Awards Night

Last night was AWANA Awards night at Northside Bible Chapel here in Barrie. Here Vera enjoys a moment with some special friends, two girls who she has also been bringing out to Sunday School.

Some of the Junior Varsity leaders and clubbers that I've had the joy of working with.

Jim Comte preaching the gospel to a full house: "Christ died for our sins" (I Corinthians 15:3)



So, another year of Awana comes to a close and we thank God for blessing leaders and clubbers - way to go all!

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Even birds and animals have much they could teach you; (Job 12:7)

Jeremy displays "Jamal", one of three squirls found in the park. Having fallen from thier tree and abandoned by thier mom, these long-tailed fuzzy creatures were quickly adopted by Jeremy and his friends.

Our Bible tells us that there are lessons to learn from our furry friends; He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7) is one for sure.

From beginning to end the Bible is full of animals that God made, cared for and used: think of Noah's friends, the donkey that spoke to Balaam, the whale that swollowed Jonah, the donkey that carried Jesus, the rooster that crowed to remind Peter of the Lord or even the scary beasts in Revelation used to symbolize things future.

Well, I don't know if "Jamal", "Sandy", and "Hecter" will survive summer, stray cats or our dog and cat. It will be a challenge for the guys to feed and care for their new friends as they try and reintroduce them into the neighbourhood. I for one will think of the variety and wonder of God's creatures and His perfect care over us.

Vaillancourt's View

"Phheww, I'm bushed!!!" Bob Vaillancourt and Leighton Hartley after pouring cement at 8 Mile Community Chapel in Belize.

Bob's home assembly, Grace Bible Chapel in Timmins, Ontario publishes a Missions Newsletter. He recently submitted an article regarding the value of short term missions. I blog it for your consideration:


Laborers for the
Harvest

Why Short Term? - Robert
Vaillancourt

Valid concerns have been
expressed about the value of short
term efforts. These include the
cost involved in traveling for only
a few weeks or months; the
limited contribution a person can
make without knowing the
language; the questionable
commitment of some who wish to
be involved for a short term.

On the other hand, there are
potential advantages which should
not be overlooked:

• we live in a smaller world in
which travel is so much easier;
• more Christians, whether
students or retired people, have
time available in which to serve;
• many of those who have gone for
a short term have become more
aware of the needs and of the
Lord's desire for them to be
involved in longer term service;
• just as John Mark was a servant
to Paul and Barnabas (Acts
13:5), thus facilitating the work
in which they were involved, so
today there are support
activities which can be done

• by those who are willing to
help for a short time as
handymen, builders,
mechanics, teachers etc.;
• many missionaries have
expressed an interest in short
term workers. (Taken from
MSC website)

Not all of us are called to full time
missionary work. We can all do
our part in the Lord’s work. There
are opportunities aplenty for short
time teams.

There is much need for
evangelism, construction,
encouragement and assistance to
full time missionaries. Not all are
capable or even able to go on
these teams but prayers are
needed for teams to come forth
and also for the success and safety
of the teams.

“The harvest in truly GREAT, but
the laborers are FEW, PRAY ye
therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that He would send forth laborers
into the harvest” Luke 10:2.

Behold I stand at the door and KNOCK!

Here are a couple of the volunteers who helped distribute about 1000 door hangers on Saturday. We hung these invitations on neighbourhood door handles inviting people to join us at Northside on Easter Sunday to consider again the best news the world has ever heard - "He is Risen!"

Bancroft Youth

It was about 11:00 by the time Jeremy and I pulled into Hemingway Crescent last night. We enjoyed an evening with the Bancroft Bible Chapel Youth Group. We were invited to share our missions report on Belize. After a scrumptious meal of Lasagna we gave the Pineapple Story and then showed the report. I was impressed by their interest and excellent questions. Afterward they broke into groups and prayed. A highlight for us was seeing old time friends Ben and Naomi. Not seeing them for about 9 years it was hard to recognize eachother.
Many thanks for the opportunity to be with you! May the Lord bless your group for His glory.

Sean & Jeremy

Belize Update

Hi,
Here are James and Chantal Edwards, good friends and short-term missionaries to Belize. Here is an update from thier blog....

Time to start packing up…
April 3rd, 2006
Hi Everyone,

Sorry for this long overdue update. We haven’t been able to find time to get on the internet the past couple of weeks.

The North Carolina team has come and gone. We were able to have the foundation poured before they came. They were able to get the columns and the beams poured before they left. They also had gospel meetings from Thursday night to Sunday evening. Please continue to pray for this work as it continues.

As for us, it’s hard to believe that we are on our last week. We’ve started to pack up and we’ll be heading out on Thursday. It will definately be hard to leave so many new friends here. I’ll give you more of an update once we return home.

Thanks for all your prayers!