BAUMAN, PHIL & ANDREA (Canada, International roles with SIM) PRAISE: For a wonderful Christmas season with friends and family as we remember God’s gift to us. For a great few days of retreat and reflection in mid-December. For rest. PRAY: That Phil will have wisdom to know when and how to re-engage as he ends his sabbatical. For a good week of vacation before the transition work starts in earnest. For Andrea as she gets back into her Personnel role after the holidays. For continued peace and wisdom as we establish priorities.
Russ & Meredith Martin - Singapore
Praying to Begin 2024
Dear WBC Friends,
Thanks for praying along with us. Russ' work pass has been renewed and we're gearing up for another season of ministry from our base in Singapore.
This morning I was meditating on Acts 2.24 and how death could not contain Jesus' power. I'm praying that God's Spirit will work in my life and through our family in the coming year.
As we look towards 2024, we have some big initiatives quickly coming over the horizon.
1. In September, Lausanne's 4th Congress on World Evangelisation will convene 5,000+ people from 200 countries in Korea. Our team is running all the marketing, communication, IT and digital strategy.
2. In October, Indigitous will again host our global hackathon, helping spur local communities around the world to innovatively develop digital ways to bring the gospel to new people, places and spaces.
Many days it seems that there is 3-4x more stuff coming at us and our teams than we have the capacity for. Pray for discernment and focus to work only on what is best and necessary.
We're off to a slow start as Meredith isolates herself with a mild case of COVID. Pray for a speedy recovery as she's essential to our family and team life.
Thank you for your friendship and partnership as we lead the next generation of missions in a digital world. We look forward to sharing how God works through the initiatives we are humbled to lead.
Russ (for Meredith, Wyatt, Gwenyth, Heath)
Photo above: We got away on a short holiday to Malaysia and rode the world's longest water slide!
Photos below:
1. Christmas Morning
2. 'Snow' in Singapore comes in the form of bubbles
3. Fun at an illusions attraction in Malaysia
Brock Martin - South America
Robert & Susan Martin - Kingston Prison Ministries
““Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights…”
James 1:17
This time of year we all look for that perfect gift to give.
God gave the perfect gift when He gave His Son, the Saviour of the world.
“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
Dear Christian friends,
This month has included extra opportunities to share the Light and hope of Christmas in the dark world of prison. Their loneliness is intensified and can weaken their spirits as regret and the pain of what their choices have brought about come upon them even more intensely.
We participated in several Christmas chapel services with men who are facing their first Christmas separated from family. It is difficult. And it was also evident that for some they were restraining tears that were so close to the surface.
We pray despite the huge disappointments in their lives that for them this Christmas will be the beginning of believing and receiving the Light that has come into the world in the gift of God’s Son.
* Pray for Paul who was granted the opportunity for an upcoming short stay at a halfway house. (This comes after 48 years in prison).
* Carl is a recent contact who is just starting a life sentence. He has no contact or support with anyone from the street. In visiting one on one with him I am certain he understands the gospel and has trusted Christ as Saviour. What a long journey lies ahead of him! Pray that I will be able to continue to have access for regular visits with him each week.
* Paul (70) does have great family support but health issues are developing with his loved ones back home and this is agonizing for him.
Thank you for all your prayers and messages of support to us this past year. They have been a huge encouragement and so needful.
May we reflect His Light and shine brightly for His glory this Christmas and may He be at the center of all our gatherings as we meet together. O worship the King!
Christmas Blessings,
Robert and Susan
Jenn Brubacher (YFC Listowel)
It's a gift to walk with students through the thick and thin. These moments are made possible because of your prayer, time and financial support, and young people are not alone. A current student, mentor, dear friends, former students, camp friends and more have joined the monthly support team, and many others have made one-time donations. Thank you.
We are the hands and feet of Jesus, feeding hungry bellies, sitting across from students as they talk about not having the hope to live, and being people of peace when things feel entirely chaotic.
Only seven squares left!
I'm entering my 7th year in ministry and depend largely on monthly giving for my fixed salary and program costs.
Will you be a part of the team making a difference in the lives of many young people in our community?
Thanks for your support-- always, but especially this Christmas. Your support is meeting students in very real, tangible ways, all which is a part of God making all things new.
May this season be full of JOY!
- Jenn