Ministry Update – OAE

The 25 students that the Lord has given us have had 3 very busy weeks preparing for Open Air Evangelism (Oct 3-7). Part of that training involved a one week seminar on the Gospel, taught by John Cross, Jim McCulley, and myself. Our students seemed to really enjoy the course as they were taken through The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, and I am sure that in the back of their minds they were also thinking about how to use some of this information on the street when they are trying to share the Gospel with strangers.

The week following OAE we will be hosting Youth Missions Extravaganza, a week long missions conference culminating in a large meeting on our campus on Oct 15. Please pray for both our students and the many teens who will be challenged to consider a lifetime in missions!

Ellie continues to grow bigger and more active every day. She isn’t crawling yet, but when we are not looking she somehow manages to move across the floor or in her crib. We are going to have to baby proof the house soon! On Thursday, my mother arrived on a surprise visit from New Brunswick. She has really noticed a change in Ellie since she last saw her this past summer.

God bless,

Troy, Naomi, & Ellie

Prayer Letter – October 2005

You were right. So many of you warned us how quickly time would fly once we had children. It has flown, not just with how quickly Ellie is growing, but also in our areas of ministry with Word of Life Bible Institute.

On Sunday, August 21, we graduated our third class. Only a few weeks later, we welcomed our fourth year. This year’s class is smaller – 25 students – but we already see them making up for their small size with their huge desire to minister to those around them. The first week of October, the entire class made the annual trip to Toronto and other neighbouring cities for Open Air Evangelism (OAE). During their 5 days there we were excited to hear of the students’ boldness and strong desire to share the Gospel with others. It is hard to quantify the impact of their time on this trip, but they believe that at least 30 came to know the Lord and hundreds more were exposed to knowledge about God of which they were previously ignorant. We pray the Lord will continue to work in the lives of all those touched by this ministry.

Troy continues to find more work than time at his office. He has two great interns working for him in Admissions, which we’re thankful for. We are trusting the Lord for 45+ students for our fifth year of operation. To reach this goal requires a lot of time and work. Would you pray even now that we will meet this goal? If you know of someone who would benefit from a year spent studying God’s Word (isn’t that all of us?), please contact us for materials that you can pass on to them or better yet, arrange for them to attend one of the Campus Days events scheduled throughout the year.

Naomi spends her days trying to keep up with Ellie. Our daughter brings us so much joy. She has such a happy disposition and often has us laughing with her funny antics. Naomi still has a hand in a few graphic design projects, as well as the school yearbook.

We keep so busy and find that time passes with us hardly conscious of it. When we watch news of one tragedy after another, we are reminded of the importance of investing our time wisely in that which is eternal. We want our lives to count for eternity, not simply for the temporal. Will you pray that we would be discerning in how we spend our time and to which good things we should commit our time?

The Squeak’s Squawk: (“The Squeak” is a nickname of Ellie’s)
You won’t believe how big I’m getting! Mommie says I wear 12 month clothes even though I’m only 7 months. I think that’s pretty big. I love it when I get to visit with my Grandpa and Grandma and Nanna and my aunts and uncle. I like to talk to people and tell them everything that’s going on. Mommie says I’m very nosy, but I just don’t want to miss anything! I love to squeal and giggle, especially when Daddyplays peek-a-boo with me. My favourite toy is whatever anyone else is holding. I’m pretty sure Mommie and Daddy think I’m very special.

Praise the Lord with us for:

  • We’ve gained a few new supporters!
  • Ellie’s healthy and normal development.
  • The Lord’s hand in bringing us the students He did for this school year. They have been an encouragement to us!

Please Pray:

  • We would reach our goal of 45+ students in the ‘06-’07 student body.
  • Wisdom as we choose from the many opportunities to be involv ed in the Lord’s work. We can’t do it all.
  • Wisdom as we raise Ellie. Our greatest desire is that she trust the Lord as her Saviour at a young age.
  • For our local church, as we continue to seek a pastor.