Funeral in Canada - Grandpa Courneyea

Two weeks ago, just as the TSC group arrived, I received word that my 92yr old grandpa passed away.  No grandpa’s left, just one grandma.  He was a career carpenter, quiet, humble, and hard working.  He raised 13 kids, some better than others (Hi Mom!), a devout Catholic, finishing his life with an open heart of faith toward the Lord.

For as long as I can remember, Grandpa required his hearing aid to even remotely carry a conversion.  His responses were always louder than they needed to be, the years of buzzing saws and hammers caught up to him later in life.  He loved hockey, his team, the Montreal Canadiens, which is listened to regularly during the days of radio.  He found the world we live in incredibly and unnecessarily complex.  I tried to explain the nature of my business countless times, the Internet, computers, that wasn’t anything worth his time but he would chuckle at how confusing everything was.

Was always making something out of wood

I’m thankful I spent time with him last year when we visited Canada.  I’m saddened I didn’t make the funeral, but I hope my families witness blessed him while alive.  It won’t be long before I’m watching my grand-kids run around trying to introduce some new gadget or space time continuum to my unbelieving eyes, I’ll look back and remember poor Grandpa  Death is our most powerful preacher, it’s the brick wall at the end of the line, we’re all racing toward it.  Thank you God for hope supplied through Jesus Christ, and the furnished proof that there is life on the other side.

2 Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

”In expository preaching the biblical text is neither a conventional introduction to a sermon on a largely different theme, nor a convenient peg on which to hang a ragbag of miscellaneous thoughts, but a master which dictates and controls what is said.” ~ John Stott

Times Square Church serving in Ukraine

A special thanks to the crew from Times Square Church that served us and the Lord with excellence this past week.  The group not only helped with construction efforts, but built up the body of Christ during their stay, encouraging the faith of several Ukrainians and missionaries.  It was a fine example of how the western church can come alongside, even for just a week, and glorify God through serving fellow believers in an entirely different culture.

Thank you Crossroads and those individuals that have invested financial and prayer support to date.  We are seeing the vision for this Cafe come to life before our eyes, it will truly be a Lighthouse in this town and region.

Thank you God for the body of Christ, and for keeping everyone safe and healthy during the entire trip.  Thank you TSC for organizing the trip and encouraging the work of God over in Ukraine!

I’ll be updating us in another week on our remaining needs as we look toward completion and initial opening of the cafe sometime this fall.  Right now, we need a rest, especially my wife who is expecting # 7 this April!!!

Bruce & Deb

Love this shot, trampoline kids sitting along our house, John sitting in the middle

Loving our new camera, thank you God!  Enjoy a quick photo update!

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Early morning prayer at the cafe

Alyosha takes his work seriously!

Terribly excited the Dominos Pizza has arrived in Ukraine! We definitely need to get our own delivery scooter!

Deb and I

Church meeting this past Sunday