Greetings from Vancouver

Celebrating God-incidences!!
We would like to give space this update to honour God and celebrate with you some of the many “miracles” of very tangible “feltness” of God in our journey so far to and at Regent.

►In November we were told that it would be 3-4 working weeks before we´d get an answer about our Canadian student visas – we received ours in just 10 days.
►At a time when applying for US visas isn´t always a positive experience due to Ecuadorian politics, Josue applied for a transit visa and was given a 5 year tourist visa.
►By asking around different airline policies on our eligibility for student tickets we were able to get tickets to Canada at half the price originally quoted.
►When we put our name on the waiting list for family housing at the University of British Colombia (UBC) in December we were told that the expected waiting time for an opening for an apartment was 6 months - They offered us 2 apartments within 1 month where we are now living which is perfect for our needs.

What do you think about that??!!! We KNOW that these and the many other “God-incidences” are in response to YOUR prayers. THANKYOU.

On arrival in Vancouver God has demonstrated his love in very practical ways through people:

►Neil (who was the Intervarsity Canada VP for 20 years) and his wife Marilyn welcomed us warmly and helped with essential things such as airport pickups, temporary accommodation, moving etc.
►Selma and Heinrich, a lovely Mennonite couple who rented us their bottom flat for a month until we moved into our permanent accommodation on campus. Their generous hospitality and friendship (especially for Bev) has been a real gift to us.
►The IFES family at Regent (from Ireland, Brazil and Canada) have made us feel welcome and helped us finding our way around Vancouver and Regent.
►Bev (Ruth’s mum) lovingly being willing to come and live with us to care for Ana Gracia so we can both study full time – She is doing a fabulous job!!
►The warmth and quality of the content given by the new students’ orientation programme by Regent staff included coffee and home baking, campus tours, the bargain hunters city tour and much more.

So what exactly are we studying?
Currently BOTH of us are taking foundation papers:
►Introduction to New Testament
►Christian Thought and Culture 2
►Systematic Theology Overview

Our class sizes range between 20 – 100 people and while we have about 12 hours classes per week so far we are finding the required reading and work for each paper is demanding. 30% of Regent students are internationals so our classmates come from US, Canada, UK, S.Africa, Brazil, Brunei, China, Korea and even a few kiwis!

We feel that there are 3 areas God would use our time at Regent for:
- expand our knowledge of and love for God
- grow the resources with which we have to serve Him more effectively
- perhaps most important, continue the process of forming our hearts and character after His.
We are expectant in how and who God will use in this process.

Family Feature
On Feb 8 Josué´s nephew Andrés Felipe was born
to Andrea & Danny in Quito

Ana Gracia’s Anecdotes
My new favourite word is Nana. I really have had a busy month learning to walk, going to play-group 3 mornings a week, and taking Nana for lots of walks and swings. I have heard my new cousin cry over the phone and I like to blow him kisses.

Money Matters
THANKS to those who have given generously to cover Ruth’s study costs. We have both re-applied for scholarships to cover the rest of our study. We are grateful that Josue’s scholarship to cover his fees has been extended until April 2009.

Culture & Canada
►“Niceness” We were advised that Canadians are rather reserved but very ‘nice’ people. So it is!! We have found people very friendly and helpful, people on the bus, at church, Regent staff and new neighbors have all taken the initiative to make us feel welcome and help with practical needs.
►It’s snowing again!! While all of you ‘Downunder’ have by all reports been enjoying the most sun for a long while, we in Vancouver have apparently had more snow and lower temperatures than normal. However things are definitely looking up!! We have now moved from needing layers of thermal – jersey – coat- gloves – hat & scarf to just thermal – T-shirt-coat and scarf !!! it has taken us awhile to get used to central heating and not having outside clothes lines!
►“Wrong” side of the road! - Ruth has so far managed to stay on the ‘right’ side of the road as God has graciously provided us with a car through some friends of Bev (don’t ask how much the car insurance was!)
►What! MORE insurance? Not having lived in North America before we’re still a little stunned at the amount of different “insurances” (4 t last count) one “needs” to be covered in this part of the world. Seems a bit odd really when 2/3 of people in the world don’t have access to such services.

Pray & Be Thankful with us for
☻all the miracles God did to get us here!!
☻our ideal housing on UBC campus, close, cheaper & comfy!
☻the process of choosing a church to get involved in
☻maintaining a healthy balance between study & family time
☻student mission in Ecuador & New Zealand
☻ongoing need for our regular support to rise to cover living costs
☻Josue’s parents who have some specific health needs

THANKYOU for your partnership with us. We would love to hear from you!
YOU can find us at

2519 Pearkes Lane,
Vancouver, BC V6T 2C3,
Canada
Home Ph 604 221 4351
Email: ruthhicks@yahoo.co.nz

Love & prayers
Ruth, Josue & Ana Gracia

Christmas 2007

The pungent smell of ripe mangos & “palo santo” (holy stick) being burnt on the street corners in Ecuador are signs that Christmas is upon us! We pray that God´s peace & joy will be the centre of your Christmas celebrations!!

Family Times
A car accident Ruth´s Mum Bev was involved in 2 weeks before us leaving NZ turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Ruth´s brief visit to Sydney to help Bev, meant being able to spend time with cousin David and his wife Andrea who were visiting Sydney whose wedding we hadn´t been able to attend in June!! Since being back in Ecuador we have made a point of visiting each part of the extended family and spent time with Josué´s parents and sister who is expecting a baby in early February. THANKYOU for your prayers during months of busyness and change we simply couldn´t do without them!

CECE connecting with students
Since being back we are here we have had the privilege of spending time with staff, students and graduates in Guayaquil, also getting to know some of the newer students in Quito participating in their weekly bible study, finishing up with a Christmas BBQ on the 15Dec. Over the 16-18 Nov it was great to hang out with about 25 staff, students and grads from around the country at the AGM.

Back in Guayaquil
Our first visit since leaving in February, we spent 10 days waiting for different official papers to be processed, visiting friends and our favourite eating places. We knew we’d arrived in Guayaquil when the taxi driver took off at break neck speed, I´m sure that most bus and taxi drivers in Guayaquil are frustrated Formula 1 drivers. Here is a photo of Guayaquil students 'pretending' to be Josué and Ruth.
On the Road to Regent
While it has been a time-consuming and patience testing process, God has been SO good to us, FINALLY we are on the way on the 28th Dec to Vancouver where we start our studies with new-students orientation on the 8th January. THANKYOU for praying for visas, housing & other details. We have a 2 yr Canadian student visa and Josué has been given a 5 yr US visa which saves us money on air-tickets. We will be staying in family student housing on campus where Ruth´s mum Bev will be joining us early January to help care for Ana Gracia.

Ana Gracias’s Anecdotes
I am now an expert at going up and down steps, although I don’t understand why I can’t crawl & have a toy in each hand both at the same time! I have a growing list of recognizable vocabulary and antics that keep my grandparents entertained. My favourite activities include playing in grandma’s garden and eating blackberrries off the bush. Please pray with us for:
-For adjustment to life and study routines in Vancouver.
-For God’s provision to cover study & living costs (I think the expense of things will be the biggest adjustment!!)
-For the ongoing work of TSCF & CECE reaching university students in Ecuador & NZ

You can communicate with us via:
Email: ruthhicks@yahoo.co.nz
Spanish blog: http://www.josueruthenecuador.blogspot.com/
English blog: http://www.josueruthjourney.blogspot.com/
We will have a new address & adventures to tell in February

THANK YOU for being partners with us.
Blessings for 2008
Ruth, Josue & Ana Gracia

Reflections from the Road-October 2007

Since last writing in June we have stayed in 17 different homes and had the privilege of sharing with 15 university student groups from Auckland to Dunedin, and 14 different homegroups & church meetings.

It has been a fantastic time re-connecting with friends, family, supporters and the TSCF family of staff and students around the country. We have loved spending time with each of you, sharing life’s challenges, our faith journeys and eating together. We have been inspired and blessed by the way each of you seek to be faithful where God has placed you, & blown away by your generosity toward us. THANKYOU! especially to the Rowans & Pelz families for having us as part of their homes for extended periods of time, and to the Levin Baptist church family for ongoing love & support.

TSCF National Events
Despite Ana Gracia having a cold we had a great time at the TSCF Student Conference 26 June-1 July. Top quality teaching from 2 Thessalonians and interaction with students from around the country was very energizing. It was superb building relationships with students which we then could follow up with campus visits. Later in August we participated in 4 days of Staff Training, an excellent time of being challenged and team building. Exploring NZ
Each time we visit we aim to introduce Josué to a new part of the country. This time it was Nelson, Thames and Northland a mix of family, friends & tourism. It has been special to spend time with family (cousins & Aunties) that we have not seen for many years and show Josué the Thames area where my Dad originally came from. We also had a great time in Australia with mum, & remembering with her the 10th anniversary of Ruth’s Dads death.

Highlights
Josué – I was given a tour by one of the deans of the Dentistry School at Otago University
Ruth – spending time with with highschool friends not seen for many years
Ana Gracia – playing with lambs, calves & baby goats on farms was fun!
Family - a relaxing weekend at Hamner Springs THANKS Tim & Lizzy!!

Studies at Regent
Both CECE and TSCF see theological study at Regent as a worthwhile investment for us to be refreshed & trained for the next phase of ministry. Upon completing our theological studies we’ll be coordinating leadership training at a national level with CECE in Ecuador. While it has been an experience in perseverance and patience the ongoing paperwork and waiting for results from Regent ……. things are coming together step by step! Josué did very well in the TOEFL English exam, and we both have conditional acceptance to study next year. Josue has been awarded a scholarship which covers his fees and Ruth a grant that covers about 10% of her fees. THANKYOU for your prayers!! The remaining steps are applying for Canadian study visas and finding suitable accommodation. It is possible that Bev (Ruth’s mum) may be with us to help care for Ana Gracia.

Future & Finances
We celebrate God’s goodness and provision & are incredibly grateful for your partnership with us in prayer and financial support in student mission in Ecuador. Over the past 3 years we have received an average of $NZ27000/yr support, which is about 66% of the target amount we need to cover living and ministry costs. While we have been able to manage on this amount over the past 3 years, the move to the capital city, Ana Gracia’s addition to our family & upcoming study means we have increased living & ministry costs. Also, while a good part of our fees are covered by scholarships from Regent – $10,000 is needed to cover Ruth’s fees.
24 people chipping in with $50/month or 12 people giving $100/month would help us reach this target.

As partners in mission with us we ask you to prayerfully consider if you could help us in one of the following ways:

• Keep praying & communicating with us regularly we always love to hear from you!!
• If you already support us regularly, prayerfully consider raising the amount you give as you are able.
• If you haven’t been able to support us financially in the past, would you prayerfully consider beginning regular support now?
• Consider giving a one off gift to help with Ruth’s fees for study at Regent in 2008
  
  Ana Gracias’s Anecdotes
  I loved spending time with Grandma & my Australian cousins Raphael & Jessica, especially sharing my first birthday party with Jessica and the Australian family. We had a special day out with Grandma on the ferries in Sydney which was lots of fun. I’m a super crawler & shuffler now although not so sure about the veges I keep getting given to eat! I have really enjoyed playing with all my new friends …… Kate, Rebekah, Lara, Jed, Hadyn. Wilson, Emily, Josh, Isaac, Sam & Caleb

Next step of the Journey
We fly back to Ecuador on the 13th October where we’ll be staying with Josue’s parents while we do visa applications for Canada and numerous other details to be organized. All going well we’ll be in Vancouver ready to start the winter term early January.

Please pray with us for
safe & peaceful travel back to Ecuador (that Ana Gracia will cope with 13 hrs in a plane)
for visas & accommodation for Regent to come together
for God’s provision to cover study & living costs
for working out travel & living details with Bev being with us.
For the ongoing work of TSCF & CECE reaching university students in Ecuador & NZ

You can communicate with us via:
Email: ruthhicks@yahoo.co.nz
Ph in Ecuador: 00 593 22374487
Spanish blog: http://www.josueruthenecuador.blogspot.com/
English blog: http://www.josueruthjourney.blogspot.com/


THANK YOU for being partners with us.
Blessings
Ruth, Josue & Ana Gracia

We close with a comment from Nigel Pollock the TSCF National Director:

“Ruth & Josue make a tremendous contribution to the work of the gospel in Ecuador. Their work with students and graduates is often hard going but God is working in and through them in many exciting ways. I cannot speak too highly of them as a couple and would urge you to be active partners with them in prayer and finance”.