Leading people to intimate places with God where his voice can be heard.
Journey of Trust
January 2009 - March 2009
Steve Klassen
"leap off the cliff of control and seeming safety into the wide open space of trust."
see www.CommunitasCare.com
In November I thought I was struggling with back pain, but was surprised to learn I had blood clots in my lungs. Some die of this condition, but I was spared. I came out of the hospital exhausted, but very grateful to be alive. Immediately I faced the realization that MARK Centre was about $47,000 short and the year was quickly coming to an end. I was physically weak and at the same time taking ownership for the shortfall.
My anxiety once again led me to listen to God more closely and a gentle whisper surprised me – “I'm going to make this easy for you.” Could this be God's voice? My own mind was telling me this was going to be hard and I was okay with that because I felt I deserved it. As things unfolded we experienced a flurry of gifts – totaling about $45,000 in 3 weeks from about 30 different people! In all honesty I have to say it was easy. At points I became anxious and discouraged, but I also secretly laughed my way through the month, returning often to the gentle whisper and reminding myself to resist worry and embrace trust. December 2008 will be a memory for me of a journey of trust by refusing to make something hard that God intended to be easy.
People all around us are choosing to trust. I've been asking what trust means for them and they are saying, "trust is letting go....trust is surrender....trust is taking life one step at a time...trust is a choice that brings peace...trust is not grasping or controlling...trust is not defending myself...trust is believing that God decides the outcome...trust is letting my life unfold...trust is daily saying YES to God's invitations"
Like our friend Cathy, we are learning to "leap off the cliff of control and seeming safety into the wide open space of trust." We are finding it is a good place to live.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6)
A Retreat on Pender Island
Thursday-Sunday March 26-29, 2009 MARK Centre is offering a retreat on Pender Island called Journey of Trust. Cathy Hardy, Karin Dart and Steve Klassen will be facilitating this weekend of exploring the theme of trust together in a spectacular setting. The Kroeker’s ocean view home will make it easy to listen and reflect. For more information or to register phone our office at 604-556-7796 or email Catherine at catherine@markcentre.org
Monthly Supporters
At present roughly $3,500 comes in every month from about 20 different families, which is about 30% of the total donations we need annually to operate the MARK Centre. We are hoping to see monthly giving increase in 2009 to roughly 40%, strengthening and broadening our support base. We are passionate about multiplying a lifestyle of listening to God. Will you help us toward this end? Monthly donations can be made by credit card, automatic withdrawals or post-dated cheques. Please contact the office if you’d like to support the MARK Centre monthly at 604.556.7796 or joy@markcentre.org.
Come take a tour!
If you are interested in seeing what the MARK Centre is all about we’d love to host you for short tour. Please call Joy at the office to set up a time.
Volunteers
Thank you, volunteers, for helping with maintenance of the chalet and the grounds. If you’re a natural at cleaning, gardening, fixing things, hosting missionaries for a meal or taking photos and willing to volunteer please give us a shout.
Office: 604.556.7796
Email: joy@markcentre.org
Coming Ahead
- Jan 8 Sacred Space Resumes
- Jan 11-Mar 6 TREK training phase
- Mar 26-29 Journey of Trust Retreat (register now)
- May 22-24 Presence Retreat (register now)
- Jun 1-29 TREK debrief
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MARK Centre Board Members
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MARK Centre Advisory Council Members
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Steve Klassen, MARK Centre Executive Director
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Donations
Donations toward the
ongoing ministry of the MARK Centre are needed and greatly
appreciated.
(Registered Charity # 89760 6018 RR0001)
In Canada,
Cheques can be made
payable
to MARK Centre
and sent to:
31605 Old Yale Road,
Abbotsford, BC V2T 2B4
VISA and MasterCard are also gratefully accepted.
In the US,
Cheques can be made
payable
to MBMS International,
and sent to:
4867
E. Townsend Avenue Fresno, CA 93727-5006
