Growing God's Vision for Edmonton

Last February at this time we were just getting back from 5 days in Edmonton. What a blessing it was to be able to actually be there, to pray, seek the LORD and get a feel for the city. We were able to meet a couple who are praying for a Calvary Chapel to be planted there, and since that time, we have received e-mails from several more people who are also looking for a Bible-teaching church home.

Though we had hoped to be in Canada in 2010, our plans were not including the newest member of our family, who is now over 3 months old and winning our hearts more and more as the days and weeks pass. The LORD knew our family would be expanding and He mercifully kept us here where we are, close to our church family and the grandparents, during a time when much moral support and practical help have been needed. This last six months or so has also been a time of growth and further rooting of the vision we originally had for church-planting in Edmonton.

One great blessing was that we were able to visit two other congregations and meet the precious people at Calvary Chapel Flathead Valley, MT and Calvary Chapel Salmon, ID. Another plus to remaining has been the beginning of a home fellowship in our home. It is such a joy to be able to serve the LORD together again in ministry, after 3 years of opportunities to serve separately. We truly enjoyed ministering together in Serbia and look forward to what's ahead. In fact, all four members of our family are enjoying this home study.

Lastly, we were incredibly blessed to be enabled to go to the Missions Conference last month. The spiritual warfare surrounding our trip was non-stop, but the LORD gave us determination, endurance, and joy which greatly strengthened us. The messages at the conference fit into our hearts in what seemed to be specially prepared spaces. The fellowship with other missionaries, pastors and people like us preparing to go out left us built up and encouraged; we are still drawing from those times of fellowship and prayer.

As we consider our current situation, we see by faith the LORD's hand moving on our behalf to clear the path North for us. We are seeking Him for His timing and are certain that He will be faithful to speak. Thanks for following us so far on this journey. We are believing God to do great things and know that includes all that is yet unseen in the present.

Missions Conference

"Let the Nations Be Glad!" This was the theme this year for Calvary Chapel Missions Conference, which we attended 2 weeks ago. There were missionaries from far and wide, pastors and senders from missions-minded churches, and people like us who are missionaries preparing to go out on the field.

It was a blessing to meet and fellowship with everyone the Lord put in our paths. We were able to connect with peers who are serving in different countries, our friends who are serving in B.C. Canada, friends from Bible College days and new faces. We also spent a bit of time with the sister who Dejan works with for translation of Pastor Chuck Smith's sermons. We had an especially encouraging time of fellowship and prayer with one couple Julie has known for several years and who have been missionaries for as long as we've both been saved. We were truly blessed by the LORD and we hope we also were able to be a blessing to others.

There were specific encouragements from missionaries who are church-planting in places like Kyrgysztan and Nepal, to boldly share the gospel and preach and teach the Word of God, no matter the cultural bias. There were also general teachings and testimony on the Muslim world and Islam, a topic that keeps coming to us as we prepare for Edmonton, with its own significant Muslim population.

The calling of God is a clear thing for us, but it is still nice to be affirmed by others in that calling. For example, one couple from Arizona who are preparing to go to Africa said that the Canadians who winter in their area evidence a clear need for the LORD by their speech and actions. Another woman was glad to hear that there are now about 19 Calvary Chapel churches in Canada, since she has prayed for Canada for years, along with missions worldwide.

We're thankful that the LORD opened up the way for us to attend, even with fierce spiritual warfare in travel and health. Overall, it was refreshing to be with other missionaries and missions-focused brothers and sisters.

Lessons from a Baby

The last time we posted, Julie was 39 weeks pregnant with our second child. Saturday, we celebrated ONE MONTH with our precious new baby daughter! Eva Joy is a delightful presence in our home and our lives...and she sparks much thought about life, eternity and our mission to Canada.

First, since the Christmas season is upon us, we marvel anew at the thought that God took upon Himself our human likeness and came, not as a man, like the first Adam, but as a newborn baby: helpless, vulnerable and dependent. When we look at our sweet baby, we wonder how the shepherds, Simeon, Anna and others must have thought as they gazed upon the infant Jesus, and how Mary and Joseph felt as they cared for Him day and night in those early months.

Second, as we prepared for her arrival, and now care for our tiny daughter, the LORD has brought to mind how much is involved in the new birth of lives into His Son. As much work and joy as we found during labor and at her birth, and what we now invest in caring for Eva, we anticipate the time the LORD will allow us to witness new births of others spiritually and pouring the Word of God into their hearts in Edmonton.

Third, our daughter's name means "bringer of glad tidings [of] joy". That is our desire for her life as she grows, but it is of course our desire as well. We want to live lives that bring the Gospel to others, sharing the truths of God's Word that have set us free and brought us to this place in our lives where we are now, as He is sending us to Canada. "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15).

It's amazing how much the LORD can use even a newborn baby to raise our thoughts to Him and things above. Whatever is going on in our lives, He is so faithful to speak into our lives and encourage us and excite us about the things of His kingdom!