Caye Caulker

Hi again,
Eric is helping me update our blog. Kraft dinner was yummy and we're just about to call it a day.
With a change in weather bringing sunshine the team finally got their day off. Today's excursion took us to Caye Caulker, a tiny island 45 minutes from Belize City, by boat. A second boat ride took us to the barrier reef where the team got to swim with nurse sharks in Shark-Ray Alley. Charlie, our guide, helped us catch and hold a big sting ray. Some enjoyed snorkling, seeing coral and tropical fish for the first time. It was a full day of sun and surf and we were glad to get back to our billets. Sean spoke at Berea and Bob at Grace. After the service a planning meeting was held to discuss the opening of 8 Mile. An afternoon of music, crafts, kids programs and gospel is planned for Sunday. After the cement is poured and the work finished, the team will help distribute invitations and tracts in the community. Please pray for lasting fruit as the seed is sown. You will notice we are making some Everyday Publications available during our meetings as well. Thank you to EPI for their donation of 80 lbs of excellent Christian literature.

All for now,

Sean & Eric

8 Mile Community flooded...

Hi!
We are enjoying fellowship at our billet here in Hattiville, 1/2 hour out of Belize City. It is very wet here, unseasonably wet. The project site at 8 Mile community is partially underwater. The whole area is low lying and prone to flooding.

The work is progressing very well: partition wall removed, roof trusses reinforced, electrical started, forms for sidewalk taking shape. Tomorrow we are to visit several chapels for ministry and gospel meetings. Tonight we joined the youth of Grace Chapel for their meeting.

The forecast is calling for clearer weather next week.... hopefully it will dry up a bit. Praise the Lord for all His care and blessing.

Grace and peace to you. Thank you for praying.

Sean

Streets turned to rivers in Belize City

Hi,

Greetings from Belize!! Here's a shot of the whole team, tired, but well fed at Berea Chapel where James and Chantal are staying for 3 months.





Bob and John made quick work knocking out one of the partition walls inside.




Before we can make forms for the sidewalk we had to install a culvert at the front of the property.



Bob is cleaning up excess re-bar


During supper it poured and poured buckets, and buckets. When Shanon went to drive us home..... the streets were like rivers!

The team got a good start on the project. We purchased lumber and supplies to reinforce the roof rafters so that we can remove the centre wall. If it is not too wet we will begin forms to pour the sidewalk. On Sunday the team plans to split up, visiting 3 or 4 different churches for ministry and gospel.

Please pray for continued safety and for sunshine!

Thanks for visiting our blog. Time to try and get some zzzzz's if the roosters don't keep us up.....

Sean

Take off, eh!

Time to take off, eh!

In a few minutes I depart for Toronto airport to pick up two team members. We then proceed to another team member's house in Fonthill where the whole team will spend the night. At about 3:30 A.M. we head for the border to catch our flight in Buffalo, NY.
Thank you for all your prayers. Please pray for safety and that the Lord would work in and through the team (Ephesians 2:10). We hope to update you now and then on this blog. All the best...

Oh, Canada!

Oh, Canada!
Do you know how they first spelled "Canada"?
Well, you have a "C", eh, then an "N", eh, and then a "D" eh!


Vera and I just voted a while ago. She talked to me on the walk home about her Grandpa who fought in WWII. What a privilege we have to live in our great country of ice, hockey, Tim Horton's and freedom.

In the light of the election let us remember God's Word:

I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times; whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
(1 Timothy 2:1-7)

Suffer the little children...

Hey,

With just a couple of days left before we launch out to Belize, we've been corresponding a bit with James and Chantal. They are busy ministering at Grace Primary and at some local churches already. You can read about it on their blog. (see post below). Here is a shot of Chantal reading with some children - great shot!

Adios for now,
Sean

5 days 'till takeoff!

Well, the Lord has provided a wonderuful team and we are set to depart for Belize in just a few days. Please pray for the team as we travel and begin work on the 8 Mile project. You can see the little house that the assemblies are using for an outreach. Fifteen loads of fill have been delivered and spread. We hope to build a front wall for the property with a gate and sidewalk leading to the building. Inside we will "break down the middle wall of partition" to make the building more suitable for meetings. Hopefully we can keep you posted as the team ministers and labors at 8 Mile. Pray for us and that the Word of the Lord would have free course (Colossians 4:2)

Love and prayers,
Sean

James & Chantal in Belize

Hey,
Today I want to direct your thoughts and prayers towards James & Chantal Edwards. They arrived in Belize last week and will be in the country for 3 months. James accompanied me to Belize last year to plan and prepare for the team leaving next week. You can visit their blog at www.jcedwards.iblogs.com

We look forward to joining them soon. In the meantime here's a shot of James having a laugh with the youth group at Grace Chapel in Belize City.

"We sorrow not as others which have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Hi,
I regret the lack of activity on our blog. The fact is (that's a phrase I heard 100 times on the leaders debate... I can't stand it!) we've had a busy time lately with the death of several dear old saints in the north. On Saturday John McLaughlin (89)from our home assembly in Matheson passed into the presence of the Lord. Today Jeremy and I travel to help with the funeral tomorrow. John was like a dad to me since I was saved in Aug '85 and has been a spiritual mentor to my wife and I.
We had a wonderful holiday, and for now I'll post a shot of my son skidooing up north. He wrote an article on the invention and development of the "snow machine" which we'll have to post too someday. Please pray for us as we travel and grieve with John's son and other family.

Hope to be in touch soon...

Victory in Jesus!
Sean

Merry Christmas at the Whites

Christmas eve at the White's house. There are our very good friends Doug & Wendy White from Texas. We first met them on the missionfield in Guatemala in 1996. They are Wycliffe missionaries. So it's been a fantastic MK (missionary kid) reunion for Jeremy and Rachel with Jeffrey and Lyndsie.

More later....

Anual Flyers go out...

Here are Jim and David, ready to hit the streets around Northside. A team of about 12 helped to distribute hundreds of Christmas flyers up and down the streets of the east end of Barrie, Ontario. Northside is planning a Christmas program for Sunday, December 18 and the flyers are given each year to invite everyone to attend. We look forward to a great time of fellowship and fun as we celebrate this wonderful event...

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
(Luk 2:11)

Stranded on a Desert Island (written and directed by Marlise)

The JVs were part of the Northside Awana Christmas program and did a great job with their skit! There were upwards of 150 in attendance. The young people shined as well with their music abilities and just being terrific and friendly. Thanks JVs for a great show and keep up the good work, leaders!

Oh, yeah. The shot (by Rob) of the kids on the bench are really passengers on a plane that is about to crash on a desert island. Each tries to devise his/her plan to get off the island but all die in the process. Various futile attempts are made: some are burned, others eaten by sharks etc. Afterward, it was discovered that there was a Coast Guard ready and able to help, but no one took notice or availed themselves of his help. Thus the lesson... so many have their own plan of how to get to heaven and ignore Jesus - who is the only Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

Candy Cane

The Message of Christmas in the Candy Cane

Tonight I am going to share the story of the Candy Cane at the Awana parents night. The next time you see a Candy Cane think on these things...

The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. About 1900 the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. According to legend, a candy maker in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas.

1. It is shaped like Shepherd’s Crook, The Good Shepherd
The candy cane reminds us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20).

2. It is a “J” for the name JESUS
Mary’s firstborn child was given the name Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). His name is often used in vain. His name is the only name under heaven (Acts 4:12)
His name is above every other name (Phil 2:9-11)

3. It has a White stripe
Reminding us of His purity and sinlessness (1 Peter 2:22)

4. It has a Red stripe
Reminding us of the blood that He shed to save us from our sins (1 John 1:7)
The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers' stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50).

5. It has a Green Stripe
Reminding us of His resurrection and the new life he gives (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

6. It is made with Hard candy
The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is The Rock of our salvation. “The LORD is my rock…” (Psalm 18:2).

7. It is made with Peppermint
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Peppermint reminds us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6).

8. Candy cane to be broken
When we break the candy cane it reminds us that His body was broken for us (1 Corinthinas 11:24).

9. Candy canes are sweet
The sweetness of the candy reminds us that Christ is sweet to our taste, not bitter like the world (1 Peter 2:3)

10. Candy canes are to be shared
When we have Christ as our Savior and receive His gift of salvation we want to “pass it on” to others so that they might know the joy and peace He gives. (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:8-15).

The Blood of Jesus

Hi,
Today I'd like to post a few thoughts from Sunday's message: The Blood Of Jesus.

Knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:
(1Pe 1:18-19 ASV)

Twin thoughts emerge from Peter's text:

1. The Blood of Christ is PRECIOUS
2. The Blood of Christ is POWERFUL


Thousands of years before science discovered how precious and necessary blood really is, the Word of God contained this amazing truth...

For the life of the flesh is in the blood(Lev 17:11a ASV)

Consider the ancient ignorance of blood – Prior to William Harvey’s discovery of the circulation of the blood in 1628, little had been known about the value of the blood. In fact, blood was thought to be the source of disease rather than life and it’s defense; so sick men were bled to get rid of the disease. George Washington’s death is said to have been hastened by “bloodletting.”


Now, blood is so precious there are banks where you can make a doposit!
Some years ago the American Associates of blood banks honored a man name d Joe Kerkofsky as America’s blood donor champion. Because he had lost an arm in an accident when he was six Kerkofsky was rejected for military service in WWII. Since that time he had donated 31 gallons of blood. That is 20 times the amount of blood in a human body (10 – 12 pints). He had donated blood 250 times! Of his record Kerkofsky said, “Money can’t buy the joy of giving blood to someone in need. It is contributing life itself.”

Think of it: just as your blood is vital to your physical life, so the blood of Jesus is vital for your spiritiual life. Consider how precious and powerful His blood really is:

I. Power to cleanse – Sin makes us dirty and only the blood of Christ can make us clean (1 John 1:7) Isa 1:18; Psa 51:7; 2 Cor 5:20

Christ not only bore the penalty of my sin but was “made sin”
This is why he sweats drops of blood in Gethsemane, as He contemplated being defiled with my sin and separated from His Father.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me. (Charles Wesley)

II. Power to Justify – Sin makes us guilty and only the blood of Christ can give us pardon (Romans 3:23-25)

III. Power to Reconcile – Sin makes us enemies of God and separates us from God and only the blood of Christ and make peace and bring us back to God (Colossians 1:20)

IV. Power to Redeem – Sin makes us slaves and only the blood of Christ and break the power of sin and make us free. (1 Peter 1:18,19; Ephesians 1:7)

"There is power, power, wonder working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb."

John 3:16 (Part II)

Hi,
Thanks for coming back! Look again at John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 ASV)

That's right! 25 Words!
1st 12 words - What God has done
Last 12 words - Our response
The Middle Word - "SON"

The Son is at the centre of John 3:16 and the centre of the plan of Salvation and all of God's purposes. The wonderful thing about this verse is that it shows us how God loved us before we ever thought about Him. When Jesus died the veil of the Temple ripped in two from top to bottom, showing, not only that the Lord Jesus had opened a way for us to come to God, but also showing that it was God reaching down to man, not man working his way to God. John would later write, We love Him, because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:19 ASV) This is the difference between Christianity and all other religions. All other religions are man's attempt to work and gain favor with God, whereas Christianity is the good news that God loved us through Christ and that He finished the work of salvation on the cross. Eternal life is a gift of God's grace. Have you accepted that gift? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus to be your own personal Savior? If not do so today and become God's next missionary!

Thanks for reading,
Sean

John 3:16

Today I'm posting one of the best missionary verses in the Bible: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Probably the most well known verse worldwide. I even heard an inmate quote it word-perfect from memory in prison! (I was a volunteer with New Life Prison Ministries, not a fellow inmate!) It summarizes the good news which we need to spread to every person in the world. Until next time I want to ask you,
1. First, have you believed "in Him" and therefore have everlasting life as a present possession?
2. How many words are in John 3:16?
3. And, what is the middle word in John 3:16?"

Googling Tapachula

Here is a view of Guatemala with the southern-most (and poorest)Mexican State of Chiapas in the foreground. You can see the town of Tapachula close to the Guatemala Border.

Thanks Google Earth!

Stan in Tapachula, Mexico

Earlier we posted some photos sent to us from our friend in Guatemala. Above is a shot of Tapachula, Mexico where Hurricane Stan really hit hard. We used to visit this area and the saints there. Through contact with the Falconers in New Zealand (Missionaries to Guatemala that we worked with) we are making arrangements for channeling relief funds to these dear Christians. We don't know of any assemblies in Guatemala that were directly affected by the flooding yet, but the assemblies in Guatemala have a history of fellowship and ministry with the saints fo Tapachula. Here is some info about how they have been affected...

"Access to this area is very difficult, since roads are destroyed. The Category One hurricane is estimated to have destroyed the homes of up to 150,000 people, many more than can be housed in government shelters. More than 85% of the region’s cattle and farms are destroyed in this region where most people are dependent on what they raise to feed their families." (from the World Wide Web)

So, you can see just how much of a challenge these people face. We stand with them in prayer and in whatever other ways we can help.

Sean

Books I'm Reading

Earlier we reported on the 17th annual Ottawa Valley Missionary Conference and Fred's keynote address. Here is a shot of his book, "Letters Missionaries Never Write". A summary of what the book is about in his own words from his website (www.frednjenny.com)...

"Our ministry to missionaries over many years has given us considerable insight into their lives, emotions, and burdens. Letters Missionaries Never Write is a collection of fictional letters we believe reflects the challenges, feelings, and temptations of missionaries. These letters, often thought, but seldom if ever written, will give you a glimpse into the lives of missionaries who, just like us, are ordinary people. This book will guide you in praying for missionaries. 155 pages."

I'm just starting the book, but I find myself indentifying very much with some of these letters. Some of the titles include...

A Missionary Candidate
A Short-Term Missionary
A New Missionary
A Missionary on furlough
"Shipwrecked" Missionaries
A Failed Missionary
A Missionary Widow

Reading this book will invigorate your prayer life. I think you could find a copy through their website.

Praying for you!
Sean

Shalom!

Hi,
On a recent visit to West 5th Bible Chapel in Hamilton I was made aware of this website: www.templeinstitute.org. We are living in amazing times! Above you are looking at the recently completed garments of the high priest. Here are the goals of the institute as stated by the organization:

"Shalom and welcome to the official website of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the concept of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual wellbeing of both Israel and all the nations of the world. The Institute's work touches upon the history of the Holy Temple's past, an understanding of the present day, and the Divine promise of Israel's future. The scope of these activities includes education, research, and development. The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, in accord with the Biblical commandments."