High Power Soccer at 8 Miles, Belize (Days 1 & 2)

Team Canada arrived back at the Leslies late last night after prayer meeting at Burrel Boom. Just as we shut the van off the power went out so we just fell into bed, exhausted. So, our blog had no entry.
The soccer camp at 8 Mile has been wonderful. Over 50 kids have been attending. Tomorrow is the last day and then we plan a barbecue and gospel film for the parents. Here are a few shots from the last couple of days. As you can see the kids are having lots of fun and the team is working well together. One of the biggest challenges has been keeping the water bottles filled and re-filled as it is blazing hot and humid!

Be Ready Belize (Team Canada 1) Day One - Cave Ranch River

Day one began with morning devotions. Our verse was 1 Peter 3:15, our theme verse for Team 1: "...Be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks for a reason for the hope that is in you..." Most of the first day was planned so that the Canadian team could get acquainted with the Belizean youth that joined our team. It was a rough start as the van that belongs to Grace Chapel broke down! We had to rent a second vehicle for a day to ensure that the young people from Belize could join us. It was a late start but we finally made it to Jaguar Paw, a park about 50 kms outside of the city. This park includes cave tubing on the Cave Ranch River. The team hiked up river for about an hour and then floated through caves, one of which was over a kilometer long! It was so refreshing; the water was crystal clear and we had a picnic on the river bank.
In the afternoon the team, now about 20 people with our new friends, fanned out all over 8 Miles Community with flyers advertising the soccer camp and VBS. It was very special to meet some of our young friends, some of whom the youth mission of 2006 worked with. Then we all went to Grace Chapel for prayer meeting. The team sang some special pieces together and Rob Armstrong shared his testimony. After a good visit we went to "Lee Chees Chicken", a very popular fried chicken take out. So we ate supper at 9 pm at a park by the Caribean Sea! It was a great way to end a very full day. As I write this note the team is sleeping.... I'm hoping that the roosters don't start crowing too early!

Thank you for visiting and please keep praying.....

Sean O'Byrne for the team
Philippians 1:21

Back in Belize

Greetings from Belize. This is just a short note to let all our praying friends know that team Canada 1, "Be Ready Belize" arrived safe and sound with all 27 bags! Most of us are drenched with sweat but we are settled in with our wonderful hosts Alan and Olive Leslie and everyone is resting after a long day of flights. Thank you for praying. This is a shot of Belize City.

Bibles For Belize

In the last year or so I have been collecting Bibles.... all kinds of Bibles! Used Bibles, study Bibles, Gideon Bibles, Bibles from Goodwill. I just finished counting them: 219! They are part of "Bibles For Belize", a part of our short-term youth mission to Belize. In just a few days we will be taking off for Belize. The Bibles will be distributed during our VBS and basketball tournaments. The youth group in Peterborough that make up Team 2 have also raised funds to purchase and collect Bibles.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NKJV)

2nd Anual High Power Soccer at Northside Bible Chapel, 2008

Sixty three children attended the second day of High Power Soccer at Northside Bible Chapel today here in Barrie, Ontario. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather so far and the children are enjoying the activities. Since I am helping with the soccer component I don't have pics of the crafts etc. But we will get them up too. Thanks to all those who are praying for High Power Soccer. These are a few shots that capture some of the fun....

Paintball at Wasaga Beach

Air under pressure, paintballs, outdoor terrain, high energy youth - all the ingredients for an unforgettable Saturday. It was my first time paintballing. The young people from Northside Bible Chapel and some from Hillside Bible chapel joined together for the day at Wasaga Beach Paintball. It was hot, I lost a lense from my glasses and I got a hit a few times, but it was really really fun. This is a shot of "arm bands" and "non-armbands" at Blackhawk Town, one of the many areas for battle.

No Fishing!

Micah 7:19, "You will . . . hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

"The picture is of God vigorously disposing of our sins by hurling them overboard. He doesn't just drop them over the side or even pitch them overboard. He hurls them as something to be rid of and forgotten" (Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life).

Corrie ten Boom said, "And then God put up a sign saying, 'No fishing allowed.'" Why would He do this?

"Because she knew that we tend to drag up our old sins, that we tend to live under a vague sense of guilt. She knew that we are not nearly as vigorous in appropriating God's forgiveness as He is in extending it" (J.B.)

Let's run to the cross and find forgiveness!

Many of you may have heard of the Cross Canada Cruisers. A group of men are taking the gospel from shore to shore (actually two teams starting at each end of the country and meeting in Ontario) in old classic cars. I had the chance to meet and pray with some of these men and I met Jay while speaking in Tavistock. Here is his first report...(Be sure to park your mouse at their website www.crosscanadacuiser.com)

"Greetings in the name of our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ,

I arrived to Vancouver BC this past saturday. From there I took one of
the BC ferries across to Victoria island. The view from the ferry was
honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

This week we are being taught the book of romans by John Allen, and we
are working with Tim Hood in our outreach. We have our teaching on
romans at the assembly out here (westview gospel chapel) every morning.

The first major outreach was had was the Victorian Day parade. I was
again amazed at the ability these classic cars have and their ability
to 'attract' a crowd. Especially the 56 mercury montclair with glass
packed dual mufflers, that I have been privileged to drive :-) The
parade lasted about 4 hours, and we were able to distribute just shy
of 6000 'worlds biggest lie' cds. Many of the people that received the
cd's were appreciative and polite, and nobody really gave us any
opposition. Tuesday night we went downtown Victoria to the parliament
buildings. I ended up talking to a couple by the name of Mike and
Nicole for about 45 mins about spiritual things. Pray for Mike and
Nicole. They are very interested, but are still somewhat resistant to
God's perfect plan of salvation.

This friday and saturday we will be going down by the water to watch
and witness at a boat race. We plan to park the cars right on the
dock, and allow people to come and check out the cars, while trying to
work the gospel into the conversations. Pray for the hearts of these
people, most people are very receptive to talk to us, but when we turn
the conversation to spiritual things, are usually quick to end it or
leave.

I would write more, but as you can see...I'm not very good at this
whole letter writing thing,

God Bless,

Sincerely,

Jayson

ps. the crosscanadacruisers.com website is up and running, for anyone
technologically advanced that wants to check it out :)"

Books I'm Reading...

“Leave Robert Chapman alone; we talk about heavenly places; but he lives in them.” These were the words, to a critic, of J. N. Darby, contemporary of George Muller and a leader in the Christian Brethren Movement in England, at a time when the clouds of controversy were very dark indeed.

I'm re-reading a book called Agape Leadership.




Just had to post a little quote here:

To a young missionary heading for the field Chapman said: "Keep low, look up, and press forward." (pg. 63)

God has the answer...

I received this just now. I just looked it over and suggest you do too. You may need it just at this moment!

God has a positive answer:

YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

5 Pillars of Missions

Matthew 9:35-38 (New International Version)

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Some years ago I was at a Missionary Prayer Breakfast and heard a missionary, Sid Halsband who serves in Africa but is very sick right now. I still remember the substance of his message. From this passage he pointed out at least 5 principles for missions. It's really a study of the heart of Jesus.

1. The Lord was motivated by Love and Compassion for people.
2. His primary work was Preaching and Teaching.
3. He also was healing and aiding those who were suffering. (not cold and removed)
4. Recognition of the Lord of the Harvest.
5. A call for fervent prayer for laborers (not just preachers!)

You either go or send a substitute! There are those who go and preach and those who stay and pray. Those on the front lines are dependent on the supply lines, like those in the Battle for Bagdad during the Gulf War II.

"Lord Jesus, give me a heart like thine, Amen"

Ontario Worker's and Elder's Conference 2008

Vera and me just enjoyed a good part of the week at the 16th annual Worker's and Elder's Conference, hosted this year by Markham Bible Chapel. The theme this year was "Christ in the Old Testament".

Christ in the Law of Moses - Randy Amos
Christ in the Prophets - Willie Burnett
Christ in the Psalms - Harry Graham

I particularly enjoyed Willie's treatment of Christ in the Prophets. He showed us from various sections of the prophets four main points, how they spoke of:

1. Christ - The Eternity of His Being (Isaiah 6; Micah 5:2 etc.)
2. Christ - His Incarnation (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14 etc.)
3. Christ - The Perfect Servant of Jehovah (Servant songs of Isaiah, 42:1-7; 45; 50:4-10; 52:13-53)
4. Christ - The Sovereign (Isaiah 9:6 etc.)

There were seminars on various topics such as Encouraging the Next Generation, The Spirit of the Age and Missions.

Keith Keyser ministered from Philippians on the last day and I was challenged by the illustration which I've heard before about the last words of William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army. From his deathbed he sent a note to many who were eager to hear what he would say with his last breath. The note was delivered and on it was just one word "OTHERS"! May the Lord help us to have that attitude, the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5)

Everything under His feet, under control...

God's Submarine

Just Click on the flyer to enlarge (then pray!)

My Google Calendar

Men's Breakfast at Heildelberg

Todayf I enjoyed some fresh scrambled eggs and some of the best suasages I've ever tasted. It was a regular men's breakfast held at Heidelberg Bible Fellowship and I was to share my testimony of how I became a Christian. The gentleman beside me was the mayor! It's been over 20 years since I surrendered my life to the Lord in the wee hours of the morning one August, but I am still marveling at God's grace. I was almost ready to give up on living but God revealed Himself to me by His Word

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

JOHN 3:16

Easter Weekend in Belize

Bump bump...bang.. bang...rumble...rumble.BUMP! That's how the bus ride was going down the old wash-board highway towards Hopkins. I accompanied the young people from several churches on their annual Easter Monday day of fun in the sun at the beach. Before we dashed into the Sea we read Luke 5 and the account of how Jesus used Peter's fishing boat as a pulpit to teach the people. Then, after a huge catch of fish and "networking" with his partners, Peter heard these words from the Master: "from now on you will catch men" (!).
It was a nice way to wrap up a long weekend of conference time and ministry. The sports day at 8 Miles was amazing with about 65 people in attendance! 8 Miles is where previous teams renovated the building and held a vacation Bible school. I have one more meeting in the city before I fly home on Wednesday. Thank you for your prayers!

This is the theme of this year's Easter Conference here in Belize. Our golden text is:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The sessions will be
Friday all day:
1. Discipleship - Modeled by the Master (Philippians 2:5-11)
2. Discipleship - Mandated by the Master (Matthew 28:18-20)

Other meetings will include

Sun. am: Grace Chapel, Belize City
Sun. afternoon: 8 Miles Community Church
Sun. pm: Bethany Bible Chapel, Burrel Boom
Mon. afternoon: Hopkins Landing, message on the beach
Tues. pm: Berea Bible Chapel, Belize City

It is glorious news indeed that "He is Risen"! Take some time this weekend to read the gospel story again and survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died. Then pause at the empty tomb, worship and wonder and rejoice in the truth of His resurrection. "Love so amazing, so devine, demands my life, my heart, my all."

Are you Getting the Text Message? Do you know where God is leading you? Do you know how to get there from here? Seminars, panels, opportunities, challenging videos, and a chance to meet with other people who are also Getting the Text Message!

Register before March 1st $20
Register after March 1st $25
(Includes all meals and snacks)
To register, send an email to registration@missionsawareness.com or RSVP that you are planning to attend on this facebook event.

Time and Place Date: Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time: 9:30am - 8:00pm
Location: Bethany Bible Chapel
Street: 22 McAdam Ave
City/Town: Toronto, ON