And then there were none

Suddenly we looked up, and all of our volunteers were gone! After 11 months of intensive, unselfish, and Christ-like service, our volunteer team has finished their term in Canada and returned to Germany. The above scene at Toronto's Pearson International airport on July 18th is representative of the many good-byes we said that day. Dominic, Simon, and Uli (on the left) and Marisa (on the right) are saying good-bye to the family of Jeremy Reurich, the Intern Director of UrbanPromise of Toronto. Mixed feelings were the norm for the day. Their happy thoughts were turned towards seeing their families and friends back home in Germany. But they were also sad to be leaving Canada. A few are already planning their return to Canada in a few short months. It filled us with great joy to listen to each of their plans for the future. Some are off to Bible College. Some will go to a technical university to study engineering. Some have arranged on their own to return to Canada for another year of Christian service. As we prayed for each young person throughout the year we asked the Lord to guide them in their path for the future. God has answered those prayers abundantly!

Typical of the comments we received from supervisors about our volunteers was a statement we heard the morning of their departure. We were picking up Evert and Daniel from Ontario Pioneer Camp, north of Toronto and heard, "You are taking our two greatest guys!" The camp normally has multiple dozens of staff during the summer so it was a great testimony to the character and hard work of these guys during their year. Similar testimonies were heard during the days leading up to their departure. Another testimony to the quality and growth in their Christian walk came as we were loading up the van with their suitcases. Two of the Canadian staff approached the guys and asked for a final prayer time.

Not until after several minutes of prayer fellowship, were we able to finish loading and head to the airport. Good thing we had scheduled plenty of time into our day. There's no way we wanted to interrupt those kind of good-byes.

In all, twelve young people got on the plane that day. Six of our original 18 were already back home in Germany. Beginning Monday all of them will be gathered one more time in Germany for a week-long debrief session. Then on August 1, a NEW group of 18 begins their adventure of preparation for a year in Canada! They arrive here in Toronto on the 26th of August. Donna and I can't wait to welcome them to begin a life-changing year of ministry. Thanks for your participation during this past year. Your partnership and prayers had a huge impact for Christ and his church!

Blessings.

April Newsletter

This is the April newsletter sent by email to all who are subscribed. If you would like to receive this directly to your email box each time it is sent, please let us know by adding your name to the block in the right-hand column on this page. Thanks!

Dear Friends,

March and April were key months for the International Student Volunteer Program. With anticipation high for Spring's warmth, much effort was needed to help our volunteers persevere through the yearnings of going home. We were encouraged by the reports from our partner ministries and by our volunteers' enthusiasm and dedication to Christian service. Lives are being transformed. Seven months have passed since the arrival in Canada of 17 energetic young volunteers. Now at the end of April, roughly 10 weeks remain of their time in Canada. Your prayers are a tremendous help in bringing this first year to a great conclusion!

During March we met with each young person in their place of ministry and encouraged them in their work.  Their ten ministry sites are spread out across central and southern Ontario. A three hour drive separates the two most distant sites. Since our visits included meetings with all the volunteers, their hosts and their supervisors we needed a full 14 days to accomplish it all. There were a number of crises to manage, there were decisions to make that affect the future of the program, and cultural adjustment counseling issues that required a good deal of wisdom.  During 20 years of mission service, Donna and I have worked through a lot of cultural issues and we were grateful to be able to draw on this experience to see us through these weeks. We are wonderfully blessed by your partnership in this ministry. Thanks for your prayers.

One of our volunteers lost his father to death, one changed his ministry, and two decided to finish their term early. Our newest volunteer is still trying get visa issues worked out and we took action on the arrival of 18 new volunteers for next year's program. Surrounding these events, we saw the love of Jesus demonstrated through the hands and feet of these young people in the ministries where they serve. We won't go into all the details, but here are the main areas that need your prayers.

• Micha O - On Day 10 of our journey, we got word that Micha's father had suffered a massive heart attack at home in Germany. In a powerful illustration of the Christian unity that has formed between our ministry partners, the Liebenzell team, and our volunteers, this young man was able to return home to his father's bedside just a day before his dad entered into the Lord's presence. When word arrived of the heart attack we were travelling several hours to the North in a heavy snowstorm. As we arranged for our return to Toronto the next day, Micha's ministry supervisor and team surrounded him with love and Christian care. The UrbanPromise team initiated the search for airline tickets back to Germany while the pastor of his church took Micha under his care. We were in contact with the Liebenzell Germany office to ensure Micha would be cared for upon his arrival. Meanwhile, the rest of the Canada team was dedicated to prayer. We arrived back in Toronto the next afternoon just in time to meet Micha before he left for the airport. He arrived the next morning at his father's bedside and joined his mother and brothers for the final vigil before death arrived. Please pray for Micha and his family for comfort during this difficult time. Micha would like to return to Canada to finish his term but has a lot to deal with before that happens.
• Daniel S. - UrbanPromise Toronto ministers to at-risk children in some of the toughest neighborhoods of Toronto. Our volunteers serving as interns with the UP program are in a constant spiritual battle to daily demonstrate the love of Christ to the children during after-school activities. In our role of Pastoral Care, we monitor our volunteers' adaptation to the highly stressful culture. During March it became clear that Daniel needed to make a change. His ministry supervisor, UP's support staff and our director's long experience with cultural adaptation all agreed that the time was right to move Daniel into a new ministry. Once again an attitude of cooperation across many diverse  ministries allowed us find a perfect solution. Daniel was able to get much-needed spiritual rest and re-focus on a new manner of serving the Lord in a brand-new environment. Pray for Daniel as he builds new relationships and adjusts from a teaching ministry to a serving ministry.
• Andreas and Marcel - During March we said good-bye to two of our volunteers. These two young men served at the Liebenzell Canada Mission Centre chopping wood, grooming the 45-acre property, and helping to host the many ethnic congregations that use the facilities for weekend retreats. They accomplished a lot during their time here and put up with the cold and isolation that goes with the job. In March, they ended their service several months earlier than planned. Cultural adaptation issues played a big role in their decision.  Although they did not stay through to their original departure date, they were a big help in the work of maintaining the Mission Centre. Pray for Andi and Marcel as they transition back into their home culture and make plans for university.
• Sara K - Her situation reminds us of the need of constant prayer for small details. Much of our ministry is to work out these kinds of administrative details for the volunteers.  In Sara's case, we are in the midst of the paperwork to have her visa issued. She came to provide child care for missionary candidates studying in Canada. Normally because of her short 6-month stay, no visa is necessary. But, unfortunately, when she entered into Canada immigration officials requested that she secure a special visa before she could be alone with the children. Now, just a few weeks before her service will end, we are still waiting for the document. She has been a great help, but to satisfy the letter of the law, we have had to ensure another person was always present. Thanks for praying for resolution for Sara's documentation.
• New volunteers for next year - We are finalizing the details for the placement of 18 new volunteers for the 2011-2012 season. It has been exciting to meet with our partner organizations and hear of their gratitude and enthusiasm for the program. Their ministries would not be possible were it not for our volunteers. Several want additional volunteers next year and we were able to add some new ministry partners for placements in future years! Your partnership with us is extending the influence of the gospel to thousands of families. Lives are being changed! God is receiving the glory!

Thanks for making this journey with us. We hope you are blessed by the stories posted on our blog, Volunteer Year Toronto (http://volunteeryeartoronto.blogspot.com). We recently posted a video showing the activities of UrbanPromise reaching out to at-risk children in Toronto. Subscribing to our blog is easy and ensures you won't miss any updates. You can also be notified of updates through the Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/VolunteerYearToronto.

Your financial partnership is especially important these days as we plan for the next year. Make gifts payable to Liebenzell Mission USA or Liebenzell Mission of Canada. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Gregg and Donna Hanchett
Liebenzell Mission USA
Liebenzell Mission of Canada
Volunteer Year Toronto

UrbanPromise March Break Camp

Toronto schools are out for a week in March, but that means our Volunteers have new opportunities to teach Biblical principles to their young charges. They gather together all three after-school programs for a combined program of teaching, games and fellowship.

Simon Scholz posted on his blog a video summarizing the fun:



Seven of our volunteers were involved in this week-long activity and many of them appear in the video. The love these kids have for their leaders is evident in their joy!

Volunteer Transitions

Spring is slowly making its way into Toronto bringing long-awaited change to our daily lives and our Volunteer Program is in transition. A couple of our Volunteers are reaching the end of their service with us, one has been added to our team, and one has had to return to Germany to attend to a family concern. Thanks for praying that the Lord will continue to bless us with great unity of purpose as we manage day-to-day affairs.

Andreas and Marcel, our volunteers at the Moffat Liebenzell Mission Centre have completed their service here in Canada and are presently on holiday for a few weeks before returning home to Germany. We appreciate the work they were able to accomplish at the Mission Centre-- chopping fire wood, felling trees, caring for the grounds and facilities. They were a key component in making our ministry to immigrant congregations an ongoing  success! The Mission Centre serves smaller church groups that need a place for retreats and personal get-aways.

We added Sara to our ranks in February! She has come to care for several children of our missionary candidates during the next five months. Sara has been able to integrate quickly despite some tough paperwork challenges that we are still working to resolve.Please pray with us as we work with Immigration to give them all the answers they are seeking.

Finally, one of our Volunteers serving UrbanPromise Toronto flew home urgently to attend to his father who suffered a serious heart attack. We continue to pray for Micha O, his father and his family. We hope and pray first that his father will make a full recovery, but then that Micha will be able to return to Canada and continue the great work he is doing with the after-school programs among at-risk kids in Toronto. We miss you, Micha! [Update: Moments after initially posting this we received news that Micha's father passed away. We are deeply saddened by this news. We take comfort in that his father was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and is now in the Lord's presence.]

In the next several weeks, we have a busy schedule. One of our Volunteers is off to Haiti with his church on a short-term mission trip. In April, all the volunteers will gather for a two-day retreat. After that, Spring will be fully upon us and we will be looking towards a great finish in June and July.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the work of Volunteer Year Toronto.

UrbanPromise Christmas Gala Recap

Christmas is a few months past, but the December video below highlights an important aspect of the work of UrbanPromise Toronto. Seven of our interns serve this ministry. They organize and run a series of after-school programs for at-risk children. The "camps", as they are called, help the kids by giving them something to do during the after-school hours when many parents must still be at work.
The interns give homework help, organize games, and supervise special projects with the children. A major highlight of the year is a "Christmas gala" in which all the participants receive personalized invitations at their home and then bussed to the event. They are pampered with things like manicures, hors-doeuvres, and on-camera interviews. The charming video shows the joy the kids receive from the special treatment.
Plus, the gospel message is presented emphasizing the same message of God's love given through the love and friendship shown each day at camp.

The Beautiful Disappointment

Excerpt from a book by Colin McCartney, executive director of UrbanPromise Toronto. The title of the book is "The Beautiful Disappointment: Discovering who you are through the trials of life", my current read:

"Over the years, I have come to understand that positive community change is not the result of any sophisticated children's or youth after-school or summer camp programs we operate. It is also not because we run a fancy mothers' program. In fact, our programs are not that fancy at all. We operate a bare bones program light on the programmatic side, but heavy on the relational and love side. What we lack in ornate bells and whistles and fancy, expensive programming is well made up with loving care from our staff. We earn respect through our commitment, dedication, and genuine love for our people... Our task is not to run programs, but to craft an ethos of love and grace. Our goal is to create holy places where the love of God can be experienced."

This helps explain why UrbanPromise has been so successful in Toronto, and many other urban centers across North America. A focus on grace, not rules; love, not fear. Profound.

Liebenzell volunteers have to meet a high standard to serve with UrbanPromise. Thus far, they have done so successfully for several years running. Thanks for praying and partnering with us as we seek to prepare ourselves for an intense ministry in Toronto.