This past weekend we held the graduation ceremonies for our second class from our English Canadian Bible Institute. It was a wonderful time of celebrating what the Lord God has been doing in and through our 37 graduates. Naomi and I have enjoyed watching the students grow in maturity (both spiritual and otherwise) over the last 11 months as they have learned more about God in class, in the dorms, in ministry, and more recently, in the summer camp program. Now with twice the number of alumni, we look forward to hearing how these young people are going to influence Canada and the world for Jesus Christ. Thank you for your support and prayers, both of which have helped us this past year and enabled us to be a part of this ministry at Word of Life.

Moving on.. we now change our focus to the start of the next school year, which is now only 24 days away! Please pray for us as we make plans for this new student body, and for the students as they make plans to join us.

Troy & Naomi

As of today, August 6:
There are only 9 days until graduation of the class of 2004.
There are only 35 days until September registration for the class of 2005.

Seven weeks of summer camp will be winding down next week and on August 15 we will be having the graduation ceremonies for the 2003-04 class. Our Bible Institute students have been working hard yet having lots of fun as they have been interacting with young people and sharing what they have learned this past year as students. Last week I had a couple of opportunities to share from God’s Word with the camp staff and campers, challenging them to make Bible study a part of their lives.

Pray for Naomi and I as we now are in the final month of preparation for the start of the school year. Lord willing we will have over 40 people studying the Bible with us this coming year.

Troy & Naomi

P.S. I have added the rest of our summer vacation photos to our web site: www.troyandnaomi.com/photography

Naomi and I have been back in Owen Sound for a week now and I am finally getting caught up on email and the papers on my desk. We had a wonderful time on our vacation visiting family and friends in New Brunswick and seeing the sights.

On our trip we had a couple of relaxing days visiting the two Maritime islands.. We were directed to a generous Christian family on PEI who own some cottages where we stayed for a couple of nights. I highly recommend the North Rustico Motel Cottages & Inn if you are heading that way. We also went with my mother to Cape Breton to explore the Cabot Trail and other sights this beautiful island has to offer.

While in my home area, I had the privilege of speaking at three churches: my home church; a small church we have visited before; and a church that was new to us. We enjoyed the hospitality found at all three churches as we had great time of fellowship.

Back in Owen Sound, we are now busy getting into the swing of things with plans for September registration and other projects for Word of Life. Summer camp is buzzing around us, so there are many exciting things happening on campus with young campers everywhere.

Thanks for praying for us as we have been travelling. It is good to be home.

Troy & Naomi

PS: I will be uploading more pictures from our vacation as time goes on, but for now there is a series of pictures of the Tantramar Marsh at www.troyandnaomi.com/photography.htm

The grass has greened up, buds are starting to open on the trees, but today, it is snowing here in Owen Sound.

April was a packed month at our Bible Institute. We had two Campus Days, a Bible conference with Dr. Renald Showers, and last week a seminar from Answers in Genesis.

The AiG seminar presented the creation vs evolution debate to our students and the importance of upholding the book of Genesis as the foundation for our Christian faith. It was surprising to hear the speaker say that of the 120-130 theological schools that AiG has surveyed in North America, less than 30 uphold the literal interpretation of Genesis! Many of the schools that traditionally would have held this view have moved away from it in recent years. Increasingly, we see the vital necessity of providing people with the opportunity to get grounded in the Bible’s foundational truths before they head out to impact the world for Christ.

Troy & Naomi

Today we completed our second Campus Days event this month. Campus Days is a special time where prospective students stay on campus on a Thursday night and attend classes, chapel and information sessions to find out what it would be like to be a student at WOLBI. This month we have had 24 young people come and express an interest in studying God’s Word here at WOLBI and have had a number of them apply.

On a personal note.. This next week Naomi and I will be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary (April 27). We thank the Lord for watching over and blessing us these past two years. I thank God for providing me with a wonderful, godly, and wise wife who has a vital part in my life and ministry.

Thank you for your prayers!

Troy (& Naomi)