Oh what a year......

​It is hard to believe that 2018 is almost over. 
This past year had so many milestones for us as a family as well as for the ministry we do.

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In May Mateo graduated from preschool! 
He attended the YWAM preschool for 2 years, and we were so thrilled to have seen him thrive there. 
Now he attends kindergarten at Nanaimo Christian School here in Nanaimo! Hard to believe he is almost 6 years old.

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In July we made the huge transition of moving from Kona Hawaii to Vancouver Island Canada. 
When we initially decided to move to Kona in 2014 we knew it was a stepping stone to other things God had for us. We were primarily going to Kona to do more training and prepare for the next step in Gods plans for our lives. Through the years of being in Hawaii God revealed to us step by step that we were to move to Nanaimo to pioneer a new YWAM ministry here on Vancouver Island with a team of people. In July we arrived, suitcases in hand with no where to live. Yes, you heard that right. Upon arrival we booked into a campground and spent the next month going on walk throughs and applying for houses. The housing shortage in BC quickly became evident and thoughts of homelessness sometimes crept in. But we knew that God had called us here, we also knew all we had to do was walk in obedience and He would take care of us. After 3 weeks we signed the lease on a beautiful 5 bedroom house that our team all lives in together. 

In August we travelled to one of the most remote places I have ever been. Esperanza (see red dot below). Here we staffed summer camp for youth from the surrounding first nations communities. During our second week there Livé and I had the privilege of being the guest speakers. We taught on calling and vision, hope and prayer. It was an incredible time, we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to partner with this incredible ministry.

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The fall has brought in some steady routine which we have been most thankful for! We have been partnering with other ministries here in Nanaimo, building relationships, learning more about the city, her needs and current atmosphere. Weekly we attend a few different prayer meetings, as well as volunteer with Youth For Christ and University Christian Ministries. Our team has had the opportunity to help lead worship, do breakfast programs in local schools, lunch programs, floor hockey, youth nights, prayer walks, etc. We have also felt very supported and welcomed by the local community here. We have been blown away by the generosity of the local body of christ, words can not describe how full my heart is.

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We were able to road trip to Kelowna to have Thanksgiving with Tessa's family. It was the first time her Grandpa and Aunty from New Brunswick met both Livé and Mateo. There was 4 generations together! Pictured right are Tessa's 2 nephews with Mateo. Aged 4, 5 and 6! 

We are very much looking forward to Christmas. Both Livé's parents and Tessa's mom and step dad will be together here in Nanaimo! The first time in our marriage we will be having a combined family Christmas!

We are very excited for 2019! We are planning on running a 6 month training course called the Discipleship Training School. You can read more about it here: www.ywamnanaimo.com/dts
We also have 3 more members joining our team in April! 
Both of these things mean we need a larger facility! Please pray that God would open doors and we would find the place He desires us to be.