The Connection - Maple Ridge, BC

Dear Friends,

Our family just got back from a quick trip to Manitoba. It was nice to get away and visit my family, some of whom we had not seen for 2 years, it’s just too bad that we had to spend more time driving than visiting J … or so it seems. Although the time was busy with long days and late nights and many kids (my one brother has 4 youth children), it was emotionally refreshing. Hopefully you’ll find me (more) cheerful and ready to go. I also had some time to mull over what we are doing, and how we are doing, and I was able to regain the focus that I believe the Lord wants us to have. I look forward to sharing with you all.

As you know, we’ll be starting the new school year in a few days. (I think some schools are already in action.) So this will be a great time of new beginnings for our church. To that end I want to commit the coming Tuesday and Wednesday (26th & 27th) to fasting and much prayer. If you can join in by either putting aside a solid meal and drink juice instead, or letting go of a luxury (like TV) during part of one of those 2 days that would add a lot of power to our church.

Yours always, John Martens

Visit their website at The Connection

Mexico Mission Trip

Our Missionaries to Mexico traveled to Casa Hogar de la Montana, Children's Home of the Mountains on July 18th-26th. Our missionaries were Chip, Sue, Robert, Rose, Rebecca, Christian, Brett, Andrea, Tammy, David, Suzette and Tia. They led Bible School and completed construction on one of the houses for the children. Below are a few of the great pictures that they brought back.

Keep Philip and Rebecca Askey and the Children's Home of the Mountains in your prayers. God is doing great things!

The Connection in Canada is Filming a Movie

We are in the midst of our filming marathon. Fortunately we've been able to get some short breaks in between to get some rest (and get other work done). Today was all indoor shots - as we shot the closing scene of the movie. It rained all day. Tiffany and I also had to take Paint, our dog, to the doggy doctor. Paint either sprained her leg or broke it. But the Dr. thinks the dog will be fine. Just a lot of rest.

Tomorrw and Thursday we'll be filming outdoors. Please pray for dry sunny weather. We need this for continuity. There are scenes that continue in the movie but are shot several weeks apart. Tomorrow and Thursday we go pretty late. Tomorrw it's till 2 AM. I'm not yet sure about Thursday. Probably about the same. Pray for weather and that all goes well. So far God has been with us. It has been a lot of work but in the end God provided. For example, it took about 50 phone calls and about as many "No's" but finally one place let us use a Hummer for nearly free. (Other places were wanting to charge us up to 2000$.) That's just the way it goes.

Filming a scene at a restaurant.

John Martens

The Connection

http://www.tcjourney.com/

First Provides AC for Bolivia!

First Baptist Church joined with Wise Choices to provide Air Conditioning for the Ministry in Bolivia! Thank You!

The following letter from July 26th Copied from Wise Choices Blog ...

Saturday Night in Santa Cruz...Here we sit under the stars in the patio area of our beautiful surroundings at Hotel Yotau. It is the only place we can get a good internet connection. We certainly are modern missionaries! Anyway, the day was awesome and we are pleased to be able to report to you a good report.This morning, we hosted our PINC conference for the English Speaking Missionaries and the young women they influence. Suzanne and Sara first with the young women and spoke about purity and setting boundaries. The young women responded with enthusiasm and one of the senior girls from the Christian Learning Center invited them to come speak at the senior girls Bible study on Thursday night. This was something that God had laid on Sara's heart and an opportunity that she had been praying for as she prepared for Bolivia. There were many teens, moms, and missionary women who made a commitment to purity and they in turn prayed for our next week of sessions to be spoken in the schools and orphanages.This afternoon, 15 women who are volunteers at Centro de Vida, came for training. The discussion and training was very interesting to see the cultural differences between our two countries on the subject of adoption, abortion, stds, and so on. We presented them with a small gift from Wise Choices and also presented them with youth education curriculum which is in spanish. They were very thankful and appreciative. Their "graciousness" and appreciation for what we have offered are very heart-felt!We found out yesterday that we will be presenting purity and integrity to a group of 15 young women who have been in prostitution and/or have been sexually abused. So if you are reading this prior to our speaking...we certainly would appreciate your prayers!Tomorrow morning we will go to the Trinity Union Church and are looking forward to seeing and meeting more of the local English speaking missionaries. We hope to encourage them to pray for our team and for Centro de Vida. We will get a bit of souvenire shopping in at the plaza tomorrow and then back to the hotel to relax and get ready for the full week ahead of us.

Buenos Noches from Bolivia! Eve, Leslie, Suzanne, and Sara

Follow their blog ... http://www.wisechoices2bolivia.blogspot.com/

Mexico Mission Group - Monday

First Baptist Church of Fisherville, TN and First Baptist Church of Decatur, TX are having a VBS at Miguel and Suzi's church in Saltillo. Here they are putting on a puppet skit for over 40 kids.

Pray for our Missionaries in Mexico this week. Go to www.chmmexico.com for more information on the Children's Home of the Mountain.

They will be returning on Saturday!

Youth Student Life Camp

We got a call from Ron in Durango this afternoon and he had GREAT news! Two of our students that are with him at camp accepted Christ last night as their Lord and Savior. To say the least, we are all THRILLED! Keep praying for Ron, the leaders, and all of the youth that are there, and pray that the Lord will continue to do great things!

Camp Copass Day 1

We arrived at Camp Copass, got registered, unpacked, and headed to our first "Pep Rally."Craig Tackett and his band, "Jonathan Project," are leading our worship time. This group led us, last year and the kids loved them. Craig is also our camp pastor and last night we learned the similarities between "Humpty-Dumpty" and Job. Evening worship was followed by our cabin devotion time. We wrapped up the evening with a"Nite at the Theme Park" which included bounce houses, water slides, a dunking booth, sno-cones, cotton candy, and lots of games. Lights were out @ 11:00 with just a few rebels who had a hard time getting up this morning. Please keep all of our kids and leaders in your prayers this week. More updates soon!