Update Tuesday - What a Week

Thank you all for your prayers last week for all that was going on with regards to The Hamilton Fellowships.  As it turns out it was a crazy week!  I have to admit that I feel a bit guilty for having been away.  Here is a bit of a recap:

• I was on a trip to Liberty University to participate in their Church Planting Emphasis Week.  I had the opportunity to participate in a few events and engage with students as well as share in a few classes at the University and Seminary.  It looks like there is a strong possibility of a number of students heading to the Toronto area for summer missions opportunities and internships, as well as a student exposure trip to the area next year some time.
• Back home each of our Fellowships met and had a great time of fellowship, worship and the Word.
• On Thursday our Fellowship hosted a LoveLoud event in which they offered free photo sittings for clients of Mission Services, one of the large social agencies in the city.  It was great to see our people taking their skills (photography, make-up, administration etc) and making this event happen.  Although there were not quite as many people who showed up as was expected, I see a huge win as our people continue to reach out in compassion and taking the initiative to make this event happen.  I have seen the pictures and they are amazing!
• Graham, the student staying with us, had an interesting encounter with a lady who entered a coffee shop where he was sitting, sat down at his table and asked for help.  She was just off a bus and looking for a fresh start.  Graham was able to buy her a coffee, share, listen and offer some possible next steps.  He also invited her for dinner and to our Fellowship group.  He arranged a time and place to meet with her after work but when he arrived she was not there.  It is a great example to me of being open and available to those God may cause to cross our path, an example of loving our neighbour and an example of the realities of caring for those on the street or in need.  We cannot control what they do, how they respond and it tends to be transient, but we love when we can and share at every opportunity.  We trust everyone to God who is ultimately in control and we pray that we don't begin to become hard hearted but are willing to open ourselves up again to the next opportunity.
• I has asked for people to be praying for George and Alison and the trouble they were having with a tenant.  I am happy to say that the tribunal ruling went in their favour and that the tenant is now gone.  He did not leave, however, before beating up his girlfriend in their driveway for which the police had to be called, and then tampering with the gas line for which to police had to be called again.  He did return one more further time, but all of his stuff is now gone and we are praying the worst in now over and that they can begin to move on from this traumatic situation. 

I want to throw out a huge thank you and ask for prayers for rest and strength for my wife Kimberley.  As I was away last week, she really stepped up trying to care for and school our kids and home, as well as serving at the outreach, helping at each Fellowship meeting and trying her best to check in on, and walk with our people through some of these traumatic events.  Now that I am back, it seems to be a fairly calm week!!