It has been a while!!!

Hello friends and family,
   Well it has been a while since I have written anything, so I thought I would do a short update. I can hardly believe that 2 years ago I was starting to get ready to come back to Canada. I have been back home in Canada as long as I was over in Belgium. Which is so hard to believe that all that time has passed.
   When I came back and deiced to lead the children's ministries of my church, I had no idea how much was involved, but how exciting it is to be part of this ministries. How amazing it is to touch the lives of these children. And as I look at the next 2 years I am looking forward to see how God can use me here or anywhere else He may send me or move me.
  One amazing part of being back home is being able to be part of the family, and watch my precious niece and nephew grow.

  I am grateful for all the experiences and lessons I learned while in Belgium. I would not have traded those 2 years for anything, and I have used them as I minister here back home in Canada. And as I move forward to continue learning and use what I learn as I minister.
  I have been working at a retirement home since April of 2012 and I am working there full time nights, not always easy working straight nights but I am thankful for a job, but as most of these residents are able to take care of themselves thought out the night my job is very easy. I do checks though the night on them with a few other small jobs, but I have a lot of time during the night to do things that I choose to do. So I bring things with me and I am able to prepare lessons, training sessions ect during the night. Which has been a blessing for me to be able to do that at work, as I have no idea how I would fit it all in yet I know God wants me here doing the ministry here in Welland.  
    As I look towards 2014 I am looking at doing a VBS again this coming summer at our Church. I have done so the last 2 summers and yes it is a lot of work, but the kids always enjoy it so much and I learn so much along the way as well. And although we are into Jr. Church of this year I am always looking at the next year although we are in the present year to see what is working and what needs to change. I am also part of the Awana program at our Church, which I work with the Sparkies (ages 5-7) and it is so great to see them each week and know we are influencing them though that ministry.
  On a personal note I am having surgery in January for my gallbladder, I will be off of work for 4 weeks. So I able to focus on a few things at home and ministry and see where that leads.  Well that is all for now, I will need to try to update things here more often so that I am not trying to remember everything I have done in the last year to year and half. :)
  Blessings to you all.
  

Preparing for a week of VBS!!!

 Well my friends,
    I have been home for 7 months now and I have a few part time jobs along with serving with my Church as the Children's Pastor. Some days I wounder where I will find the time to get everything done. And for most part God gives me the strength to get it all done.
  With a week and half till the start of VBS there seems to be long lists of things to be done. And as we quickly head that direction there are many things on my mind that we need to get done, but I know no matter what happens and what I may not get done or what I don't think is the way it is suppose to be God will be using it all. I am excited to be part of this yet I feel so many time so unprepared for this job, yet it is here and here I go.
  I saw this on Face book not that long ago, and so many times as I work along doing this I feel this way.

 And as I go forward, to this busy week of VBS I am so glad that we all can lean on Christ, for our strength and guidance, these Children are so precious and need to hear about the greatest gift that they could ever receive.
  I want to thank each of you in advance as you pray, for this week of VBS, I have been blessed with having a base of praying friends.

6 Months

Well I have been back to Canada 6 months. It has been an interesting journey, coming home. At times I love being back here yet at time I so miss Belgium. A piece of me will always be in Belgium. I will always think of it as my second home.
  Since coming back home to Canada I have had the OM door shut for me to work here in the Canadian office. I have a few part time/casual jobs, as a PSW although I do enjoy my work most of the time my heart is at my Church, where I am the Children's Pastor. We are doing a VBS this summer with less then 7 weeks to the start of it, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. Yet I know that it will be a great time of fun, and learning for all of us.
   As I look back at these last 6 months at home, I have been blessed to have an amazing family to help and support me in my transitional time back.  I have also been blessed with an amazing apartment. As I look around my place I am amazed at what I own and where it all come from, God has supplied beyond what I need, and for that I am grateful. I am amazed over and over again at how God supplies for everything, and beyond.    
  As I look to the future I do not know what God has in store for me, but I do know that no matter what happens he is in control and he will supply for me. 
  I want to thank each of you as you journey through with me in this life, of the unknown. We serve an amazing God, and if we let Him run our lives He will do some amazing things, as we serve Him.
  Will see what the next 6 months will be like. What amazing things God will show me. 
And although I am not out on any mission field any longer, does not mean I not mean that I don't need you on my team, I think being home can be almost harder as you do not have the same team support behind you, as you live day by day. Please if you need prayer let me know. And please pray as I get to know my neighbours, and show them God's love.  

Job Hunting!!!

Hello everyone,
  It has been awhile since I last wrote on here. So here we go, for those who have not heard. I have left OM and now is on a job search. I am Personal Support Worker(PSW) Although I did not know what was going to happen with OM and my support at the end of January, I felt that I needed to start handing out resumes, so I did and have been ever since.
   And I was getting little to no response from them, so I started sending them far and wide through out Canada, and was like okay Lord if you want me here in Welland then you need to shut these doors and open local ones. And so I waited and no response from them either.
  Now I was getting to the end of my Home assignment with OM and knew that I needed a job as the support I need for staying with OM was not coming in, so I knew God was closing that door. Yet I was not sure what the next door was for me.
   So I started to apply to just about anything out there, I figured once I was making money to live off of I could then search more into the openings that I needed to look at.
   After send out resumes to places like Tim Hortons, Dollar store etc. I decided that I needed to make a visit to the Job Gym, which is a program that runs here in Welland to help people get jobs it is a resource to those looking for work or if there are problems with your job and you need questions. The best part this is a government funded program so I do not need to pay out of pocket for this.
    So I got all the paper work started for this and signed up for a work smart work shop and next thing you know I get a job offer, yes with St. Elizabeth Home Health, which is an organization that hires, RN's RPN's and PSW's to go to peoples homes and give care to them. Although I do not know all that is initiated to this job, I will soon as the orientation is Monday afternoon. This is part-time/casual so I do not know how many hours this will be either, but one thing I do know is that I have a job and who knows what will come of it.
   I will for now stay with the job gym to see if I can get full-time employment somewhere, but this is a start and an answer to prayer. I will keep you posted in what comes next. I am also still working with my church as Children's Pastor so please pray that as I try to balance all God has blessed me with that I will stay focused on the important things in life.
  Thanks again for being part this journey with me. Your love and prayers are so much appreciated.

What is home Assignment??

 So as I have been talking with people, since I have come home to Canada from Belgium, I have come to realize that home assignment or furlough is a bit confusing for everyone and what it means.
  So I am going try to explain this to the best I know how to.
  Home Assignment (Furlough) is when a missionary returns to their home country or area  fir a tune to connect with there supporting church(es), and  there partners. And a time to build new partners as well to join there team. During this time they also share what is going on the field that they are working on.
  It also helps Missionaries take time to step back and reflect on what is happening and refocus on what God has called them to do. After a time that has been set by them and the mission organization that they work for they return to there field that they are working in.
  So what this all means for me, as I have come back from Belgium, and now in Canada. I am on home assignment (furlough) till the end of March.During this time I am planning on visiting people, groups and Churches to share about my time in Belgium and what future plans are looking like and what needs I have. At the end of this time going back to Belgium but staying here in Canada, I will be working with OM Canada in Port Colborne.
   As with any OM Missionary, I need to raise  my own support to work here with OM Canada. As OM is an faith based organisation. So as I connect with people and build this team to continue on this path God has me on at this time. Please if you are reading this please consider becoming part of this team and see how God Changes communities and countries. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, or if you wish to be part of this team.  My email address is joanneynemajourney@gmail.com
  You each have a part of what I do because without each of you I couldn't be doing what I do.
   
  I thank God that He has put each one of you in my life.

Preparing to go back to Canada!!!

  Where has the time gone. As I sit here today, I look at the calender and see there are 2 weeks till I move out of my apartment, lots of packing and cleaning up to do. In 5 weeks I will be on a plane heading home to Canada. There so many up and downs for me these days I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends back in Canada. Yet will miss so much of Belgium and the friends that I have got here. Yet I know this is what God is calling me to do is go home and share his amazing love to the Canadians around me.
  I fly home the 15th of December. I will spend most the the time in December with family and Christmas functions. I am looking forward to seeing each one of you. If you would like to see me please contact me at joanne.ynema@om.org Most of these appointments will happen in the new year, but if you are not form the Niagara Region and will be there during the holidays I would be very happy to see you during that time if you have time. Please contact me and I will try to arrange to see you during that time. Looking forward to hearing from you.
  Thanks so much for partnering with me during this time here in Belgium and looking forward to continuing this partnership during my next 2 years as I serve in Canada.

  "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all."  Philippians 1:3-4  

Vacation Fall 2011

Time away is always nice and usually to short, last week I had some time to go to the Netherlands. I went away to a little retreat spot. Real nice. Beautiful fall weather. Great for some nice walks, and just relaxing. I went away with a family who works here with OM Belgium. 

Here are a few pictures of my time away.  

August 2011

 Well August started off quite, which was nice sit back and get some rest. During the first few weeks of August I was able to prepare for the end of August and into the fall a bit.
  From Aug 21st till Sept 3rd I was in Holland. I went to the GO (Global Orientation) Conference which all OMer's attend before heading out to there service field. I was there as the Canadian rep. So every country who has someone go form or going too needs to have a rep form that country there. It was an amazing time and what a privilege I had to be part of the team that helps these new recruits get to there country of service. As I think about heading home to Canada, and knowing that I will be a part of seeing Canadians head out to serve our amazing and awesome God, it is such an amazing privilege to help them through this process.
   As I look to this next step as I work at the Canadian office seeing our God work through amazing ways through us. Please pray with me as I prepare to head home in the next few months. As I prepare to work at the Canadian office and my home church. I can not do this with out each one of you being there for me, through prayer and financial support, please prayerful consider joining or continuing on being part of this team. Please do not hesitate to ask questions about any of this, and I will do my best to answer. Thanks so much for being part of my team.

Looking towards the Future!

 Well if you get my newslettIer, you know I am coming home some time in the next 4 to 5 months. But for those who may have missed it I will continue on, sometime in late December or early new year, I should be home in Canada.
  You may wounder what I will be doing and well to tell you I know very little of what I am doing in some ways, but here is what I know. I am going to continue working with OM, I will be working in the office in Port Colborne, this is a way of serving that many times gets looked over as many people think that is not missions. Well if they were not there, their would be no one out doing ministry in other places of the world, the job of that office is to get people out. So please pray for the OM Canada team as well as the ones around the world, as they are all serving where God has called them to be. The other thing I will be doing is volunteering at my church as the Children's Pastor. I am committing to my home church and to OM that I will be there for the next 2 years. Will you pray and consider being part of my team. This is through prayer, financial and practical help that may be needed.
  I am looking forward to see what God has in store for me as I learn many new things in this time. So as I wind down my time here in Belgium and continue my ministry here for the next 4 months, there will be lots to think and pray about so please pray as I work towards coming home that I will not lose focus on what is here still and needs to be done. As I realize my 2 years are soon going to come to a close I sometime wounder where the time has gone. It has been amazing to me how God has used me to be part of this ministry here in Belgium. I thank each one of you for your love, prayers and support for me here in Belgium thank you for being part of my team I could not do this with out each one of you on my team, and look forward to continue working with you in the years to come.  
 

JULY 2011

 Well the month of July was a busy month, July 4-8 we had a kids club here in the Brussels which we went into the Jungle teaching the kids about the truths of the Bible. We gave the Salvation story using the Evangacube. We had anywhere form 20-30 kids that fist week.
From July 16-22 I was in France helping out in an outreach which we had a kids club and concert that was held. The church we went to help has about 30 people that go there and 15 of them are children. So it was great to be part of it.
 From July 25-29 I was back here in Brussels working at the second week of club, which this week we had anywhere form 40-60 kids each day. We played games and sports games. Did crafts and had story's about Paul. Some of these kids are starting to ask some deep questions. Please pray that God will work in there lives and that we will be able to answer these questions that come up.
   Now that August is here it is a quieter for a few weeks then I am off to Holland on the 21st  to help with a conference for new recruits.
  Thanks again for all your prayers, love and support of this ministry.

 

Summer is here!!!

Well the calendar says it's summer but this week it is all rain here in Belgium but then again when it was spring on the calendar it was summer like!! But with summer here it means we go into a busy time. This July Le Havre has 2 weeks of clubs 1st one is just 2 weeks away  July 4-8 and the second one is form July 25-29 and as OM we are going to be part of an outreach in the city of Ghent while they have a festival in the city which runs form July 15-25, but as the second week of club starts the 25th I will be heading home to be part of the club a day or two early.
   Beginning of August I have some quite time, and than from Aug 22 to Sept 3 I will be in Holland at the GO (Global Orientation) Conference. This is a conference for new recruits joining OM I will be a staff there this year, helping out OM Canada.  
   This coming Saturday I will be leading a prayer walk and the theme I will be working with is the kids clubs that are coming up, as there is so much need of prayer for every thing we do here. Please also join us in prayer as we have a busy summer. Please pray for the impact that this time will be on the children, for safety and good weather.
 May you all be truly Blessed.  

LE HAVRE EASTER CLUB!!!

    Well what an amazing week we have had. Each day brought form 30-50 kids, ready to play games and have a good time. We toured the world in 5 days. Monday we were in Europe, Tuesday we were in Oceania , Wednesday we were in Asia, Thursday we were in the America’s and Friday we ended in Africa. Each day we took a piece of John 3:16 for the lesson.  Teaching these kids who are mainly Muslim about Jesus who is the Son of God. Challenging them with the fact that he is more than a prophet.

  Each day the kids great you as you get there, they are there waiting for us! They look so forward to the club and all there happy faces are so worth every moment of it.  

  The weather was great the whole week; it felt like summer … it was great. And it started to rain an hour after club was officially done on Friday.

  Thanks so much for all your prayers. Geneviève did great this week, she took Thursday off to rest, and you could tell she was tired at times but she managed just well and she was able to pace herself which was really good.  

 Please continue to pray for these kids as they think about all that they have heard this week.  As many of them will be challenged with this as many of them come from Muslim homes.

 We had a great group of volunteers who came to help each day. Who love these children which was great!  We had some kind of sport for the older boys each day and we had dance for the older girls while the younger children played a different game each day.

  It has truly been an amazing week, now if I could just speak French that the kids understand. J Many times when I tried to say something this week, well the kids just looked at me and I could tell that they did not understand what I was trying to say to them. But considering a year ago I understood nothing and could not speak really anything to them it is coming.  

  Thanks again for all your prayers, love and support.

  You are all such an important part of my team here.

 Have a great Easter weekend!!

  God Bless,

      Joanne Ynema

PS. There is one lady in the blocks of apartments where we do the club, which is on the street who complains about it many times. Please pray for her  that we can show here love and that she will see God’s love in us.  That we may be able to build a relationship with her.

  Also please pray the parents that we were able to speak briefly  with this week as well, that we can build relationships with them as well.

 

JO’s Journey March 2011

serving in Belgium with Operation Mobilization

One Year and Beyond!

It has been over a year since I left Canada and came over to Belgium. After attending  conference in Germany, I arrived in Belgium at the end of January 2010. I moved to Brussels in March 2010. I have had some ups and downs along the way but that was what I expected.

During this past year I have enjoyed getting to know the ministry of Le Havre and finding out how can I be of assistance in practical ways as I learn the language.

I have had moments where I wonder if I will understand the  language. Although I still have a long way to, I am very happy when I understand something now. I don’t always get the right meaning of it all, but I am starting oh so slowly to understand things. It is mainly just words that I’m getting right now; sentence/conversations still confuse me, but I have started to understand and that’s a good thing.

I started taking French classes in September, First term did not go well and I did not pass so in January I started the class again. I still struggle with some of the things in class but this time I am also doing what is called LAMP (Language Acquisition made Practical). That means I go out and talk to people. I have a phrase in French and I keep saying it to as many people as possible. Then I go back again in a week or two and say another phrase. Through this process I hope to find people who will become regular helpers for me un learning the language. This is definitely not easy. Please pray for me as I go out and try to talk to people this way: that I will find the people I need and that I can minister to them at the same time.

  With less than 10 months lift of my commitment here in Belgium I have started to think about the future and what God wants for me. There are many opportunities for me to be involved in  furthering the kingdom. Please pray with me as I seek what God wants for my future.

 

 

Addition and Subtraction

In February we had 2 girls join us. Joy form the USA, is here for 3 months. She is helping with the office and in the outside ministries. Her purpose here is to find out more about OM Belgium and see if this is where God is calling her. Anna is here for 18 months to help us start an arts ministry here in Belgium. Please pray for open doors as we look at ways to use are and ministry. Out bookkeeper ( Andrew Bridges) who has faithfully served OM Belgium for years is leaving this summer. Please pray that the right person for this job will come along and will fill this urgent need.

 

Le Havre

  We have kids clubs out on the street every other week.  Some weeks we have only a few kids, but other weeks we have almost too many to handle! Things like weather, holidays, and illness play a big role in determining attendance. At the same time we know that there are  more malevolent forces fighting against us as well.  I am reminded again and again, no matter how hard it is , to keep going. Ever if there are only 2 or 3 kids around we are to stay faithful to the calling of this ministry; each child matters to God. Each child should matter to us as well.

  Please also pray for more men to join us here in the Marolles. There is always a need for men to be interacting with the boys in the club.

Also pray for Genevieve, the founder of the ministry of Le Havre. Over the last year she has been ill. She is doing much better right now, but still having health issues.

 

Belgium

Belgium’s Christian population is about 0.5%. They need Christ in such a big way, yet it takes a lot of work for Christians and missionaries to gain the trust of the people. Please pray for open doors and that Beligians will see their need to know Christ.

Belgium has been without a government now since June last year, and there is still no resolution to the situation. Please pray for the king and everyone who is involved in the search for a solution.

 

Thanks so much for your prayer and support!

 

Much love,

 

  Joanne Ynema

Things to pray for:

- Language learning

- Language helpers

- For God to reveal His plans for my future

- staff openings at OM Belgium to be filled

- New OM Belgium Arts Ministry

- More men to volunteer with the kids

- Genevieve and her health

Prayer Walk!!!

  Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything on here!!!

 This past Saturday, we had a prayer walk with the ministry I Work of Le Havre. The forecast was for rain, but God was so good. It was over cast as we started our day, but that morning while we were praying the sun start to shine. God shining down on us as we walked around and prayed.

  I was not sure about this whole thing, as I was not sure how Belgians thought about prayer walks, although we only had like 5 Belgians there, they really seemed to enjoy it. We had 12 people there with us on Saturday form 7 different nationalities. Which was so nice as we are in Brussels one of the most if not the most international city in Belgium. And to have many nationalities come together and pray for an area that is in so much need of Christ's Love. I felt like God was just shining down on us on Saturday as we prayed.

  There are so many needs with so few people to shine God's love to these needy people, please pray for these people and that they will see God's Love through us as we work among them. Thanks.  







 

Christmas in Belgium!!

   Christmas, a time to remember Christs Birth, and celebrate. A time where we share where it can be so easy to share God's love yet do we. A time that we spend a great deal of time with family, and well what do you do when family isn't close by to go see?

    Well here is what my Christmas looked like this year.

      First I went to the Brussels Christmas Market, looked around and they even had a couple stands form Canada. With Quebec Maple syrup and things, although very costly it was neat to see something form Canada.

 It was a fun afternoon at the market.


    The week before Christmas, as OM Belgium we went out Caroling(although  I was not able to as I had a bad cold at the time) they handed out candles to the people they sang to.

  On Christmas Eve once again I could not sing, but Le Havre, in the ministry that I am working with we had a Christmas dinner for the people in the area well the group came along and sang at it and handed out candles as well there. I was able to hand out the candles, this time as it was inside, I just saved my voice and did not sing.

Christmas day was a great day, the sun was out, there was snow on the ground. Spent the day eating lots and enjoying the day. Along with 2 of the other single girls here we spent the day with the a family that are here with OM Belgium and they are form New Zealand with there 3 girls!!   This was my first Christmas away form home and it was different then I am use to but I can say I had a great time and enjoyed myself. A memory I will have for along time!!

 

     I hope each one of you had a great Christmas remembering Christ's birth and why he came, and spent time with people you love. Although a bit late, I wish each one of you a great year ahead and may you be richly blessed and be a blessing to those around you. 

 

   

STM FORUM OUTREACH

  From Oct 4-8 OM Belgium hosted a European  STM (short term mission) forum, and form the 8-10 they were involved in an outreach here in Belgium. We had 2 outreaches and split the group up I had 5 form the forum come to work here with Le Havre for the weekend. Starting with Friday afternoon we went out and handed out roses to people on the street (ARK – Acts of Random Kindness) just to show love to the people in the neighborhood and see what conversations happen, it was a good time and great response to the flowers. Saturday morning was started by a prayer walk, great time able to walk around the area and pray for such a needy area. Saturday afternoon was the kids club, which also was a good time and the team was a big encouragement to all the volunteers here working with Le Havre. We were able to help in some really good ways as we where short on volunteers this past Saturday. Then after the kids club there is a soup kitchen here at the south train station, which they were able to do a short drama and sing and hand out a love letter form God to every one there. They where able to help practically as well with handing out of soup and sandwiches, and some had some really go conversations as well.

  Sunday Morning we had a worship service, here in the Marolles  there is no church here in the area and this service was a way of looking to the future in what it could be like.

   Although time was short they have made big impacts. Thanks for all the prayers for this ministry.

 

Day at the Zoo

I had the privilege to be able to go to the zoo with some of the kids of Le Havere on Sept 25th. It was a busy day but very nice to be able to take these kids out, and spend the day with them although I yet do not understand most things they say, it is great to spend time with them.  Although we had a few times of rain it in which we needed to find a place that was covered and wait it out, which we where able to always do that quickly as there are plenty of covered areas in the zoo,and  the kids did not mind the rain.

   This whole thing was paid by another organization here in Belgium, all we had to do was bring a packed lunch. It was a great day and it is such a privilege to be able to watch the children enjoy themselves.  

Do you want to know more about Belgium?

Stronger Acoustic - Hillsong with lyrics

French Class

     Well 2 weeks ago I started taking French classes. When I signed up all I could find was a Tue and Thurs evening, so I signed up for it although it was not great timing as Tue evening is out OM prayer Meeting, but as there seemed to be no other option and I could not find anything else that was affordable  I decided that is what I needed to do well the first week I found out that there was a class on Mon and Wed as well so I asked if there was a way to change. I was first told that I was not able to, so I went home and was like ok Lord, I am done trying to figure this all out if you want me in that class then that is fine, but if you can change it for me that would be great. So on the Thursday I went to class and the teacher was like you want to switch you classes you can. So I was very grateful that God worked it all out for me. So know I have classes, Mon and Wed.

     Class is good, although hard as it is all in French and I still do not understand most things that are said in French, yet it is good to be in and try to figure out what is being said, it really makes you think. And tonight I realized I understood something which was said in French while I was out from the class so it is working and it has only been 4 classes. Now it is just learning to say the words that I am learning as well as understanding them.