Out of sight, but really near to our hearts!
Youth ministry remains our passion, whether it's talking about it or participating in it. That's why, in addition to visiting churches and congregations to talk about our ministry, we've been involved in several youth ministries while in Quebec. We also regularly lend a hand with the youth at the church I attended as a teenager.
In addition to all this, we support our leaders in Slovakia by providing them with materials and recorded video studies to give them a break from time to time. We've also met with them via video call and exchanged numerous messages to stay in touch. Please pray for them, especially Andrej, who is looking for a new job. Let's pray that this new job will allow him to be present for youth group and church every Sunday.
We thank the Lord that, at Easter, Veronika's mother came to church and mentioned that she enjoyed it. She even said she wants to come back. Let us continue to pray for the salvation of Veronika's family (father, mother, and little sister) and her witness around them.
One km/mile after the other
We are deeply grateful for the vehicle the Lord has allowed us to use here. What a blessing! Every Sunday has brought its share of kilometers/miles, up to 500 km/300 miles on a Sunday so far. More than once, the weather on the road has turned less than ideal, but God has always kept us safe. It has been a joy to already have had the opportunity to share about Slovakia with 14 churches and youth groups since our arrival!
A God who knows everything
The first Sunday after our arrival, the Lord arranged for us to meet a brother working in the healthcare field.
He simply told us to contact him personally if anything happened to us health-wise. Since we are no longer in Quebec permanently, we do not have access to Quebec’s public healthcare system. Therefore, it is very complicated and expensive to get medical care outside an emergency covered by travel insurance. But, God knew and had everything line up! At the beginning of March, Rosalie started to have trouble hearing and felt a little unwell. At first, we thought it would pass. But after three weeks, things were getting worse. One phone call, a visit with less than a five-minute wait, and we learned that Rosalie had earwax buildup, an ear infection, and tonsillitis. A visit to the pharmacy, where we waited longer than at the doctor's office, a week's supply of antibiotics, and Rosalie was back on her feet. Praise God for providing for our needs once again!
A golf ball
Several weeks have passed, and we finally received news about our van in Slovakia. It took some time, but on the other hand, the funds for repairs aren't there yet, so it's okay. We know the Lord is aware of all this and will provide in His time.
What we suspected indeed happened. A catastrophic internal failure punched a hole the size of a golf ball in the side of the engine block and cracked the oil pan. When the engine was opened, it contained numerous fragments of internal engine parts. At this point, the old engine has been removed, and our mechanic brother is searching for a suitable replacement. Let us pray together for his research and that the Lord will provide and/or reduce the replacement costs. Currently, he estimates it will cost 9,700CAD/ 7,100USD.
On tour
We are not a band, but at the end of April we will be going on tour to visit one church and Bible school (NBBI) in New Brunswick, four churches in Maine, and another church in Pennsylvania. All this in just four weeks!
Here is what our schedule looks like until the end of May:
- Sunday, April 5th Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, Qc
- Friday, April 10th Youth Evangelical Church, Trois-Rivières
- Sunday, April 12th Sorel Brethren Assembly
- Friday, April 17th Youth Evangelical Church New Horizon, QC
- Sunday, April 19th South Shore Bible Group, Longueuil, QC
- Sunday, April 26th morning Madawaska Gospel Church, ME
- Sunday, April 26th evening People’s Church, Somerville, NB
- Friday, May 1st New Brunswick Bible Institute
- Sunday, May 3rd morning Dyer Creek Community Church, ME
- Sunday, May 3rd evening County Road Baptist Church, ME
- Sunday, May 10th morning Olamon Bible Church, ME
- Sunday, May 10th evening Bradford Baptist Church, ME
- Sunday, May 24th Waynesboro Bible Church, PA
- Wednesday, May 26th Mont-Bellevue Assembly, Sherbrooke, QC
- Friday, May 29th Youth Evangelical Church New Horizon, QC
- Sunday, May 31st Gospel Church La Rivière, Rivière-du-Loup, QC
All our Sundays are booked, but we are always open to adding a meeting at another time during the week. We would be happy to come, whether it's for a youth group or a prayer meeting. We're not afraid of traveling, so just let us know, and, if possible, we'll gladly visit you. We are here to serve, just like when we were in Slovakia!
Our family and families
It is with great joy that we are spending quality time with our parents, brothers, sister-in-law, and nephews. We are grateful that Samuel had the opportunity to celebrate his 17th birthday with so many people who are so dear to him. By the time you read this, I (Philippe) will also have had the opportunity to celebrate my 40th birthday with these two wonderful families, the Bélangers and the Brières, whom the Lord has placed in my life. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Isabelle's grandmother's 91st birthday.
It is a joy to be able to lend a hand to our parents, as well as to friends, during our time here. The Lord never ceases to amaze us and takes such good care of us!
God bless you and
we look forward to seeing you soon!
Philippe and Isabelle Bélanger
Our support comes only through churches and individuals that God puts at heart to encourage us financially.
We do not receive any support from other organizations or missionary groups.
If God puts it on your heart, you may send your donation using the link below.
