BAUMAN, PHIL & ANDREA (Canada, International roles with SIM) PRAISE: For great opportunities to connect with colleagues in 3 Middle East countries. For the opportunity for Phil to make some good connections as SIM looks to refine ministry plans in certain contexts. That we had a productive visit with colleagues that are leading SIM’s mobilising office in France. That we had safe and uneventful travel. That Liam has a new apartment 5 mins from work. PRAY: That Phil will have good connections with colleagues on the International Leadership Team as they meet in the coming days. For profitable connections as Phil and a few colleagues visit a few other countries looking at direction re next steps. That Andrea can join Phil and the other to connect with one family she has not yet met. For our time in Kenya as we facilitate reviewing ministry with the team there. For continued safe and uneventful travel.
Jenn Brubacher - Youth For Christ
Gord Martin - Kenya trip
It was everything we could have hoped for!
1) The main event, Training of Trainers in Nairobi: Ishmael and his staff recruited 26 qualified students who were eager and cooperative learners who are intent on training others. Time will tell. Exhausting but satisfying. The thing I was most apprehensive about was introducing the Meyers Briggs personality assessment. It was a total hit!
2) We had a great celebration on the second Sunday with four churches participating (in a slum area). They know how to celebrate!! It was a 5+ hour service plus time to eat together.
3) Last Sunday we traveled 9.5 hours west of Nairobi to Ishmael’s home area. We both spoke to about 90 people, a very rural area. People came from as far as 3 hours away to participate! By the way, who knew a conference lanyard could be used as a temporary fix for a broken battery cable? Chris Atkinson! We drove that way for at least 10 hours all together.
4) We visited two new church plants in a very poor area near the Tanzanian border on the edge of Lake Victoria, just to encourage them. People were there, eager to welcome us. At one place they fed us a “delicacy” that is only cooked for guests of honour. The look on my face when I tasted it, gave them a laugh. Let’s say, its definitely an acquired taste!
5) Today I visited (Chris left yesterday) the Mumbo church where we funded a whole building in 2015. They were so excited to see me, seven years later. One of the men hugged me over and over! He’s the extravert of the group! They provided lunch for us. It was gratifying to see their progress.
6) Chris and I had quality time with Ishmael and Molline both in Nairobi and in the village where they are originally from. Ishmael is a real character. I have learned to imitate his voice and Ishmaelisms almost perfectly. The audience recognizes it immediately and they “crack up”. The picture below is of Ishmael, Molline and his parents.
7) My voice is has held up well and sleep has been totally adequate. Thank you for praying!
God has carried us. Thank you so much again for your prayer support!
Am about to embark on the first leg of my trip home; Kisumu to Nairobi, Nairobi to New York and New York to Toronto. God willing, I will arrive in Toronto at 4:30 on Friday the 21st.
Gord and Chris
Gord Martin - Kenya trip
Written October 15 - I know it's morning for you but it's mid-afternoon here in Nairobi. Our Training of Trainers went so well! Over the moon!! Thank you for praying.
We had great trainees. They were pre-selected as current active leaders in their churches, capable in English and having capacity to re-teach the material. Ishmael and the team here did a very good job. The trainees are eager to go home and train others with the training they have received. They are already making plans for doing so.
The dialogue with the class was stimulating and challenging every day. AND we had lots of humour.
My voice has held up very well
The Meyers Briggs assessment which was part of the training is the part I was most nervous about. It was a hit! We had a big emphasis on being self aware, knowing yourself honestly. This morning so many mentioned that they now understood their own DESIGN, their strengths, weaknesses, gifts and personality. It was all we were hoping for.
Things are quiet now. We are meeting with Ishmael later this afternoon for dinner and debrief...and planning the next few days. We will each speak at a service tomorrow and then prepare for our trip to western Kenya.
Thank you for praying,
Trevor & Hannah Martin - Power to Change
Jonath's Story
This past year God has been working powerfully in Jonath, a Masters student involved in our ministry at UBC.
Grace's Story
Recently, also at UBC, one of our our local staff and a Christian student met with a student named Grace who was seeking. She was asking about why Christianity is true amidst so many religions. Then, after talking about some of her questions about the Bible, they went through the gospel together. During the conversation the local staff said “Jesus was crucified and punished even though he didn’t deserve it, because he did nothing wrong...why would he do that?” Then Grace gasped and said “for me??!!" The conversation continued and Grace's desire to become a Christian became evident. Then, in Chinese she prayed and decided to accept Christ!!
God is at work across our country and It's through your partnership that students like Jonath and Grace can be reached with the gospel!
Summit
Summit is our annual regional fall retreat and while some smaller Summits did happen last year, this year we were able to run larger Summits again. Summit is a great weekend of encouragement, equipping and spiritual growth for students. And it's fun! While I (Trevor) have been to Summit many times, this year my involvement was more behind the scenes. I've been in charge of the online registration system that all participants use to sign up for one of our seven Summits accross Canada. There's always a couple small things that could be improved, but thankfully, there have been no major glitches! 500 students have attended a Summit so far and there are two more summits this month in Atlantic Canada (delayed because of the hurricane) and British Columbia. Please pray for students to be inspired and put their faith into action coming out of these events!
Kid Corner
Thank you for your support in helping students to discover Jesus!