Vancouver - Monday, June 18, 2007

Update on Sports Camp site -
It is going to happen, just waiting to hear God's choice. The Bridge Church has definite permission to use McBride Park in Kitsilano; however, that would mean having to change the basketball portion of the camp to "field sports". Jerry and Rodney have already spoken to Jeremy Jackson and he is willing to do whatever is needed - he knows of some great games that would encompass all sports to go along with soccer camp.

Now, the ideal we are praying for is the site at a private school - Fraser Academy. This one does offer a basketball court. The head master's assistant has called this morning with word that the head master realizes our deadline and will definitely give an answer today. Please pray God's will and His choice. We are so excited to hear His answer.

Since our last note, we have prayer walked the campus of University of British Columbia, attended The Bridge Worship Service, participated in a church-wide prayer meeting on Sunday evening and have spent lots of time encouraging the church staff and their families. Today as we await answer on the sports camp (so we can prepare their mailouts), we are at the church office putting together "welcome packets" to take to Vancouver's Welcome House - a place where new immigrants arrive into Canada. Families and individuals actually stay there for a couple of weeks for orientation and help finding housing and jobs. These "welcome packets" contain toiletries and info about The Bridge. After we deliver we will "prayer walk" by car so we can cover more territory.

Our prayer:
In Vancouver, "The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." However, the lost here do not see the beauty around them as being designed by God, the Creator, the Heavenly Father. We pray these scriptures:

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 4:6

"I now send you to open their eyes, in order to turn then from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:17-18

Vancouver Prayer Walking Mission Trip

Greetings from the Vancouver Ladies Prayer Walking Mission Trip. Our "mission trip miracles" began yesterday on our flight. Trisha had the honor and privilege of sitting next to two ladies from Maryland. They were traveling to Vancouver to visit family and were looking forward to leaving on a cruise especially-designed for a community of very special people who are both deaf and blind. The older woman, Ann, was deaf/blind and the younger woman, Irene, was deaf, but had been Ann's companion and "connection to the world" for 10 years. As I sat beside them, God said, "Trisha are you going to sit her on this plane for four hours and not tell them about me?" I decided to write a note introducing myself and my traveling companions, Rubye Dacon, Barbara Borth, Nelda Gentsch and Lynnette Powell. I told them we were on a Prayer Walking Mission Trip. Irene wrote that she had been on a two-week Prayer Walking Mission Trip to Japan. She told me when she had accepted Jesus as her Savior. When I asked about Ann's faith, Irene said she did not know if Ann had Jesus in her heart (after knowing her for 10 years). We continued writing and then Irene began "signing" into Ann's hand. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. Ann began smiling and wanted to talk to me (she does have some speaking ability). She showed me the sign for Jesus and Bible and pointed to her heart. Then in her lovely broken voice she sang to me "Jesus Loves Me". I gave them a copy of our group's Bible verses we had chosen as our theme verses for Vancouver (about 15 verses). Irene then turned to Ann and took the time to sign every word of every verse to her. It was beautiful to watch them, constantly touching (a blessing that hearing people miss) with lovely smiles on their sweet faces. Their relationship now has a bond into Eternity and we can't wait to see them there with their sight and sound perfectly restored by our wonderful Lord.

We shared a meaningful evening with The Bridge Church at their weekly "Build-Up" Meeting (Bible Study). Jerry Conner, the Pastor, spoke on 1 Peter 1 and his wife, Diana led a discussion on James 1:12-15. We enjoyed meeting several of their newest church members that we had prayed for over the last year.

Many of you know the church has been searching for a new site for this year's Outreach Sports Camp. We received word this morning that another much hoped for location is also not available. And so, as Jerry says, "We move on in faith". They are now awaiting a call from the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Board to secure a site at a local park. We are leaving the church office now to go on a prayer walk at some of the possible locations and in their neighborhoods.

Please continue praying for God's perfect site.