Expanding Our Territory

Expanding Our Territory
From Newfoundland to Manitoba and the James Bay. We have had a wonderful, busy year. We spent almost two months in Newfoundland in the spring. Our summer saw us minister almost 100 times.
The year began in Ontario’s North and we have just come down from Quebec’s North. So many wonderful places and people and so many changes. I know the format is different than our usual newsletter but we did want to give you an update on what has been happening in our lives.
Answered Prayers
Over the past few years, we have been praying for a laptop to make our travel life easier. This year, God blessed us with a brand new Toshiba laptop. We have been transferring files over to Power Point. We can receive e-mail anywhere. The gift of the laptop has been greatly appreciated.
About five years ago, we were not travelling very much and so bought two puppies, Royal and Sasha. Then we went back on the road again and they travelled with us just about everywhere. As much as we loved them, their life was not ideal. They spent many hours in the van and tied up outside, so we prayed that God would provide a home for them. He did.
A few weeks ago, Royal and Sasha were relocated to Waskaganish with a wonderful family there. We miss them terribly but know that they are better off.
We have had some major car problems this year but they have been either before leaving home or after arriving at a location where repairs can be done. For that we are very thankful. We did have one repair enroute - a flat tire at night. Good thing there was a busy truck population. Now we have a flashlight in the van. :o)
Challenges Too!
My dad spent much of the year in the hospital before moving to a nursing home in August. He has also had both of his feet amputated. The last one just a few weeks ago.
Anya turned twenty-one this year and what a celebration weekend it was. She had four surprise parties in all. While on our way home from one of the parties, we stopped at McDonalds. It was late, and we were tired, especially me. I tripped over the curb and hurt my hand badly. It was not broken, but now two months later I still only have limited use of it. I was unable to work on the computer for much of the first month, which put our expected newsletter on hold - hence the reduced version.
We also never put out any of our Christmas advertising which ended up being a blessing in disguise.
A New Territory
Early in October, Ken Powell called from Queensway Cathedral in Toronto. Their children’s pastor had resigned and they needed someone to fill in the gap. We accepted and we are commuting to Toronto twice a week. We travel down Wednesday mornings and come home Thursday night. Then we travel down again on Saturday and come home after church Sunday night.
We have been enjoying our time there, but we are still honouring the bookings we had before we went. We expect to be there until at least the end of January.
Further Education
Another exciting change is also taking place. Joel is applying to Master’s Seminary for his Masters in Theological Studies. In January, he hopes to be taking one course just to get back into the swing of things. We are looking at relocating to the Greater Toronto area in time for the fall semester.
Thank You
We would like to say a special thank you to everyone that has prayed for us and also to those who gave financial blessings. We know that we would be unable to continue travelling without you. You share in the harvest of the over 400 children that have made decisions to follow Jesus.