Archived News: July/August 2006
Family News:
These past two months have been a little difficult for us as a family. Danica was sick for a few weeks and overall looking back, we felt under spiritual attack. Many bizarre things happened. Yet, God is with us and has protected us daily. We just desire to walk in step with Him. We so thank you for your prayers and ask that you keep us covered in them!
Homeschool:
We have begun our school year already a little early (Aug 21st) as to prepare for being home on furlough and taking some time off. It is going good so far!
In June, we finished our school year with Tim’s mom here being part of
the presentations and celebrations! The kids worked hard and accomplished
a lot. They are great little students! Mommy was sure tired and everyone
was excited about summer holidays from school!
You can view their portfolios - kind of a diary of their work:
Here is their upcoming year’s curriculum outlines:
Tim's Mother Visits, June 2006:
We were blessed to have Tim's mom, better known as 'Nanny Charlotte' or 'Nanny', visiting with us for 2 weeks. This was also a well kept secret from the kids and they were so surprized when she arrived. It was a great time to share with her here and for her to be a part of our lives. She enjoyed time with the kids, playing games, hanging out, doing puzzles, and being here for their year end school celebrations! She is very special to us and we are thankful for the time we were able to spend together!
Canada Day Party:
July 1st, We invited all the Canadians we knew and placed an ad in the
paper for a family picnic at a local beach. We had no idea who all would
come but we met some very wonderful people with 6-8 people in attendance. It
was neat to meet them and talk about our lives and homeland!
Tobago Swim Classic:
July 2nd, Danica and Craig had the opportunity once again to compete with
their team, The Barracudas at a T&T swim competition. There were over 150
swimmers with teams from Trinidad as well as Tobago. It was tough competition
for everyone with some close races.
Danica placed:
Craig placed:
Craig’s 7th Birthday:
July 17th, Craig had 10 friends over for a soccer party - or football as
they call it here! We went to the local field and played soccer, games and
played at the playground. Then we returned to our house for pizza, cake,
icecream, piñata and a water balloon fight. It was a fun day and Craig
enjoyed himself with his friends. It is hard to believe how much he has
grown since we came here in 2004!
Summer Time with friends:
In between ministry commitments, we have been taking time to spend with
friends we have made here and explore more parts of Trinidad and Tobago we
have never seen! It has been a nice time and are we so thankful for the dear
people He has placed in our lives.
As we prepare to return for our furlough, please continue to pray for us as we transition and return home. For continued safety and health! Also, that as we return home we would be refreshed and renewed in our hearts.
Michelle and Tim
Ministry News:
Compassion, care and unconditional love is the call to our hearts as we reach out and minister to those in need and to the lost who need Christ. For these past months, these words have been indeed at the forefront of our hearts. So many things go on day to day which we can’t even begin to write here or it would be a very long diary! We have been carrying a burden deep in our hearts for teens here. It seems at every turn we have also been under spiritual attack personally and so we appreciate your prayers and support of the ministry.
Youth Leaders Day Oasis Retreat:
On July 8th, about 20 youth leaders joined together for a Youth Leaders Day Oasis 9am-8pm. Held at a beautiful villa in Canaan, it was a relaxing setting for a time of worship, sharing, learning, eating and swimming! Worship was led by a group called Shabbach, a worship band lead by Cory Waldron one of our steering committee members. It was a precious time of intimate worship and celebration. Tim taught a session on Relational Leadership and Michelle taught a session on counseling teenagers. It led into some great discussions. Later in the afternoon, there was just a time of talking together about concerns and challenges in youth ministry. Prayer and encouragement was also the focus. In the day was also time to eat, and swim in a beautiful pool and play games!
We want to thank Atlantic Missions for sponsoring this event and making it
possible! Your investment in the lives of leaders here is priceless! We praise
God for all He did in our lives over that weekend.
We asked the leaders what they felt about the day. Here are their responses:
Describe your experience...
Do you feel the topics that were taught will help you in your ministry? If yes, How?
If you were to change 2 things about the weekend, what would they be?
July Network Meetings Scarborough and Roxborough:
July 19th, We went as a family to Roxborough (about a 45 min drive from our home) and joined youth leader, Lisa Harris for supper. It was a nice time of fellowship. Then, we joined with about 15 leaders at Roxborough Revival Centre who are from the upper end of the island. Tim shared on ‘Commitment’ and leaders were able to share their challenges and be encouraged in their pursuit of developing a committed leadership team and youth group.
July 24th, The Scarborough meeting was a great success. With about
20 leaders in attendance, Cory Waldron led an informative session on
‘Evaluating your Ministry’. So often we don’t take time to evaluate of
what we are doing is effective or not. Deciding if we are meeting the needs
of the community or group, evaluating how an event went well or could be
changed for the future are just things we don’t take time to do. It led
to quite a bit of discussion as some have not had positive experiences with
evaluations which turn into critical attacks on leadership. If designed
appropriately, they can be great tools for advancing your vision and
ministry. Giselle led in worship and Shinelle led the group in a new game for
youth ministry. A special time of prayer was held in small groups to share
needs with one another and hold each other up in prayer to God.
God is really working through this network to build and strengthen youth ministries on the island. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of this ministry. The local steering committee is really taking the lead as we step back and just assist. We have developed a leadership manual for the network outlining all the objectives, vision, responsibilities and inner workings of the network. This is to serve as a guide as they take the network to the next level.
Buccoo Ministry:
Tim preached twice in July at Buccoo Jesus Life Worship Centre, for
evangelism and youth Sundays. We have connected many times with this assembly
so it was like being with family. They were two great Sundays of ministry
challenging the hearts of the church to reach out and meet the needs of the
community in Christ. Youth were encouraged as Tim prayed for them and spoke
into their lives. The church blessed us also with gifts and thanked us for
our input and leadership in Tobago.
Roxborough Youth Conference:
Youth from all over the island came together for a 2 day youth conference in Roxborough. It was an intense time as the theme was ‘Pass the batton’.
Canadian Visitors:
We were blessed at the end of July to visit with our mission partners, Doug
and Leslie Shankland from Edmonton, Alberta. They came to Tobago with a team
from their church, North Edmonton Christian Fellowship. Their team worked
with ACOP missionary, Kori Sinnanan and a church in Penal, Trinidad then in
a neighboring village to us, Les Couteaux, Tobago. Doug and Leslie stayed on
for a weeks vacation and we enjoyed their company very much!
More Canadian Visitors
A pharmacy collegue of Michelle's, Ingrid and her Son Alex Sketris, visited
Tobago for one week's vacation. They took 2 days and Alex taught a soccer
(football) clinic at Jesus Cares Children's Home and brought suitcases full
of cleets, socks and underwear for the children that were given by their
church and the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University. They ended
their time with a pizza party for the kids. It was such a great time and
we thank them for their time and sacrifice to give of themselves in this
way! God Bless You!
Working with Plymouth Youth Group:
Mentoring is at the heart of what we do and Tim has had the unique privilege to work with the student leadership of Plymouth Pentecostal Church. Makarion, Gavi Anne, Sirsimon, Shinelle and Michael all work very hard to lead and organize the youth ministry. Tim meets with them regularly to discuss ministry plans, strategies, challenges and problems.
Ministry trip to Trinidad:
In August, we took one week as a family to visit Trinidad. Tim met with various pastors and leaders who have hosted Lifeforce and our ministry in the past. We also took time to spend with ministry friends Vijay and Aloma Singh at Ridgewalk Camp. Mitch and Vidia John in Valencia and Derek and Deborah Downer. We checked out a few of Trinidad’s tourist sites: Fort George, National Museum and Asa Wright Nature Centre.
Furlough Plans:
We are planning to head back to Canada on October 3rd for what people call a ‘furlough’ for 3 months. A ‘furlough’ is when missionaries come back to their country for a rest, reconnect with family, friends, share their experiences with churches and be refreshed in their walk with the Lord.
Our plans as of now are to return to our home town, New Glasgow, NS. We want to be able to re-connect with our partners, friends and family and share in person with our supporting churches thanks and praise for what God has done!
We are going to be praying during this time as to what the Lord wants us to do for future ministry. While we are on furlough, we are still on support. We are asking you to continue your commitment to our ministry even while we are on Canadian soil. We will be keeping you up to date regularly as we always have.
Please pray for us as we delegate our responsibilities to the local youth leaders, pack, say good-bye to dear friends and transition back home.
Financial UPDATE:
We also want to give you an up date as to our finances and express our need for 2006. This mission is solely financed by individuals and churches who believe in the cause of bring the hope of the Gospel to a lost world - and in particular, the youth of Trinidad and Tobago.
We presently have pledged 88% of our monthly budget and 70-80% is what we actually receive each month. When we left Canada, we had fundraised a lot of one time donations which have covered the deficit we encounter each month until now. Also, due to life’s circumstances sometimes people or churches are no longer able to continue their support of this ministry or may miss a month or two. This has not happened a lot but when it does that support needs to be replaced by the addition of new ministry partners to the team. There is always room for more to be a part of what God is doing.
We have made some calculations for the rest of this fiscal year, 2006 and we wanted to share our financial need. To meet our budget for the last 6 months of 2006 (including July), we are in need of $8000 over this time. We have contacted some people individually and are so thankful for their responses already to meet this need. However, there is always room for more to help and be a part of this team.
Please take a few minutes and ask the Lord what you can do.
Our God is far above what we can imagine as He guides and leads our lives. He just asks for our obedience and our worship! We are so thankful for Him and the work He has done in and through us in Tobago!
Also check out our family page for our family news.
Love in Christ,
Michelle, Tim Danica and Craig
