From the Chevys: Laurence & Kathy Cheveldayoff
By the time this email reaches you, we will be in the Toronto area, returning from Brazil to spend five days with our daughter Laurena and her family. On Tues. 17th, we will wing our way west and hopefully rest our weary heads on our own pillows in our house in Duncan, BC.
IRSA and CARS in Brazil:
We leave, very much encouraged that the small setbacks suffered last year are behind and God is leading IRSA/CARS to not only continue growing but developing in some different ways.
Starting in August, the third group of students will launch off on a three trimester journey that will culminate in Dec. of 2008 with each one receiving a Diploma from IRSA and a Certificate from the Baptist Seminary of the ABC area of cities in greater Sao Paulo.
Over the last two and a half years, 15 Agents of Social Responsibility have graduated and another 15 have taken either one or two of the trimester course. Praise the Lord.
The financial situation, although meagre, will be able to facilitate both the IRSA Assoc. operations and the CARS teaching program.
The IRSA web site is being upgraded BUT you can visit it at any time: (It has an English section)
THE 2007 IRSA/CARS GRADUATION:
What a joy it was for Kathy and I to participate in the second graduation exercises of IRSA !! It was held in a small Baptist church which had three students that completed the CARS course. Some of the main officials present were:
== The rector of the Seminary, Pr. Sidnei. The President of the Faculty who is also the vice president of IRSA: Pr. Nelson, The Executive Director of IRSA/CARS, Pr. Fernando, The president of IRSA/CARS; Pr. Saulo and the new co-ordinator of IRSA; Iolanda Miranda.
== Miss Sirlei from INTESE (an evangelical Institute that helps over 100 evangelical Assoc and Institutes in the greater Sao Paulo area.) gave the keynote address.
Kathy and I were proud to see each student called by name to receive a Certificate from the Seminary (Value of one elective completed should they continue on) and a Diploma from IRSA recognizing each one as an "Agent of Social Responsibility" The two of us also presented each one with a Portuguese's NIV Bible with zippered cover.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE CHEVYS:
BACK TO THE PAST AND ON INTO THE FUTURE:
The two of us have signed in to direct the Seniors camp at the Sylvan Acres Ministries camp site on Vancouver Island !! That will take place between the 20th and 24th of August.
Camping has always been in our blood and we decided to get back into the swing of things BUT on a Senior level. That should limit the leap of cultural change we need to make !
We are on the VIA (Vancouver Island Assoc) board and could not refuse to help out with the 2007 summer camping programs. Why not take a look in the Sylvan Acres Ministry website:
http://www.sylvanacres.org/
AN INTERESTING SITUATION BECOMES A REALITY:
Well, we have been hinting about 'an interesting situation' that needed a bit more time to develop !!
Here it is:
We have accepted the call to minister with the International Baptist church in Costa Rica for three months. Upon finishing our Seniors camp on Vancouver Island, we will repack to take on this new ministry that is primarily to focus on the Senior group both in and around the church and capital. Sao Jose.
Details are being worked out but God has given us a number of green light indicating "it's' a go" !!
Both Kathy and I have our hearts turned by God in this new direction !!. The church in Costa Rica will cover our expenses of travel, accommodation and transport. We have offered to look after our food costs since these are basic no matter where we are and live.
I recently made an observation to Kathy, that since accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, He filled my mind with visions of ministering outside of Canada. When she decided to co-partner in ministry and marriage, she was fully aware and accepting of God's calling upon our lives.
The interesting thing is that I thought upon 'retiring', that was the end of the vision BUT now we have realized that every time we return to Canada, He just pushes us out and into new directions !!!!
MORE ?? There is another situation forming BUT it needs more time to define itself. It should clarify itself in a month or so. We will keep you posted.
PRAYER NEEDS: please bring the following before the Throne of Grace:
== The members of the IRSA Assoc. to continue looking to the Author and Finisher of their faith and the call to ministry through this association.
== His call upon the hearts of new students to enrol in the CARS course starting this August.
== The continued development, filming and production of DVD's and manuals to launch the CARS course in a Distance Education format.
== Iolanda, so she can capture the essence of the IRSA/CARS ministry and be able to start promoting amongst the evangelical churches in the area.
== Patience for Iolanda as she re-organizes the IRSA office, develops better ways of communicating with the members of IRSA and does the daily secretarial tasks.
== Safe travels and good health for the Chevys returning to Canada and preparing for the Seniors camp at the Sylvan Acres Ministries camp site (near Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island).
== The power of the Holy Spirit to guide Chevy as he gives the message on three Sundays this summer in his own home church in Chemainus. We are without a pastor right now.
== The Lord giving dreams and visions for the Chevys as we look towards the ministry in Costa Rica.
== A clear leading of the Lord as the Chevys look at another situation for ministry in early 2008.
We trust you have been encouraged by how God has and is working in the situations and ministry opportunities mentioned above. Please remember that it is your prayer and giving along with His calling that is making all this possible.
Again: May HIS LOVE SHINE TO AND THROUGH YOU !!
The Chevys
He died, He rose, He's coming back again!!
Servanthood is a major distinguishing mark of Jesus and He commands us "follow Me"
That's the path into the world from the CROSS.