Update

I would like to say a big thank you to you for the gift of $1,241 you provided in December for our personal support as well as for various VMC projects. It's making a huge difference.

So much is happening!

You have heard about the Persian church in Toronto before. But they have experienced quite remarkable growth in the past year on a regular Sunday and they now have about 175 people coming. Besides that 70 or so are coming to a midweek Bible study and another 60 are coming to a midweek Bible study that is being held at the Richvale Bible Chapel in Richmond Hill. Just this morning I was talking to Pastor Siamak and he was telling me that on this Friday evening they have 12 couples who will be renewing their vows in a Christian ceremony. This is a huge step for them! Of course all of them were raised as Muslims and married as Muslims, now they want to dedicate their lives as couples to Christ and to Christian marriage.

I don't know if you know this, but for about 15 years Ethiopia was under communist rule. A very harsh rule! We are finding that Ethiopians and Eritreans who have come to Canada for refuge are starting churches everywhere. Many of them have suffered severe persecution and violence in their home countries. Their faith in Christ is very real.

This coming weekend Heather and I will be going to Ottawa. I will be meeting with a group of 12 to 15 pastors on Saturday morning for breakfast, will meet with several of their leadership groups later that day and will speak twice on Sunday, once at Pine Grove Bible Church and once at an Eritrean Fellowship later in the afternoon. Besides that, we are planning to enjoy some time with our son Chad and his family who live just south of Ottawa.

Thank you again for your generosity.

Hello from Singapore!

Hello from Singapore

WBC Friends, last week we asked you to pray for our journey to Singapore and God answered your prayers!

- Our flights were on time.
- The kids did as good as could be expected for a 33 hour journey.
- All our luggage (21pcs) made it and in tact! (We did lose a stuffed animal along the way which was slightly traumatic for the youngest but he handled it well!)

We are settling into a new life routine and enjoying living in an urban, world-class city.

The highs:
Heath: "Pushing the button in the elevator." (Our apartment is on the 8th floor and Singaporeans call an elevator, "the lift").

Gwenyth: "Shopping at the mall." (Air conditioned malls help beat the heat and with 6M people living in the city, almost every subway stop has a mall at it).

Wyatt: "Everything is in one place [nearby]!" (Singapore takes its city planning very seriously and most things are orderly and convenient. We can get pretty much everything we need within a 10 minute walk).

Meredith: "I love people watching. From our balcony I see hundreds of families going about their days."

Russ: "I love how much Singaporeans value efficiency and that I can do almost everything I need to do (hail a cab, order groceries, pay for things) from my mobile phone."

The lows:
- Heath and Gwenyth's skin challenges continue and have been aggravated in the high humidity. After drinking some juice on the weekend, Heath had a fairly strong allergic reaction. Thankfully we have been able to see a doctor, get some medication and feel hopeful about a path towards healing and being able to live in a tropical climate. This is a fairly constant stress and needs your prayers.

- Our apartment does not have a clothes dryer or dishwasher. These are conveniences we are adjusting to living without. (Many residents here have foreign maids that do these tasks for them.)

- We've had a few cultural moments of "I know you're speaking English but I have no idea what you're saying..." The "singlish" accent can be quite strong.

Eager to begin our ministry
Next week our family heads to a conference in a nearby country to serve a group of missionaries that are highly persecuted but really want to use digital strategies to bring the gospel where it is not. In particular, they are exploring what it means to use social media more effectively as the government clamps down on open Christian gatherings. Pray that we serve these heroes of the faith well.

Thanks for being a part of leading the next generation of digital missions.
 

Photos Below: Adjusting to life in Singapore
- Above: Off to the park to find some kids.
- Jet-lagged kids makes for a quiet first dinner at the outdoor food stalls
- School break snack time on our balcony
- Watching Saturday morning swimming lessons
- A morning surprise - Wyatt and Dad unpacked in the middle of the night

Chili Buffet Fundraiser

When: January 13th, 2019 at 12:30- 2:30

Where: Wallenstein Bible Chapel

What: Enjoy a hearty chili meal and support the camp ministry in Ecuador! Raul and Jessenia will be sharing about the camp ministry and how to get involved, as well as sharing about Hope of Bastion School and their youth and kids’ ministries in a rural community and in the city of Guayaquil.

Why: Lighthouse of Hope Camp in Ecuador is in need of funds for the camp ministry this March and April. $7,000.00 Canadian funds one week of camp, allowing 75 children from high needs areas to attend a week of camp where they can learn about God’s love for them through Bible study and through their councillor’s care for them.

Moving to Singapore Tomorrow

7:30am flight - 28 hour of travel
5 Tickets
10 Large Suitcases
5 Carry-ons
5 Backpacks
100's of Snacks
1 Friend and 1 Apartment waiting for us on the other side

Tomorrow, on January 1st, 2019, we begin a two year work of supporting digital missions leaders in 26 Asian countries. 

Thank you for coming along with us through prayer and financial partnership.

Photos Below: Christmas in Canada
. Every snowfall was an event
. Learning to cue and haul cargo
. Goodbye to Grandpa Brown
. Martin Family Christmas

Merry Christmas from Kingston!

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel…God with us.”
Matthew 1:23

This event in history is not merely that a baby was born but that God became a baby! God was in the manger!

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“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel…God with us.” Matthew 1:23

This event in history is not merely that a baby was born but that God became a baby! God was in the manger!

Jesus came to represent God the Father, so that we would know what it is like to have God with us. Jesus is the one person who can tell us what God is like and becomes in us what God desires us to be. He came to be our Saviour, to bring us to God, no matter how desperate our condition. We could know no greater blessing than for God to desire to dwell with us. Jesus is truly our hope!

Loneliness is one of the fiercest enemies for an inmate. Jesus Christ came to bring salvation to their desperate situations, removing the weight of guilt and shame. Immanuel's presence with them each day provides comfort and grace in their lives to overcome sin, loneliness and rejection…especially at this time of year.

God desires to dwell even with them!  Jesus truly is their hope as well! So we pray that as men are exposed to the gospel the Holy Spirit would open eyes and hearts to receive Truth and they would know his peace and presence in their lives and the joy of a relationship with Immanuel.

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Chris, Sam, Jon, and Ian* - they have just recently been released to a halfway house.  They need wisdom and protection as they reconnect with society.  Pray also for Christians who will support them in their spiritual growth.
* Names have been changed.
This fall there has been a spike in violent incidences within several institutions. Pray for peace and stability so that programming is not interrupted.

For harmony and respect among Christian inmates; there can be discord among them and when this is observed by staff/guards it is a negative testimony.

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The Lord has shown his kindness and grace toward us in many ways this past year.  We are thankful for good health. He graciously allows continued opportunities to serve Him inside prison walls and He provides daily strength to do so. His mercies are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness!

As we reflect on the gift of Jesus this Christmas season, we are reminded of the generosity that we have experienced through those of you who have been personally impacted by the generosity of the Father.  We want to thank each of you who continually partner with us and pray for us so faithfully. This is vital. 

We hope and pray you have a wonderful Christmas and may the light of Christ shine through you this season as you rejoice in God’s gift of his Son. May His presence bring deep joy and peace as you celebrate God’s gift of Immanuel. 

Christmas blessings,
Robert and Susan