Dear friends,
If this month has shown us anything, it’s that “Emmanuel” is not just something we sing about in December. God has walked WITH us and shown himself strong on our behalf.
Lydia & the Maritime Provinces of Canada
Saturday morning, we exchanged a few texts, excited for the newest member of our family, and looked forward to photos of Lydia with her big sisters and Grandma Debbie who was in town to help out while we were in Canada.
However, the situation changed very quickly into something very serious. While the girls and Grandma were waiting at the clinic to see their new sister, Lydia was diagnosed with TGA (transposition of the great arteries), which we learned is 100% fatal before age one. She, along with her mom, had to be transported that same evening by ambulance three hours to the capital city. We considered meeting them in Belgium or somewhere else so the life-saving operation could take place there, but her condition was not stable enough to travel. Just three days later, the arterial switch surgery took place.
Many of you walked with us during those first few days of waiting and recovery. Each message of concern and prayer were evidences that we were not alone, that the Lord was calling his people to intercede, and that helped us to remember Lydia was in his hands. Thank you!
Centre Nouvelle Vie, Shediac, New Brunswick
Meanwhile, the next morning after Lydia’s birth, we returned to Nouvelle Vie, an Acadian congregation, where Blair was speaking again. This time we were able to meet the new pastor and his family who have now been there for a year. It was a joy to reconnect with our Acadian “cousins” and to see how their community is growing since we were last there. They were also a big support to us as we all waited to hear updates about Lydia’s situation. Hearing them pray for our new granddaughter was a great comfort during that time. Merci, les amis!
With Johann and Sophie, new pastors of Centre Nouvelle Vie
“Welcome to Shediac, the Lobster Capital of the World!”
North Atlantic/Canada Area Retreat
After our time in Shediac, we joined some of our AGWM family assigned to the North Atlantic/Canada for a retreat on Prince Edward Island. This was another divinely-timed event where we were able to gather together and pray for each other as well as little Lydia. By this time, Lydia was recovering in the NICU and her prognosis was good.
Double blessing of a meal with colleagues who are friends
For some, a trip to PEI is not complete without seeing Green Gables.
PAOC General Conference
Immediately following the retreat, most of us joined our Canadian partners at their bi-annual General Conference in Halifax, NS. While we are still assigned to Western Europe and will continue to live in Belgium, we are grateful to be invited to help with the advancement of student ministry in any way we can in the French-speaking areas of Canada. We had key meetings during these few days to discuss different strategies in reaching Québec. Please continue to pray with us for this part of the world and for new global workers to come and serve there!
“What Could Be…for Our Sons and Daughters?” PAOC General Conference
Family Time
During our stay in Canada, we considered changing our tickets as Lydia’s status was unclear, but after a lot of praying and thinking and talking it through with others, we decided to stick to our plan. We finished our time in Canada, returned to Belgium, and planned to travel to our family a few days later. Or so we thought. Because of a national strike in Belgium, our original flight was canceled, and we had to scramble to find new tickets in order to get to our granddaughters before Grandma Debbie had to return to the US. So, thanks to Belgium’s grève nationale we “got” to arrive a day earlier than planned. Vive la Belgique!
When we arrived, Lydia had been in the NICU 16 days. Grandma Debbie and the girls had been down to visit once, and Caleb and Claire had each made a trip up separately to see the girls. It wasn’t easy! Debbie was able to go visit Lydia one last time before she flew out, and then it was Papy & Didi’s time to pitch in.
Taking care of the plants
Nightly video calls with Mom & Dad
Finally, after 22 days in the NICU, Lydia was moved to her own room where her parents could care for her, and five days later – last Saturday (23 May) at four weeks old – they returned home!
As you can see, everyone is so glad to be back together! Lydia is slowly gaining weight and beginning to smile and interact more and more.
As of this writing, Blair has returned back to Belgium, and Dina will follow in a week. The travel schedule won’t be quite as busy these next few months because preparations for the CONNECT student ministry conference are already in full swing!
Prayer Requests:
Lydia. She is still very fragile after being in the NICU and on a ventilator for so long. Please pray that she will continue to grow strong and avoid the illnesses that seem to be going around.
CONNECT ’26. Our annual training conference will take place at the end of July this year. We are slowly handing over responsibilities for this event and SFC-Europe with an eye to our transition out of leadership in the next year or two; it’s exciting to see others step into new roles. May this year’s CONNECT be the best one yet! We’ll have more specific ways to pray in our next update.
The God who walks with us, Emmanuel, has shown his tender mercies and great faithfulness over and over these past weeks. Among his beautiful gifts to us, have been those of you, operating as the body of Christ, who have interceded and accompanied us through emails, texts, calls and check-ins. And your dependable support has permitted us to be present right where the Lord has led us. The depth of our gratitude is immeasurable!