June 2023
June 21, 2023
August 2023
August 12, 2023
Canada
The Canada we arrived in at the end of May seemed to us so vastly different from the Canada we left in 2019. The changes implemented by the government in recent years have led to visible deterioration on the streets. We saw many homeless people, people openly injecting drugs in the streets, the ominous and pervading smell of cannabis - a general sense of degradation and hopelessness. We sensed that all this was just a physical manifestation of the spiritual atmosphere of this nation, ushered in by an anti-Christ agenda.
We believe that the Lord had us experience this, so that we could equip ourselves spiritually to resist the enemy. It also seemed to be a vision of what life will be like if Christians don't take a personal stand for Jesus, publicly if necessary, regardless of the consequences. It felt like we were experiencing Satan’s agenda is for the world both physically and spiritually. Please pray for Canada, for a reversal of the spiritual and physical condition they are in and for the remnant to stand strong and to continue to intercede for their nation.
A few days before the team flew to Canada, Zachary flew to Dallas, Texas, to pick up our American van and trailer, which had been stored there for three years with some dear friends of the ministry. Zachary, together with his dad, who flew to Dallas to meet up with him, drove the van and trailer some 1,400 miles to Toronto to eventually pick the rest of the team up at the airport upon our arrival.
The first few weeks of this tour we ministered in Ontario, visiting churches in London, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Mississauga and Toronto. Together with all who came, we lifted the Name of Jesus high over their nation, proclaimed His goodness and sang to Him aided by the Holy Spirit. We feel that the Lord has given us a mandate to encourage Christians to flow from a place of intercession and prayer to being led by the Spirit to start worshipping as a tool of warfare. As the Bible says in Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV):
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We have sung songs in our churches, we have sung hymns. Now it's time for us to praise the Lord with the songs of the Holy Spirit! We have seen people come forward for salvation, others prayed for and some baptised in the Holy Spirit. We thank the Lord for always accomplishing His purposes and for the privilege of continuing to use our ministry.
In Hamilton, the church booked us into an Airbnb in a residential area. Our neighbour was very friendly and as soon as we arrived and were parking our van and trailer, he was there helping us. One evening Zachary and Kristof got talking to him and he told them that he was an Israeli Arab, but that his wife was a Christian. During the conversation he invited the team over for dinner.
We spent the last night of our stay there having a wonderful Mediterranean meal with the family. The man's wife couldn’t believe that her husband invited a Christian team into their home! It was a miracle that God did it in such a way that it wasn’t her who met us first and then had to ask her husband if she could invite us over, it was him who extended the invitation. God encouraged her tremendously through this. God also just recently fulfilled her dream of having a small hair salon in their basement to encourage and evangelise local women. The ladies from our team were able to pray over it with her and over her whole household.
At the end of the evening we sang over them and felt the presence of God ministering to them both. We always thank God for these opportunities because we know that while what we do on the stage is important, it is also off the stage that we see God is using us to encourage people on a very personal level. Our God is faithful.
In St. Catharines we were kindly hosted by Pastor Dayo, the head pastor from RCCG (Redeemed Christian Church of God) Royal House, and had a great time with him and his family. Later on some of us stayed in an Airbnb with Zachary’s mum Marilyn and her husband Michael, who took time off work to came and spend time with us and help in any way they could. We are so grateful to them for their support of this ministry.
During our time in Canada, being on American soil, we also had our annual general meeting with our US board of trustees. Whenever we weren't ministering, we continued our online work as well as planning for future tours. We also thank the Lord for the opportunities He gave us to witness to people we met and could share His love with them ...
... such as in this instance where Kristof and Zachary witnessed to a Kurdish unbeliever at a pizza place.
From Ontario, we traveled to Gatineau, just outside Ottawa. There we were privileged to stay at accommodation in the church building and hear the incredible testimony of how God had blessed them with an amazing large building during the pandemic. When we ministered there, God really came through and touched those who came, with many young people being baptised in the Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, there was much rejoicing and dancing!
Our last two meetings were at the RCCG headquarters of Canada, where many children came forward for salvation on Saturday evening. We then joined them for a Sunday service where Daniel spoke about the importance of sharing the love of Jesus with everyone we meet.
And finally…
We are thankful to God for taking us to Canada and bringing us back safely. This is something that we never take for granted and we are thankful for all that God was able to do through us on this tour. Let’s continue to keep the nation of Canada in our prayers and also lift up our Canadian brothers and sisters in the faith in prayer also. Thank you is not adequate for all the people that helped and supported us on this tour; however our hearts are full for the way you loved, served and blessed us every mile of the way. May the nation be lifted because of your hearts for God and love for His Church.
We appreciate all your prayers and support.
On behalf of the Vinesong team,
Kate & Rachael
