Cultivating Kindness, Teamwork, Renewal, and Resilience - Heartwarming Updates

Hello, our Dear Friends!

Allow us to begin by thanking you for the many kind comments and prayers you offered after our April update about Melanie. You fill our hearts with joy!  We thank God for you in our prayers! You are precious to us.  As such, we are sharing our hearts with you.

Jonathan with "Kindness" Award

Jonathan wanted me to inform you that he received a reward for “Kindness” at his school.  Teachers noticed how Jonathan was kind and helpful to a kindergarten child on the bus.  The child valued Jonathan’s kindnesses so much that the child looked forward to seeing Jonathan each day.  The transformative acts of love made such an impact on the teachers that the teachers made a “Kindness” reward for Jonathan. Our boys excelled at academics too, but our prayer is that they may be exceptional in character! Pray with us that Jonathan’s “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that [he] may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11)! Together, let us spread love, joy, and compassion, making the world a brighter place one act of kindness at a time!

David winning a U9 Tournament

David wants me to tell you that he is on 3 travel soccer teams for Fort Erie! At just the tender age of 9, David is already a “star” player on not one, not two, but three travel soccer teams, showcasing his talent and passion for the beautiful game! He plays on a U9 travel team and is an AP (Alternate Player) for a U10 Development travel team and the U10 target travel team.  What sets David apart is not just his skills on the field but also his character. He embodies the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and encouragement, always willing to inspire his teammates and lead by example. His growth in passing, scoring, and motivating others reflects a maturity beyond his years, earning him respect and admiration from

coaches, peers, and parents alike! Pray with us as David recently took a bold step by inviting his teammates to a soccer camp hosted by our church (July 21-25), where he hopes to not only share his love of soccer but also lead his friends to a deeper understanding of faith in Jesus! Pray that he may lead his friends to Jesus as well as in soccer victories!  As Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (NLT)!

Melanie turns 47 this coming weekend! One of David’s soccer teams is going to the Niagara River Lions vs the Scarborough Shooting Stars basketball game.  We bought tickets to join the team dynamics, so Melanie will celebrate her birthday in part among kids and dads cheering for their basketball heroes!  Having younger children keeps us young at heart! ❤️

Saying "Goodbye" to our Exchange Student

We recently said goodbye to our exchange student from Spain. Proverbs 11:25 NLT says, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Although we highly endorse being hospitable and have been blessed by our exchange students in countless ways, we have decided to take a break from exchange students this next year as we refresh our energies and focus on our well-being too. Pray for Malenie as she navigates her traumatic brain injury journey.  Drawing strength from Isaiah 40:29, which reminds us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”  As we pray for Melanie's healing and recovery, we are reminded of the power of perseverance, hope, and the support of loved ones in times of adversity. Amen!

Vespers Spot at Camp Oneida

Phil has had an adventurous few months! I broke my right-hand thumb in a tickle fight with David! That mishap sets the stage for a series of unforgettable events! Soon thereafter Jonathan had his school friends over for his June birthday party! We played Laser Tag. I dominated the Laser Tag competitions at first until they all united against me and swarmed me for an easy defeat!  The kids learned the power of teamwork and I learned that life isn’t fair- I mean, the importance of resilience! 😁 I was also a Camp Oneida cabin leader for boys ages 9-11 (July 6-11) and learned many lessons of patience with our hyperactive campers! But I was thrilled that at Vespers (devotion time) Jonathan felt God speaking to him every day, reminding Jonathan that God loved him and was with him! 🙏🏻❤️

Mother's Day Ensemble

God’s blessings have also overflowed in our Fort Erie church! We have hired 4 summer students who are doing outreach, community care, community gardens, and family ministries this summer!  Like you, we are aware that our world is filled with trauma and distress.  People are searching for peace, protection, and purpose. In Christ Jesus, believers have boundless riches of immeasurable worth in faith, hope, and the love of God!  We believe God can provide wholistic healing to many broken families and lives! Please join us in praying for God’s church – His holy and blameless Bride, His Body, and most Beloved people to be a life-giving light to all who are hurting.

Therefore, we also want to thank so many of you who have been spiritual friends, mentors, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, mission partners, and role models that have inspired us to carry the torch of faith forward to our realms of influence.  When we get to Heaven we will have nothing but gratitude and love to express for being our partners in the gospel ministry through your prayers, love and support. Oh, what a day that will be!  We are cheering you on as well!

If Jesus should tarry, I’m sure we’ll have lots to share when we connect again in a few months!  Thanks for staying in touch!  It is always good to hear from you and about you!  Be blessed!

Love,

Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, and David Styles