DECEMBER 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013

AUGUST 2013

May 2013 - Difficult times...

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

(Psalm 42:5 / 42:11 / 43:5)

I find that this is the prayer of my heart right now. We humans do not like conflict, struggle

or uncertainty. But through this we are drawn closer to the Lord, if we bare our hearts to

Him, confess that we are helpless without Him, and ask Him to take over. “Lament” is how

one pours out their soul to God, especially when things are not making sense.

Notice how the psalmist pairs his cry with a statement of praise and confidence in God. He

knew where the only place of comfort and refuge was, and his longing for God brought

the answer of God’s steadfast love and a song in the night (when life is at its darkest)!

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

(Psalm 42:5 / 42:11 / 43:5

Personal Prayer Requests:

• for PEACE of heart and mind as we seek the Lord’s will

• for CLEAR DIRECTION for future (ministries and place of ministry)

• for REST of body and soul as we work through this move

• for WISDOM in making the right choices

Challenging Times

The company we are under in Singapore was started to provide us with an employment

pass to carry out our ministries here and in SE Asia. However, we have failed to meet the 

expectations of our Singapore board since June 2012 when my (Henry’s) Singapore 

employment pass was granted. We have been informed that my employment pass will be 

withdrawn end of August 2013.

Back in late 2011, we rejoiced that the company was started and we would be returning 

to Singapore to continue with training of missionaries, mentoring leaders in Kalimantan, 

doing some member care here and helping with Indonesian Domestic Workers in Singapore. 

Then last year God answered our prayer for an employment pass and provided a good 

house to rent (with rooms for guests and to do member care).

This situation has been a challenging turn of events for us. In a secular job a person might 

either take something offered elsewhere or just leave the company. In missions, it is a bit 

more complicated. As well, I feel there needs to be a sense of call and a direction in which 

to go. And right now that is where we are stuck, since we felt certain God was calling us 

to Singapore and still feel called here.

Along with World Team (global), we are waiting on the Lord for His thoughts and plan 

for us. Our times are in His hands, and we continue to learn to trust Him in all things.

Plans for the near future:

June—We will be involved in a Korea-Global Mission Leaders Forum at the Overseas 

Ministry Study Centre in New Haven, Ct. We will go back to Canada a few days early to 

be able to visit our children in Vancouver (May 27-June 4) & our home church and Henry’s 

mom in Grunthal (June 4-9).

After the KGMLF we will having a “debriefing” in the Toronto area and will also visit our 

World Team Canada office.

July—Back in Singapore. Many details, plans and preparation for the future will need to be 

worked out.

On August 25, 2012, we were happy to receive Byron Wiebe into our family - and we know Byron's parents were happy to receive Joey into theirs! The wedding was fabulous... a picnic in the park.. with great weather, a lot of really neat people from all walks of life, from far and near... church and family and work friends... a good time was had by all.