Missions Trip Letter

Ben and I are sending out support letters informing some family and friends of our trip. Should any of you want to support us whether it be through prayer or financially, I just thought I'd post this on-line. I'll be blogging in a more personal format as the trip approaches.

May 2007

Dear friends,

We hope that this letter finds you and your family well and that you are experiencing God’s blessing on your life.

We are writing to share with you about an exciting opportunity that we have to serve Christ in Odessa, Ukraine. From August 14-25 of this year, we will have the privilege of being a part of a World Hope International mission’s team. Our team will be involved in a variety of ministries that will include working with children who come to the First Step Centre (a centre that helps support street children) and doing construction at Hope House (a place that provides housing for street children.) The ladies on the team will also be taking supplies to teach young girls how to make cards and other things which can provide a small income for them. We will be working with missionaries Kerry and Carole Allison.

We are very excited about this ministry, but we need your help to do it! First of all, we need your prayers. Without prayer nothing spiritual can happen. Secondly, we need to raise close to $6000 to cover the cost for both of us. We have already raised some of the required $6000 through fund-raising and covered some of the necessary expenses needed with our own income. Please ask God if He wants you to give in support of this ministry. Your contribution would be tax deductible and receipts would be issued. Checks should be made to World Hope and sent to: World Hope Canada, PO Box 8115, Station A, Halifax, NS, B3K 5L8 for those wanting Canadian tax receipts. For US donor’s checks should be sent to Horizons Foundation (who have partnered with World Hope in helping the children in Ukraine), P.O. Box 6022, St. Charles, MO 63302. In the memo section of your check write Ukraine Missions Team. A note accompanying your check can identify that it is to apply to Ben and Sarah Canney’s mission trip costs, but this information should not be on the check itself.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this letter. Please know that the money is not as important to us as your prayers are. This will be our first mission’s trip together, and we both believe that the Lord will use it to impact our lives in a significant way. We know that God will provide a way for us to go as he has laid this opon our hearts. It is your prayers and encouragement that will strengthen us in this ministry opportunity.

God Bless,


Ben and Sarah

World Hope’s Commitment to Financial Accountability:
Spending of donated funds is confined to Board approved programs and projects. Contributions designated towards a project or a volunteer missionary’s support will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the Board, the remaining contributions will be used by World Hope for other relief efforts where most needed.

Alone with my Laptop

Somebody must have been praying for me today. As I sat in the midst of a meeting concerning a student who had a major blow out with behaviour last week, I was asked, "Sarah, what are you willing to do concerning this student?" You must understand that after Wednesday of last week, I was struggling with feelings toward this student. I am not at liberty to say everything that happened, but let's just say that I had to lock my classroom door. One thing I can recount is that student snarkily saying, "I hate you Mrs. Canney!" to which I responded, "I love you too!" at this the students found great amusement. I have never been one to hold a grudge, and so as I sat there in today's meeting, the Lord reminded me of my love for this student - one of my own kids who I've invested in this year. I responded to that question,"what are you willing to do...?" with "Whatever it takes." I will do whatever it takes to help this student. I refuse to give up or give in, or say this student is a lost cause. Teaching isn't about me, it's about those kids. Those kids who may get more time with me than with their parents. Those kids who love being at school because it feels safer than home. Those kids who the only hug they may receive that day could be from me. Let's face it. The majority of kids in the system today come from broken families and with that comes a lot of baggage. I know someone was praying for me, because the rest of the day I had an incredible peace. Tuesdays are often hectic for me because I'm on duty, but I was at peace, so I was fine. Tomorrow I have a meeting that will involve administration, the parents and the student. I'm a bit nervous, but I know the Lord will be my strength and my song.

I survived Mother's Day :) I knew I would. I only had one comment about, "Sarah's not on stage. Could that mean she's expecting?" because we had an all men's praise team with the exception of a young lady home from college who led the worship. The comment was a joking one, and I was able to handle it. I managed to hold myself together when all of the mother's stood and I sat. Apart from that I had a woman who was once in my position give me a hug and share some tender words of encouragement. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. And so I write this not as a "woe is me this is my sob story" but as a praise to the Lord for the work He is doing in me. Some teaching positions have been posted for the fall already, and I am looking into applying for them. I have contemplated getting my Masters, but I really don't know if that's what I'm to do at this time. And so I will pray and wait. My loan will be paid off this week and I have to praise God for his provision and blessing. Weeks like this when I'm overwhelmed with marking that I'm behind on and extra meetings, can be trying, but I know someone is praying for me. I know there are those who pray for me regularly, but God must have really impressed me on someone's mind today. I don't know who, but I can feel it in my heart because of how my day went.

And so I sit here at home alone while my husband is at youth, wishing I could be with him but working away - scanning children's pictures for their fairytale stories that will be published on the computer, lesson planning, marking speeches, contemplating tomorrow's meeting as to what I need to say and just thinking about my life in general - thankful for the prayers of someone who knew that I needed some extra help today to carry me through the week.

The Four M's - Missions Trip, Mother's Day, Me, and May

Missions Trip - Remember how excited I was about the lay-over in Vienna for our missions trip to Ukraine? "Ben and I are going to visit Rome," I've been telling people in such a delighted voice. Well, today, Ben informed me that the lay-over is now in Warsaw, Poland. LOL. I'm sorry, but what sounds more alluring to you - Vienna or Warsaw? "Yeah, I'm going to Warsaw for a week." I have been looking online though and it looks like there are some pretty sights there; however, it will take me a bit to get over my disappointment!

Mother's Day - Four years ago I thought I'd be a mom by now, but I'm not. So once again I'll remain seated while the mother's proudly stand and receive their carnations. (It's not the carnations I'm disappointed about - LOL) I wonder how many people will joke about me being pregnant this Sunday? If I sound bitter, I'm not...Let's just say that the "When are you going to have children?" "That baby looks good on you." "You guys need a baby." comments are starting to frustrate me. If only people knew...I don't need you to ask me how long we've wanted to have children, to try and relate, or to recommend some book to me. I don't need your sympathy either. I just need some respect and understanding. I'm at peace with God, and I know that HIS timing is everything. Had I been a mom, I would've missed out on my 24 kids at school this year whom I've become very attached to. I also wouldn't be going to the Ukraine, and I know that the Lord wants me there this summer. He has something to show me, to teach me, to shape me. He's working on me right now, making me the person who I need to be, and equipping me with the tools I need for when I do become a mom - because I will be someday.

Me - Life is crazy right now - There's something going on every weekend. One of my colleagues said to me, "Sarah, you have two full-time jobs - your teaching and your role as a pastor's wife." I'm realizing more and more how true that is. I love my husband and my life. I am looking forward to summer vacation, but I do have concerns about my class and how some of them will adjust to middle school next year. Will they become children that I don't recognize? Will they remember the pep talks I've had with them? I hope they realize just how proud I am of them. I'm already thinking about writing them little notes of encouragement for the end of the year.

May - May is a crazy month. I literally have something I have to be at every weekend. I am excited about these events of course, but June is looking like a delightful time to "slow down" (yeah, like that's possible for me!)