Tender Reflections on God's Goodness

Hello Our Precious Friend!

This week I found myself in a place of tender reflections as I received news about a family clasped in the claws of grief. God’s compassion moved me, but it also made me reflect on our own family journey. If you happen to find yourself in a difficult family season, you can have confidence that I just prayed a prayer of faith over your family. We love you! ❤️ As you read our bi-monthly family update, we invite you to join us in celebrating God’s faithful love in the wide spectrum of life experiences.

Phil: This past month was filled with unexpected health dynamics for me. I found myself in the Emergency (hospital) for a week! I was diagnosed with severe sepsis. My white blood cell count was 22,000. At the end of the week, I was discharged with antibiotics, but I found myself back in Emergency a couple of weeks later with another round of infection. During that second stay at the hospital, I also acquired Covid-19. As I am a type #1 diabetic, with a vulnerable immune system, the compound effects of my health journey have had me in many medical appointments. I am doing well but I'm still in the process of resolving my health issues. I thank God for our deacons who have anointed me with oil and prayed over me (James 5;14). Amidst all the health challenges, God remains faithful. The love of God was expressed to us in countless ways! Although I am still seeing some specialists to work through my health issues, we are deeply grateful for God’s goodness!

Raya (Hebrew name means "Friend"): After our last prayer update in March, our beloved house cat, Raya, of 13 years passed away. Jonathan and David were devastated. We had a memorial service at the grandparent’s farm where David made a card for Raya to have Jesus read when she got to Heaven. It was filled with hugs and kisses. Jonathan said a few words about Raya and prayed. Her memory still brings Jonathan to tears as he loved her very much. Although she was a cat, she was a clear representation of God’s faithful, loving kindness. Thank you, Jesus, for precious pets!

Jonathan & David: Jonathan recently turned 9 years old! He has been filling our hearts with love and gratitude since the day he was born! He is so kind and tender-hearted! Just the other day, Jonathan had a request of me. He started his appeal by saying, “Dad, I’m really grateful for all that you and mom have been doing for me…” At first, I wasn't sure if I was being manipulated or if it was a genuine reflection of his heart. 🤨 I soon learned that it was the latter. Jonathan melts our hearts with his tenderness! Our other son David (7 years old) was recently in a store called Canadian Tire. He saw a box that was asking for funds to help children in the community. The Canadian Tire program is called Jumpstart. David got out his own money purse and put his own money in the container. The cashier who was watching him was so impressed she started to tell everyone in the store about it. Her response pleased David so much that the next store he went to he tipped the cashier to make her smile too. We are so grateful for our sons and the love of God that radiates through their lives! May God continue to grow their hearts in kindness.

Melanie: She continues to amaze us as a family! She is patient and kind in a way that brings deep, genuine comfort. At the same time she has administrative leadership skills that inspire us all to do our best! She is a great cheerleader at the boys’ soccer games and was a champion advocate for myself while I was in the hospital. Melanie reflects the goodness of God in whatever she does. We love her deeply! ❤️

Church Life: We consider it a delightful privilege to be a part of witnessing the progressive fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy! Jesus said, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT). It is such a privilege to witness this firsthand! For example, we had an Intercultural Service before Easter where I felt like I was transported to Heaven as songs were passionately sung in French, Creole, Spanish, Zulu, and English. As Pastors of the nations shared short meditations about the cross, I could feel Heaven smiling. Oh, thank you Jesus! We give You the glory! Build Your Church!

As one more example, a volunteer told me they couldn’t do the talk for our weekly Kids Group. I asked my son Jonathan if he was willing to do the talk. He wanted to talk about how God is like a lighthouse to help us when we are afraid. He did a good job of his talk, but again, God’s grace was unleashed as the children sang “My Lighthouse” (by Rend Collective) and several children ran up front to do actions and help Jonathan. I was moved in the deepest core of my soul. I experienced Jesus building His Church! It was marvelous! I am excited to see what God is going to do in His church in Fort Erie! 🙏🏻❤️

All of these updates are reminders that we treasure your prayers and value your journey of faith alongside us! We love you and cherish you! Thanks for staying in touch! Until we share with you again in the Fall, be blessed, be refreshed, and be safe!

From our family to yours,

Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, David

Fort Erie, Ontario Canada

p.s. My dad, Ken Styles, had his 89th birthday in April!