Greetings once again from wonderful, cold Manitoba. This has been a cold winter, hasn't it? We've had, what, two 'polar vortexes' now? Anyway, it's stayed a consistently cold -10 to -20°C here in Winnipeg, but Jo and I are keeping warm with everything YWAM, Little Flowers, and more.
What's been up
They'll spend three months of their lives dedicated to learning more about issues surrounding elements of peace and justice in our lives, working with local organizations to get a sense for their working nature in action, and hearing from speakers local – and abroad – about how Christ speaks into our lives a radical path that asks us to lay down our swords and plead the case of the least of these. Its crunch time for the internship and we've been working hard to get everything squared away nicely for its start this March. We're so excited to be a part of this internship and see those involved grow in their knowledge of how Christ works in justice and among those who need advocating.
The Future: Chiara House
For those of you who didn't know, one of Little Flower's initiatives is a housing project being developed in unison with Mennonite Church Manitoba and Eden Health Care called Chaira House. A little about Chiara House for their site:"Guided by the values and leadership of these ministries, Chiara House will welcome Christians from various churches to participate in the community and mission. It is not designed to be a shelter, detox program or food bank, rather it is a group of people called to love God & their neighbour together in the context of shared life & community."Well, Joelle & I are proud to announce that we will officially be the care takers at Chiara House! While we're still in the planning process of what that will mean in the day to day, Jo and I will be living at Chiara House, living along side and working with those there to create community and provide honest and empowering housing for those who need it. We're so excited to be working along side Little Flowers and all involved to create a unique space in the beautiful West End of Winnipeg. Housing is a serious issue here in Winnipeg.
As in many urban centers, population is growing, jobs are being created, but housing isn't always being expanded on. With more growth and less housing, many neighbourhoods in cities become too expensive for the people who have made up their fabric to stay there. Often times, people in low income situations, fixed income, or those with unstable housing situations get pushed out into further parts where urban development isn't often as well thought out. Cut off from resources that make their lives liveable, like easy access to groceries, public transport, or family safe environments, these communities can find themselves in cycles of poverty where the situations they're pushed into become worse and worse. Though it's just one step in the needed direction, Chiara House aims to create an environment affordable for low incomes, but living to a higher standard of quality to push back against these trends. Jo & I are so excited to be involved in this project, and we greatly covet your prayers and support as we move forward with this next addition to our lives.
Giving
Just as when I served with YWAM in San Francisco, here in Winnipeg Jo & I both live off of financial support provided to us by our supporters. In this next season, with our involvement growing as the internship starts and plans for Chiara House appear on the horizon, we're need your help. After our work with YWAM San Francisco, all our support had to be ended and started to be processed in a new location, as we're serving elsewhere. Everything went back to zero and we had to start from square one financially, even though we began working with YWAM in Winnipeg. We've been able to connect back from a few of our supporters, but if you have supported us previously, or would like to support us now, we would greatly appreciate your giving. Tax deductible donations can be given from the US or Canada by check or automatic withdrawal.Right now, our support goal is $500 a month, and with around $75 so far, we're at 15% of our goal. We are currently primarily provided for by Jo's part time job in the midst of attending university full time. Jo's parents have been very gracious in providing us a place to stay as I can't work until our permanent residency is processed, but as we move forward to Chiara House and rent, we'll be in great need. We covet your prayers, and greatly appreciate your support of our ministry financially.
Thank you & Prayer Requests
For those who have supported us both financially and prayerfully in our ministry in Winnipeg, that you so much. Without you, we wouldn't be able to do any of the things we're doing now, or have done. In the coming months, you can pray for us about:• The Peace & Justice Internship: That our interns would have a wonderful experience seeing peace and justice lived out in the West End during their time here, and be transformed by Christ into a more incarnational life
•Chiara House: That Joelle & I would be able to prepare and settle in well with our new position at Chaira House. Right now, we're hoping we may be able to start in May, but the details are still being fleshed out. The building itself is being completely refurbished by an almost entirely volunteer team, so please pray the construction would finish up well and we can get started on the next phase.
•Little Flowers: Jo & I are now deeply involved in Little Flowers, a faith community meeting at the YWAM house on Furby St. in the West End. We help lead worship, host for our evenings and potluck, and enjoy growing together with the community here. Please pray for our whole community as we look to multiplying into two locations, as a couple in our community has purchased and moved into another house in the West End
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