet a couple who knew my grandparents well after many years of euchre games. He was an insurance salesman, and around Christmas, had sold one of the biggest policies of his life. The commission he made from it was large, and he was excited for the extra income because they needed it! But, time after time, obstacles kept the cheque from landing in his account for weeks on end. However, God was faithful; he provided for the couple during this time ... even without the big bonus cheque. Finally, the cheque arrived--on the day of our dessert night! They heard our presentation, and came up to us after. They shared their story, excited by the way God had orchestrated everything together so that they could give us a cheque for $1000. Wow! 
"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." --Proverbs 16:9

Story #2: "I never win anything ..."

This story follows a common theme: financial institutions! Our dear friends and life group leaders from West London Alliance, Matt & Kate, were at a work appreciation dinner. At the dinner, there were various items up for prizes, and employees could enter tickets into the draws of their choice. Kate sat through prize after prize being given away to fellow employees, all the while thinking, "I never win anything at these sort of things ..." There were prizes for vacations, sports tickets, etc. etc. Finally, they got to the last draw of the night. And the winner was ... Kate! What was the prize? $1000 to the charity of her choice! Matt and Kate couldn't wait to share the good news with us! Over dinner, they told the story, then presented us with a cheque for MAF Canada from the account of Kate's employer--a large financial institution. What a blessing! 
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." --Romans 8:28

Praising God for YOU!

Yesterday, as we presented to Heritage Fellowship Baptist Church in Ancaster, I said a line which never ceases to amaze me, "We can't get overseas without HUNDREDS of people helping us from home."

HUNDREDS.

That's a lot.

And it caused me this morning to pause and reflect on our partners. Whether you lift us up in prayer, donate a little bit to our ministry with MAF or donate a LOT, or whether you are just a dear friend who loves us when we need it most, we literally can't do this without you.

I'm so thankful for our partners in this ministry. And I want you to know how precious and important you are too--how crucial you are to this ministry!

Planes fly on the prayers of supporters.

Lives are profoundly changed by as little as a dollar a day.

The Bible is taught, translated, and delivered to those desperately hungry for the word.

Death is conquered by life with each medical evacuation flight.

Hope is shared, heart to heart, and hand to hand, in communities ravaged by war and nature.

Your life becomes a legacy, all because you cared.

Thanks friends and family for caring! We love you, and we praise God for how important each one of you is to MAF's work!

March Madness

Kelly needed an off week from this, so here is MARCEL-BLOG-POST-INSTALLMENT-NUMBER-2:

Don't look yet... but spring is almost here! Yes, we did have temperatures dipping down past the -20's not even a week ago, but when it's sunny and the mercury is a few notches on the positive side of zero (like it is today in London ON), then all you need is the combination of an extra hour of daylight and those cold nights are but a distant memory.

Not lost in the last couple of weeks of cold weather is the memory we have of people warming our hearts with their generosity and joining up with us in our ministry with MAF (and yes, that was probably the worst topic transition I've made in recent memory). One of the frequently asked questions we get now is "how is it going with MAF?", first of all, thank for asking as we safely assume it means you care! ...and the quick answer to that is "great!". The response we've received the last couple weeks has been astounding on various levels. Everything from people asking us to present to a group of people, to random donations we've received without an ask has been encouraging say the least.

To give you and idea, since January 20th we have made 10 different group presentations ranging from small groups, to a school presentation, and even a radio interview. We must sound pretty good since we were asked to come back in a couple weeks for a follow up radio interview! We are also scheduled to do another 11 presentations before the end of April. As far as our financial support is concerned, since that week of January 20th, our monthly support has risen from 13% to 21%, and our one-time outgoing amount has gone from 34% to 57%.

One thing we have to say looking back at this, is that God's hand has been evident in being gracious to us. We know we can't do this on our own, and He has provided a great network of people who are ready and willing to join in this mission.

Now, back to the presentation preparation...

Cool Story from the Field: The Word on the move | MAF in Tanzania

The Word on the move | MAF UK

Check out this cool story about how the MAF team in Tanzania is helping reach the Maasai people for Christ. MAF flies Maasai pastors and evangelists to the notoriously "on the move" tribes to disciple new Christians. Just one example of the cool work MAF does to support the local church!