As summer comes to a close and the fall season sets in, I’m reminded of how important the rhythms of life are. Summer is a time when most of us in Canada try to enjoy a bit of vacation, beach days, evening campfires with s’mores, summer festivals, and the overall warmth of the summer sun. The relaxed nature of the summer season helps prepare us for what’s to come. Fall tends to be a season of kick-offs and ramping programs up for the months ahead as we move towards the close of another year.

For all of the months behind us and seasons ahead of us, we are thankful for your faithful support for CBM and its work with partners around the world. Your prayers and financial support make it possible for the work to continue. Thank-you.

A little over a year ago, I began serving in a new role giving oversight and collaborative leadership to Vennture (www.vennture.ca), CBM’s faith meets work department. Through Vennture, CBM is engaging in the marketplace in three strategic ways. First, Vennture promotes and teaches a biblical theology of work that sees the tremendous value and purpose of daily work within God’s kingdom. Second, Vennture supports Global South entrepreneurs to grow or start transformational and redemptive businesses that provide income, employment opportunities, and much needed products and/or services within their community. Lastly, Vennture works with our partners to help mobilize God’s people to join God on mission through their daily work, whether paid or unpaid.

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Flourish Financial, a Canadian not-for-profit committed to providing equitable access to capital for Global South entrepreneurs. Together, we are working to alleviate poverty, one business at a time. To facilitate this partnership and support these entrepreneurs, Vennture is inviting individuals and businesses to make an investment in the future of these transformational and redemptive entrepreneurs/businesses. To learn more, please visit www.vennture.ca/support-global-entrepreneurs/

This September has brought about some changes within our household. Kyla has moved into an apartment in Fredericton, NB with a couple other students, where she is continuing her program with the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design. This year, she is specializing in pottery/ceramics and painting. Although it’s only been a couple of weeks, she really seems to be enjoying her courses and loves the practical hands-on nature of the program.

Sean has begun classes at NBCC in Saint John where he is studying to become a licensed plumber. His classes are online on Mondays and Fridays, and he commutes to the campus on the other three days with some other students from this area.

Carter has chosen to take a gap year and work in the trades. Making a decision on his future was a little more challenging for Carter, but we are confident and supportive of his choice and pray that this year will be a great experience for him.

Allie has begun grade 10 at Belleisle Regional High School. She loves learning, socializing, and being involved in sports and other school related activities. She is also working part-time on the weekends at a little farmers market near our home, which is a great experience for her and gives her a bit of spending money.

Melanie’s counselling practice is very busy. She continues to carry a very full client load and despite hiring a part-time counselling therapist to assist with the demand, she continues to need more help. She is currently trying to hire another qualified counselling therapist to join her growing team.

• Please pray for the final training of Integral Mission in the Workplace curriculum with CBM’s African partners happening this October. Pray for my colleague, Brenda Halk, as she travels to Rwanda to participate in this training.
• Please pray for Vennture’s new partnership with Flourish Financial. Pray that this will be a fruitful partnership that leads to the alleviation of poverty through these entrepreneurs and businesses.
• Please pray for me as I travel to India in November to visit CBM’s staff and partners. I will be visiting Vennture’s work in Nagaland and meeting the team who are engaging in two business initiatives through Alempang Baptist Church.

Please accept my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your ongoing support of CBM and the work that we are doing together as Canadian Baptists in embracing a broken world through word and deed.

God bless!