BRUBACHER, JENN (Listowel, YFC) PRAISE: I had the opportunity to co-host YFC’s online national conference. This month we’re wrapping up online programs and celebrating students as they finish the school year. Tour For Teens (biking fundraiser) went really well and we’re looking forward to our golf tournament next month. I was able to celebrate Anne & Travis, previous students who were involved in YFC programs, and attend their covid-friendly wedding! PRAY: Please pray for the drop-in program. Our team needs continued wisdom, discernment and patience as we serve and love these students. Most of the students who we’re seeing right now are junior high aged and there are a lot of needs, a lot of energy and a lot of opportunities to speak into their lives. Pray for them. And please pray for wisdom and clarity as we put together details for our daytime drop-in camp (pandemic pending, running the last two weeks of July). We want these students to know that they are known and loved by God, and of course, have fun!
Phil & Andrea - July 2021
BAUMAN, PHIL & ANDREA (Canada, International roles with SIM) PRAISE: For a great wedding day on June 12th for Kieran & Mackenzie. That restrictions lifted the day before the wedding so that a few more guests could attend the ceremony. That Cara has a co-op job in London (Ontario) as a student therapist for Sep to Dec. That Liam is working full-time hours. For a great connection to a Christian business consultant for Phil and a colleague as they develop a key piece of planning. For Phil's 50th birthday! PRAY: For Kieran and Mackenzie to establish a Christ-centred marriage. For Cara to be able to find housing during her co-op and for Liam to find housing for his last year (Sep - Apr). That Phil will have clarity as he reviews and updates ministry planning resources. For wisdom for Phil and others as they seek to develop principles for the global movement of funds for ministry. Assisting with developing specific practices will follow. For Andrea as she continues to support and equip new personnel coordinators. That God will provide for new workers trying to raise the rest of their support so that they can arrive in the Middle East later this summer/autumn.
Update from the Blights at Graphite Bible Camp
Hello,
We thought before the summer crazy hits we should take time to write.
The short update
- Camp is about to start; 1 week of training followed by 7 weeks of day camps. We are so thankful for this opportunity to welcome kids on grounds. Everywhere we go we hear how excited kids are for camp ... I think we could do anything this year and kids would just be happy to get together!
- On May 11th we said goodbye to our dear brother Jorden, after living with brain cancer for just over 5 years. We are in awe of the love, care, and support given- even from a distance. Thank you for praying us through as we journeyed as a family. As you think of it, please keep praying for Josh's parents, sister and of course, Jorden's wife Ange and their children Dominic & Charley.
- Our immediate future is in our prayers as we come to the last stretch of our initial commitment at camp. There's lots to consider but we know that God's will for all of us is who we are and the process of sanctification in our lives.
Camp
Cleaning, planning, preparing and last minute set up are happening all around camp. A couple people have already moved in for the summer, one being our own dear friend Krystal Remers. She is here to serve in the kitchen this summer. We're glad to have her here! She "visited" and worked in the kitchen for a couple retreats pre-covid and I guess she made a lasting impression on the cook! Our kids have been inviting and praying for their friends to come to camp. We stopped in at local homes to make sure they knew camp was happening this year and have been able to make connections. It is so neat to see our kids' hearts to see others know Jesus. We are praying for a healthy balance as we serve as a family at camp this summer. Josh is focussed on maintenance part time, mentoring and teaching. I am praying that I can encourage and serve behind the scenes in ways that our kids can be involved.
Jorden & Family
We knew that his time was coming to an end here on earth but the actual end came without much warning and was quick! We woke up and got to Peterborough quickly. We are glad that we made it as he was leaving home for the last time and then could be together as a family at hospice for the last moments even though it was so hard. We're so thankful it didn't last long. And for the fact that he was able to be home with Ange taking care of him until the last hours. It might seem strange to move him to hospice for such a short time but they are set up so well there. He took his last breaths while Well Done by the Afters was playing. So fitting. He was an easygoing, sincere, quiet and strong person who many were drawn to. After we spent a couple days together as a family which was just what we needed then. We're planning for a funeral in August. Thanks again for carrying us through that time with your prayers, texts and support in many thoughtful and creative ways.
Here are pieces of our heart throughout these links:
Jorden's obituary https://memorials5.frontrunnerpro.com/memorials/jorden-blight/4619644/index.php
A video used for our local church on Camp Day last month https://youtu.be/gTjEGIIEaec
Jorden's favorite song which he learned at a youth retreat last year at camp https://youtu.be/-f4MUUMWMV4
A short devo from Josh https://youtu.be/doyvNi1IP_I
Ray & Carol Jones
Dear saints in Wallenstein,
Warmest love and greetings from Carol and I in Guelph.
Yesterday was the first time out for a long time and what a blessing it was; everyone was so happy to be there and the Lord appeared to bless the morning. This was the first of a three week series on 2 Cor. 1; actually I’m up to about six in that chapter.
Thank you so much for your continued faithful support! It is so good to be ‘on the road’ again, but your support is a great blessing and I really need prayer for physical health and strength. I will be eighty in August and although my doctor says that I’m doing “fantastic”, for some reason I do get a bit more tired than I used to.
Both Carol and I have had our first Covid shots and I get my second on Monday; we’re hoping that Carol can get hers at the same time. I need to go to England sometime before too long. My sister has breast cancer plus two spots on her liver, on top of that she has broken two bones in her back. Please pray for her spiritually.
We are very happy that guelphbiblecc.com is planning to have children’s and family camps again this year. This is all in the will of the Lord, of course. There are many hurdles and potential pitfalls to overcome.
I really enjoy being part of the Paul Hoffman prayer group, I'm looking forward to being back with you all, Lord willing.
Love,
Ray and Carol Jones
Trevor & Hannah - June 2021
MARTIN, TREVOR & HANNAH (Waterloo, ON; Power to Change) PRAISE: For at least 4 students who came to Christ through our various Alpha groups across Canada this school year. Some others are getting close to making a decision towards Christ as well! For God's provision as we've been raising some support this year and it's neat to watch God provide through various people. Please pray that we continue to be diligent and trust God in this! And praise God for many who faithfully support us, including our WBC family! PRAY: For a Discipleship Resources Project that Trevor is leading a team to work on. We are trying to compile and recommend resources to be listed on our website for staff & students to use in discipleship for next school year. Due to COVID and a couple other factors, our number of new students getting involved has decreased nationally in the last couple of years. Our National Leadership Team has initiated a national goal to integrate 700 first year students for next school year. Please join us in prayer toward this goal!