"Auld Lang Syne"

Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn?

CHORUS:
Fir ald lang syn, ma deer,
fir ald lang syn,
Wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
an sheerly al bee myn!
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, how did you make out on the pronunciation on that one?
I thought this would be a good way to end 08 and bring in 09. We attended the New Year's Gala dinner at Northside Bible Chapel tonight (the roast beef was exquisite! Thanks Gary & Lois!), and Noel played a rendition of the above song on his clarinet at the end. I asked about four people what "Auld Lang Syne" meant and they all shrugged their shoulders. So according to www.en.wikipedia.org this is what it means:

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song (Roud # 6294). It is well known in many English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago"[1] or "days gone by". The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686-1757), and James Watson (1711) as well as older folk songs predating Burns.[2] In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "In the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "Once upon a time." In Scots syne is pronounced like the English word sign.


In just about an hour we will say goodbye to 2008 and welcome 2009. As we do, we will thank God for all His faithfulness and blessing and trust Him with the future. After all, He holds it! God bless you and see you next year!

Missionary Prayer Item

12. BOLIVIA: Jurgen & Wendy Schulz (Day 22)
"An inmate who found Christ in jail in 2004 is in a section shared by
23 inmates. Four years ago he was the only believer there. Now
everyone is a believer! God has worked marvellously through his life
to bring the light of Christ to his fellow prisoners. Pray as he
continues to shine in a dark place."

What an amazing story of Christ's power to save and keep. Having been to Bolivia in 2005, and visiting a prison while serving in Guatemala made this prayer item extra special for me. After you pray too, you can visit www:msc.on.ca and learn how you can receive MISSIONARY PRAYER ITEMS directly to your inbox.

Did you know...

The Pony Express Bible

The history of the pony Express forms a fascinating part of the history of the American West. These dedicated and resourceful riders carried the mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, over nineteen hundred miles through dangerous Indian country, to Sacramento, California. The Pony Express acquired five hundred of the strongest and fastest horses the company could find. Incredibly, forty brave men rode these magnificent horses in relays with each man riding fifty miles to the next stations. Using four relays per day, the Pony Express riders traveled up to two hundred miles a day. A letter could be delivered in relays covering the complete nineteen hundred miles in only ten days.

In order to cut down on any unnecessary weight the riders would use the lightest saddles made, with very small, flat leather bags holding the mail. Amazingly, to cut down on the weight the riders carried no rifles. Mail carried by the Pony Express was written on very thin paper. However, the postage rate was $5 an ounce (equal to $200 per letter in today’s currency). The managers of the Pony Express believed that the Holy Scriptures were so important that they presented a special full size Pony Express Bible to each rider when they signed up to join this unusual company. Surprisingly, despite their overwhelming concern for reducing the weight of their rider’s equipment, every one of the riders carried a full size Pony Express Bible as part of his regular gear.

Oh Canada!

Here is Team Canada #2 (Be Strong Belize) on top of an ancient Mayan ruin right next to the Guatemalan border. We are happy to blog that everyone is home now, probably enjoying a "double-double" or an Icecap! The internet was down for the last couple of days of the mission so we were not able blog the conclusion to our mission. Point your browser back now and then and we will be posting lots of stories and amazing photos. Praise the Lord for His special care and direction of the teams - we serve an awesome God!

But You, O lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 86:15

Auburn Youth at Burrell Boom - Day 2

The Auburn youth enjoyed the challenge of the excellent turnout for VBS at Burrell Boom. Fourteen kids from a neighboring village have brought the number of campers to over 60. The children practiced with drills and played lively games. Esther taught origami and the team is sharing Bible stories through skits. The children who are usually quite rambunctious were riveted to their seats as Chance, Jessie, Amy, Jeff, Rylan and Derry acted out the story of Adam and Eve. The memory verses helped to reinforce the lesson. Tomorrow we will be inviting the parents to a special evening of awards, special music and a movie. Here are a few shots of the team; notice the smile beaming from the guys as they try and catch Chance with the 'futball'...

Soccer Camp at Burrel Boom - Day 1

Just a quick note to update today's progress. Over 60 kids came out to the first day of soccer camp at Burrel Boom, a little community about 1/2 hour outside of Belize City. The youth from Auburn Bible Chapel in Peterborough, Ontario and leaders Jeff, Derry & Esther are doing a great job teaching the kids 'futball', crafts and the good news of the gospel. Hopefully we'll get a chance to post a few photos tomorrow. Thank you for visiting our blog and please remember us in prayer.

Today's verse: "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3)

Final day of tournaments and the Chronicles of Narnia

Team two is just getting ready to go to Burrel Boom to be with the saints at Bethany Chapel where we will hold the VBS and sprots camps this week. Below are a few shots of the final day of basketball in Belize City as well as the movie night. Last night we projected the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and over 80 people attended. It was special to share with the young people how Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah died for us and rose again, just like Aslan in the story. Mr. Tumnis said to Lucy, "After all, He's not a tame Lion", to which she replied, "But He is good." He is good and it is a joy to serve Him.

Team 2 - BE STRONG BELIZE
Some of Team Two singing some special numbers before the movie

Chance with some of the youth watching the movie
Trying to dispense the drinks to all the moviegoers
Again we have to mention just how impressed we were with the Belizean's play. There was a ref and scorekeeper for each game, but the matches were self-policed and the guys knew and played by the rules. The play was truly amazing and in almost unbearable heat and humidity. (Photo by Derry O'Byrne)
The senior MVP checking out his sports Bible. The New Testament features Christian pro basketball players and their stories
The top team won basketballs or soccer balls and every participant received a sports Bible
Derry with the junior tournament MVP and his new basketball
Some of the champions with the sports Bibles that Team two brought down
My twin Derry and Chance organizing the juniors on the last day of tournaments
Scorekeepers in the blazing sun

Team 2 (Be Strong Belize) Day 1

It's midnight in Belize and the heat is not letting up. The fans are humming and the dogs outside are quiet for now... Team two ran the second last day of basketball games in Belize City. The tournament has generated quite a bit of interest as the local news station came and interviewed us. It was so cool to watch ourselves on the evening news when we got home from the movie. Tomorrow we will have the final day, the last prizes and a special evening of singing, testimonies and a movie again.
You can see pictures below of team one's movie night.
This afternoon, after a quick swim to cool off, the team headed to Burrel Boom to hand out flyers door-to-door. We stopped at the court where the team will have the hoops component of the camp next week. Before long there were a few locals and Jeff and Chance played a couple of games. We are looking forward to working in Boom next week. Praise the Lord for His guidance and protection all along the way. I hope you enjoy a few photos from the tail end of last team's mission and a few from team two - "BE STRONG BELIZE" (Ephesians 6:10)



Movie night at Grace Chapel
Team one was very gifted and talented with music. We will miss them. Here they are ministering in song during the open air meeting.
Channel 7 News of Belize City came and interviewed me during the second day of tournaments. We will try and post a link to the website where you can watch the interview.
Jeff Pascoe (Auburn Bible Chapel yout leader) signing up kids for the second tournament
Team two arrives as the court in Belize City
Some of team two (and Joyce, a Belizean youth working with us)stopping for a water break during today's door-to-door visitation in Burrel Boom
Some of the children in Burrel Boom that the team invited to the soccer camp.

Inbetween teams...

Hi to all our friends in blogland,

This post is going to have to be photoless and we're sorry we did not get a report in for the last couple of days. Just as soon as we can we'll give a complete update. Right now we just dropped off the first team at the airport. We've gased up, bought 15 gallons of bottled water and we're just about to go and pick up team two.
The first team finished the basketball tournament and then showed the film, Facing the Giants. There was a great turnout with over 50 in attendance. The film was projected outdoors in the courtyard of Grace Primary School. Many of the youth from the tournament came and enjoyed the film. The team sang some special numbers and Sean gave a brief word of testimony. After the movie everyone enjoyed a sandwich and drink.
Yesterday the team spent their last day in Belize at Cay Cualker. A 45 minute boat ride takes you up the coast to a tiny island right on the second largest barrier reef in the world. Instead of trying to describe it for you I will try and post some photos later.
So, please pray for the teams as they pass each other somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico. Jeremy and Rachel are here with me which makes it a bit easier for me as Vera my bride has gone home with the first team. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We remain your servants for Christ's sake.

Sean, Jeremy & Rachel at the Leslie's
Philippians 1:21

Basketball Tournament - Belize City Day 1

Day one of our very first basketball camp featured some spectacular play by the youth of Belize City. Both Canadian teams are running two day tournaments. We were not sure how many would show up or how it would go, but by mid morning there were 5 teams playing under the blazing sun. Tomorrow evening, after the results are all in, we plan a special outdoor meeting for awards, singing and testimonies and the movie "Facing the Giants".
Rob explaining the rules of play to the first teams to sign up.
The city of Belize has given team Canada use of the court free of charge. Located directly behind Grace Primary School, it is ideal for outreach to the community.
Some jaw-dropping layups!
Rob organized the three-on-three tournament. The champions will win a brand new Nike baskeball.
One of the players wowing us with his skills
One of the coaches commented that the Belizeans knew and played by the rules (better than some Canadians!)
Some umbrellas were purchased to prevent some scorekeepers from fainting in the sun
Supper by the Caribbean Sea by moonlight

Be Ready Belize (Team Canada 1) Days 5 & 6 - Awards night

Team Canada is snoring once again...and do they need a rest! From early morning 'til late at night, days are jammed with activity and ministry. The photos below highlight unforgettable moments: soccer camp, youth meetings, Mayan ruins and awards night at 8 Miles. The campers used their hard earned points for prizes and the MVPs were awarded brand new soccer balls! Our program, BIBLES FOR BELIZE, began with distribution of 70 Gideon New Testaments given to every child in attendance. The 108 people enjoyed hamburgers, special music and a movie.
Tomorrow the team has a full day planned to visit a number of assemblies in Belize City, Burrel Boom and the work at 8 Miles again.


Last minute of the final game!!!
New friends!
Awards night at 8 Mile
Rob's team wins again!
Puppets are a huge hit at 8 Miles!
Some of the team atop a Mayan Ruin
Youth night at Grace Chapel, Belize City: testimonies, singing and some crazy games

On the bus with Charlene

From 8 Mile to Tropical Park is a 10 minute bus ride