On January 10th it all began. Who would have guessed that our first Discipleship Training School (DTS) here in Winnipeg would have such an impact. With 7 amazing students & 4 great staff (plus us), we entered into lecture phase with some amazing teaching, worship, intercession and daily life it became apparent that we had something special. Little did we know that we were working with a group of supermissionaries- to-be! Over Christmas the world watched as the impact of the tsunami became apparent. While our plan for DTS outreach was to send them to Thailand to work in the city of Bangkok with YWAM.
However, the tsunami changed everything. We told YWAM Thailand to send us wherever we were needed. So rather than the crowded streets of Bangkok our DTS spent most of there time on the devastated island of Phi Phi. There they spent there time sifting through rubble, helping to run the kids club and volunteer office. All of our students and staff were impacted by the tragedy of the situation and the need to do more, especially as the Thai gov’t seemed to over look the islands needs. After 5 months- 3 in Winnipeg in our wonderful, inner city community and two in Thailand- our first Discipleship Training School (DTS) of YWAM Urban Ministries Winnipeg has come to a close. We already miss all the student s but after hearing their hopes, dreams and plans for the future we know that God has got big plans for their lives.
We feel honoured and blessed that we got to be a part of their journey. May God bless you all as you seek in your own lives to “know God and make Him known”.
To learn more about the teams time with us here and in Thailand, visit their online journal & photo pages at:
www.ywam-urbanwin.ca
and click on “DTS -Jan 05”
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This year has already been our best year for Mission Adventures, not only because we have seen our number of participant almost double, but also because we are truly running the program with ”excellence”. We have already had to turned away the a significant number of teams, simply due to our lack of staff. While we would love to see more impacted through an urban missions experience, in order to continue with excellence it sometimes means limiting the numbers. Pray with us for more long term staff. Of our recent outreach teams was a group from Southland Community Church that comes at least once a year.
Unfortunately, this was also a few days after Kim was cleared off bed rest. Thankfully our friends at YWAM Vancouver heard our need and as well as prayer support decided to send one of there staff members, Angela (who is also one of our closest friends) to help lead the outreach with us. Although the week was difficult, it was also a lot of fun and once again showed us how faithful God is. Another exciting thing about this week is that one of the participants of this team is coming back to join us on summer staff this year.
We also hosted a great team from Pennsylvania. They were great, up for almost anything and asking good questions about ministry and evangelism. Our hope for them is that they continue to dig deep to understand God, motivating them into deeper service to Him. With the DTS just days behind us, we are now scrambling to prepare of our MA summer program, an intensive, hardcore version of our regular outreaches. We will be hosting 2 teams, each through a 10 day schedule- 4 days training, 6 days outreach. Our summer staff arrive on Monday to help us through the excitement of the next 6 weeks! Keep us in your prayers, as we seek to impact young lives, challenging them to lifestyles of service and ministry!
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Apple Seed.
A tiny, seemingly insignificant promise of life. So much potential, so many possibilities. How will the world, the landscape be different if this seed should take root? What fruit- sweet or bittermight it produce?
Apple Seed.
The size of the cluster of cells in my wife’s womb 5 weeks after conception. In the arenas of politics, religions and science, the question might rage as to whether this little Apple Seed constitutes life. However, those arguments are meaningless to us. Life or no, it represents all the hopes and dreams of our shared love. All we could do was celebrate!
I find myself, at nights, lying awake in my bed, wondering about Apple Seed. Will she be a fussy baby? How many lost hours of sleep will he claim? Beyond that, I imagine the child, running around the yard with the dog. I imagine catching him on the internet, “discovering” the fairer sex. I imagine myself hating the boys taking her on dates. I see him leaving for college, pursuing a dream I may or may not support.
As I lay there, my heart begins to race at the implications. Apple Seed will have his own children. She, too, will lay awake wondering about the future of her children. Within this little, seemingly insignificant promise of life, there contains the potential for generations- literally thousand of lives, shaping and changing the world, the landscape of history. What a terrifying and thrilling responsibility to bring a life into this world!
However, Apple Seed is not with us anymore. As we begin to let go of the joy of what was to come with our little one, we cannot let go of the questions.
We cannot but wonder how the world will not be changed by her life.
Apple Seed.
A tiny, seemingly insignificant promise of life. So much potential, so many possibilities. How would the world, the landscape have been different if this seed had taken root? What fruitsweet or bitter- might it have produced?
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Earlier this year we found out we were pregnant. Unfortunately a week after confirming it things started to go wrong. After a 11 days of bed rest, hope & despair we found out that we had lost the baby. Shortly after, Jamie made this online journal about our baby which we had nicknamed Apple Seed. Thanks to all our family and friends for your prayer and support as we continue to grieve. In Memory of Apple Seed
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The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
In the midst of the craziness of the last months, Jamie has continued to plug away at his writing. His book “Looking Forward: Facing the Future of Christian Leadership” is slowly getting out there, now being available at Amazon.com. Visit www.lookingforward.ca for more info. He is also working on a second book on what it means to be a missional community.
Also, check out more of Jamie’s writing at any of his 3 blog sites:
Emergent Voyageurs: www.emergentvoyageurs.blog.com
For What It’s Worth: www.heedme.blogspot.com
Youth With A Mission: www.youthwithamission.blog.com
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Pop
Recently James Clarke, my Grandfather (better known as Pop by all his grandchildren) lost his battle with Alzheimer’s. While things had changed these last few years my last memory with Pop reminded me of how it was when we were younger. This last July, when I was home for Sarah and Lance’s wedding, Pop and I went shopping for my wedding present (we are still not sure what happened to the first one). Although a little slower and confused about why we were buying me a present when it was Sarah’s wedding, he was full of laughter and stories. I’ll miss you, Pop.
Love Kim
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It is this belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable.
~ Maya Angelou~
