Newsletter and news

Sorry about the last post....or lack thereof. It was supposed to tell you that we were moving, but my computer broke and because Tim takes his to work everyday, I have to quickly check e-mail and blog on Tim's iPad before Promise gets wind of it. However, the iPad doesn't do blogger. Sadness. So all you got was a title. Sorry.

So I am currently writing on Tim's computer....in our new home in Abbotsford. :) Our basement suite has quickly transformed from an empty 3 bedroom 1.5 bath stranger's place to a homey, busy, and bright toddler land....complete with a very happy Promise and a giddy Toby. They love their new home....as do I. It's the perfect size for us and with upcoming renovations to the kitchen, it will be quite nice.

While the transition has been tough, we're excited for the future here in Abbotsford. I met with the women's pastor from our new church today and she seems very eager to connect me with a mentor and get me involved in the women's groups. I am so excited to see how the Lord provides community here.

Tim wrote a brief newsletter to play a bit of catch up....Complete with pics from our new home.

Here it is:

Bethany and I returned to Canada near the end of 2010 after having spent three and a half years in the Philippines. During those years we gained a deeper understanding of God's grace than we could have ever imagined. As I look back at our time in the Philippines, I am astonished by what the Lord accomplished through us. It is so humbling to see how He can use us despite our weaknesses.

When we arrived in the Philippines in July of 2007, Bethany had never delivered a baby, I had never seen a water filter, and we were without children. By the time we left, Bethany had delivered 80 babies and was a registered midwife, we had seen the distribution of 4000 filters, and we were the proud parents of two beautiful children, Promise and Toby.

God is so good. And my wife is amazing.

We have withstood the reverse culture shock that returning missionaries face, and have begun to re-prioritize our lives. This will be a season for building up our family and seeking the Lord for restoration and refreshment.

We have just moved to Abbotsford and are living in the basement suite of my parent’s new home. After living on the other side of the world, we are looking forward to being close to family. Promise and Toby will be near all of their Stewart cousins and of course their grandparents will be just upstairs.

The move to Abbotsford has led us to search for a new church. For the last seven years our home/sending church has been Life Center Community Church in Vancouver, and while we will forever feel at home there, we will simply be too far away to attend regularly. We feel very strongly like the Lord has directed us to Northview Community Church in Abbotsford. We look forward to getting plugged in to their various programs for children and adults.

God’s provision never ceases to amaze me. Shortly before we left the Philippines, our water project was adopted by a Vancouver organization called WOW Ventures. They have committed to assisting us as we attempt to develop a sustainable business model. At the beginning of January, WOW sent Daniel Anggara to Davao to take my place as the new CEO of Impact Nations Philippines Inc.

In partnership with WOW Ventures, I will continue my work with Impact Nations through to the end of May. I continue to serve the water filter business in the Philippines as a technical advisor and sales consultant. I’m also working to raise awareness for clean water initiatives and other Impact Nations projects.

Bethany is looking forward to a season of home building. She will spend time with the kids and set up our new home, making it a space we can call our own. She is currently looking for ways to keep her midwifery skills sharp so that she is ready to serve the poor in the developing world when the time comes.

Promise and Toby are doing great and have adjusted well to life in Canada. Promise is now two-and-a-half and loves to spend time with her cousins. She is also really enjoying the Sunday school program at the new church. At seven months, Toby is a big healthy boy who lights up any time his mother walks into the room.

Many have asked us how long we will be in Canada and whether we will one day return to a less developed country. We can honestly say that we have no idea what the Lord has in store for us. We do know that we will follow Him to the ends of the earth, but we believe we are right where He wants us right now.

Let me conclude by saying thank you. We have had an incredible team of supporters throughout the last several years. I don’t know how we could have done it without you. I cannot express how much we have appreciated your prayers and continued financial support.

If you have been giving on an ongoing basis and would like to continue, your gifts are certainly welcome. As mentioned, Impact Nations continues to pay me a salary for the work that I am currently doing, both on the Philippines water and other projects. Your gifts make a big difference. Alternatively, you may wish to contribute to a specific project that Impact Nations is spearheading.

We would love to hear from you. The best way to reach us is either by email or by phone. We look forward to catching up with you soon.

In His Service,

Tim & Bethany Stewart