Sent by God, Waiting to Go

There is almost nothing that thrills the staff at Fellowship International more than new recruits for overseas service. We would like to introduce you to two families who are heading into difficult places accompanied by a God who takes care of difficulties extremely well.

 

Lebanon Bound

Introducing Karim and Rita Anayssi

Karim and Rita are of Lebanese origin. They immigrated to Canada about nine years ago. Both came to faith during their teenage years and have been passionate about children’s ministry ever since. When Karim was approached by Cedar Home Girls Orphanage to take on the role of Executive Director, he responded with joy. God seemed to be calling them to where their hearts had always been. Karim visited the home and God confirmed the call. Being a bi-cultural couple, they will be able to almost immediately settle into their surroundings and fit fully and comfortably into their new role.

Cedar Home is a non-profit institution set up to care for girls ages 3 to16 who have lost at least one parent, or whose parents are not able to look after them. The home provides a family atmosphere with spiritual, physical, mental and emotional support for the girls. As well, the girls are taught skills that will prepare them to become productive members of society. At present there are 16 girls at Cedar Home under the care of Christian women who teach them the principles of the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The home could house as many as 85 orphans and one of Karim’s roles is to bring the home up to full capacity.

Karim’s vision is to connect the churches in Lebanon, and the Lebanese community, to the home in a more significant way, raising awareness of the great need of the children living in difficult and dangerous circumstances. He is planning to introduce foster parenting, resources for parents, and an email program for children called Kids Connect, through which children can safely get answers to their questions and help for their problems. None of these things currently exist in Lebanon.

The Anayssis are the parents of two little girls, Neomi and Naya.

We would encourage you to pray for Karim and Rita and to consider how you can help them in meeting the needs of the children of Lebanon. Contact Fellowship International at P.O. Box 457, Guelph ON N1H 6K9, 519-821-4830, for more information, or to donate. Or donate online at www.fellowship.ca and follow the links.

 

Reinforcements for Pakistan

Introducing Luc and Denise Tétreault

Denise came to faith as a university student in Ottawa in 1979. She very quickly shared what she knew of the Gospel with Luc, whom she was seeing casually at that time. After coming to faith, they quickly became active in their local church and in witnessing to family and friends. In 1982, they married, and stretched themselves spiritually as founding members of a daughter work of L’Église Baptiste Montclair. This church was home for them for the next 25 years.

Luc's history as an assistant to a forensic pathologist provided him with opportunities to put his skills to work in places like Kosovo and Bosnia. But in 2009, a new challenge was presented to him—Pakistan. He was attending the Quebec Regional Convention and got into conversation with David Dobson, whom he had known for some time. As he shared that inner sense that God was moving him along in a different direction, Dave immediately suggested he investigate the Shikarpur Christian Hospital in Pakistan.

In March and April, 2010, Luc and Denise visited the hospital. They wanted God to show them whether or not this was where He wanted them to be. Luc was convinced; Denise was not. They both needed to be assured that God was in this so they continued conversations with Fellowship International, waited, and prayed. By June of that year, Denise was convinced that God had a role for her to play in Pakistan. Later in 2010 Luc returned to Shikarpur to coordinate the hospital’s efforts in dealing with the thousands of people affected by the severe flooding in the country.

Denise will concentrate on hospitality and ministry to women, while Luc takes on the challenge of serving as Hospital Director and reaches out into the community to develop relations with local men and village leaders. Luc will also coordinate any ongoing ministry that FAIR, The Fellowship Agency for International Relief, has in Pakistan.

 

—For more information, or to donate, check out www.fellowship.ca and follow the links. You can also get information on the financial needs of both of these couples by contacting The Fellowship Ministry Centre, P.O. Box 457, Guelph, ON, N1H 6K9, 519-821-4830.