Liam's Birthday Wish

A few months ago,  Liam came up with an idea.  To celebrate his 12th birthday he wanted to raise $3000 for the Brain Tumour Foundation by participating in their Spring Sprint 5K this Saturday May 5th in Hamilton, Ontario.  If you have read any of Liam's story on this blog you will know the incredible miracles that we experienced during this time.  If you want to know more about Liam's story please see the sidebar of this blog. 
The Brain Tumour Foundation was an incredible resource for both Liam and for us, as a family, as we were walking the journey of diagnosis and subsequent surgeries.  They continue to run fabulous programs that Liam gets to participate in and they provide funding so that researchers like Dr. Singh (Liam's surgeon) can find a cure.   As of right now, Liam is at 74% of his team goal of $3000 but he is really short on his own personal goal of $500.00.  He put together this little video to encourage people to sponsor him.  Any amount that you can donate is much appreciated. 
Liam knows that not everyone will have the funds to donate but if you still want to help please pass on this video and his fundraising page link as maybe someone you know will have the funds to help Liam get his birthday wish.   If you are able donate thank-you so much and you can access Liam's page here, http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=3337955&langPref=en-CA

A Tale of Two Churches - Derek Osburn

Sorry for the late post today but it had been a busy one!  I love this video!  Reminds me of how our sending church Milton has given sacrificially to send us and plant another church.  Love it when God through is churches!

To learn more about Derek and his wife Sharla follow the link  here  to see their page.  We are praying today that the Vine community church will be seen as a place where sharing the gospel is a priority and where people are welcomed no matter where they have been in life.  For Derek and Sharla to model a Christian marriage and to be a strong witness for Christ within the community.

One more missionary video tomorrow.... see you then!

Why Are Doors Red? - Joshua Lenon

Today, I am posting a video of Josh and Tiffany Lenon, church planting missionaries in Cincinnati, Ohio.    Josh encourages his church to provide the community around them with a glimpse of heaven on earth.  Here is just one of the stories that illustrates the way God is using Red Door church to reach out to their neighbours.

Join our family today we pray for Josh and Tiffany Lenon.  Pray for God to develop an evangelistic heart among the members of Red Door church so that every member can be leading someone to Christ and discipling him or her in a one on one relationship. Pray for God to strengthen the church's partnership with the International Mission Board Missionaries working among an unreached people group. Red Door hopes to start a new church among this people group.  Pray that God will intertwine the hearts of the two young church plants. 

If you want to know more about Josh and Tiffany and want to see their longer video visit their Annie Armstrong page here.

Remember to check back tomorrow to learn more about what God is doing in through the lives of Derek and Sharla Osburn in Clovis, New Mexico

Where Everybody Knows Your Name - Shaun Pillay

Shaun and his wife Deshni are church planting missionaries in Norwich, Connecticut.  Not long after they arrived from South Africa to their new home in Norwich, Shaun met a man named David, a former drug user and dealer.  Shaun invested in this man and began to walk with him and told him about Jesus.  The result of that investment was that David's life was changed and he now serves the church and is sharing the gospel with others in his city.  This is a great God story.

A second video tells the story of how in 2007 Shaun and his wife sold everything they had and left their home in South Africa to follow God's call.  They arrived with two pieces of luggage,  a bible and their wedding album.  The story that God is telling through their lives is pretty amazing and you can watch it and read a little more about them here.

Please join us in praying for them today as they seek out opportunities to share Christ with the nationalities in Norwich and pray that Cornerstone International Church which they have planted reaches out and disciples people wherever they are - under bridges, in soup kitchens or on the streets.

Our Annie Armstong Video "To Trust in Jesus"

I believe I have mentioned before that our family is one of the featured missionaries for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  We have been so blessed by all the people involved with this project.  Prayers and letters arrive each day in our mailbox and we have been immeasurably encouraged and uplifted by the support we are receiving from people and churches across North America.

Last April, we were blessed as Tony Hudson and Matt King traveled from the North American Mission Board office in Georgia to spend a few days with us and follow us around with a camera so they could tell the story that God was writing in our lives.  I have to admit I was a little nervous about them coming to visit with us.  I kept thinking, oh dear, why would they want to film us?  We are so ordinary!  What footage could they possibly get from us that would represent missionaries and church planting across Canada?  Good thing it was Tony that was crafting this video and not me!  He is an incredibly gifted producer and a wise man of God.  He was not looking at what we were doing (which is quite ordinary) but at what God was doing which is always extraordinary!  Matt captured the images beautifully with his ever present camera and his eye for little details.  The results are two videos that I think really represent the beauty of what God has been up to in our lives but also the challenge for each viewer that if God could use our circumstance for His glory then imagine what He can do with yours.

Our second video is called "He Started It".  It is a little longer and it is told from Liam's point of view.  You can find it here on our page at the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering website.

Each day this week I will be posting a video about other missionaries that are being featured in the Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer so remember to check back tomorrow. 

A Grandmother's Prayers

On the other side of the world a woman who I have never met has been faithfully praying for her family.

Our bibles lay side by side and open to the book of Luke on the dining room table, while light from a February thaw streams in the window.  Notes cover both our pages.  Mine with the dates of personal spiritual markers and notations, old and new.  Hers is newly marked with Korean letters and reminders of what those words mean.  Both highlighted with lessons and things that we have learned and are learning from Jesus.

Her fervent study inspires me.  Everyday, she slowly pours over the words from both her Korean and English bible.  Her questions are thoughtful and honest, both with her struggle to understand the English language and to understand Jesus. "Do you believe all these stories?  Everything that it says He did?" she asks.  I nod my head and we go back to the beginning of Luke.

"Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed." ~Luke 1:1-4

"I want to believe." she confesses, "But some of the miracles....I just can't imagine."  Her life of studying science and chemistry weigh on her mind.  How can the things she is learning be proven?  I encourage her to keep praying.  If you are seeking Him you will find Him. 

"Can you tell me about this passage?" she asks as her eyes look up from her bible.

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” ~ Luke 12:49-53

I encourage her to tell me what she thinks it means.  "Jesus is the dividing line," she says.  I nod in agreement.  "Why do you think that is?"  I ask her.  "You are different when you believe in Him and you cannot be the same again. Those who believe will be with Jesus forever right? And those who don't will not."  And then before I can respond she says, "My family is already divided.  My Grandmother believes in Jesus but my family does not."  

It is an admission that comes with the knowledge of understanding that no matter what she decides the division is real and it has already affected those she loves.  I can see her heart hurting before my eyes.  I share about how my family is divided and about those that I love who do not believe in Jesus.  "I keep praying everyday that they will make a decision for Jesus," I confess.  And then her confession, "My grandmother prays for me.  She always tells me that I need turn to Jesus but I didn't really understand."  

In that moment, my heart is intertwined with a woman on the other side of the world, who I have never met.  I can imagine her praying for her family and for my friend. I am overwhelmed that God would see fit to bring Yuri here to our house to study English and now to learn about Jesus.

Three women now pray.  One is searching and studying, seeking with her heart and longing to know more.  One is praying beside and for the one seeking each day. And on the other side of the world a grandmother continues to pray for her family.  Would you join us?
 

Friends - Encouragment to Persevere

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

~ Hebrews 23-25

Some friends know.  They hear it in your voice when you declare that you are "fine".  They see it in your eyes, when you smile.  They are moved by the Holy Spirit to pray for you when you need it the most.

We are an unlikely group. We now live in three different cities and are at very different stages in our lives.  Some still with small children at home, some are at the empty nest stage and some are in a bit of  both of these stages.  Our personalities are on polar ends of the spectrum, some are shy and reserved and would never buy anything with leopard print or crazy colours and some of us...well let's just say some of us would love to have a leopard print couch in our house.  All of us have crazy, busy lives.  All of us love Jesus.  We are a group of women that only God could bring together.  

A couple of months ago when I was declaring that I was "fine".  One of these sisters of mine had other ideas.  She arrived at my door, with another friend and a hat in her hand,  a bright orange sombrero.  I knew in an instant that we were not just going for tea and I was in trouble.

"Put it on."  She declared.  "You have to wear it all afternoon."  Oh no, she has lost her mind, I thought.  (At this point you might be guessing that she is the one who would love a leopard print couch in her house and you would be right!) "I can't fit in the car with this hat on."  I complained.  "Okay you can take it off for the ride. "  she said with a sweet smile.  My second friend just giggled. This scenario happens a lot.  You should see when all of us can be together with our other friend (who has a palate for feather boas).  Again, only God could hold this eclectic group together.

Cheri the mastermind behind our adventure

I asked a number of times where we were headed, secretly hoping that it was a secluded place, where I would not have to see anyone with a crazy sombrero on my head.  I tried to reason with them.  I am trying to help Jason start a church here.  "What will people think if I have a silly sombrero on my noggin?"  "Maybe they will ask you about it.", Cheri countered.  She continued to drive and I knew it was hopeless.  I was doomed to wear an orange sombrero.  Finally, we arrived at our destination and my sweet friend Louise, who is a hospitality queen, pulled out fabulous trays of food from the back seat. 

Louise and her fabulous eats!

And so, an afternoon picnic commenced.  An afternoon of good food, heartfelt prayer, crazy picture taking and much laughter that was good for the soul.  And yes, a poor man drove by on his bicycle and almost fell off when he saw my lovely sombrero and Louise's parasol.  We giggled and wished that our friend Michelle could have been with us to celebrate and see the sights.

Cheri and Louise

And the lovely sombrero

There is that smile that I see so often when Michelle and Cheri do something crazy

Cheri's idea to get a pic on a log that over hangs the water

I thought it was not very safe - hmmm

She is truly crazy! But I love her.

I am thankful for my friends.  I wish we lived closer and we were able to get together more often.  In fact, right next store would be great, but for now God has us in different cities and on different journeys.  They still ask how I am and even though I still say I am "fine" it is actually more acurate these days.  Who knew an orange sombrero could be such a great gift!   Maybe it would make a lovely present for someone that you know.  Persevere my friends!  Encourage one and other!  Don't give up getting together to pray and to laugh and to spur each other on.

When Your Heart is Slow to Learn

It has been while since I have written.  Life in our McGibbon Zoo has been full of change over the past year and somewhere along the way, I forgot that I had things to share.

 I keep telling myself, I have been through this before.  I am not new to church planting.  This is the third church plant that Jason and I have been a part of helping to start.   During the first, in Oakville, where we lived and grew up, we learned and watched others pour their lives into their new community.  We loved what God was doing and joined in. After four years, God began to call our hearts to Milton and we left that church that we loved and moved our family to a new place to share with others what we had found.  For the next six years we worked with our friends, Jim and Joy to plant another church.  We love our church in Milton and so when God began to work in our hearts for Hamilton I wrestled with God.  I stomped my feet.  I reasoned.  I cried.  Having done this twice now,  I knew what it took to plant a church from nothing.  To find a new house, to get a house ready to sell, to help kids leave their friends and get a family settled in a new place, to leave my friends and my safe church family, to go without a salary and financial security, all the while never losing sight of God.  But the burden for the people of Hamilton got stronger.  Finally, my fears and concerns began to pale in comparison to the fact that I did not want to miss God.  I surrendered.

So nine months ago, we moved into our new house, in our new city.  I have been through the honeymoon stage of discovering my community and the amazing things of living in an urban centre.  Having only one car in our house I love the freedom of being able to walk everywhere.   We met lots of neighbours on our street and everyone seems to know one and other.  It didn't feel like a big city and actually reminded me of a small town where people borrow sugar or milk when they run out and the egg man delivers right to your door, bright and early on Wednesday mornings.  In the warmer weather, people sit on their porches and watch the kids play in the streets.  Our kids made friends and declared they love it here.  Jason started to meet people, build trust and have spiritual conversations. God began to provide for our financial needs in miraculous ways.  We began to see again how He is never late.  Sometimes right close to the wire but we have never missed a mortgage payment!  Those first few months were full of discovering, learning and responding in joy to God.

The fall hit and homeschooling started.  We opened our home to a Korean student and my days were filled with laundry, making meals for seven, schooling kids from ages 6-16, teaching our new student English, helping her to feel at home here in a new country, explaining to her who Jesus was and trying to help and support Jason to plant the church.  The new year brought another student from Korea to learn about Jesus and English.  Eight living in our house plus our two crazy dogs.  Even for me this was a crowd.  From the moment my feet hit the floor, I was running until I fell into bed at night.  I felt like I could never catch up.

In the fall, I knew we were through the honeymoon phase and I was missing my family, my friends, my church family and Sunday morning worship in Milton.  We spent and still spend Sunday mornings trying to meet people out and about in the neighbourhood.    I missed gathering together as a corporate body (larger than our family) to open God's word together and to sing praises of thankfulness.  The pendulum was swinging and all I could feel was the darkness of our new city.  I was and still am overwhelmed by the poverty, addiction, mental health issues and homelessness of those who just live a few streets over.  There is a 20 year difference in life expectancy between my neighbourhood and the one in the next postal code.  How is that possible?  I cannot forget about the people who come in the middle of the night and pick through my recycling bins to look for bottles and cans to return.  Or the people who aimlessly wander through the streets having no place to go.  I have no experience with any of these poverty driven issues that affect so many of our neighbours.  I grew up in the suburban safety of a middle class Christian home with parents that were cheer leaders for everything that I tried to accomplish.  I have nothing in common with those on the margins of society and in comparison my life has been perfect.  Why didn't God call someone more qualified?

To others in our city, Jesus is a bad word used only by crazy fanatics who want to push their fundamental agenda on the rest of society.  Some people looked at us like we were uneducated and just didn't understand real life.  They were polite but I could feel their pity and their immense disapproval.  Their firm belief that churches are exclusive and closed minded overshadowed any conversation that we would have.  I was feeling like a square peg in a round hole.  What was I doing here?   The small victories, the start of our first house church and the quiet way God was moving was being crowded out in my heart and mind.  The immensity of the task that we have been given was crushing my spirit.  How can one family proclaim Jesus and bring His best to our city of over five hundred thousand?

"For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." Ephesians 6:12  

I knew in my mind that this was the battle that was being fought but my heart....oh my heart is still slow to learn.  What do you do when your heart will not recognize the unseen?  When your mind knows that God is faithful, that He equips the called,  that He works best when we lean into Him and can not rely on our own ingenuity.  My mind knows that I need to be less and He needs to be more but my heart...oh my heart is slow to learn, it is often distracted and discouraged and forgets easily.  And so I keep reading God's word, I memorize Jesus instructions, they are becoming my mantra when I can not see the unseen.  I stay on me knees, recognizing that I need Him in every moment, big and small, and everyday I look intentionally for His gifts.  They are always there and have always been there I just need to look.

The pendulum is swinging back again, more to the middle.  God's joy is bubbling up around me.  My eyes are seeing the unseen.  Jesus is moving in people, changing lives and making Himself known.   Even in the exhausting business of our daily life,  His light is breaking through the darkness.  And even on days when my heart is still slow to respond, I know that God is working, still faithful in the work that He has begun in me and through even this has given me something to share.

Brain Day - It's been 3 years

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Nov 5th, 2008 - moments before surgery #1

October 2011 - Liam being Liam

There will never be words to describe how grateful I am for all the God has done on our behalf.  His faithfulness is never ever ending. 

Yesterday I Met Hopelessness

And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

~ Mark 12:33 

I met him yesterday.  I watched as he tried to speak to people but they either did not hear him or choose to not engage with this troubled man.  His clothes were dirty, ripped and torn,  His shoulders were slumped, his head lowered as he teetered back and forth precariously on the curb.  As I got closer to him I noticed that he wore both a large cross and a pentagram around his neck.  His cheeks were sunken in and he had large sores on his hands and face and I wondered when he had last received any medical attention.  Everything about this man was difficult to look at.  He looked beaten by life and without any source of hope.  I could not understand what he was asking me but then he abruptly stopped and pointed to the word "bible" on my book.  I tried asking him if he had ever read the bible but again incoherent words tumbled from his mouth.  He stopped and I asked him, "What do you need?"  He asked for money, almost falling off the curb and into the parking lot.  "I don't want to give you money but you look like you could use a coffee."  I said.  He still did not look up.  "When was the last time you ate?"  "How about I get you a meal."

When I came out of the store he was not in the same spot that I left him and I wondered if he had moved on.  But a second later I noticed him on the other side of the parking lot this time.   It took me a while to get him to understand that the meal was for him.  I got him to sit down on the curb and as I knelt beside him and opened his coffee lid and got his food ready for him,  I was at a loss as to what else I could do.  I tried again to ask him his name and to talk and ask about the bible hoping that I could offer him some encouragement and hope.  Strange and incoherent words again tumbled from his mouth and I am not sure if they were from his inebriation or if he was also mentally ill.  I finally left him there on the curb, in the sunshine, drinking his coffee and eating his chili.  As I walked away, I was praying that God would have mercy on this man.  Since that meeting yesterday his image is never far from my mind.  I wonder if I could have or should have done more?  Is there a way I could have shared the hope I have for my life that could have broken through his hopelessness?  Again I am left wondering how do I love my neighbour well?

Shine Your Light 2011

We showed off our new buttons - So fun!

It is the morning after the night before and everyone in my house is sleeping soundly except me.  Maybe I am just too excited to get this post up!

For the last four years in Milton, we have hosted Shine Your Light on October 31st.   So when we thought about what new traditions to serve our neighbours that we would start in our new house and city we decided that this would be an event we would have to continue.

We enlisted some friends from our Milton church and the plans began.  This year we added a new element to our night.  We handed out flyers to let our neighbours know about the event and that we would be collecting for the Mission Services Food Bank.  We also were able to use a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine courtesy of Toronto Church Planting.  These were great, and a big hit with both kids and parents.  Our friend Annabelle Wilson has her own cake company called Simply Belle.  Well, she out did herself with amazing apple caramel cupcakes and a super fun spooky castle with working lights!  Jason, Liam and I along with our friend Mike played a little music on the front porch under the name the Hammer Hillbillies.  We even had someone ask for us to play one more after we had shut down for the night.  Costumes were a plenty and so was the laughter and smiles.  When all was said and done we had quite a few donations for the food bank and we made some new friends.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves but I think a new tradition has been born!

Michael - Our cotton candy chef

The cutest little cupcake we know!

Annabelle - Not only can she bake everything delicious but she can make popcorn!

Our Hillbilly debut!

Liam and his fav costume of Mr. Orangeman

Really I don't think you can even imagine how good these were!

The Crazy Castle with working lights! - And it tasted just as good as the cupcakes!

People in our neighbourhood

The sugar rush has begun for TJ and Maddi

These big blue eyes just melt my heart!

 Thank-you, thank-you to all our friends, old and new for helping us create a night of memories for our neighbourhood!  We are already thinking about how to make next year's Shine Your Light bigger and better!

Thankfulness

 I have been trying to get this post up all week.  It is Sunday night and I am determined that before the night is done this will be finished!

Last weekend was Thanksgiving and I have so much for which to be thankful.   We spent a beautiful weekend up at Jason's parent's cottage surrounded by extended family.  The colours on the trees were amazing and to top it off the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  We took our student Soo Gyeong Shin with us and she was very brave to try all sorts of new things, like canoeing, maple fudge, hanging out around the campfire and of course making s'mores.  This was her first Canadian Thanksgiving and I think it was a big hit!

Soo Gyeong's first canoe ride

Yummy Smores!

Last campfire of the season

One of my favourite moments of the weekend was when Jason and I took Soo Gyeong out onto the beach at night to look at the stars.  She was mesmerized.  She told us that in the city where she lives in South Korea that there is too much smog and too many lights to see any stars so she had never really seen them before.  She was enchanted by the night sky.   Her enthusiasm and child-like delight was contagious and I found myself being pulled into her joyful reaction. 


Afterwards, I was reflecting about how great and indescribable God really is.  How the Creator of all of those amazing beautiful stars is even more amazing because He sent His one and only Son as an atonement for the debt that I myself can never pay.  My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness for that amazing sacrifice but also for all of those who He has placed in my life.


This past week in our family devotions we have been reading in Mark.  We were studying the passage in which Jesus' mother and brothers come looking for him.

Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” 

~ Mark 3:33-35

Over the past few years, this scripture passage has been revealed to my heart.  I have always loved my family as I am sure Jesus did too but there is something special about the family that God gives us.    There are those of you that have become that for me.  Some of you I have known for years and some of you I have met only once or twice but we have stayed in touch.  We have served together in church, at camp, in home church, mission trips and in other Kingdom projects.  The gifts and talents that God has blessed you with have inspired me.  We have laughed together, cried together, played together and studied God's word together.  You are my bothers and sisters.  You are a part of our family.  

Many of you have prayed for us.  Some of you I have never met in person but I know you are praying.  We have seen God do amazing things in answer to those prayers.  When Liam was sick in the hospital we would watch his monitors all return to normal readings when we would remind him of who had signed up to pray for him during that specific time.  It was such a miracle that even the nurses began to notice.  We have felt your prayer lately here in Hamilton.  God has been confirming to us that we are exactly where He wants us to be.  Some of you have taken on the responsibility to pray for streets in our neighbourhood and even our own street.  We are seeing Him at work.  (Watch Jason's update post on Tuesday for some exciting news) Your faithfulness to pray is an encouragement to us.  You are my bothers and sisters.  You are a part of our family. 

Some of you have given financially to our ministry.  I can not explain to you how many times we have not know where the money would come from in order to start this new work in Hamilton, or pay a bill, or support an event that we felt God was calling us to do.  We prayed that God would provide and stepped out in faith and God laid it on your hearts to give.  In all honesty, every time it happens I am surprised because you give without us ever telling you about the need.  And every time I am surprised I remind myself that God is working all over the world to bring His plans to fruition. Some of you give faithfully each month and some of you have given for something very specific.  Both of these sacrifices are significant blessings to us.  You are my brothers and sisters.  You are a part of our family.

No mater what role you have played in the body of Christ please know that your role is significant and gives glory to Yahweh.  I am filled to overflowing with thankfulness for each and everyone of you.

Thanksgiving Hike 2011

Rude Awakenings

There is that blissful moment when you first stir at daybreak.   You know the one where you are not fully awake for your brain to remember the long list of things that you need to accomplish,  or the responsibilities that you have for the day but you are content with the dawning of a new morning that feels like a fresh beginning.  I was reveling in that joyous space this morning when out of nowhere I was jolted awake by a fist in my face.  As the stars started to clear from my vision I remembered that I had been up in the middle of night with my youngest daughter who was having a nightmare.  Finally, in desperation to get a little sleep from the few hours that were left,  I let her sleep on my side of the bed.  Now, I remembered why I only invite her in as a last resort.

I tried to get back to sleep for a while but after the rude awakening it was no use.  I decided to go downstairs and enjoy the quiet with a cup of coffee and my bible.  It was still early when I finished my quiet time and so I thought I would get a few minutes to read the newspaper before everyone else began to stir. 

The Hamilton Spectator had a special report on the city's vital signs.  You can read a copy of that report here.  There was a lot of good news about where the city has improved.  Less seniors now live in poverty.  James St North has a thriving arts community that seems to be picking up momentum.  Crime rates are down and there is progress in the economy.  What I also learned though was another rude awakening about the poverty that plagues the city.   Child poverty continues to exceeds 50% in many neighbourhoods with an child poverty rate of over 26% for the city.  Another shocking statistic is that there is a twenty-one year difference in life expectancy between the poorest and richest neighbourhoods here in Hamilton.  That takes my breath away.  How is that possible when so many of us have so much?

So as my children began to stir,  I was left wondering what children in my neighbourhood were going without breakfast this morning?

 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

~ Matthew 25: 34-40

We have a lot of work to do here in Hamilton.  Please Lord give us the wisdom to do it well.

Facing My Doubt

This is my second morning sitting on our porch, reading my bible and praying.  I am being drawn out here where I can read God's word and pray.

God is doing something in me and I am restless.  Not only am I restless but I am a bit concerned about where all of this is going to lead.  Have you ever had that feeling?  I can't put down my bible and yet if I am honest with myself there is part of me that wants to put it down because I am afraid of what God will reveal.  You see deep down I like comfort.  I like my life.  I love my kids and my husband and my family.  I have been aware for some time now that the cost for me to follow Christ has not been high.  My parents did not disown me.  I do not fear for my life.  Our Canadian culture, although not joyfully receptive that I follow Christ, does not persecute me because of my profession of faith.  Our family has been free to leave our friends at a church we love in order to move to a new city to start a new church.  Really, in comparison to what others have had to give up in order to follow Jesus, the cost on my life has been minimal.  I love Jesus and my heart's desire is bring glory and honour to Him with my life but I have been wondering as of late if I like my life to look too much like the lives of others?

I am currently reading through Colossians.  Paul is imprisoned in Rome and although he had never met the people of Colossae they are on his heart and he writes them a letter that is speaking to my heart in so many ways.  The city of Colossae reminds me of my new home in Hamilton.  The mixture of backgrounds made that city an interesting cultural centre where all sorts of new ideas and doctrines were discussed, considered and encouraged.  I have found much of that same environment here.

Paul writes, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."(Colossians 2:8)

I am really struggling with that scripture.  At first I thought, "Oh that is not me." but as I have pondered on the rest of the chapter I have realized that God is speaking very clearly to my heart.  By the time I got to the last three verses of the chapter I was beginning to see that I can very easily deceive myself in my relationship with Christ.

"If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”  (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence."  ~ Colossians 2:20-23

Ouch that hits home......things that appear and look good and wise to us are of no value?  How have I allowed the world and the expectations of our culture to creep into my relationship with Jesus?  What things do I do that make me look good by the world's standards or even by our Christian culture standards but really do not bring glory to Christ?  What would my faith look like outside of my Canadian culture? All these questions make me a bit nervous and I think David Platt, in his book Radical, really communicates my own fears best.

"I was now confronted with a startling reality: Jesus actually spurned the things that my church culture said were most important.  So what was I to do? I found myself faced with two big questions.  The first was simple.  Was I going to believe Jesus?  Was I going to embrace Jesus even though he said radical things that drove crowds away?  The second was more challenging.  Was I going to obey Jesus? My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus words and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to him." ~ David Platt

Yep,  David nails it.  My fear is to really examine if am I believing Jesus and am I obeying Him.  Not a lip service belief and response but a whole hearted absolute surrender to His Will in every aspect of my life all the time.  I want to be radical but I am not sure what that looks like exactly.  I want to live life here on earth always in response to Jesus.  I don't want to blend into the neighbourhood.  I don't want to cling to short-term treasures that I can't keep anyway.  I want every moment of my life to be invested in things that are eternal always keeping mind a mental picture of the day when I will stand before God giving an account of my stewardship of this life.  

So as I sit here I am praying that God will do the impossible and change my heart.  I can't do it.  I am just like the eleven disciples in verse 17 of Matthew 28.  "When they saw Him, They worshiped Him; but some were doubtful." And so, as I start my day, I am hanging on to Jesus' response to their worship and the last words that Matthew records:

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I Want to Be Fearless

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

~ Ephesians 6:12

I didn't notice the broken window or the glass on the ground in the backyard but as I gazed around our living room strewn with the contents of our drawers and shelves and cupboards,  I realized something wasn't right.  Somehow though my brain didn't put two and two together until Jason said to me, "We've been robbed."  What ensued from that point on was lots of emotions, lots of calming our youngest daughter down that the bad guy would not come back, lots of dealing with police and a finger-print expert and a great friend who fixed our window and lots of clean-up.

The next day I posted the above Ephesians scripture on Facebook.  My good friend Anita wrote back right away with this comment.  

"Stand firm girl....shield lifted high, helmet on and sword raised....."

I thought about that comment all day and realized that I had forgotten the context of the scripture that I had posted.  Yes, I had recognized that it was really not about the thief that invaded our house because our struggle is not against flesh and blood but there is more.   What I had neglected to make sure I remembered was,  how was I going to dress for the occasion!  Below is what I need so that I do not allow the enemy to use this to gain a foothold and to discourage me about our safety and security in our house and about our ministry here.   As I read God's words and allowed them to sink in I knew I did not want to go into this battle unprotected.

The Armor of God

 ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 

~ Ephesians 6:10-20

I have to admit that I am a pacifist at heart and I don't like weapons that shoot projectiles of any kind...guns, arrows....automatic nailers!  I don't like shoot 'em up games or knights that fight so it took me a long time to really connect to the whole battle armor imagery in this scripture.  But once I started to see it from a protective point of view that God wants to give us all the resources and tools that we needed to protect ourselves then I really began to dig into this treasure.  I love that the scripture says, "Put on the full armor of God..."  There are different pieces of equipment that I need and they all go together to protect me fully.   If I forget a piece I leave myself vulnerable.  If I am vulnerable I can not be fearless in God's purpose for my life.  I want to be fearless.

You may not have had somebody break into your house lately and steal your things but you may be going through something else that is difficult or is discouraging you.  Don't let it become a stronghold.  As my wise friend Anita says, 

"Stand firm girl....shield lifted high, helmet on and sword raised....."

What do you think?

My husband Jason posted this question yesterday on his blog and I would really love to know what people think so please comment.  I will concur with Jason that we both continue struggle with this and have not come to a resolution and yet we both feel it is an important question.

So have a read at what he wrote and leave a comment.  We would love to hear your thoughts.

http://jasonmcgibbon.blogspot.com/2011/07/disciples-and-rrsps-any-thoughts.html

Wednesdays - What's so cool about Hamilton?

We have been trying this summer to get to know our new city a little better.  So each Wednesday I am going to try to post about something cool that we have discovered in Hamilton.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a couple of friends who came to visit from North Carolina.  It was fun to take them around town and do some touristy type things.  On Sunday night, we decided to visit the waterfront and to take tour on the Hamilton Waterfront Trolley.  This trackless trolley follows along the 12 kilometers of shoreline of the western part of the harbour.  There is lots to see and the trolley makes twelve stops along the way where you can get off and then back on.  If you stay on the trolley for the whole tour it is about 80 minutes.  Pretty good for the price which is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (4-12) children 3 and under are free!  The trip is suppose to be narrated but our conductor was rather silent.  This was my only disappointment of the night, since we are new to the area it would have been great to hear some commentary about the great view along the way.

 

Shelly and TJ smile as we start on our trip!

Caroline and Kelly sittin' pretty as we depart.

Fantastic murals by local elementary students decorate the docks.

The steel mills loom in the distance

Up close and personal with the SS Haida

I loved all the murals by local students that adorned the warehouses along the docks.  The fantastic colours were a wonderful surprise along the way.  The kids were fascinated with the steel mills and ships in the distance.  I really liked the HMCS Haida which has been named a National Historic Site and is the last remaining example of 27 Tribal Class Destroyer built between 1937 and 1945.  It was huge and driving right up beside this large ship was fascinating.  I wanted a picture of the massive anchor but I was on the wrong side of the trolley so I couldn't get a good shot.  Maybe we will have to tour it at some point so it can have it's own post!

Beautiful scenery along the trail

Heading toward Princess Point

Lots of birds along the way but most were too fast for my camera

 Lush greenery dominated the scene as we made our way to Bayfront Park, Fishway and finally Princess Point.  Wonderful benches, trails, marinas and wildlife were seen along the way.  This looked to be a great place to run, bike or roller blade.  As the sun began to set as we left Princess Point for our return trip home the beauty of this place began to sink in.  Below are my favourite pictures of the night.  The first is of Shelly and TJ looking out over Cootes Paradise and the second is the sun setting near Pier Four.  All in all this was a fabulous way to spend a warm summer night in Hamilton!

Beautiful

A Life Update - God is always surprising me

It seems like forever since I have written.  It is not that I have nothing to say but more that life is moving so fast I don't even know where to begin! 

 Daniel turned 16 years old last week.  Yep, I am officially old.  We celebrated by hanging out together as a family and going to get ice cream cones at Hewitt's Dairy Bar.  Yum.  We are so proud of Daniel and the young man that he is becoming.  He leaves this Friday to head out west with his Grandma and Grandpa to go to the Canadian National Baptist Convention and then head to Northern Alberta for his first mission trip.  I have told him not to wonder off as this city boy is not used to bears!

Daniel

Caroline has just finished her bronze star in swimming which she passed with flying colours.  Her goal is to get her NLS when she is 16 and she is well on her way.  I think she wants to guard at Ryerson Camp so she can spend her whole summers there, instead of just a week when we stay there for family camp.   She has made some good friends on our new street so for now she is looking forward to the summer here in the city.  I am looking forward to spending some one on one time with her too.

Caroline

Liam is thrilled to have school all finished for the year and to have summer beginning.  For the past few months, he has been playing drums for our worship team in Milton.   Liam is still playing with us even though our time in Milton has ended.  He came and played with Jason and I on the street corner in Hamilton this past Saturday.  What fun we had playing and giving out candy instead of asking for money.  We are looking forward to spending some time with Liam this summer, as he accompanies Jason and I to Alabama for a global missions celebration where we will play some music and lead a children's program.

Liam

Trinity Joy is so full of life that we can barely keep up!  TJ has been busy this year learning to read and blasting through all her grade 1 school work so she will start grade 2 next year.  She has loved moving and meeting all the new neighbours on our street.  She is still enjoying acting and has been having a great time at auditions and call backs.  In a couple weeks she will be attending a triple threat camp where she gets to sing, dance and act each day for a whole week.  She is off tonight at a birthday party for new friends that she meet on our street.  I asked her if she was nervous because she wouldn't know anyone except her two friends.  Her response was "No way mom, I will have so many friends by the end of the night!"

Trinity Joy

Jason is out tonight shooting a new video with a band he plays with called Before the Flood.  He has been going at the speed of light lately so I don't have new photos of him.  Only this one where he is making fun of his on-screen self at the SBC annual convention.  Honestly, sometimes I think he is the most unlikely missionary there is!  As Caroline says, "He is all him."  We are hoping to play some more on Locke Street this summer and maybe even hit a few open mics at the local venues.  The goal really is to just immerse ourselves in our new community and meet as many people as we can. 

Jason - wondering who made him a poster child?

As for myself, I am getting used to being a city girl.  I like our neighbourhood much more than I thought I would and now I am determined to learn more about our new city.  I have a new buggie cart so I can walk to get my groceries and we just bought a share in a local farm.  It is funny, I used to live closer to the country with farms all around but now I live in a big city and my veggies come each week from a farmer and tomorrow I am going to meet our street's egg man who will deliver each Thursday to our front door.  You would think that in a city with over 500,000 people you wouldn't know your neighbours but they all hang out on their front porches, while the kids play in the street and we see them every night.  Over 20 of our new neighbours came for a BBQ at our house on Sunday.  We had a great time and look forward to getting to know them better. 

So there you have it an official update of what is going on at the McGibbon Zoo which has now moved all the animals to the city.  Yes, it is a big change and change can be scary but change can be good.  So as we look forward to starting summer this week I am a bit shocked that I am not wishing I was back in the familiar, in the ministry that I loved, with my friends who I adore.  I am surprised to find myself looking forward to being here, right where we are.  Hamilton is really not what I expected.  God is always surprising me and I can't wait to see what is around the bend.

Just me

Church Planting

As I mentioned in my last post,  Jason is in Phoenix, Arizona at the SBC Annual Convention.   Last night,  Jason got a chance to participate in the North American Mission Board Presentation.  He was able to talk a little bit about why we would sell our home, leave a church we love and move our family to a new city.   NAMB created and showed this video about the network of churches we have been involved in over the past ten years and the vision they have to give themselves away to plant other churches.  Lots of great memories.....thanks to all those at NAMB who do so much to help support us in spreading the gospel by telling God's stories.  You all amaze me.

Sometimes I Love Technology

My husband is away this week at the SBC Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona and I am in charge of holding down the fort at home.  I was pretty excited to learn that they are live streaming both the pastors conference and the annual meeting.  Yeah!  So even though I am at home I can experience some of the worship and the great speakers right here in my living room!  This is even better news for me as we are being appointed as North American Mission Board Church Planting Missionaries and Jason will be part of the appointment service on Tuesday at about 7:50pm my time.  So now I will get to see that appointment and feel apart of it.   Sometimes I love technology!

If you are interested you can watch too at this link.  Then click on the icon that says watch the event live on the Internet.

The following is who is speaking and when at the Pastor's Conference....

MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 8:30am-11:30am (Phoenix Time which is 3 hours behind Hamilton time!)

The Monday morning session will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America. In addition, there will be a special Ministry Development presentation by one of the ASPIRE partners.
This session will include preaching from church planter Paul Gotthardt, church planter Darrin Patrick, Bartholomew Orr and Gregg Matte.
Paul Gotthardt (8:45am)
Darrin Patrick (9:30am)
Bartholomew Orr (10:15am)
Gregg Matte (11:00am)

MONDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 13
Session Length: 1:30pm-4:00pm (Phoenix time)

The Monday afternoon session will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team and Choir, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America.
This session will include preaching from Afshin Ziafat, Ken Whitten and John Piper.
Afshin Ziafat (1:45pm)
Ken Whitten (2:30pm)
John Piper (3:30pm)

MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 6:00pm-8:30pm (Phoenix Time)

The final session of the 2011 Pastors’ Conference will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team and Choir, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America. David Platt will be doing a special appeal for the nations prior to receiving the offering during this session. Following the preaching, Rick Warren will lead us in a special time of commitment and calling for 1000 Pastors/Churches to engage in church planting in the pioneer areas of North America.
This session will include preaching from Louie Giglio and Rick Warren.
Louie Giglio (6:30pm)
Rick Warren (7:40pm)