Renewed Passion

Yesterday, God refreshed my heart in an unexpected way. Yesterday was Compassion Sunday at our church, and I was a bit sad, because I was really just hoping for a "regular ole Sunday"--you know, sermon with a good message and some application.

Well--thankfully, I got a good message and application anyway. Message: there is a lot of poverty, a lot of hurt, and a huge mission field out there. Application: do something about it. Application to my life: although I can't adopt another Compassion child right now :(, our work through MAF is going to help so many organizations and people (like Compassion) do their work more effectively and reach the poor and needy! Not only that, but soon (oh so soon!) Marcel and I will be on the front lines of the mission field ourselves, coming face to face with many children, many of the poor, and Lord willing, offering our time and energy to them.

It might seem weird that seeing all the hurt and poverty still out there in the world refreshed my heart. But it did! Because sometimes I forget that we're going out to do something about it! Sometimes I forget that what we're doing is meaningful! Please don't mistake this as pride in what we're doing--rather, a renewed passion for our work. And I hope this inspires you to find a renewed passion in your life--that YOU, wherever you are, are needed there! There are hurt, lonely, hungry, poor, and lost people in your life, in your community, and you ARE needed!

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