November 2011
| Vol 5 , Issue 6
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|  November Newsletter
White Water
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| Dear , | |
I was shocked when I looked back at our last newsletter and realized that it's been nearly two months since we brought you up to date on what's happening here in BC!
It's been a very busy time; looking back, the best visual I can think of to describe it really is white water rafting. You bob around, sometimes getting drenched, sometimes hanging on for dear life, sometimes almost going under. You're dodging around rocks and bashing into a few along the way! But you've got a great guide, and when you get to the end of the ride, you wonder how you got through all that in one (somewhat bedraggled) piece! But it was an adventure, and though scary, was exhilarating and exciting as well.
That's what life has felt like for the past couple of months, and we're very glad that we had with us the One who walks on water. We're also glad to have come to a calm stretch!
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| Prayer Request | |
Fall Changes
New Leaders
Personal Financial Support
Medicine Hat Launch
Getting to Know Neighbors
Getting our Home Organized
Ministry Leaders
Personal & Spiritual Health
New Depth for Church
New Church Planters
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Congratulations - It's a Baby Church!
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We couldn't be prouder of the team at Grasslands Church, and the work they're doing to establish a church in Medicine Hat! The church officially launched on September 11th, and saw over 170 in attendance. Numbers dropped off over the first four weeks or so, as is normal with any church plant, but they have been running around 70 for morning services, baptized 5 last week, and had 20+ come out to a lunch to talk about becoming part of the church. Please continue to pray for unity in the core team (it's one of Satan's favorite places to attack), building relationships with the influx of new people and wisdom as they move ahead. Please also pray for Cheryl; she is still dealing with a fair amount of back/neck issues as the result of being rear-ended in August.
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Digging Deeper
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We have been very encouraged by the response of the people of Community of Hope as we made significant shifts in structure and programs for this year. 25 women and about 15 men are in small accountability groups, and they are enjoying the monthly men's and women's meetings. We have had nearly 20 in our home on Sunday nights for a study of the book of Revelation, and that has been good as well. We are finding new health and strength as a leadership team; the weekly meetings are proving fruitful for deepening trust and relationships. We know there is so much farther we could go, but we are pleased that so many are reading just a few more passages of Scripture each week, or starting to pray regularly for friends, or talking more often about what God is teaching them. We are seeing change, and that's exciting!
But we know it's just a beginning - there is so much more that God wants to teach us, to teach the people here, about Himself and His character. Please pray that we will continue to lean into our Shepherd more than ever as we follow Him to still waters.
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Mom's Taxi Service
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Well, it's not really that bad - I shouldn't complain - but it has been an adjustment to have three kids in three different schools! The one morning I drove them all to school, it was more than an hour's excursion! Thankfully, they are able to walk or bike the large majority of the time, so it's not too bad.
Lydia has settled into High School very well. She is really enjoying the fact that a number of her friends from Boundary Park (where she went from 3rd - 6th grades) are coming to this school, as well as friends from the school where she went for 7th grade! She is mostly doing well in her classes, and learning a whole new level of maturity and responsibility.
Ana is flourishing in French Immersion; she loves words and language, so it seemed like a natural fit - she's taking to it like a fish to water, and is now beginning to tell us all kinds of things in French. We are seeing in her a heart for those who are weaker or pushed aside by others; she's made friends quickly and has chosen those derided by the "cool" kids.
Alissa is making her way on her own at school for the first time! She's working hard, and enjoying relationships with school friends who also live on our street. She seems to have boundless energy and creativity - now if we could just harness it all!
Elijah is slowly making progress with his language; we're coming to the conclusion that he's just a late bloomer and is just going to take things in his own time! He loves imagination games, and it's such fun to watch him take charge of whatever game he invents for himself and Josiah - firemen and scary dinosaurs are two favorites!
Josiah is doing his best to catch up to his big brother; his feet are nearly the same size! His language is also nearly as good as Elijah's, and his challenge this month is conquering potty training. Or maybe it's mommy's challenge to convince the child screaming "Don't want to go on potty!!" that it's not an optional activity... The M & M's seem to be helping the process!
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Family Life
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 Our family at Community of Hope has been through lots of change recently. It feels like people are taking a collective breath now that things are settling out, and slowly beginning to find their way again. We had a great time at the end of September with a church-wide outing to a pumpkin patch (including a bonfire and hotdogs and s'mores!), and were very pleased that many people invited friends and family. We're seeing people begin to host more informal gatherings like a 40th birthday party or movie night, and use it as an excuse to have time with others in the church.
We're excited about the opportunity to have a Grace Brethren pastor named Robert Soto who is from McAllen, Texas coming the weekend of November 13th. In addition to being a pastor, he is also Lipan Apache, and has performing native dances for more than 40 years. There are a number of First Nations people in our area, and we would love to find ways to build bridges into those communities. Please pray for open doors; many good contacts have been made, but we are praying that there would be several good opportunities for Robert to share truth through his unique gifts.
It's been interesting - despite the number of people who have left recently, we're still seeing a good number of people each week! Every week, we are seeing new faces, and some are beginning to come regularly. Please pray with us that we are wise in how we follow up those come and help them to feel welcome.
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We knew, when God reminded us in John 15 that Jesus is the vine and the Father is the gardener, that some pruning was happening, but we didn't know exactly what that meant. Over the past 5 months that has been a difficult reality.
Church planting is not for cowards. I was reminded by one of my growth partners, that if God is the gardener, then He knows what He is doing and we can trust Him. So hard for a pastor as every person that comes under our care is someone who God loves and has huge potential for the Kingdom. To just let them go has been more than difficult for me emotionally.
But we know we can trust Him. God has been teaching me through this current sermon series lots about Him. The past titles have been "Everything Begins with God", "Everything Belongs to God", and "Everything Belongs to God - even Me" - Stewards of God's grace and partners in His kingdom. What a deep privilege and an awesome responsibility.
As we get more connected to the vine in this season of winter, would you pray for us that our core members would grow deeper in Jesus and closer to each other. I am involved in several bible studies right now and one of the older couples I have been meeting with are now confessing that Jesus is God and that He is the only way. Exciting to see God at work and it is a privilege to be used by Him. Pray that we may have much fruit and fruit that remains. There are several new believers that are deep on my heart and I feel powerless to help them move ahead in their journey. Please pray for David & Colleen especially. I believe God has something special for them, but Satan appears to be winning the battle for their souls.
As you pray remember Grace Brethren Canada as they meet this Saturday for board meetings. We would love to see more churches started here in Canada, but we are really in need of more church planters to see that done, amongst many other things to come together. Your prayers are appreciated. Also pray for my good friend Pastor Kevin and Cedar Grove Baptist (Our Mother Church), they have had a bumpy ride for the past 3 years and we are praying for God's peace, grace, mercy and rest for this congregation as they continue to ask God to use them to reach Surrey for Jesus.
 Your love, prayers and financial support are more than appreciated. They are needed. It has been amazing in this trying time to see God at work: a check coming at the right time helping us to meet our bills last month; a timely encouraging e-mail in a deep time of contemplation; a much needed encouraging phone call from non-other than my amazing mother; a friend asking to take our kids for a few days and a free christian retreat centre that Beth & I could get away; I could go on but Matthew 6:32 "your Heavenly Father knows that you need them." God knows our needs and I am continually humbled and amazed how He is using you to meet them.
May you know God's peace, blessing and love. May He reward you for your commitment of care for us.
Knowing the gardener is more than able, - Can't wait for much fruit - and fruit that remains!
Philip, Beth, Lydia, Anastasia, Alissa, Elijah, and Josiah Bryant
You can support us by sending a gift to:
GBCanada USA, P.O. Box 836, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
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