Author Archive: bmcknight

Thank you from scholarship student Paul Jones

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Dear Ms Bev and church congregation at Christ Church Cathedral,

I am writing this letter to thank all those who have supported me during my four years of high school. I am so grateful to God for bringing you all into my life.  Without Him none of this would have been possible.  I am happy to say I have made you all proud even though my time in high school is almost over – just a couple of months to finish.

I will never forget you and what you have done for me.  I promise to keep you all posted as I continue to study.  Throughout my four years of studies there are people who have inspired me and uplifted me, especially the Lord.  Throughout my four years of school I have been doing well academically.  Now that I am in my fourth and final year of high school, my goal is to graduate and go to university to study forensics or marine biology, but mostly forensics.

My family and I want to thank you and your congregation for all the support.  I have four months until graduation and I will send you pictures of my graduation and a short video clip of me on my graduation day.

Once again, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  My prayer for you all is that God bless you always.  I love you all so very much.  Thanks again.  I will keep in touch with you.  Love you all!

Thanks,

Paul Jones

Thank you from Amieka Myers

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Here is a recent letter from Belize scholarship student Amieka Myers following the final payment of tuition for her now completed program. Although the scholarship is completed for Amieka, her plans are to obtain her teacher’s license and save some money on her own to return to University and further her education.

Hello Miss Bev,
I would like to let you know that I have received the funds from Ms Indira, it was very nice of her to do us that little favor. I would also like to thank you and your church for the assistance you have showered me with over the years. I appreciate every single thing you guys have done for me. As of today, I will start gather my documents for the license and I will keep you updated on how that’s going.

I can’t wait to see you and your team on the 28th. I know you must be very excited for your trip to Belize. I pray you

have a safe trip to beautiful Belize.

Regards,
Amieka Myers

 

Giving Tuesday!

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Giving Tuesday is a time to celebrate and encourage activities that support charities and non- profits. Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering time, helping a neighbour or spreading the word, Giving Tuesday on November 28th is a movement for everyone who wants to give something back. This year PWRDF is inviting you to make Giving Tuesday a World of Gifts Tuesday! Visit the secure online World of Gifts site and see how you can make a world of difference in the lives of people around the world being supported by PWRDF programs.

Greetings from Ms. Indira Spain in Belize

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This is a letter we received from Ms Indira Spain, teacher at St. Hilda’s as well as mother of one of our high school scholarship students, Anique Hernandez.  Anique is currently in Grade 10 at St. Ignatius High School in San Ignacio.  She is a very good student and is also involved in extracurricular activities at her school.  Her mom wrote this letter in June.
Greetings from Belize.  As I sit to write I can’t help but feel overwhelmed at the idea of connecting with some of the very best people I know, whom I’ve never met but whom have given to me one of the greatest gifts of my life.  Your generosity surpasses that of anything I have ever seen.  I remember being a smart student, achieving a whole lot in primary but struggling through high school because of financial reasons.  Anique is blessed to have an entire congregation behind her and for that I wish to extend a sincere thank you to every member of your church who have contributed to my daughter’s success.  Whether they have contributed financially or with a word of prayer we are grateful to all of you for keeping us in the warmth of your Jesus-filled hearts.  
Find attached Anique’s second form report card.  She has done well but I believe she can do much better.  The last lap of second form was a little challenging for her as the teachers tried to cover material that will be needed for third form.  Her grades fell a little and for that she sends apologies.  I am very proud of her despite the little drop and I’m sure that you guys will be as proud. 
Thank you again for everything you do for my child and I.

You Better Belize It!

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It is official! The 2018 Belize mission team has booked their flights and will be starting preparations soon for their mission trip in January. The team consists of Rebecca Butler-Goddard, Nat Fetter, Caryn Gunter, The Very Rev. Geoffrey Hall, Kelley Hall, Beverly Morell and Jim Morell. Please keep them in your prayers, along with the staff and students at St. Hilda’s Anglican School, and stay tuned for ways you may be able to help out as part of the home team.

IVCF NB Fall Update from Abigail Wood

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Invite, Invite, Invite!
In September people are more open to try new things than any other time of year.  We have been inviting widely all month to meals and Bible studies.  During the first few weeks of class at UNB, STU, and MTA, students attended clubs fairs and invited everyone who stopped by to kick-off barbecues at their homes.  Students in our communities were taking advantage of all opportunities to make new connections.

At the clubs fair: Fredericton students Chiara, Mary Jo, and Wade hand out invitations to meals & Bible studies
We are off-campus
In both Fredericton and Sackville, student life happens just as much off campus as it does on campus.  A group of students in Fredericton have committed their homes (4 houses!) to be “community houses”.  These houses are spaces of hospitality and prayer.  In Fredericton two houses are hosting open dinners every week. These dinners have been gathering points for both students who come almost every week and those who want to come and check out our community or just don’t feel like cooking.  A handful of students in Fredericton and Sackville are meeting every morning to pray for for their friends and their campuses.  Much of this prayer is happening in community houses.
A Weekend Retreat
InterVarsity Undergraduate at Mount Allison grabs a group photo at the retreat
“I need to read my Bible and pray more” is what students tend to say when they want to engage more deeply with their faith.  We decided to use our fall retreat, a weekend away at Camp Medley, to give students tools on how to read their Bibles and pray better.  We gave some examples of different ways to engage with prayer and scripture, such as lectio divina, praying through psalms, and sitting in silence.  One student said that while praying through the psalms, she heard from God more clearly than she ever had before.

Choosing Rest Over Busyness

Our retreat intentionally had a very light schedule.  This gave students space to try out some of the prayer and scripture exercises we showed them.  It also gave them space to nap, play frisbee, drink tea, sit in the sun, or do homework if they needed to.  One student decided to leave her phone in her cabin for the whole weekend.  On Friday night this was causing her a bit of anxiety, especially as she wouldn’t even have a time piece, but on Sunday she was completely content to just sit and be.  Students are learning that God does not call them to constantly perform and prove their worth, but that he calls them to healthy rhythms of both work and rest.
Fundraising Update
I am on campus! Together we raised enough money for me to start on campus in September.  This is incredible, and I am very thankful. We still need to gather about $500 in monthly support to raise the full budget.  Will you consider committing to a monthly gift of $50 or $100? 
Prayer Requests

 
We want to be welcoming to all. Please pray that students with diverse backgrounds and diverse beliefs will come to and feel welcomed at our dinners, Bible studies, and informal gatherings.
In Sackville, community housing plans for next year are already underway. Sackville is unique in that most students are already signing leases for next year. Please pray that InterVarsity students who want to build a community house will have success finding roommates and a place to live.