What was the highlight for you?
What did God teach you in Toronto that you want to bring back?
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
"Exchanging Fear for Faith"
Between the unbearable frostbite, the endless supply of food for our constantly empty stomachs, the well-beaten paths to the local Tim Horton's coffee place, and the reduction of our sleeping hours, we actually found time to do something we like to call "ministry." I will guide you through this novel idea by giving a summary of the week.
During the first part of the week, we were given the task of talking to people, finding out who they were, and try to find clever ways of introducing Jesus and His love to people around us. It sounds rather simple and relatively easy until you actually take the first step. Factor in many who are absolutely against anything related to Jesus such as various people, cultures, and religions from all over the world, and you have a significantly difficult task at hand, especially for those who have had very little experience with it. Still it took faith.
Later on, we had the help of some tools that would aid us in the process of conversing with people-- Tim Horton's coupons (their coffee is soooo good!). These coupons tend to be an effective tool since everybody and their brother frequents Tim Horton's on a daily basis. Still it took faith.
Towards the end of the week, we were allowed a little creativity when it came to doing random acts of kindness. We were given the responsibility of taking $600, dividing it into two teams, and using that money in whatever way we felt would be the most effective in giving people a glimpse of a portion of Jesus' love for them. While doing this, we were able to spread the word of the Journey Church to anyone who was interested. Still it took faith.
Some of the ministry that occurred throughout the week was the encouragement and the love given and received between the mission team and the few Christian families that were waiting in earnest for us. This type of ministry, although it generally happened in an indirect way, was definitely well-received and crucial to those involved.
Thanks to all who lifted us up in prayer before and during the trip because it was important to us and the advancement of God's kingdom. As we return back to the "valley" commonly known as our daily lives, may we transport with us what we have learned and applied here in Canada to our routines, cultures, and lifestyles back home. Still it takes faith. -James 2:26
<>< Jonathon Clay
During the first part of the week, we were given the task of talking to people, finding out who they were, and try to find clever ways of introducing Jesus and His love to people around us. It sounds rather simple and relatively easy until you actually take the first step. Factor in many who are absolutely against anything related to Jesus such as various people, cultures, and religions from all over the world, and you have a significantly difficult task at hand, especially for those who have had very little experience with it. Still it took faith.
Later on, we had the help of some tools that would aid us in the process of conversing with people-- Tim Horton's coupons (their coffee is soooo good!). These coupons tend to be an effective tool since everybody and their brother frequents Tim Horton's on a daily basis. Still it took faith.
Towards the end of the week, we were allowed a little creativity when it came to doing random acts of kindness. We were given the responsibility of taking $600, dividing it into two teams, and using that money in whatever way we felt would be the most effective in giving people a glimpse of a portion of Jesus' love for them. While doing this, we were able to spread the word of the Journey Church to anyone who was interested. Still it took faith.
Some of the ministry that occurred throughout the week was the encouragement and the love given and received between the mission team and the few Christian families that were waiting in earnest for us. This type of ministry, although it generally happened in an indirect way, was definitely well-received and crucial to those involved.
Thanks to all who lifted us up in prayer before and during the trip because it was important to us and the advancement of God's kingdom. As we return back to the "valley" commonly known as our daily lives, may we transport with us what we have learned and applied here in Canada to our routines, cultures, and lifestyles back home. Still it takes faith. -James 2:26
<>< Jonathon Clay
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Tuesday- Random Acts of Kindness
Today we split into two groups. We were given money to go and invest in the kingdom. We went with the purpose of showing people that they were loved by God as well as a local church. I met a girl and her boyfriend in Chapters (Canadian Barnes and Nobel). They were talking about Revelation and Bible code stuff. Her boyfriend worked at Chapters and was about to get off of work. We got started talking about Christianity by using Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I used it to tell her about The Journey Church and encourage her to seek the answers she was looking for through biblically solid avenues. She wanted a Bible so I helped her get one. She had a hunger for truth but did not know where to begin to look for it. Unfortunately they were in a hurry to leave so I did not have an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. Be praying for her and her boyfriend that they will be lead to God, the answer to the question they had.
-Josh Loyd
-Josh Loyd
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Tuesday
Hi everyone! Today we rode the GO train into Toronto. It is about a 40 minute ride into the city. We gave out Tim Horton's (Canada's version of Starbucks) coupons as a way to start converstation. Several of us were able to use these coupons as conversation ice breakers into spiritual matters. Many people were reluctant to take the coupons because they felt like there were strings attached, but God really used them to open the doors for opportuntites to share our faith. For instance, Tommy was able to share his testimony with 3 attentive passengers.
Once we arrived in Toronto, we adventured into the underground world of Toronto and ended up in a massive mall! Its nothing to WolfeChase! At the mall we split up into groups to prayer walk and meet people. I (Whitney) sat down to rest and a man came to sit beside me at the table. I said hello to him and immediately he asked where I was from...imagine that! He turned out to be a Jewish man and Dave was able to share and talk with him while Natalie and I sat and listened..prayerfuly of course! This man is very resistant to the gospel while at the same time being very friendly and courteous. Please keep this man in your prayers that God will soften his heart and his eyes will be open to the truth. Throughout the mall, several of us were able to make connections with fellow shoppers.
After our mall extravaganza, we took a route that led us to what we like to call the CN Tower, which is a good thing because that is its name! :) Some veterans of the group decided to stay back while the rookies soared upward 114 stories to the top! It was fun, but a team member got very sick. Please pray for her also. Then we came back to the house.
We had some great chicken spaghetti which was followed by a girl's bible study that was lead by our missionary's wife. Wonderful time in the word...very encouraging! Meanwhile, the boys or "men" as they call themselves went out on a secretive journey to which they have kept G-14 classified!
It was a great day in the Lord and we are thankful for the opportunities to share with many people. Please pray for us tommorow. We will be going out in two groups to do random acts of kindness for the people in Brampton. Natalie and I apologize for our silliness in this entry, but its 11 and we are very tired and giggly! We love you all...thank you for your prayers!
-Natalie and Whitney
Once we arrived in Toronto, we adventured into the underground world of Toronto and ended up in a massive mall! Its nothing to WolfeChase! At the mall we split up into groups to prayer walk and meet people. I (Whitney) sat down to rest and a man came to sit beside me at the table. I said hello to him and immediately he asked where I was from...imagine that! He turned out to be a Jewish man and Dave was able to share and talk with him while Natalie and I sat and listened..prayerfuly of course! This man is very resistant to the gospel while at the same time being very friendly and courteous. Please keep this man in your prayers that God will soften his heart and his eyes will be open to the truth. Throughout the mall, several of us were able to make connections with fellow shoppers.
After our mall extravaganza, we took a route that led us to what we like to call the CN Tower, which is a good thing because that is its name! :) Some veterans of the group decided to stay back while the rookies soared upward 114 stories to the top! It was fun, but a team member got very sick. Please pray for her also. Then we came back to the house.
We had some great chicken spaghetti which was followed by a girl's bible study that was lead by our missionary's wife. Wonderful time in the word...very encouraging! Meanwhile, the boys or "men" as they call themselves went out on a secretive journey to which they have kept G-14 classified!
It was a great day in the Lord and we are thankful for the opportunities to share with many people. Please pray for us tommorow. We will be going out in two groups to do random acts of kindness for the people in Brampton. Natalie and I apologize for our silliness in this entry, but its 11 and we are very tired and giggly! We love you all...thank you for your prayers!
-Natalie and Whitney
Monday- How Beautiful are the Feet...
The day started off with the "Realtors Bible Study" at the Brown's. This is a weekly bible study for a group of realtors in Toronto who are often unable to attend Sunday morning worship becuase of their job responsibilities. God definately has his hands on this Ministry, as it continues to produce and sharpen other believers. It was this Bible study group that led to the formation of the Journey Church Core.
Next, we went to a mall in Brampton and prayer walked asking God to see people through His eyes. We went there to tell the people of many different cultures and religious backgrounds about the God of All Nations. Through much prayer and persistance, God was able to bring about divine appointments. God used one member of the team to penetrate the heart of a hardened soul. We saw this person move from being resistant to becoming open to the truth of Christ and possiblity of following Jesus. After the experience, God was able to spark an interest in the Journey Church. In another encounter, one of the members became creative in their desire to share the gospel (See pic above for more info :) ). This member was able to give assurance and direction to a doubting and searching soul. This person expressed great interest and seemed sincere with her intent to attend the Journey Church.
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news (Isaiah 52:7a)."
(again, please see pic)
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Sunday
Hey everyone! This morning we all started at the Adams house for Sunday morning service. David Anglin and Chris Adams led the service. It was a sweet time of fellowship and it was encouraging to see some familar faces. After service we went to lunch and then roamed the streets at Niagra Falls. There was a lot of driving involved for the day. We also talked a little about what is in the plans for the week. We are excited about what the Lord has in store for us and know that we are here to help cultivate the land to help prepare for the harvest. One of us had the opportunity to speak with our waiter at the restaurant tonight. He asked us where we were from and were able to lead the conversation into a spiritual direction. He comes from a Penecostal background and we were able to share what it meant to be a Christian and he seemed open. So pray for Danny. Eveything is going great and we are becoming addicted to Tim Horton's.
-Rachel Shackelford
-Rachel Shackelford
Sunday, March 12, 2006
We Have Arrived!
Hello everybody!! We made it to Toronto at about 4:30. Right now we are at the Adam's house about to eat some hamburgers. It is so great to be back and see Chris, Kristie, Kelsie, Carlie, Phil, and Liz. There isn't a lot of snow on the ground at all but hopefully it will snow real soon. Pray for us this week and the people we come in contact with. Pray for divine appointments and pray that the eyes of the people in Toronto will be opened. Pray that we will be faithful ambassadors of Christ and represent Him well. Tomorrow morning we will be having church at the Adam's so pray for the service as well. We are so excited about what God has planned this week and we thank you for your prayers.
~Sarah Puddephatt
~Sarah Puddephatt
Saturday, March 11, 2006
The Team
Here is the Team. Please Prayer for us...
David Anglin
Clay Debolt
Jonathan Clay
Tommy Pepin
Adam Tipton
Joshua Loyd
Rachel Shackelford
Sarah Puddephatt
Liz Alexander
Renee Vess
Whitney Earnest
Natalie Hammond
Jessica Renfrow
Ashleigh Woods
OverFlow-Toronto
Here we are in the 11th hour (quite literally 11:37pm friday night). Looking forward to a nice flight Saturday as we journey to Toronto. Keep posted for highlights, progress, updates, and cerebrally inspiring musing of Toronto 06 as we "OverFlow"out of the abundance of satisfied hearts.
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