PRAISE: What a blessing to travel to Dubuque Iowa to be with our daughter, Elena, her husband Ben and four grandchildren ages 12,10,8,5. We saw first hand how the Lord is using them to host a church small group and many others who come and go. Ben has a key role in the Emmaus International office which has a staff of 12 or more and has begun teaching one class at the college as well. We also got to speak on Communication to some Spanish speakers who meet. They want to continue by skype with marriage talks. PRAY: October begins the three group studies for Seniors at Chartwell , WBC and a seniors men's breakfast study. This month I (Les) will be speaking at 4 various venues including Spanish. Pray also for our involvement with a Salvadoran family of six who moved here from Alberta. We have sort of taken under our wing. They need to rent a house in the next month so pray with us for this miracle to happen in Elmira. We would like to start a Bible study with them.
Esther Frey - October 2018
PRAISE: Enjoyed last Sunday of September celebrating 38 years anniversary. Sonia corrected 115 courses in September - numbers are increasing! Have had less rain than expected. I finished 8 days of leg therapy and have new compression hose which helps. Got reading glasses made, some improvement. God's faithfulness in letting me reach my 80th birthday this month. Mother went to be with the Lord at this age. PRAY: This month I see the optometrist - pray for more improvement. The most difficulty is reading. Want to invite an Emmaus student, who lived on the street, to give his testimony at the chapel. He is now a psychiatric nurse and has a group Bible study at his work. Pray for a good audience and the Holy Spirit's work.
Jessenia Espinoza (Bauman) - October 2018
PRAISE: Youth has been going so well, with some of the older youth really taking ownership of the responsibilities we give them. Jasmine Martin got here safely and has been such a blessing at the school. The school has had enough funds to pay teachers without any trouble the last two months. PRAY: Continued funds for the school, unity in the church and for leadership, and a visa for Abigail Carlson (working with special needs kids at the school).
Jenn Brubacher - October 2018
PRAISE: It has been a great start to the school year in Listowel. All of our programs have started and I am very thankful for the amazing team I get to work with. The Minto Campus Life program has already double in size from last year; all of my student leader groups are eager to learn, grow and serve. In a couple of weeks, I have the opportunity to share about YFC at Northside Baptist Church. Starting this month, I am no longer an intern but salaried staff at YFC! PRAY: I am currently in the fundraising phase-- that provisions will be met as I trust and rely on Him. We are in need of more volunteers for our drop-in program-- we can’t open the youth centre if we don’t have enough supervision. There are several youth who attend our drop-in program who are battling drug addiction, mental health and broken relationships.
Phil & Andrea - October 2018
PRAISE: For helping each of our kids settle into their class routines. For healing for Andrea after more than a week with respiratory infection. For Tijin & Merin our, new colleagues from India, have come to join the Sisaala team. That Cara had a good time at the student leaders conference in Hungary. Safe travels and good interactions for Phil in both Kenya and Ethiopia. PRAY: For safe travel for Cara as she comes home for a mid-term break Oct 6-15. For the boys at work and in class in Canada and for Liam to get a co-op job. For Kieran as he looks for opportunities to complete community service hours required for his degree. For Phil as he helps the SIM Guinea team with a strategic review Oct 16-23 and Andrea home in Accra. For safe travel and good leader development event in Greece (Oct 29-Nov 6) where we will meet the new couple we will mentor.