Saturday, February 02, 2008
Renewing Our Commitment with Outreach Canada
13 January 2008
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We are thankful for the years of ministry that we have had with Outreach Canada. The Lord has been working in our hearts and we have come to the conclusion together with Outreach Canada’s leadership that this is where we belong for the ministry to which God has called us. We are writing at this time to let you know of our commitment to Outreach Canada and theirs to us and want to communicate with you as our partners regarding our ongoing support needs for the 2008 ministry year.
Changing Course in 2007. As you may know, we had originally planned to make a move to a new ministry with another organization on September 1, 2007. Glenn’s cancer diagnosis and surgery in early August postponed that change. Outreach Canada graciously agreed to retain us to provide pastoral care as well as medical benefits for the months to follow. Many of you also responded to an appeal from OC with a generous gift or continued financial support in the final months of 2007 for which we are grateful.
Renewing Our Commitment. As we begin 2008, we have concluded that God is leading us to remain with Outreach Canada. We are grateful that OC have renewed their commitment to provide ongoing care for us. In the months ahead, Glenn will not have ministry responsibilities and will continue to receive treatment for colon cancer through the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in Kitchener, ON. If chemo therapy is successful, there is the possibility of a return to active ministry sometime in the future.
Our 2008 Support Need. Disability benefits will be fully caring for our salary needs in the months ahead. However, we will still need about $900.00 per month in support to cover three primary costs: our medical benefits, our share of mission overhead, and our communication budget. To date, half of this amount has been pledged. We would really like to take this concern off our minds by raising the balance in cash gifts and pledges by the end of February. If you haven’t already done so, would you help us with the other half? A response card and envelope is included to assist you.
Our Challenge to You. If God’s healing touch enables Glenn to return to active service, we will definitely be in touch with you about ministry support needs. But, in the meantime, our OC Ontario teammates are still in need of ministry partners. If our remaining 2008 need is met in the weeks ahead, consider the possibility of redirecting your gift toward the ministry of Brian and Linda Baxter, Alison Johnson, or James and Cathi Watson. I appreciate so much the extra work load that they have picked up due to Glenn’s illness.
We plan to keep in touch in the months ahead. Thanks for your faithful support and care. Since the beginning of November, Glenn has completed six sessions of chemo-therapy. On January 25, he is scheduled for a CT scan on January 25 to assess developments. Bi-monthly treatments are expected to continue into the spring at which time we hope a clearer picture of his health and prospects will emerge. Pray for us as we move forward in 2008.
Sincerely in Christ
Glenn and Dianne Gibson
