To download the prayer letter in a printable PDF format with picture and graphics, please click HERE

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may be glorified…”

~ 2 Thessalonians 3:1 ~

As mentioned in our last prayer letter, our family will be returning to the States for a short time in order for me (Matt) to take part in commencement activities for my Master’s degree, to visit family whom we haven’t seen in 4 years, and to visit a few new churches to try to raise some more support.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to report back to many of our supporting churches at this time, but we will be making our video update available to all of our churches.  The video update will give an overview of the past four years here in Newfoundland and allow you to see some of the ministry opportunities and needs here in Newfoundland.  The link to the update video will be sent out soon in a separate update.  Lord willing, we will leave Corner Brook after services on Sunday night (April 9) and take the night ferry to the mainland in order to be back in the States by Wednesday, April 12.  Our plan is to return back home to Corner Brook no later than July 15.  In our absence, Pastor O’Brien and his family will be driving out from Stephenville every Sunday to hold services here at Grace Baptist.  We are grateful to live close enough to coworkers to help each other in our respective ministry, and I am confident that the O’Briens will be a blessing and help to our people while we are gone.  

In the midst of all of our preparations for furlough, we received some exciting news that was a tremendous answer to prayer.  On March 16, I was notified that we had been invited to apply for permanent residency here in Canada!  This does not mean that we have been granted permanent residency, but rather that the government has said that we are qualified enough to apply.  We have spent the last few weeks completing the application and submitting all of the supporting documents that have been requested.  By God’s grace, we submitted the final application on March 29, and now we have to wait for the final decision.  Lord willing, and if all is in order, we will receive the decision in 6 months’ time — approximately by the end of September.  We ask you to please pray  with us that the application and supporting documents will be accepted and that there will be no complications with this process.

Other Updates

Katie and Emily (O’Brien) planned a joint Ladies’ Luncheon for both New Hope Baptist in Stephenville and Grace Baptist.  The Luncheon was hosted at Grace, and it was well attended by ladies and teen girls from both Corner Brook and Stephenville.  Katie did an amazing job with the decorations and Emily did a great job with the devotion and the skit.  We had a couple of visitors from Corner Brook come, and they have expressed interest in coming back for services.

Elliot is continuing to enjoy training with the Cadet program and has recently joined the marching band.  This past weekend, the band took part in the opening ceremonies for the regional snowmobile races by playing the Canadian national anthem and the Ode to Newfoundland.

Kara took part in the winter soccer program and has begun taking violin lessons.  She was given a violin for her birthday this year by one of the ladies in our church, and she enjoys her teacher and learning to play.

Thank you for upholding us in prayer and financial support.  We are truly grateful for your partnership in the Gospel and count it a privilege to be your representatives to the people of Newfoundland. 

To download the prayer letter in a printable PDF format with picture and graphics, please click HERE