GBCanada USA
Career Missionaries in the
not so snowy 'Great White North' |
Ado Winter Update 2012 |
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Memories Matter
We had a fun time via Skype watching "the boys" open their childhood treasures we took down for them earlier this year but never opened since they were wrapped in storage. They found their baby blankets, Legos, cars, Transformers, elementary school papers and a host of other memorabilia to share with their own kids.
We had a great time watching them and their kids' reaction (not to mention their wives) to recounting their childhood.
Auntie Katie and Lacey watch 30 years unfold before their eyes
Uncle Seth removes Lacey from the unveiling craziness
Look for our Special GBCanada 15 Year Celebration Newsletter next month. |
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Hi there!
New Year, New Vision, New Matters
Milton Matters
Our local HS had a fundraiser called "Taste of Milton." 22 tables lined the perimeter of the gym and we got to taste food from various local restaurants. To give you a small flavour of the face of Canada, even in our small town, here are some highlights: 6 restaurants featured Halal food, our entertainment featured classic Indian dance, some of the HS kids who helped serve had names like Moeez Qureshi, Ramisha Farooq, Azfer Siddiqui and
Uneeba Mubashsher (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDh7mxaT9y0). Our town is changing to reflect the immigration of Canada. Our newest elementary school was named Tiger Jeet Singh, after the famous wrestler from this area.
Community Matters
The 2011 census shows Milton's population is 85K, up 54K or 56.5% from 2006. It is estimated Milton will reach 100K by end of 2012 and is expected to grow to 125K by 2016. Canada is the fastest growing G8 nation and Milton is still its fastest growing municipality with a 71.4% growth between 2001 and 2006. We are in an ideal location to reach new immigrants seeking more to life than secular North America has to offer. Please pray for the Village as we launch a new community  outreach programme, VillageHelps, to provide care to families in crisis (see www.villagehelps.ca).
Village Matters
Village Information Gatherings (R): Please pray for the 17 new people who visited our home to hear from Pastor Rob and Pastor Mat on what it means to become partners in our ministry to the Town of Milton.
Marriage Matters
 Leading the Village Marriage Mondays in January was a growing time for all of us. Thanks for praying as God answered. The three weeks of Biblical helps for building a healthier marriage provided good insight. We combined personal testimonies with teachings from three Bible teachers. About 30 people made their way out each week, even in one of the few heavier snows this unusually mild winter. We were encouraged in sharing one of our segments at the combined church couples encounter in February. Please pray for our time over the upcoming months as we meet with a couple preparing for their July wedding. March 4th we celebrate 35 amazing years since our own wedding! Life just gets better all the time, especially with God at the centre the past 24 years.
Friends Matter
 We returned to DC, where Ted worked nearly 30 years, to attend Ted's former boss' retirement at PBGC. It was good to see former work associates and visit other friends in the White House neighbourhood. So much has changed in the US in the short ten years we've been gone.
Go to the GBCanada website to follow any of the GBCanada missionaries and for back issues of our newsletters.
We are delighted to have you forward our news. Please do so safely with the Forward email button at the bottom. |
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Medicine Hat Matters
 We are so excited to see what God is doing in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Our newest church plant, Grasslands Church, has seen tremendous response to the surrender of Christ. With over 12 baptisms in the first four months, the church continues to grow each month under the leadership of Pastor Oliver and Pastor Bart, both who are bi-vocational pastors. Please pray with us that the young church will continue to see lives transformed through the message of Jesus and that Oliver and Bart can move to full-time ministry sometime this year.
Thanks for praying for our preparation for time in Alberta in May sharing a financial and debt free seminar for their community. It will be great to meet so many new folks and be a part of God's blessings on this growing family. |
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Family Matters (via Skype)
Well, the word is out. Kyle and Madi are expecting their third child in almost that many years (2 1/2 years actually). God is blessing us with our fourth grandchild due to arrive in September. Please pray with us for good health, endurance and fun for them as their lives change rapidly with 3 children under the age of 3... We appreciate their hearts of joy and faithfulness in the midst. Don't know that I would be doing so well...
Seth, Katie and Austin continue loving their new church in Ashburn, VA. Both are involved in home groups and Katie is loving her new Bible studies. Austin just turned 5 in January and is looking forward to homeschooling with mom. Thanks for praying for their family as Seth's new job brings on some challenging adventures in the months ahead.
We'd appreciate your prayer for some health issues for us. For healing, wisdom and decisions for treatment/surgery if needed.
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Canadian Fun Facts:
- Canadians pay an average of 45% of their income in taxes. Most have to work until June 10 in order to declare their Tax Freedom Day.
- The current price of regular gas in Milton is $4.90/gallon. We can't wait to visit the U.S. to buy the cheap stuff!
And we especially remember that YOU MATTER. Thanks so much for your partnership which helps us to keep going here in Canada. If you'd like a visit and update to your church sharing God's goodness for His work in Canada, we would love to schedule you in the new year. Just let us know how we can be involved in any way.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Vision2020West Conference in CA. Join us for our 15 year celebration at the GBCanada Monday breakfast! (See www.vision2020west.com).
If you'd like to receive our Prayer card or have any other requests, please drop an e-mail to elise@gbcanada.ca. Also, let us know how we can pray for you. We're all in this together.
Elise and Ted
Jesus Matters Matthew 19:26
 URGENT PRAYER: Please pray for Oliver & Cheryl Edwards' son, Lyndan-age 8, who was taken to hospital yesterday for a tumor on his brain stem. The Edwards are our Grasslands church planters. We just learned about this as we were sending out our update and don't have any further information at this time. All we know is that he is experiencing double vision, dizziness and struggling to walk correctly. Please have your church and your small groups pray for Lyndan.
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