Go MAD

Go MAD
Go Make A Difference! shouts back the audience. Everyone knows that “Go MAD!” was not a plea for insanity but a cry to Go Make A Difference for God. We were wanting everyone to make a difference at home, at school and in their community.
X-stream-ly MAD was the theme of our summer VBS. Each program centred around an extreme sport, including rollerblading and mountain climbing.
One of the ways, we could make a difference was by forgiving others. God wants us to forgive others is so that we can be whole. Unforgiveness is like a splinter in your hand. As long as it remains, it causes pain; infection can set in; and it will not heal. But remove the splinter and healing begins.
We saw it happen. Michelle* was brought to the services. She did not want to be there. She hated God. Profanity spewed out of her mouth as easily as water from a tap. God met her at her place of need. Near the end of the week she asked Jesus into her life. The change was immediate. A smile replaced the swearing. A hug was given instead of a slap. There was peace instead of anger.
Jenny* had forgiven the abuser but the painful memories were still there. She needed the balm of Gilead poured over her heart to have peace. We were privileged to pray with her until the deliverance came.
We have been blessed to see over 400 people make a decision to follow Christ this year. Many others found healing or forgiveness in Jesus. You too can Go MAD! Go Make A Difference.

A Time of Transition
This will be a newsletter unlike any we have written before. Usually, we talk about all the good things that happen and keep the ‘bad’ things to ourselves. When I was praying about this letter though, I felt that God wanted us to open up our hearts to you and let you know how things have really been.
I think the past two years have been a time of transition for us, and to be honest, not all of it has been pleasant. Some of it has been downright uncomfortable. As many of you know, in late 1999, Joel accepted a ministry position at a camp that fell through before it had even begun. In a four month time period, we found ourselves making a second move. This move, however, was much more expensive than we had anticipated. In addition to this we were plagued with van repairs throughout the year. By the end of 2000, we had paid out in unexpected bills over $10,000.
By the fall of 2000, we had been on an emotional and financial roller coaster that we would not wish on our worst enemies (if we could figure out who they are). Our two oldest daughters were making plans to enter college over the next few years. Ministry opportunities were few and the bank account was empty. The future looked bleak and uncertain.
We began to wonder if it was time to go off the road. We put our name out as available to become a children’s pastor. We had several good offers, and even went as far as doing a ministry presentation at one church. But why were we looking for a church? Were we wanting to go off the road because of the financial instability or because God was directing that way? We loved the travelling, meeting people and making new friends but the emotional and financial turmoil we were in was interfering with every decision we made.
Everything came to a head in January when we almost lost our van. We sent out an appeal for prayer to many of our friends and they prayed, and prayed, and prayed. A few who did know what was happening gave financially. Our Itinerant Ministries Director intervened on our behalf, and we were able to keep the van.
It was then that things turned around for us. New doors for ministry opened up. Another ministry took us under their wing and helped us heal. New programs were developed featuring Rhian who will be with us for a while yet. We were given a fresh vision for the ministry God has called us to. Without intent, Jeremiah 29:11 became our theme verse.
Our calendar began to fill up. Out of our brokeness, we were able to minister to others and see God bring peace where once there was pain.
Now it is fall again. It has been a good year. So why do we feel so fragile?
Physically, we are tired, but well. We ministered over 100 times from June through September. Then for three weeks, we were care giving for Mary’s dad while her mom was on a much needed vacation.
Emotionally, we are just entering the empty nest stage. We have sent Anya off to college and miss her terribly. We are not looking forward to doing this two more times.
Ministry wise, the bookings are few at this time. We hope that it will change for December as we have just written a new Christmas program called ‘The Gift’. It is about a father who does not understand Christmas, but meets God in a special and unusual way.
Financially, we are still recovering from the disaster of 2000. For the past two years, Joel has only been receiving 50% of his salary, and not all of that is paid up. Anya, Charity and Rhian have had a small amount of their salaries paid, but most of it is still on account. Churches want us to come and yet cannot afford to pay us. We want to go and yet cannot afford to go without being remunerated adequately. Our van is still in need of $2000 worth of repairs. Before the crash, Anya, Charity and Rhian had braces put on their teeth. They cannot come off until the orthodontist has been paid in full.
As a result of our financial no-cash flow, we have some dreams that are currently on hold (see Dreams). We also have had to turn down some invitations to minister overseas. One invitation that is on the table now is for Iqualit, Nunavit in Canada’s far north among the Inuit. The church there wants to start a children’s church and would like for us to come and do some teacher training, and help them start it. It will cost us about $6000 to go. We have the time and the willingness but not the finances.
So we wait, wondering where God is directing us next.

Anya's Additions
Hi Everyone!
It seems so long ago that I wrote. Our last newsletter was written while in Newfoundland. I told you that I was planning on going to Tyndale College & Seminary in Toronto. Well, I have been here for two months already and am enjoying my time. I am in the Bachelor of Religious Education/ Early Childhood Education (BRE/ECE) program.
Living in Toronto is a neat experience. I have travelled to family in the area, by myself, using the subway and did not even get lost. :o) I have not done any sight seeing yet because I've been rather busy with classes, reading, more reading, and playing indoor soccer.
Back to school, for an orientation activity all the frosh went to Muskoka Woods Sports Resort. I met the other girls in my dorm and the other people who are taking the BRE/ECE program. There are eight of us - one guy - yay, for Jay! - and seven girls.
I have six classes this semester and I am enjoying all of them. This is the middle of the semester and I am in the midst of mid-term exams. Please pray that everything will go well with my studying and assignments.
I cannot believe that October will be over next week. This school year has gone by so fast. We are having a soccer tournament in the middle of November with the other Christian schools in the district. It is not a varsity sport or anything, just a little get together to have some fun with the other schools.
Please continue to pray for me, I need it. :o)
I love you all. Write me sometime. My address is Tyndale College, 25 Ballyconnor Ct., #1455, Toronto, Ontario M2M 4B3.

Charity's Chatter
Have you ever seen the old musical "Singin' In the Rain"? One song on there "Make 'Em Laugh" sung by Donald O'Conner has a line that says "And the show must go on!"
Well summer is over, the fall has begun, and Anya has gone off to school. I guess the only thing to be said is "And the show must go on". With or without Anya 'the show must go on'. :o) It has been a little hard on me to have Anya gone. There are times I go to talk to her and she is not there. I have to go places without her and sometimes that leaves me feeling very alone. But I am starting to adjust. By the time she comes home at the end of the year I think I will be over it. :o)
It is kind of fun to be the oldest, but there is so much responsibly that comes with it. The nice part though is that Rhian and I spend more time together.
This summer was amazing. We had some wonderful camps and VBS's.
We had a week off in July that we were able to spend here at home. It was heavenly. We spent almost every day out by the pool.
With the week off we were able to prepare for my grandparents 50th Anniversary. I wrote a song for them and sang it when they renewed their vows. The song was “I Would Choose You”. It talked about choosing that person you love over the greatest riches in the world. You can kind of see the parallel in it with Jesus. He had all the riches in the world. He was the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Creator, yet He still left it all to become a lowly man. He was not even born into a palace, the son of a King, but to a carpenter. His life was very simple. With that in mind He still came to earth, gave up all to die a criminal death on a cross to save the ones He loves. How great a love that is.
Honestly, and this is no joke, I started talking in full sentences before I was one year old. My parents joke that I have not stopped since and maybe that is true, but I have discovered something I can do with my talkative talent. I can preach. I can share the love of Jesus, not only with stories and puppets and songs, but also by just plain out telling them. I preached for the first time when we were out east during the spring and I never thought I would enjoy it so much. I find a joy in just sharing with people how I feel about Jesus and how much He means to me and how much they can Make A Difference for Him.
I would ask that you would pray for me. I am in the process of finding out what it is God wants me to do about school and what courses to take. Please pray that God gives me direction and provides the money for that.
God bless you and thank you all for your prayers.

Rhian's Remarks
GO MAD!
Not the crazy type, no just go mad, you know, go Make A Difference. That is what the kids this summer were learning. Even if they are small they are mighty in God's eyes; they can still go MAD! They can go MAD for Him in their schools, their towns, their world....
You too moms and dads. Now we all know we do not want to be mad, like angry, but you can be leaders to show your kids they can go MAD for Christ. You may also be thinking that I am already mad. My kids are drivin' me crazy. Hey, I know that feeling. I have got two great, crazy parents, and two great, crazy sisters, but I love them. But let me leave you with this GO MAD!
Bye!

How Can You Help?
Become a Prayer Partner. Pray for us, then pray for us some more. We need your prayers more than anything else.
Become a Financial Partner.
Consider a one-time donation.
Consider becoming a monthly partner. We are praying for 100 people, organizations and businesses that would support YASM on a monthly basis.
Sponsor a crusade so that we could go to a home missions or smaller church.
Become a Publicity Partner. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. You are familiar with our ministry, give our name out to churches and organizations that would be blessed by having us in.

Dreams Can Become Reality
Dream with us about the future. Dreams that we hope to change into a reality before too long.
Charity is ready to cut her first CD. $2,000
Marnie and Doc notepads and T-shirts. We also need a cartoonist who will make us line drawings of Marnie and Doc. $2,000
High end graphics capable laptop with DVD. $4,000
Video Projector. $8,000
Purchasing a motor home. Mary has recently been diagnosed as being glucose intolerant (early stages of diabetes). A motor home would enable her to be able to have a lot more control over her diet. $70,000
Publication of Shining For Jesus, a five part children’s story book.
Publication of See How Your Storytelling Can Sparkle, teaching others how to tell a good story.
Publication of an Activity Book.
Mission Trip with Tasch Ministries Int’l. TMI takes children on missions trip. It has been a long time dream of Joel’s to take children on trips. This trip would be excellent training ground.
God bless,
Joel & Mary
Anya, Charity and Rhian