Precious Moments with a Child

Precious Moments With a Child
Have you ever had those precious moments with a child that you remember for years afterwards? Like when your child wants to get the transgression card from the ABM teller, or going to Agony Tire (Canadian Tire) to do some shopping. In 2000, we had several of those occasions that we thought you would enjoy.
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While Joel was walking down the street in Mistissini, Quebec, a young boy called out, "Hi, Mr. Jesus!"
What a privilege it was to know that we were living Jesus before these children.
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A puppet was sitting on our equipment. A lady in the church asked one of the children, "What is that?" pointing to the puppet.
"A servant of God." replied the child. We had never thought of puppets in quite that way, but God can use anything.
* * *
We were eating breakfast, just getting ready to leave for home when the phone rang in our hostess' home. A mother of one of the children was calling. The night before, her daughter had a dream. She dreamt that she saw the puppet stage with Jesus sitting behind it. He was blessing the children.
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We were raising money for Open Doors With Brother Andrew to send Bibles to children in China. Some of the children wanted to do their part and set up a kool-aid stand outside the dining hall. They raised over $30 through generous contributions.
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Charity was talking to a little girl about Mary and Joseph. She wanted to know if they were real people.
"Yes," Charity said, "they lived 2000 years ago. That's a long time ago."
"Yes," said the little girl, "my grandma was alive then."
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"What were the gifts brought to the baby Jesus, by the wisemen?" asked the pastor.
"Gold" said one child.
"Myrrh" said another.
"Franklinstein" answered the last little boy.
* * *
"If I was going to get a storyteller, I'd get you 'cause you're the best."

Highlights and Other Unforgettable Moments in 2000
For many of you, this will be the first time you have heard from us in over a year. We want to reassure you that you have not been forgotten. It was just one of those years. So we are going to share with you some highlights and other unforgettable moments.
Our year began with a move. We had purchased a mobile home so that we could take up residence at a camp. Shortly after moving, we discovered that the direction of the camp had changed and so we needed to re-relocate. So in April, we moved again to Bayfield, Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron. We love the new location we are in and have great neighbours. We also are attending a great church in Goderich. Our pastor, Duane McLean, was a classmate of Joel's in Bible College.
In spite of the move, we were still keeping very busy. So last winter, while everyone else was travelling south to warmer climates, we drove the same distance north so that we could access ice and winter roads. An experience we plan on repeating this year too. In spite of the cold weather, we had wonderful services, saw God move mightily, and made great friends.
April was a busy month with the NYSSSA conference in New York, followed by our move to Bayfield. Then after four months without a telephone and only limited time on the computer, we finally had a phone again and were back on-line for all of twelve hours. We printed off the spring newsletter just before a major thunderstorm hit. With all of twelve hours behind us, lightening took out our computer through the phone lines. We were without a computer until October - and also without our mailing list. We were able to write a summer newsletter as well, but again, without our mailing list were unable to send it to anyone. Now we have a new computer, and our mailing list.
Summer came in like a flood and in the course of two months, we ministered about one hundred times; raised almost $900 for Open Doors With Brother Andrew; travelled many miles; and visited the local mechanic - that's local to wherever we were ministering at the moment. Our minivan has almost been through a complete renewal - new tires, brakes, air compressor, transmission, plus more, much more. Almost sounds like a car repair commercial, doesn't it?
Then came the Fall with our ministry becoming mainly weekend in nature. We were in Montreal's China Town in October and enjoyed our first taste of 'Dragon's Beard', a delectable Chinese sweet treat.
In November, we were off to the east coast for a whirlwind trip. It began with the presentation of 'The Manger and the Tree' at an elementary school in Ormstown, Quebec. The only thing we were not able to do was give an invitation, but over 200 children were presented with the gospel. While east, we also enjoyed ministering to the youth in northern New Brunswick at their youth Christmas banquet, where Doc actually made a guest appearance - and sang, as the result of popular vote. We were privileged to be able to present 'The Manger and the Tree' about fifteen times from the middle of November, with our last presentation December 30. December was definitely a busy but great month.
That brings our year to a close. We ministered in 214 services and travelled over 60,000 km. Best of all, we have seen over 800 children, youth and adults respond to an altar call for salvation.

Anya's Additions
Christmas and the New Year! This is my favourite time of the year.
Don't you just love it, all the snow, singing Christmas carols and decorating for Christmas and the New Year? I also love to celebrate Christ's birth. Of course, we can celebrate Jesus all the time.
God has been good. During one trip, He provided the finances as we travelled. In spite of the many snowfalls we have already had, God has given us safe travelling. We have had wonderful services and seen God move in the hearts of the children.
I enjoyed teaching the children how to shoot arrows as we taught them that they were arrows in the hand of the warrior. God is the Warrior who is always pointing us in the right direction.
As you know, my sisters and I are being home-schooled and I am nearly finished my schooling. I am planning on going to Bible College in the fall and as of right now, but have not yet chosen which one.
Please pray about the direction the Lord wants me to go. Thank you so very much.
I have really enjoyed being involved with the youth group at the church we attend. They have become our friends and a blessing to us. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to meet us.
At Christmas, I think about how Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up and then died on the cross for me. Our Christmas program was called "The Manger and the Tree". It signifies Jesus born in a manger and then dying on the perfect Christmas tree, the cross. The greatest gift God gave to us was His Son, Jesus. I trust you all had a very blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. Remember God's gift to you is Jesus, you can receive Him at anytime.
I know some of you just love writing letters or e-mails. You can e-mail me at yasm@sympatico.ca. Well, I have to go now, I hope to hear from you soon.

Charity's Chatter
I am sitting here and listening to the song 'This Generation' written by Matt Tapley. I wasn't paying much attention to the words, just singing and worshipping God, when it hit me — reaching this generation has been our theme all this year.
Psalms 71:17-18 says, 'O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.'
This generation does not have any hope. They do not have many good role models to follow. All they watch on TV is drugs, sex and violence. It is no wonder children are taking guns to school and girls, GIRLS, are getting pregnant . The message they are receiving is kill the adversary, just remove the fetus.
They have nothing to live for. These children are just asking, pleading really, for someone to give them a hope, a cause to live for. And when they have a cause to live for, they will do great and mighty things for God even at their young age.
John Tasch, the guest speaker at our Children's Ministries conference,actually takes children on missions trips. Missions trips to Africa and South America where he has had kids as young as eight go with him.
These children see God do awesome things through them on these trips. They have a hope. They were given a cause and they went out in the power of the Holy Spirit, not a little pint size Holy Spirit, for the pint size worshiper, but the whole 100% Holy Spirit and they did mighty things for God.
Someone declared to those children God's Strength, taught them in the ways of God, and then sent them out to do His work. I believe that this is what God wants for all His children. He wants someone to give them a hope, teach them, and send them. And that is our calling. That is our mandate as the body. We need to teach those who are under us and then send them out - including the littlest lambs of the flock.
This is my passion and I pray that it will be your passion as well.

Rhian's Remarks
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Yep! It's that time of year.
It’s starting to feel a lot like winter around here. The ground is covered in that fun-to-play-in stuff that's white and fluffy. Can you guess what I'm hinting at? Yep! It's snow. The stuff that you hate to shovel, and your kids love to play in. That’s me. I hate to shovel it, but love to play in it.
We have lots of snow and it sure was a White Christmas. Hey, but the real meaning of Christmas in that it’s Jesus' birthday, right?
It's not about getting gifts. It is about celebrating Jesus, the One who made the earth and made us. The greatest gift this season or any time of the year is the gift God gave to us, His Son Jesus Christ.
Think about it? Until next time, celebrate Jesus and have a Happy New Year! Rhian :o)

Thank You
A Special Thank you to everyone who prayed and gave during 2000. Without you we could not have accomplished what we did. May God richly bless you!
God bless,
Joel & Mary
Anya, Charity and Rhian