BAUMAN, PHIL & ANDREA (Canada, International roles with SIM) PRAISE: For a good time in Asia with a team there as we facilitated their conversations toward greater focus and clarity. That Andrea was able to listen to and encourage several individuals as they grappled with some challenging situations. For health and safety in travel both on long flights and while on the ground. The opportunity for sabbatical. PRAY: For SIM’s International Leadership team as they gather for their annual face-to-face spiritual retreat. Phil is attending. Pray that God will speak clearly to the team and encourage them through this time of transition. For safe travel (Nov 4-14) for Phil to that meeting. For Andrea as she continues to support and mentor SIM’s HR/Personnel leaders. For a good period of sabbatical for Phil for the rest of the year once he returns.
Brock Martin - Ecuador (short term)
Ray & Carol Jones (Guelph)
Dear family and friends,
Hope this finds you all well and enjoying life these days. If it's anything like us it will be enjoying life despite all the challenges!
For us it has been quite a bumpy ride for the last few months! Both Carol and I had Covid again and mine left me with weeks of coughing, which I keep thinking its about over, but then it hangs on. That isn't too bad until I have to speak, or take a funeral or wedding, then it gets a bit challenging. In the last month I've taken two funerals and a wedding. The two funerals were both of old friends, but both had trusted the Lord as their own personal Saviour, so are now with Him.
Despite the challenges, summer was very good with excellent summer camps and good attendance, I missed most of the last one, thanks to Covid. Both Carol and I keep up with the shots. Carol has gone through two cataract surgeries and done very well and is now at the stage of various medical appointments, as are we both. But...my diary keeps filling up and the Lord continues to lead, guide and provide. Thanks so much to all you dear folk who pray for us and stand with us!!
This weekend is another Committing To Faithful Men Conference which we started some years ago to help and encourage young men to serve within and from their local churches. I'll be speaking on Principles of Spiritual Growth.
They have started to use the SNOW word around here lately so I now have to get snow tires on my car and look forward to another Canadian winter!
The older we get the more we realize that one of the greatest and most important treasures we have is you, our beloved family and friends. How we would love to see you or hear from you! One thing we do know is that one day all who know the Lord will be together with Him, don't we? I still write for the Choice Gleanings Calendar that goes to various places around the world. If you would like one, I can get you one or send the address of Gospel Folio Press.
He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Heb 9:26
At this time of year our thoughts begin to turn towards the coming to earth of God the Son. He appeared for the express purpose of ‘putting away’ our sin by the sacrifice of Himself. But the wonderful truth continues; ‘For Christ now to appears in the presence of God for us;’ Heb 9:24. He is in the very presence of His Father as an advocate for all who have trusted Him. But it gets even better! To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb 9:28. Ray Jones
Coming again, coming again;
Maybe morning, maybe noon,
Maybe evening and maybe soon!
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!
John W. Peterson
Our warmest love to you, our precious family and friends.
Ray and Carol
Trevor & Hannah Martin - Power to Change
"Often I feel like I am the only Christian in my class. It was so encouraging to be around so many Christian students on fire for God."
- Jenica, University of Waterloo
About 400 students from universities across Toronto and Southwestern Ontario gathered for our Summit fall retreat. They were inspired that Jesus is 'worth the risk' in their lives. It was encouraging to see students who want to grow in their faith, praying with each other and motivating each other to do things that might be scary as they follow Jesus. Hannah led a workshop on evangelism and Trevor led a workshop on time management. Please pray for these students as they are back on campus, that they would continue to trust Jesus with their whole lives and be light in a dark world. The very next picture below shows our UWaterloo students!
JESUS WEEK @ UWaterloo
One of the ways that students are stepping out in their faith on campus is through participating in 'Jesus Week' at the University of Waterloo. Power to Change is partnering with other Christian students on campus to facilitate opportunities for people to pray, learn to take steps of faith, have conversations about Jesus and invite non-Christian friends to Christian community. Please pray that God would work through the events of this week to inspire students to become disciples of Jesus.
FAMILY FUN
Gord Martin (Vision Ministries)
Indy is home! A few of us met Indy at Pearson this morning (October 19). He's now on his way home to Winnipeg.
What an ordeal! I traveled with him in Myanmar/Burma in February of 2020. He's been there, separated from his family since then, experiencing one hurdle after another: the pandemic, covid, war, death of his father, constant danger, illegal escape to India, becoming a chaplain to land mine and bombing victims from Burma, heart attack, stents, recovery, unable to walk, stone walling from Indian authorities, help from Canadian Global Affairs and 3.5+ years of prayer by a group of 10 who prayed with and for him every Friday morning + many others who prayed!
Thank you LORD!!!
Thanks very much for all of you who have prayed for his safe return!