| Of old faith and new frontiers |

We've all heard the oft-used metaphor of the mustard seed. 'We can move mountains if we have faith the size of a mustard seed'. Well, a few months back now, I was asked to consider joining a missions trip overseas to Hlinsko, Czech. It would be a trip that used the game of hockey as a springboard to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world.

I must admit that I envisioned faith to take on a very concrete size and shape at that point in time. I must also admit, it wasn't a mustard seed. It was $2300 *sigh*. I distinctly remember walking and praying, asking God to help me make this decision. I remember wanting God to make the first step. I wanted God to "show me the money" before I was willing to take a step, no - a leap - of faith. Yet as the Spirit moves in wonderful and mysterious ways, so the Spirit reminded me of something I had forgotten to remember.

You see, last year I had taken a course on the book of Hebrews. Part of our class mark came from memorizing and reciting a chunk of the book. I chose Hebrews 11 for I could easily break the section down into little sections, each with its own hero of faith. Hebrews 11 is about faith. It begins with "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." And so this verse that I had memorized last year now came to the forefront of my mind, and God told me to have that kind of faith.

Instead of waiting for God to make the first move, He called me to leap out in faith, knowing full well that he would provide for my every need. And now I'm going to Czech. Next month I'll get on my very first plane, use my very first passport, and enter into a new frontier of life. I'll be stretched thin and stretched wide, but God is good and He will sustain me. I even get to preach through a translator while I'm there. Exciting and terrifying times await me, but I'm glad to be going with good friends.

The following is my support letter. I encourage you to read it and consider supporting me through prayer or through a one-time donation. "For the cost of a cup of coffee a day, you can..." Okay, I won't go there.

God bless.

-steve

Hello Friends and Family, February 18-March 1, 2011

I am excited to tell you that this coming February, I will be travelling to Czech Republic for a ten day missions trip. I will be joining the organization SOS Canada (Salvation on Skates), an organization that has been reaching out and ministering to people in Hlinsko, CZ since 2006 through the game of hockey. The game of hockey is used to break down barriers so that the gospel of Jesus Christ can be shared. However, hockey is not all that we will be doing in Hlinsko this February. We will be sharing our testimonies in public schools, spending quality time with kids in the orphanages, teaching ESL classes, and working alongside a local church, all for the glory of God! I will also have the opportunity to preach at a local church in Czech through a translator.

Czech is a lot like Canada. They have a similar climate, friendly people, and they love their hockey. While hockey is not the total focus of our trip, it is important to give us an opening to share our faith. The Czech Republic, formerly part of Czechoslovakia, was under communist rule until 1989, so there still is very little Christian influence. We are not there to force our beliefs on them, but to let them know that we care, and to share our reason for traveling so far.

God is truly wonderful and mysterious. I never saw myself going overseas on mission. Yet He has put together the challenge of mission with my favourite sport in the world; comfort with challenge. He truly knows the hairs on my head!

So what can you do to help?

One of the joys of this trip is that so many of us are from different churches. That means all of these churches are part of commissioning and praying for this trip. I need you to pray. Pray that God would work in great and mighty ways, that language would not be a barrier, that the gospel message would be planted on good soil, and that God would be glorified in and through this trip.

One of the challenges of this trip is its financial cost. If you are able, any donation to this cause would be greatly appreciated, as it will cost me $2300 to go. SOS Canada is a non-profit ministry registered with the Canadian Revenue Agency. To support me financially, make the cheque out to SOS Canada and attach a note indicating your support for me, as well as your personal information (name, mailing address). Donations can also be given in person or through the mail.

Thank you for your support, I trust that God has a plan for this trip specifically and I hope that I can be used to achieve His purpose.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

-Numbers 6:24-26