Suffering and Grace

This past week Donna and I grieved with a friend who lost his 22-year-old son to a motorcycle tragedy. We cannot begin to imagine the hurt that accompanies a loss like that. On our drive back from the funeral home, Donna and I were reflecting on our own lives and the perspective that losing a loved one brings.
No one seeks suffering, but Scripture teaches us that there is much to be learned when tragedy strikes.

A few weeks ago I quoted from a book Donna and I have been reading, and I return to it because of what it has taught us as we prepare for minstry in Toronto. Colin McCartney is the author, and he was newly acquainted with suffering when he wrote this:
"For the one true God to fill our souls, there must be a destruction of any false gods that are present. Before God can inhabit a soul, it must first become fit for divine habitation.Only empty vessels can be filled. Our souls were made only for God and the Holy of Holies cannot and will not tolerate any other rivals that inhabit our souls. God is a jealous God and rightfully so. He states that we cannot have any other gods before Him." Ex 20:3-6

That is a profound teaching for us in all life situations, but the practical matter of purging our souls comes only through deep suffering. This is what the Cross teaches us.

He goes on...
"In our own strength, we can only do so much to purge our flesh. The real purging comes when God allows us to suffer. In this way, suffering becomes an incredibly beautiful tragedy of grace-- a beautiful disappointment. This is why it is important not to run away from trials and tragedies, but to actually embrace them. This is why we must not ignore suffering." 

In our own experiences over the past 28 months, we have suffered-- in a different way than my friend, his wife and their daughters-- but we have suffered none the less. Early in the experience we were told to be on the lookout for God and His lessons. We were told that He will use it to strengthen our future ministry. As we are about to launch into a ministry of Pastoral Care in Toronto, we are convinced that God has been with us throughout.

"Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!"

(Italicized quotations are from "The Beautiful Disappointment - Discovering Who You Are Through the Trials of Life." by Colin McCartney, p.150)

In need of a push

Volunteer Year Toronto has reached a critical decision point. August is fast approaching and our support team is not yet complete. Our leadership must decide whether to allow us to begin the ministry. They can't say "go" without commitments that will cover ministry expenses. If you want to participate in this Christian mission outreach, now is the time to let us know.Your "Yes, we will" begins our work.

The mission needs to be assured that our friends are committed to meet the financial needs of the project. A "no answer" cannot be considered as a positive response. So if you have an intention of sending in a donation to Liebenzell Mission to support the work of Volunteer Year Toronto, please let them know today. Simply send a note to Jane Galley of Liebenzell at janegalley@liebenzellusa.org and tell her "Yes, we will" support Gregg and Donna's work in Canada. Even if you don't know an exact amount please let them know of your intentions.

Donations can be mailed directly to the Liebenzell Mission headquarters at P.O. Box 66, Schooley's Mtn, NJ 07870. Please do it before August 1, so we can get to the field as soon as possible.

Remember that our blog site is here to read the details of the work. Just click on the links above to have your questions answered.

Progress is Encouraging!

In our first newsletter in June, we told you what our needs are. Here's our progress towards meeting those needs. First, we have made some important decisions that will reduce some of our expenses, especially regarding health care costs. Second, part of our expenses will be covered by the fees paid by the volunteers who take part in the program. Third, many have already joined the VYT team with financial commitments! Taking these changes into account, our remaining need, as of today, stands at just $1650/month!

God has done great things in a very short time. If you haven't already, would you prayerfully consider a donation in support of Volunteer Year Toronto? Your monthly commitment is very meaningful to help complete the work God is doing in and around Toronto.

Send a note today to Jane Galley at janegalley@liebenzellusa.org or by mail to P.O. Box 66, Schooley's Mtn, NJ 07870. Remember, the U.S. Internal Revenue Serves recognizes Liebenzell Mission of the USA, Inc. as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3)religious organization. Donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt.

You are important to us, no matter your involvement with the VYT ministry. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this ministry. August 1 is our start date, so if you are intending to act, please do so today.

We are constantly amazed at God's goodness,

Gregg Hanchett
Volunteer Year Toronto

The Reason we serve.

Volunteer Year Toronto exists to bring glory to God by facilitating transformational relationships between Christian youth and mature, life-changing ministries.

We give international students an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving others during a safe, supervised internship. We provide pastoral care to the students so they can better serve others. We strengthen established ministries by providing spiritually prepared and energetic volunteers for their programs. We unite the body of Christ by serving ministries across social, national, and economic borders. And we do it in the Toronto region of Ontario, Canada.

"bring glory to God..."

In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus gives a surprisingly blunt parable that illustrates one way in which Volunteer Year Toronto seeks to bring glory to God:

'Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You,or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'   And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
God has a tremendous compassion for the hurting in our world. As Christians, our service to others has a broader, higher component of giving service directly to Our Lord. God is pleased -and glorified- when we help others through their tribulations. In our modern, fast-paced world it is too easy to have our attention diverted from the physical and emotional needs around us. Many young people especially have a hard time focusing on the needs around them. Volunteer Year Toronto ministry is committed to re-connecting teens to a needy world through establishing real-life relationships. Helping relationships. Caring relationships. Relationships that bring down walls or prejudice. Relationships that reveal Jesus' love. Relationships that change lives two people at a time.

Your partnership is SO important. Would you stand with us now so that we can serve this Fall? Find out how you can help by clicking on the link above.