January 2000

"Without faith it is impossible to please God."
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
When we were first married, almost twenty years ago, someone told us they believed God was calling us to a walk of faith. Back then walking by faith meant trusting God to open a door for ministry - which He did a few weeks later. As the years went by, the pathway of faith has always been a little steeper than the year before - requiring us to put more and more trust in our Loving Heavenly Father. Each step along the way has reminded me of my school years. The principles learned the year before were the stepping stones by which I could learn new lessons this year.
One of the steepest steps along the path was the year Rhian was born. Earlier that year, while still carrying him, I had lost Andrew, our only son. Now just eight months later, Rhian was hooked up to life support in the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU). She had been born three months early. I knew I couldn't handle losing another baby but after hearing how the three Hebrew boys chose to follow God even if He never saved them from the fiery furnace, I gave Rhian back to God. God gave her back to us and we brought her home, at slightly over 4 lbs., one week before the anniversary of Andrew's death.
Another steep step came, three and half years ago, when God called us to Niagara Falls. We went on staff at a small church with no guaranteed income. The following year the church amalgamated with another church in the city and we went on staff at another church in the area until God called us back on the road full-time. The last three and a half years have certainly been a growing time for us. There were even times that we felt we were stepping into the Red Sea but you know, when we did the waters always parted.
Now we are just taking another one of those tremendous steps. Immediately after Christmas we packed up our 2000 sq. ft household and moved four hours north into a 480 sq. ft trailer. Quite a change if I do say so.
We are living at the Haven of Rest Christian Campground, about 6 mi. north of Wiarton, Ontario. Friends of ours are running the camp and invited us to come and live here. At first we said a very definite NO, but then the Lord began to work in our hearts and we could see a new area of ministry begin to develop. The Lord placed on Joel's heart the plan for a wilderness camp for which Joel had already written curriculum two years ago. And so We are also looking forward to being a part of our local church assembly in Wiarton. We were able to attend there a couple of weeks ago and met Pastor Bob and Christine Parker, our new pastor. They have already committed themselves to pray for us as we travel and minister. Although in our lifestyle we are not able to attend our church very much, it is always nice to know that someone is praying for you while you are away.
We are still in the midst of settling in. We are running into town every couple of days to get one of the propane tanks filled and still do not have water running into the trailer - so we have to run out to get it. We know that we will be able to get everything done in God's time. Until then we are learning to do without a lot of the comforts that we were used to.
As a result of this faith walk that God has called us to, Joel has written a short story called, Thank You Dad, For the Bike. We hope that it speaks to your heart as it has to ours.
Catch the Vision and Missions Update
In March of last year we began our fundraiser for new equipment. Thanks to your generous support we have already raised $2156.31.
Just before we left home for the summer our old sound system finally gave up the ghost and by the time our first summer booking was over we were able to purchase a new portable system. We love it. It is very quick and easy to set up.
We were also able to purchase a new camera so that we can record our travels and also put together new stories on film and computer. We are working on the Bridge of Life and hope to have it ready this year.
The major items we need to purchase this year are a trailer for carrying all our equipment and a laptop computer. Our computer is not in residence at our place as it takes up a bit too much room. Plus we hope to be travelling out at least 45 weeks and it would be nice to have the computer along.
Our final tally for missions giving was $1542.77. For Watoto Ministries in Uganda we raised $567.02. We were also able to send $975.75 to Johnny Jernigan for use in his Canadian ministries. God has certainly blessed this past year.
Anya's Anecdotes
2000 WOW!
1999 was a busy year for us. Our ministry did many first time things. We flew in a 19-passenger plane, did street ministry and beach ministry. We did puppets and mime just a few feet from the sand and about fifty feet from the water's edge.
It's the start of a new year and almost a new millennium and a lot of change is going on around us. The big change in our lives was a move. We have moved from a 2200 sq. ft home to a fully furnished 40' X 12' trailer. We may not have much room inside but we have 75 acres to run around outside. So lots of room to put space between each other if need be.
Please pray for us as we want to see 2000 kids, teens and adults come to Christ this year.
Charity's Chatter
1999
From the earth to the sky, the North to the SouthA beach and a harbour to a VBS in townFrom the shores of Hawaii to the wild west and back woodsWe taught on Luke 4:18 and the saving of the lost.Now we end the year with the manger and the treeAnd a little lone shepherd who wants to be near.
Can you believe it!?! Another whole year has gone by and for us an exciting one.
This year has been our most exciting and busiest year ever . . . not to mention a year of firsts. We had to fly into one of our bookings (which was a first time for the ministry), we had another male on the YASM team, and we also did some harbour and beach ministry. (Really we did!! We set up our puppet stage about fifty feet from the water!!)
Now our year is over and we have started a new chapter in the book of our lives. But I believe this is going to be the most exciting chapter yet. It begins with a camp and where it ends only God knows.
Rhian's Report
From 1999 to 2000 has gone by fast with lots of fun. I had my first plane ride. We went to Waskaganish, Quebec. I also had my first rollercoaster ride at Canada's Wonderland. Then we moved from a big house in Niagara Falls to our trailer in Wiarton.
I hope to have lots of more adventures in this new year. Please pray for us this year.
Highlights of 1999
Maritime Tour with Charity spending her sixteenth birthday in the same town that her dad celebrated his.
Northern Tour into Moosonee and Moose Factory and travelling the Polar Bear Express
Flying by 19-passenger plane into Waskaganish, Quebec where we also ministered through Cree interpreters.
Street and Beach ministry on the Bruce Peninsula.
Western New York's Wesleyan Boys and Girls Camp at Allegheny State Park.
The Manger and the Tree, our Christmas special that ministered to old and young alike. It was so well received at Christmas time that we have decided to present the same program next Christmas as well.
Goals for 2000
Ministering 45 weeks out of the year with over 200 services.
Reaching 2000 souls for Christ
Build climbing wall for Camp RUSTIC
Prayer Requests
Laptop Computer
Utility Trailer for equipment
Ministry Opportunities
Travelling Safety
Creative planning for new programs and workshops.