From southern Manitoba to Israel, Ukraine and beyond
PANSY, Man.—Although a myriad of stuff has been happening within and around us, it seems timely to write about our church’s international mission emphasis. Our church has been going through a six-week series detailing these ministries. Each connection involves heartfelt prayer and longing as well as physical work and generous deep-pocket giving.
Mike and Trish (Gagne) Braun are celebrating God’s faithfulness, with their eight children, of whom six are adopted from Ukraine. The two boys on front right and the little girl playing peekaboo are newly arrived in Canada. (Photo supplied)
Mt. Carmel Church in Israel: Jesus’ own stomping grounds are in Israel, and it’s where many Bible scenes take place. Seeing the pictures gives us goosebumps—very few of us have been there in person. This evangelical church has an amazing, powerful and ever-expanding ministry to Jew and Gentile alike.
Ensenada, Mexico: Our long-standing friendship with Randy and Sandra Huebert at The Refuge is strong. We have built many houses together for the needy, and have a strong love for those living in the girls’ home. Dennis Friesen does a fine job of keeping us up to date and passionate about this ministry.
Cuba: We have so many brave and faithful believer friends there. A people restricted and suffering, many times literally from hunger, yet so exemplary in their passionate prayer meetings and devotion to Jesus and others, even us. Jake Rempel, through ASSIST ministries, does a great job of telling the stories. He’s just back from a three-month stint there this winter, and he will deliver any gifts you wish to send.
Ukraine: Whose heart hasn’t been torn by the tragedies transpiring in what was once upon a time a homeland to some of our ancestors? But our church has personal reasons to be even more broken than most. We have in our midst now seventeen lovely children and youth who have rather recently been rescued at great cost from orphanages there. These represent two families, the Steeves and the Brauns (Gagne). These children weep and sometimes spend sleepless nights as they see the horrors happening to people and places they know. And we cry with them. Their people are becoming our people. And we’ve found a fast and reliable channel for giving aid. For more information, contact pastor Dylan Barkman.
Of these children the last three were—miraculously and after weeks of waiting—already enroute home by long and tedious paths with Trish Braun, when the war in all its fury broke out. Mike and Trish (Gagne) Braun, you may never have been more prayed for in your life and we can’t stop thanking God for his leading and provision in this situation.