June 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Since I wrote in February and shared plans for the next few weeks I had no idea really what the Lord had in store. There have been blessings, there have been surprises and yes there have been disappointments too; but in it all the Lord has shown His faithfulness.

The NBBI "Impact of Peace" team was to leave for Brazil on March 1st; but our visas did not arrive from Montreal in time and so our March trip was postponed until April, after the students completed their year of studies. Yes, it was a disappointment to us all at the time; but it was also a challenge for us to trust God and His sovereignty and that there must have been a reason for His saying "wait".

So, the rest of March and into April was spent better preparing ourselves for the trip, I had opportunity to visit more of my supporting churches and I attended an ABWE Missions Day in Rothesay, NB.

On April 28th, six of the original 8 team members headed to Sao Paolo, Brazil. It was an exciting trip as some had never flown and some had never had a cross-cultural experience; the enthusiasm was high!! : We had a great trip by bus, train and airplane; only arriving 2 hours late in Brazil.

It was a wonderful 10 days in Brazil with many opportunities to serve with the missionary family and church people. Each school day we went to a different school and gave a presentation about peace which included mimes, singing, testimony and a gospel presentation. On the weekend we visited a nursing home, an orphanage and were involved in the church youth retreat and Sunday services. It was a busy time with lots of new experiences for me as well as those I was travelling with. On the Sunday I had opportunity to spend time with Deise, my housemate in Portugal, which was a delight. The team arrived safely back in New Brunswick on the 9th of May. Please continue to pray for the young people that travelled with me; that the Lord would continue to direct their paths as they consider missions in their lives. Also pray for the Brazilians we came in contact with while we were there; that the Lord would be allowed to work in their lives either for salvation if needed or as Christians they would be faithful to the Saviour. We appreciate the many that were praying for us during our trip.

Now it is time for me to look to the future and the plans that the Lord has for me.

June 24th to the 30th will be spent in St. John's, Newfoundland at the World Ball Hockey Tournament. You may wonder what would Debbie Lynne ever be doing at a World Ball Hockey Tournament and how does that fit into her ministry?

I am going to cook for the Bosnia Boys Hockey team that is coming to the Tournament under the leadership of ABWE missionary, Brad Collins. There are 18 young men with their coaches coming and these 22 men will need to be nourished while they seek to win their games. But for me and other Christians involved in this venture, it is not the winning that is important but what we are looking for is an opportunity to show these men the love of Christ through our actions, support and words. Please pray for God's protection on this team and that they would see Christ in us as we enjoy this adventure with them.

On July 4th, I will begin working as a camp cook for the Children's International Summer Village to be held through the month of July about 45 minutes outside of Fredericton. There will be delegates from 12 different countries and these delegates are 11 year olds with their chaperones. When I recently learned about this opportunity I recognized it as God's answer to my prayer to be able to be a camp cook again and to be involved in something outside of the church where I could be "salt and light" for Him. Please pray that I will be a clear testimony for the Lord as I work closely with the other kitchen workers and have an opportunity to meet the children from different parts of the world.

It is not clear yet what opportunities will be awaiting me after these two major projects are done, but I am confident that the Lord will direct as He has faithfully done in the past.

Your continued prayers and faithful financial support is greatly appreciated as I seek to be your representative in full-time service for the Lord.

Sent to Serve,

Debbie Lynne Kitchen

9 Shallon Lane
Richibucto Road, NB E3A 9R3
Phone: 506-472-9559
Cell: 506-292-4212
Email: dlkitchen@abwe.cc