FREY, ESTHER (Puerto Rico; Emmaus Correspondence) PRAISE: Finishing DVBS this week with 14 children. I helped to teach the older ones. We had 7. Also planned snacks, did the registration, and general buying. God is so good. Praise God for 60 young people who attended camp, and 18 conversions. I was able to spend half a day there and at the night of missions, give my testimony. A team of 29 arrived Saturday to do some practical work at camp and also evangelism in the area. Some restrictions have been lifted. PRAY: One of our dear sisters, a close friend to me, is moving to South Carolina in August to live with her daughter. We will have a farewell Aug. 5. with the Seniors. School will begin in August, not sure in what way. I'll get back into the Emmaus work. Baptism of 3 young people Sunday 8th.
Raul & Jessenia - August 2021
ESPINOZA, RAUL & JESSENIA (Guayaquil, Ecuador; MSC) PRAISE: The school remodeling project is wrapping up and the school looks great! That Jessenia was able to get her first dose of the Covid vaccine (and one that is accepted in Canada!). PRAY: For strength and energy for Raúl in the last stretch of the school renovations as he has to go most days to oversee the work. Continue to pray that our school would be able to open its doors to students in the next month or two.
Jenn Brubacher - August 2021
BRUBACHER, JENN (Listowel, YFC) PRAISE: I am blown away by what God is doing in our youth centre. For the last two weeks of July we ran our drop-in day camp, Camp Wanna-get-away. Each day, we had a ‘Thought of the Day’, talking about honesty, comparison and the truth and hope of the Gospel. One day I asked our group, ‘What would change in your life if you knew God loved you?’ Their response? ‘I wouldn’t be so anxious.’ ‘I would be happier.’ ‘I wouldn’t get as angry.’ These sweet junior high students, most of whom come to our evening drop-in program, are recognizing the impact a relationship with God can have in their lives! PRAY: Please pray for God to grow the seeds that were planted at Camp Wanna-get-away. For vision, discernment and creativity for ministry in the fall; there are a few things up in the air, including whether we'll be able to be in the schools. For peace only God can give; many students are wrestling with anxiety and uncertainty about the future.
Russ & Meredith - July 2021
MARTIN, RUSS & MEREDITH (Singapore; Power to Change / Lausanne Movement) PRAISE: All our kids have confirmed places for school in August. We survived the latest season of lockdown and restrictions. Confirmation of 20+ city leads/hosts for our upcoming global hackathon in October. PRAY: That our family would thrive during 10 weeks of school break, continued restrictions, and not being able to return to visit family in North America. For clear strategic thinking as Russ builds a digital transformation roadmap for the Lausanne Movement. For meaningful connections as we say goodby to various family/friends leaving Singapore.
Robert & Susan - July 2021
MARTIN, ROBERT & SUSAN (Kingston, ON; Kingston Prison Ministry; MSC) PRAISE: Both S. and B. have maintained a positive outlook and continued trusting the Lord through their ordeal in prison. They were recently released to halfway houses mid-June and are both doing well. We recently received notification from CBI Minimum institution indicating they believe inmates will be allowed to return to the community. We pray that men will soon be able to attend church again with us. There are a number of men we have contact with who are not allowing themselves to fall into despair through the extra limitations Covid has caused. They are persevering! PRAY: An unfortunate event occurred in the chapel at Bath Inst. causing chaplaincy to receive negative attention. Satan delights in this opportunity. Please pray that staff and inmates will not remain focused on this or that there will be action taken at higher levels to curtail chaplaincy or ministry involvement for volunteers like ourselves. There are some conflicts arising between vaccinated and unvaccinated inmates. Pray that staff would have wisdom not to escalate this into dangerous altercations. We would really like to have access to return to the institutions to have in-person contact with the men.