PEI

We are in Amherst this morning with my mom. She, and her helpers, are putting on a baby shower for Amanda tonight. This evening worked well for us because we spent the weekend in PEI and were able to come to Nova Scotia last night after service. 

In the morning we were with the Hoods in Charlottetown. They have an awesome group of people and we had a great service. Amanda gave some testimony about all that God is doing in our field and I preached a simple message on the love of God. The Spirit moved and we had a great altar time with a number of the people weeping as they received blessing from God. 

On top of the powerful service, the fellowship with the Hoods was second to none, we are blessed to have such wonderful friends. 

In the evening we went to Alberton. We were excited to be with the Prices as they are faithful supporters financially and in prayer! The service was amazing! The people there are worshippers and they responded to the word. At the end of the service we had a time of prayer with the sick and God did a great work. Spiritual walls were broken as God ministered healing. I know there were a few who received physical healing in that service, but I also know that there were a couple of people who received spiritual healing as well. 

Every time we visit PEI we are amazed at how God is moving in those churches. Truly the Island is ready for a revival and the people there will continue to be in our hearts and prayers. We are thankful for the blessing of being able to minister the word in such great churches.

Re-adjusted

Well, it has taken awhile, but I finally feel like I’ve beaten the jet lag and am now getting some full nights of sleep! Our first few weeks back have been busy! We arrived last Sunday and were met by a whole posse of people: my grandmother, uncle, dad, mom, in-laws, brother and sister in law, and two of our nieces were there! It was nice to even have a quick family reunion. 

That afternoon we headed for Amherst and Mom gave a presentation for her missions trip (she’ll be joining us on the field in August – Lord willing). The church was able to raise a large offering of support and they will be taking care of most of her expenses! God is so good!

The next day I had an interview with our district board. I was tired and very jet lagged (I laughed WAY too much) but it seemed to go well, I love the brethren of the Atlantic District and I trust our board to make Godly decisions. In retrospect, even though it went well, I don’t think I’d ever plan an interview the day after a long international flight again!

Our district conference was from Monday to Wednesday but I missed most of it! The two night sessions I missed because I fell asleep before church even started (thanks to the jet lag). Then I missed Wednesday morning because our car wouldn’t start, thankfully a couple men from the area helped fix the problem and we are now on the road again! 

We spent most of the weekend in Maine buying some items we needed for our return trip to the field. With our baby on the way we felt it best to go to the US while Amanda could still travel. 

This week was very relaxed and it gave us time to catch up on some sleep! Wednesday we did a course in preparation for Zander’s arrival and we will do the same next week. But in between we have youth convention starting tonight! 

We are excited to see everyone and have some fun with all the youth! It will be an exciting time. We already have plans to be with many of our friends over the weekend, I can’t wait to see everyone.

YC08

What an awesome Youth Convention! If you missed out on Sunday night, you missed an incredible service! Early reports are that over 20 received the Holy Ghost! I’m surprised it was not more; the house was electric even during the announcements! The whole weekend was amazing. The services flowed really well. Bro Williams challenged the youth. The theme seemed to be surrounded around being everything that God says we can be! Best yet, the youth really responded. Now is the time to mobilize the Youth of the Atlantic District for revival and I am confident in the Youth Committee to rise to the challenge of the hour. Be sure to pray for our youth that we will be the church to our generation.

Busy Week

Well, right after telling you that I would start posting again, I had a very busy week. Last weekend, Amanda and I went to Bangor for a few days to celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary! It was a nice time and, although we are enjoying the time we are spending with friends and family again, it was great to just have some alone time as a couple. Our relationship really strengthened while we were overseas and we are working hard to keep it up.

Last Sunday night we were in Saint Stephen for a service. The presence of God moved in a mighty way. We did not get to present our missions burden but many souls were touched. Bodies, minds, and homes were healed as God did a great work. I am thankful we were there to witness it!

On Monday I met with the district board and was approved for an upgrade on my license. I now have my General license. That is not a lot different then before but I am so thankful for the confidence of the board. They are great men, many of them are good friends of mine, and I am honored that they continue to support me in my goals to serve Him as He continues lead.

Monday to Wednesday was our District Conference. Thank God there was a real unity in the Spirit and the work was done quickly and without any problems.

Finally, this past weekend we were in Amherst for Mother’s Day/Dad’s birthday.

Sister Della Lewis spoke in Amherst in the morning and she challenged us all, reminding the mother’s and all in attendance that we are the result of someone’s influence and we have the responsibility to influence others for good. It was a powerful reminder from a beloved woman of God. In the evening we stopped in Fredericton at Capital Community Church. The spirit of God came into that place and Pastor Jack did not even get chance to preach! People stepped out in prayer and many received miracles including one young person who received the Holy Ghost! What a powerful way to celebrate Pentecost Sunday!  

 

He’s Alive Again…

Just to let everyone know, I am still alive! It has been a LONG time between posts but there is a rational excuse for my absence. The last week we were overseas was VERY busy, more on that later. The past two weeks I have been relaxing and getting used to being back in Canada. If anyone out there is interested in having us come to your church please let me know and we’ll try to get a service scheduled.

Just to put any rumors to rest, we are home due to an issue with our visa. We are planning to return overseas in August and continue the work we have begun. Please pray with us and with His blessing this will all work out.

Anyway, I am back, and you will start to see posts here on a regular basis again. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

The Full Circle

We were in McAdam last night and had another great night. It was so good to be with some “old” friends. After having been in Bathurst on Sunday it was good to be in McAdam. When Amanda and I met, she was living in Bathurst and I was in McAdam. So in 4 days we’ve come full circle, visiting the churches that gave us a start and doing our farewell in Zealand.

An Emotional Night

We now have our “farewell” service behind us. To all of the saints of the Zealand UPC, thank you! I hope we were able to communicate how much we appreciate all you have done for us through the years.

 

Pastor and Sister McCarty spoke words into us on Sunday night that I will never forget. It really was a blessed evening.

 

What a God we serve! While so many of us were teary-eyed and emotional, God stepped in and people responded to the word of God. I felt that there were those who really committed to have a deeper relationship with God last night.

 

I’m sad to be leaving, but we had always known in our hearts Zealand would not be our home church for our entire lives. We are excited to be moving forward in God and we are very excited for the church in Zealand. God is faithful and he will not see this good church and great pastor go without. Someone will step up in faith and help fill the gap that Amanda and I are leaving. By faith we are thanking Him for the great blessings to come for this church.

The other Brother Pio

We had a real whirlwind of a weekend. When we called this blog our Missions Adventure, we thought the adventure would begin overseas. As it turns out, we’ve had a real adventure traveling the Maritimes.

 

Saturday afternoon we confirmed that the Geary church was going to try to support us without having us come for a service. Within 20 minutes we had another service scheduled in Bathurst. We packed as quickly as we could (this time we remembered to take Amanda’s clothes with us) and were on our way to visit Brother Anthony Pio and his family.

 

Amanda was living in Bathurst when we met, so it was nice to see some of her old friends again. We haven’t been to Bathurst since we were married. A lot has changed since Amanda left there in December 2000.

 

We were present for the Sunday morning service and I am so excited that God did a work! From the moment the service opened there was a strong sense that God wanted to do a special work in someone’s life. I was moved by the worship of God’s people and it was evident that they had come to the house of God expecting to receive from Him.

 

As is always the case, God honored that faith. Amanda and I did not get to make our presentation. I felt I needed to speak for a few moments and then have special prayer. Almost everyone came forward to be prayed for. As Brother Pio and his staff laid hands on people I could see tears following from many eyes. Thank God that He had a plan for his people!

 

Brother Pio was going to do our presentation for us on Sunday night. I haven’t heard how that went but God did a work for me that goes beyond finances. The Lord has used both Pio families to speak to me. I am sure neither will know the depth of blessing they have been to me.

 Please pray for our churches in the French communities of New Brunswick. While in Edmundston and Bathurst I really felt a desire of the people to expand the Kingdom of God and I know the pastors will appreciate your prayers.