We're still here...

Sorry, we haven't had much time to spend with you in the blogosphere. I have a few minutes between laundry, children, and supper preparations to bring you up-to-date.

Jerry is now cast free and his arm is healing straight. He still has to be careful for the next four weeks, because it isn't healed completely. Tell me, how do you keep an active five-and-a-half-year-old 100% boy from climbing, swinging, or jumping seven feet off the deck until his arm is completely healed? It helps that we've started homeschooling him yesterday. That at least takes care of part of the day, however, you can't home-school 24 hours a day!

We still haven't heard any news about the property the church put a bid on. It's just not the right time yet. We are still praying diligently for the property. The problem right now is that the Realtor still doesn't have all the facts from the survey. Please, continue to make it a matter of prayer. The things God could do with that property is exciting! We will let you all know as soon as we hear one way or the other. In the meanwhile, you can take a look at it here.

Our last paperwork has been sent in to the Canada Revenue Agency and we are waiting to hear their verdict on the our residential status while on deputation. Please pray with us for the sake of all Independent Baptist missionaries from Canada. The CRA is challenging the fact that our church is independent and not a part of a national denominational office. Please, please, pray that the CRA will recognize that we were indeed factual residents while on deputation in the USA. If they do not, we will appeal, but they could begin to attack other IFB missionaries from Canada resulting in a great financial loss, possibly forcing some of them home from the field. If you are in Canada, write your local Member of Parliament and express the fact that we still have "freedom of religion" in Canada and Independent Baptist is indeed an established denomination across Canada and the World.  Silence from God's people has already cost us so many freedoms in Canada. Let's not allow it to happen again. Basically, this means that we would have had no right to claim the benefits that come from filing taxes in Canada. Since, we have already received and used these tax benefits, the CRA is asking us to repay the amounts received while out of the country. For more information read "Canadian Residents Abroad" especially page 5 under the heading of missionaries.

We covet your every prayer and can testify of God's amazing provision since loosing half of our monthly income. God has provided Keith with a temporary job doing lawn care for the elderly which will last as long as the snow stays away. We've heard it often comes as early as mid-October in this part of the world. If this hasn't been solved before then, we trust that God has another plan. God bless you all as you serve Him each day.

Leia Mais…

Jerry's Arm and Other Things...

Good Morning, to you all! Sorry, I didn't update this the other day, it has been crazy busy around here. Jerry did not have surgery on Monday since the surgeon felt his arm seemed to be healing straight. However, he had Jerry go in yesterday for an X-ray and it looks like it may be starting to angle. The Surgeon wants Jerry back in for another X-ray in two weeks to see what is happening. Please, pray that his arm will correct itself and heal straight.

Keith got away for youth camp late in the morning yesterday. I'm trusting he arrived safely, since cell reception is non-existent where they are and no one has called looking for him. Keep the youth in prayer as they will be under some great preaching. Some of our girls have decided to sing solos in this year's competition for the first time. Keep them in prayer as they're a "little" nervous. I'm proud of them for stepping out of their comfort zone. Also, pray for Keith's sanity! It's been a few years since he was involved in the camp ministry and having three small children has worn down his nerves some since then. :o}

One more update: We still have not heard back about the property bid we made as a church last month. The bank was to have a surveyor out around the tenth of the month, but things still have not been settled. God's timing is perfect and we are still praying that He will allow us to have the property. It's a little out of town, but the property would be useful for so many ministries in the future. (including providing a retreat for those in full-time ministry) So, if you need a vacation, pray, PRAY, PRAY!!! Just kidding, although that is one of our (Keith and mine) heart desires to someday have a piece of property with a few cabins to provide a retreat for tired pastors, missionaries, and evangelists. And what better place than Kenora? Anyhow, for the present time, our greatest need is a permanent meeting place. We have to re-locate again this Sunday, because the community center is booked again. Also, they are no longer allowing us to store our equipment in the building. We have been given a trailer and Bro. Will is fixing it up for us to use, but for those of you who either do or have had to pack and unpack every service, you know how hard it is on the church. Please, please pray that God will provide something soon. We do not have a contract with the community center and so, we have no guarantee of an affordable place to meet.

Also, could you all keep us in prayer. I don't think I've blogged about this, but we have been having trouble with Canada Revenue concerning our residential status while we were on deputation. I will try and explain in more detail later, but in a nut shell: they are challenging the fact that we come from an independent church and not a national religious organization. This could mean trouble for all Independent Baptist missionaries in Canada. We have submitted the last documents and forms requested and now we wait. This could mean that we will have to pay back about $30,000 to the government and we were only gone two years. It would be worse for larger families and those who where out of country longer (longer deputation and foreign missionaries.)

Well, I'd better go and check on the kids and make sure Jerry isn't climbing or doing some other fool thing that'll result in another broken arm (which by the way, his arm is broken clean through after all.)

Have a great day, and don't forget to let God have some of your time!

Leia Mais…

Update on Property for Victory Baptist Church

Hello, again. Keith and Bro. Keith went to the bank this morning to see about financing for the property I mentioned yesterday. Because it is undeveloped land, the bank will only loan the church $25,000. We are praying that the Lord will provide another $25,000 which will allow us to make a bid of $50,000. Please make this a matter of urgent prayer.

First, that God will provide the finances we need

Second, that our bid will be accepted

Finally, that the owners would not choose to reclaim the land before the deal is final.

Thank you for joining with us in prayer. We have faith that God will give us the perfect place to build in His perfect timing. It is our prayer that this will be that place & time.

Leia Mais…

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for Victory Baptist Church in Kenora, Ontario. As some of you may know, we have been meeting in rented facilities for thirteen years. A piece of property has become available and we hope to put in a bid this week. It is just outside of town in the unorganized township of Pellat. Because it is unorganized, we would be able to build a church without the hassle of re-zoning, something the City of Kenora is unfavourable to. It is 35.95 acres and the asking price is $55,000. We are asking everone to pray that our Heavenly Father would blind the eyes of other interested parties and that our bid would be accepted. Also, the current owners have so such time to pay their debt before it would be finalized. We as a church have been praying diligently for a permanent place for the church to meet. The things God could do with a piece of property this size is astounding! The realtors are hoping to open for bids tomorrow or at the latest later his week. Lord willing, this is an answer to our prayers. Thank you for joining with us, "where two or three are gathered" God can do great things.

Leia Mais…

Answered Prayer...

Almost two years ago, we left our home in Aylmer, Ontario. From there we headed up to South Indian Lake, Manitoba where we spent the summer serving in the church while missionaries Tom and Cathy Talley went on a furlough. While we were in the North, we visited the Town of Gillam. We only had a few hours, but this is were we believed God wanted us to start a church.

As we continued on deputation, the Lord put a desire in our heart to be on the field in May of 2010. This seemed a little preposterous since our support seemed very slow in coming. But we kept going in faith. As time went on and our faith wavered, we kept the idea of being on the field so soon to ourselves. You know, just in case.


At the end of 2009, we started praying more earnestly for God to make His will clear. It seemed that with the situation in Gillam, housing was virtually non-existent. We tried and tried to make contacts, to search the housing market, but God just kept closing doors. We knew that He was testing our faith and our faithfulness. Knowing that God could open doors as well as close them, Keith and I started praying without the other's knowledge. We were praying that God would send us a “man from Macedonia” to show us if He truly wanted us in Gillam, or somewhere else. A month went by and nothing. Meanwhile, we started looking at the need in other communities.


Then at just the right time, God answered our prayer. We received a call from Bro. Jeff Freisen, Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Kenora,Ontario. It would seem that just about the time we started praying for God to give us clear direction, God started working in the Freisen's life. Bro. Freisen was needed back at his home church to fill the position of assistant pastor. The assistant pastor that was there was being called to pastor a church in Southern Ontario. Bro. Freisen was asking God who should replace him and the Lord placed Keith's name on his heart. It made no sense, since we were heading to another town and he had only met us once over a year earlier. But Keith's was the name God gave Bro. Freisen.


To shorten this story a little, we will fast forward to the last two months. Needless to say, Bro. Jeff Freisen was our “man from Macedonia”, saying come over and help us. After visiting the church and getting to know the people, the church voted to have Keith come back to candidate for the position of pastor. This was the reason Keith was in Kenora this past weekend. Last night, Victory Baptist Church of Kenora, Ontario voted to have Keith come to Kenora and be their pastor. Our first service will be May 9, Mother's Day.


When this started, we wondered how God could call us to one town and then change directions. But did He change directions? You see, if we had never started on this journey we would not have been in the right place for God to show us His complete plan. During the past two years, God has used each circumstance to prepare us for this time and place. During deputation our eyes were opened to the GREAT need for men and woman to take a clear stand on God's preserved Word, the King James Bible. Our stand has been strengthened. Facing the necessity of relying solely upon God's provision to meet our needs has strengthened our faith. Traveling together as a family has made us closer. We have met dear folks who will be friends for life. God is good.


I'm glad God didn't reveal His will all at once. The responsibility of shepherding God's people is a fearful thing, but we know that God will be with us and He gives grace and wisdom. After a week in Kenora, we felt like we found our church family. These dear people love the Lord, His Word, and Missions. When I was younger, I sang a song called, “Unmerited Favor.” That is how we feel, like God has bestowed favor on us that we do not deserve.


We look forward to seeing how God will provide for our housing, and the balance of support we will need. God has done so much for us. Please pray with us that God will use us to be a blessing to our new church family. I'm sorry this post is a little long, but God has done so much for us it has been difficult to keep it this short.

Leia Mais…

God is GREAT!!!

 

God has been doing amazing, wonderful things in our life. Tomorrow, Keith has a flight to Kenora, Ontario. Please keep him in prayer. Pray for good weather for the flights and for a good service on Sunday. Also, pray for me as I'll be a single mom for four days! I've never been away from Keith for the Lord's day before either. Although, I will miss him, I'm glad I get to stay here where it is calling for highs of 20C!

As for the blog, we figured out the problem was with Mozilla (Firefox). When we view the blogs in Internet Explorer, we have no problems. I'm still not sure why its not working in Firefox all of a sudden. Firefox is the best for posting since it allows me to cut and paste while Explorer does not. Oh well! as long as its working.

Have a great day

Leia Mais…

Prayer Request Updates...

 

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for the Mc Crumb Family. Julie is home and recovering. 

Praise the Lord!

And concerning our friends, no baby yet. The doctors are beginning to think that things are not as serious as they once believed and that Momma can have the baby when he/she is ready to come. She will still need to take the little one in for testing after he/she is born. Again, Praise the Lord! If you think about it, please continue to pray for both Momma and baby (and Daddy and big brothers and sisters too).

Although, this means no birthday twin for Jerry. {:o(

I know that some of you have been praying for direction for our family and ministry. Thank you, God is doing great things and is answering prayers in ways above our wildest imaginations! Please continue to pray for all involved over the next few weeks as we find out if this door is truly God's leading. Lord willing, we will have some news before the end of the month.

God is good!!!

Thanks for your prayers!

Leia Mais…

"...Forget to pray and you'll SHREK????"

 

Read your Bible pray every day and you'll grow... grow... grow!

BUT

... forget to pray and you'll SHRINK???!!!

Sitting at a table having a snack before bed, Josie leans over to me and says...

"Ma'am (*that's a whole other story), I'm goin' pray every day for you, 'cause I don't want you to shrek."

"I'm so glad that you're going to pray for me, but WHY did you say you're going to pray for me?"

"I have to pray for you every day, 'cause I don't want you to shrek. You know... if you don't pray every day you'll shrek and I don't want you to shrek 'cause I love you."

"Ohhhh... you mean shrink?!"

"Yes, shrek."

(Jerry) "No. YOU won't shrink, you're RESTAURANT WITH GOD will shrink."

"Honey, I think you mean your relationship with God."

"Yeah, its your relationship with God that shrinks... NOT you."

(Josie) "Well, I'm going keep praying for you everyday so you won't shrek like we sang in nursery tonight."

"Thanks, darlin', Momma's need prayer too."

*note: for some strange reason today Josie has decided to call me Ma'am, which I do not like! I've explained to her several times that she should only say "ma'am" when she is answering respectfully to a command or if talking to a lady when she's not sure of the name. Yet, she says that she likes Ma'am better than Momma. Hopefully this isn't going to be like when she was two and decided she wanted to call Daddy, Bob. (Daddy's name is Brian Keith and he answers to Keith NOT Bob!) That lasted quite some time.

Leia Mais…

Update on Julie McCrum

 

UPDATE DIRECTLY FROM DAVID MCCRUM – SOUTH AFRICA -

Saturday, February 13, 9.35pm

Our dear Friends,

Friday afternoon our family was in a serious accident.  Julie and John sustained injuries, while Jacob and I received only scratches.  We were travelling on a national highway and were pulling a loaded trailer.  We were in a collision with a very slow-moving semi and one other vehicle.  Our vehicle was the most severely affected and was flipped completely around; we are so thankful that all involved were spared from the oncoming traffic, as there was no median.  John has several bruises, and has suffered much shock from the trauma.  He has finally started talking again this evening (after 24 hrs) and seems to be returning to the John we know and love.

Sunday, February 14, 9 p. m.

It has been so wonderful to hear of all your prayers.  Today I took the laptop to the hospital and let Julie read the 100+ emails and Facebook comments, not to mention the texts/SMS’s from our South African church family.  It was lovely to see her face light up, and she commented that “this is medicine!”  So please feel free to keep those messages coming.  For our South African friends you may SMS her phone at 079 050 5151 (please only during visiting hours, so as to let her rest at other times: 10am, 3pm, 6pm).

I spent six hours today with Julie, and her spirits were much improved.  There has been no fever whatsoever—which is what they are most concerned for, as any fever would indicate internal infection.  She will only be allowed to begin eating/drinking on Tuesday morning (SA time), so she remains on a drip along with the pain meds and antibiotics.  Julie has an 8 inch (20cm) incision from the base of the ribs down her abdomen, but has already begun some minor physiotherapy.  She is sitting up often.

John has continued to improve today.  He is walking almost normally, and is quiet playful and talkative.  He is still quite ‘fragile’ emotionally.  Today Granny and Grandpa took him to church and he was able to play with his friends.  Thank you again.  We cannot say what your support has meant to us; it has been so lovely to know so many people are on our side.  God be with you.  David N. McCrum

Praise the Lord! Don't forget to keep the McCrum family in your prayers.

Leia Mais…

Update on Julie McCrum

 

"Update on Julie McCrum:  As of Saturday afternoon, she was sitting up and reading e-mails!  Her medical status is no longer considered critical; however, there is still a risk of infection if her lacerated intestine that was repaired should begin to leak.  Do NOT stop praying for her!  Those prayers brought her through to this point!  Praise the Lord!"

A friend of the McCrum family posted some updates on their blog. Click here to read an update from Julie herself,  "The Jungle Hut."

Please, remember to keep the whole family in prayer. I can't imagine how hard it is for Julie to be in the hospital away from her boys or how difficult it must be for David to watch his wife suffer. God blesses the prayers of his servants, so... 

Leia Mais…

Prayer Request

Please pray for missionaries David and Julie McCrum. They are serving in South Africa. They were in a car wreck here is the latest update:

UPDATE ON JULIE MCCRUM – SOUTH AFRICA – Friday, February 12, 2010:  Dr. Bragg talked with David late this afternoon.  The surgeon came out and said that he was finally able to get the bleeding stopped.  Julie is not out of the woods.  The next 48 hours are critical.  The seat belt cut through her intestines.  Even with the bleeding stopped, there remains the danger of leakage from the intestines which would put bacteria in her body and would not produce good results.  Continue to pray for Julie, for her doctors, for David and the boys.  They are in South Africa where they serve with David’s parents.

Leia Mais…

Thanks for your prayers!

Feeling much better today! Thanks for your prayers. We are in York, Nebraska tonight. Tomorrow we head to Wyoming and then to Ogden, Utah on Saturday.

Today was my Dad's (Bro. Le Grow) appointment with the heart specialist. For those who don't know what we're talking about, Dad has some serious heart problems. The Lord has removed the blood clot he had in his heart, and today he was to have treatment for his high heart rate. It was not the Lord's will to allow the procedure to work. Please pray for my Dad and Mom, family, and church. The doctor has put him on new medication and are planning to try again in a month. With his heart racing constantly, Dad is tired a lot and has had to quit his secular job. As I heard recently, "God never wastes an experience." We trust in the Great Physician and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Thank you for your prayers.

On the lighter side, Keith was just telling Jerry to lay down. I turned around to see Jerry sitting in the middle of the bed, eyes closed, and sound asleep. He was swaying back and forth looking something like Stevie Wonder. Keith had to go and lay him back down. That kid does the weirdest things in his sleep!

'Til next time -- God bless you. Keep on a prayin'!

Leia Mais…

Back in the USA

Hello, everyone. We are now back on the road. Tonight, we have a meeting at Faith Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV. Thank you everyone who has been praying for my Dad, Bro. Gord Le Grow. He had his C.A.T. scan yesterday and as far as the Doctors can tell the blood clot in his heart has been dissolved. Praise the Lord! That solves one problem. Sometime within the next week he will be getting an appointment to have shock therapy in an attempt to regulate his heart rate. I believe this is a pretty common treatment, but of course, it still has possible complications. Please, continue to pray for him and my Mom.

We just sent out our new prayer letter. If you would like to receive a copy by email, you can sign up on our web site under the "Prayer Letter" page. Thank you for your continued prayers. God bless you. Keep on a prayin'!

Leia Mais…

At Home

Hello, everyone. This is just a quick update to let you all know that we are still alive. Right now we are in London visiting family. We will be leaving for West Virginia next Tuesday, the 22nd. Please continue to pray for my Dad, Bro. LeGrow, his appointment is on the same day we leave. He will go for a scan in the morning to see if the blood clot is gone and then a consultation in the afternoon to see what the next step is. Well, I have to go. I will continue to keep you updated as I can. We don't always have a connection. Thank you for your prayers. God bless. Keep on a prayin'.

Leia Mais…