Maddy did her DTS in Lausanne a few years ago, then she went for some additional training with YWAM in a Bible school called the Discipleship Bible School. Since then, she has been serving at YWAM Lausanne in this same program and loving it! We also love it! Having other YWAMers in our family, here in Europe, is so much fun as every once in awhile, our paths cross!
The book of Numbers – teaching in Amsterdam
In this past year alone I have taught many books/topics: Church history and heresies, Introduction to the Prophets and Amos, Gospel of Matthew, Revelation. Every time I receive lots of feedback: “Are you recording the teachings”, “I wish I could do the SBS”, “I would love to hear more about those books!” BUT I have heard nothing about Numbers. No feedback, no excitementโฆ
Why? Letโs start with the title.
Genesis
Hebrew word which means โin the beginning.โ This is simply the first word of the book. The Greek translation bears the title Genesis, โbeginning,โ which in this case is almost an exact translation of the Hebrew word and is also a good description of the actual contents of the book. English transliterated the word: Genesis.
Exodus
Hebrew words it begins with: โand these are the names.โ Or sometimes: โNames.โ This Hebrew title, however, gives no idea of the contents of the book. While the book begins by naming the sons of Jacob who went down into Egypt, this is purely introductory. In the Greek translation a descriptive title was substituted, consisting of the Greek word Exodos, which means โgoing out.โ This title is an excellent description of the contents of the book, and is clearly an improvement over the Hebrew designation. English- Transliterated
Leviticus
Hebrew Bible, the title of the third book consists of its first word, โand he called.โ This gives practically no idea of its contents. )In the Greek translation the word Leuitikon was substituted, indicating that the book contains directions for the activities of the Levitical priests and their Levitical assistants. English- Transliterated
Numbers: We will skip and come back to it
Deuteronomy
Hebrew is titled by its first two words โand these are the words.โ This is very similar to the title of Exodus, โand these are the names,โ or of Leviticus, โand he called.โ The Greek version has substituted the title Deuteronomion, which means โSecond Law.โ Moses is repeating the law, so it means 2nd law. Thus, the Greek title aptly describes the contents of the book, and is very appropriate. English- Transliterated, but there are no English speakers that would understand it means second law.
Summary
In three of these four instances, The Greek improves the title, letting us know the contents more clearly. While in the case of Genesis, the two are substantially identical. In all four cases, our English Bibles use a simple transliteration of the Greek word. Surely it would have been better if these titles had been translated into English instead of being merely transliterated from the Greek.
So now Numbers:
Numbers
Hebrew Bible, it is not its first word, but its fourth, that is used as a title which means โin the wildernessโ This word forms an admirable description of the contents of the book. The Greek translators gave it a descriptive title, which instead of fitting excellently, as in the case of the other four books, is not at all well selected. It is Arithmos. It is a mathematical term.
In English, instead of transliterating the Greek title, we have in this ONE instance translated it. So first a bad choice of the title in Greek, now made worse in English: Numbers. This makes it seem like a dry list of statistics. If a few chapters were taken out, there would be less numbers remaining than in many another book of the Bible.
I was chatting with a friend who said he didnโt like the book of Numbers. After a little discussion we realized he actually meant Chronicles. So again, the title doesnโt help one to remember the content/message of the book.
It is actually sad, because Numbers is one of my favorite books of the Pentateuch and really shows so many important timeless truths!
- Theology โ What do we learn about God? That He is faithful to his promise to dwell with man. He desires to make his face shine upon mankind. That He is Holy and Perfect, and makes a way where there seems to be no way. That He is just and does what is right. He is merciful and slow to anger.
- We see that the death and resurrection of Jesus is absolutely crucial for us to be able to be in Godโs presence.
- Describes the temptations and the challenges we have as believers as we await the promised land.
- Describes the age of tension and helps us see how to finish the Christian life well.
- It also shows that rebellion against Godโs ways does not lead to the place where God dwells with his people.
This may be the most relevant book in the Torah for us as believers today! Such a great book, it is too bad more believers don’t take the time to study it deeply. If you would like a good commentary to read on this book, I highly recommend L. Michael Morales and his commentary
Titus Project Heidebeek 2026
It is hard to believe that Ben and I ran our first Titus Project in Europe 16 years ago. And yet, we still get to see the fruit of some of the early seasons. Ben and I were invited to teach in the School of Biblical Studies in Sweden. I was teaching Ezra and I got down on my knees and begged the students that when they graduated, to take an extra 3 months and learn how to teach the Bible. There was a girl named Seraina from Switzerland in that classroom and she took the challenge. If you watch this little video we filmed today, you can find out her story of what happened from that time.
The participants we are training now are really excited to go and give what they have learned away in the nations. We will send out 3 teams with 4-5 people on each one. They will each go to two countries: Netherlands/Taiwan, Albania/Italy, and Indonesia/Philippines. They have a few more weeks of training yet, but here are a few photos
We also have time to have fun and go for walks in the forest. And the family is still doing well at home. Playing games, going to school, playing basketball! Tomorrow I go home, but Titus goes on for the next few months.
Thank you for all your prayers and support of our work!
The Gospel of Matthew
What a great week teaching with my niece Isabel and it has been so much fun having Cassie here too! Thank you to YWAM King’s Lodge for letting us all come, join your Christmas parties, and teach the amazing Gospel of Matthew. Don’t worry, the boys at home are doing great. Look at that pizza that Jay made from scratch!
A young German’s missionary calling
Nadja is a young, beautiful woman of the Lord who desires to see Germans discipled in God’s word. I taught in her pioneering School of Biblical Studies and asked her to share with me a tiny bit of her motivation for running this school.
A trip back to Taiwan โ Cassie turns 16!
Titus Project is an international ministry (check out our website http://www.titusproject.com to see all of the locations) and in order to strengthen the different locations and their training, those of us who have been serving in the ministry a long time (including the founder) created a new international team this past year. There are just four of us on the team, and we gathered together in Taiwan last week to film different training video resources. This trip happened to fall right on Cassieโs 16th birthday, and since she was born there and we found cheap tickets, we decided it was a good time for her to see the land of her birth. Cassie and I (Angela) had a crazy experience trying to get there (including getting an emergency passport at the last moment in Vienna) but once we arrived it was a great time of making memories, showing Cassie the hospital where she was born, and of course filming many hours of videos. Amy and Michael (founders of Titus and our hosts) were so wonderful. Sonya Yakovenko and I are the other two members of the team, so we were busy with recording videos. Cassie was our amazing โaudience.โ Amy and Michael also have 4 adult children and they joined in on the fun of being our live studio audience.
You have questions, we have answers.
1) Are you really coming home for a whole year?ย
Yes, with the children in school now (they grow up fast!) it makes sense for our furlough year to correspond to the school year. We will be back at the end of June and stay until the summer of 2019.
2) What does it mean to have a furlough year?
Because our work here in Ukraine is around the clock, it is good for us to have seasons in Canada. We getย away from our day-to-day responsibilities in order to rest, rejuvinate, get more equipping, and share with our supporters what they have been a part of! It makes us more effect, and healthy for the work we do here in Kyiv.
3) How do you feel about coming home for the year?ย
We are excited. These past four yearsย (since our last furlough)ย in Ukraine have been really great .ย We have seen so much fruit. We have also been a part of the leadership team here at YWAM Kyiv, which has meant additionalย responsibilities beyondย leading our own Bible teaching ministry team. This has been a blessing, but it has also left us ready for a season away from leadership.
4) Right now you live by others donating to your work on a monthly basis. Does that continue during your year at home?
Yes we will continue to rely on our supporters and friends who believe in the work we are doing.
5) So what will you do for a year?
We will still be carrying some of theย responsibilitiesย of our work, even in Canada (the internet is an amazing thing)! After a summer of camping, and having our children spend lots of time with their family, we will see what God leads us to. There will be lots of different areas that we will be pursuing for the year: education, retreat, prayer, serving andย teaching. However, the main goal will be to pray and seek the Lord what he would have us do during the next 4 years in Ukraine after our year of furlough. And of course, share with all of our friends and family the things that God has done since we moved here in 2010. Hopefully we will get a chance to visit friends and family that are outside of Manitoba as well.
6) So does the Bible school (SBS) stop when you come home?
No! Thankfully we have a great team here in Kyiv. Thelma Selvanย is leading the SBS this year on her own (after co-leading with Ben last year), and she has an amazing team of people helping her. It runs from March-December. Next year in March she will lead it again! But please pray for her and the staff team- for many areas, but specifically finances. Most of our staff who are faithfully leading and teaching in the SBS live on less than $100 dollars a month (and their rent is half that amount). But they continue to trust God toย provide for their needs because they believe in what they are doing. If you would like to expand the people you support in missions, please contact us and we can help you give to these workers who have proven faithful and trustworthy! As they say, not all of us can go, but all of us can send!
7) What about yourย Bible teacher training and sending ministry (Titus Project)?
Sonya Yakovenko leads Titus Project now here in Kyiv, and she does an amazing job! Every January she takes new graduates from our Bible school (and other SBS’s around the world) and trains them to be great Bible teachers! We have a growingย reputation of being a great place to get trained and sent. She will also take over leading our Bible teachingย team while we are gone. Please pray for her as she is also a part of our YWAM Kyiv leadership team so she has many responsibilities.
8) So when do you actually arrive back in Winnipeg?
We will be arriving June 20, with our three kids and our dog ‘Midnight.’ We will be living back in our little home on Melbourne. You can call usย at 204-977-2950.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Our Annual Report
Every year we report on what we have done in the past year and what is coming up to our home church and our supporters. We thought some of our friends and family might be interested in reading it as well, so here it is :) Let us know if you have any questions.
Western Ukraine Road Trip
Usually our vacation time is spent either in Canada or in a neighbouring country. BUT this year we decided to stay in Ukraine and visit a few smaller cities the West. After our trip we asked the kids, what were your highlights?
Cassie: Doing the Quest Room in Rivne. It was really challenging and I like a challenge! I felt like Nancy Drew…especially finding the secret room.
Kai: I love all the stuff that we go to…the castle, the quest room…
Jay: I loved the quest room because there were so many riddles and mysteries. The pottery guy at the castle was cool too!ย 
What about you Ben?
Ben: All of it was good.ย
A man of little words.
I enjoyed spending time together in the car. Colouring… reading books…mediating fights (“I want to sit in the middle.” “No I do!”
Another highlight was that we were joined by Thelma and Esther. Two of our team members! Thelma is from India, Esther is new to our team and is from America. Both have never travelled around Western Ukraine, so we all gained more of an appreciation for the country in which we serve.
Now we look forward to some awesome days together with our YWAM Kyiv Staff, planning and praying for this coming year. Titus Project begins again in just a few weeks where we will train new Bible Teachers. And the kids will go back to school. Kai is hoping to go to preschool beginning this January with Jay. Mom and Dad are still deciding.
Happy New Year!
Teaching with Nadia
Nadia is one of my coworkers. She is from the Western part of Ukraine and grew up in the Soviet Union. She remembers standing in line for hours with her sisters to get a bit of candy, (which ran out just as they got to the front of the line). I was privileged to travel to Sweden with her to teach in the different bible training programs that YWAM runs. We had many times of laughter, we danced silly dances, we prayed for each other. It was a great week.
I had the privilege of teaching Ezra and Nehemiah to 7 amazing students from Europe, North America and Korea. They are just about done 9 months of study, and it was really great to be able to finish the Narrative section of the Old Testament with them. We examined Godโs Hesed (Hebrew for Steadfast Love) as we see Godโs grace over and over again in the lives of the Israelites, and of course in our own as well!
Across the path in a different classroom, Nadia was teaching 5 equally amazing students the book of Deuteronomy. They dived deep into Godโs apodictic and casuistic laws. Together they examined how Godโs values of life and health and family apply to the spheres of society today like education, business, science and technology.
Now I sit in the airport waiting to return to my wonderful family while Nadia prepares one more teaching for Sweden (the book of Esther). I think about the great friends I have in Restenas, Sweden. Five years ago Ben and I made that country our first stop in Europe and it has forever stayed in our hearts! Fika forever! Hopefully many of those students we have taught will go on to be teachers themselves sharing the treasure they have been given.
Go Canada!
Ben and Ang are forcing me to write a blog about my first impressions of Ukraine and YWAM and YWAM in Ukraine, which is a dangerous thing to do when I am so jet lagged… ย Luckily, my impressions so far have been good ones. ย I will elaborate with a three point sermon:
First of all, the people here (on the YWAM base) are very friendly and welcoming, which has been beneficial considering I have to share a bathroom with 8 of them. ย The leaders on the base seem to really know what they are doing and they have a clear and vibrant vision for their ministries (yes, this includes Ang and Ben). ย I would go into detail, but that’s their job. ย They are doing a good work, but are overstretched which is probably the norm when doing ministry. ย They all seem to wear many different hats, and in my short time here they have been an inspiration considering that they do all the things they have to do without complaining or arguing…as far as I’ve noticed anyway.
Secondly, I have had the opportunity to see a little bit of the city so far and have been told about it’s history. ย It is amazing, beautiful and complex all rolled in one (much like whoever is reading this, I’m sure). ย There is lots to see, lots of people and lots of things I do not understand. ย (By the way, if you are thinking of coming here, which you should, ย learn from my ignorance and consider learning a bit of Russian before you come, it would be beneficial.)
Thirdly, I have been astounded by seeing what Ben and Ang can accomplish with three kids along for the ride. ย I will blow their horn for a while, so hopefully they won’t delete this part. ย They are a testament to patience and grace. ย I’ll tell you why. ย First they have put up with me for the past three days, and they have two months to go. ย I have not seen a grimace or eye roll from them yet, not even a sigh of exasperation. ย Kudos to them for that. ย In addition, every experience I have had here, whether it was actually flying here from Canada or even trekking through this massive city, I have imagined doing with three kids with me, and each time I’ve imagined these scenarios I found myself racked with imaginary anxiety. ย Seriously people, my sanity would be hanging by a thread if I was them. ย I don’t know how they do it (probably because of Jesus), and because they go through life with such amazing attitudes I find myself inspired. ย And because they still are completely sane, thriving, faith filled human beings I have a new found belief in miracles.
In conclusion, this city is great, YWAMers are great, Ben and Ang and their kids are great, God is greater because He has made all these things and gives them all strength to carry on. ย If you support Ben and Ang and their ministry in any way, which you probably do if you are reading this blog, then I have a deep respect and appreciation for you and, after being here, know that it is a great thing you are doing to support them. ย Thanks for your attention.
Phileo Xenos – Loving the Stranger
Hospitality comes from two greek words:
Philao –ย ฯฮนฮปฯ is one of several words for โloveโ in Greek. Being a more precise language than English, classical Greek has a few different ways to express the word โlove.โ In this case, the word that is used means โbrotherly loveโ or โto love like a brother”.
Xenos – ฮพฮตฮฝฮฟฯย which makes up the second half of the word we render โhospitalityโ actually means โstrangerโ or โimmigrant,โ and is where we get the word xenophobia which is the fear of strangers/immigrants.
Most people have never really experienced hospitality, as opposed to being entertained. When you’re invited to your friends house for the game, go out for dinner together and your friend pays then you’re being entertained.ย Few of us have ever been in a strange place without our credit card or a hotel reservation with a restaurant.
But some of you have. You went on a short-term missions trip. You probably went to build a house or do some skits. The people were poor, much poorer than you. But after your program you were invited to one of the homes of the congregation. It wasn’t lavish, even if they were the wealthiest family in the church. They brought out some soft drinks and ice. Maybe a plate of fresh fruit. And you sat around making smiles and gestures to try and communicate with them while waiting for lunch. Someone brought a fan to cool you down a little. Lunch was a specially cooked chicken and lots of rice or corn. You ate first and your hosts only had a little at the end. Compared to back home, it really didn’t seem like much. But you knew, this was the best meal anyone in the whole village had made in months. And they made it for you.
That is hospitality. You, a stranger, are welcomed into someone’s home, welcomed to the best they have because you come in the name of the Lord Jesus. Maybe you’ve never experienced something like that. But if you have, you might know what its like to accept a costly gift from someone who doesn’t have anything to give. Even though its nothing to you, you treasure it because it cost so much to the one who gave it.
We might not be strangers to most people who invite us over for dinner or dessert or out for coffee. But our time at home has been an experience in receiving hospitality. One family makes a special meal for us, another prepares a fancy dessert, a stroller for our youngest, another takes our eldest to get a pedicure, another prays for us daily. Maybe sometimes you don’t hear thank you from us because we forget or we’re busy or whatever. I hope you know that we thank God for you. Every person that shares with us shows us the love of God, shows us that they care about us but also that God cares about us because he hears the prayers that you don’t. Thank you!
But lest you think your gift ends with us, don’t. When we live in Kyiv and invite someone over, they enjoy your hospitality, they share in your gift. They see that Jesus cares for them too. Usually we say thank you for sending us.
Today we say thank you for giving us your hospitality and for using the things you have to love us!ย Thank you forย loving us like brothers!
Ukraine
Ukraine is on our minds again. My kids and I were building blocks with Jenga Tetris tiles and we put together a little Ukrainian flag.
If you have a moment today, pray for Ukraine, Nigeria, and Israel. We forget that people all over the world are stuck in the middle of wars that many of them have no wish for. Most people just want to live in a safe place, without oppression or significant injustice, jobs to make a living and opportunities to enjoy their lives and give a good future to their children. Some have resorted to war in hopes of gaining those things, but most are stuck in the middle of a war that they have no desire for. If you have those things, thank God for them and remember that you probably did nothing to deserve them. You are living in privilege.
As for Ukraine. Pray with me that God would bring peace, would stop all those surrounding nations that are trying to use Ukraine for their own benefit. That God would hear the cries of the average person and stop the oppressors. Ukraine, put your hope in the living God. Cry out to him, he hears you!
Planning for next year
Isn’t it amazing how every year comes and goes! Life moves so fast.
Sunday night we are having a planning meeting with our team for 2014, so please pray for us. We are going to decide when to have Titus Project, SBS and some other important events.
As we plan and decide those things we also are beginning to plan and think about our 6 months at home in Canada in 2014. We have friends and family spread out all over the country so we will probably spend half of our time in Winnipeg and half of our time travelling in other parts of Canada. We are looking forward to that a lot!
Romania Outreach Story
After training 8 new bible teachers in Germany they all went out to teach. Here is what one of the teachers from Romania wrote:
That awkward moment when you walk into church and realize that you are the only one who is not wearing a head coveringโฆ oopsโฆ what do you do? You smile, walk forward, take your seat and pretend like you belong here.
A moment later worship band starts playing:
Zi de zi eu vreau
Sa respire Cuvantul Tau
Si ma rog, Doamne,
Tot mai mult sa Te cunosc,
Condu-ma in fiecare clip ace-o traiesc
Zi de zi Doamne, Vreau sa luminez mereu
So what there is no translation? The words sound so familiarโฆ
Everyday, Lord, I’ll
Learn to stand upon Your word
And I pray that I I might come to know You more
That You would guide me in every single step I take, that
Everyday I can Be Your light unto the world
You join everybody in worship.
Our image of God increases every time we go to a different nation. There is something unique that each culture has in a way they see and understand God and it shapes our understanding of who God is as we share our lives with people, as we spend time among them.
There is something special, something greater as we bow down before God in prayer with people from different culture. We see how our trust in God unifies us.
There is no more difference in us.
Our diversity is beautifully united in worship before God.
We see bigger purpose in our lives as we go out. Every time it reminds us how great is the one who created heavens and earth. Who is all in all.
When we see difference of God in other people we understand God more, our picture of him increases, He becomes bigger in our minds.
He has power to unite nations and languages.
He brings unity in diversity.
Schloss Fest
We’re here in Hurlach, Germany (just next to Munich) preparing for Titus Project. Here in Hurlach, YWAM owns a real deal castle. So once a year in September they open their doors and throw a huge party for the community. It’s a great way to introduce people to ywam, make some new friendships, let people know what living for Jesus means and have a great time doing it all!
The program runs from lunch till dinner. There are all sorts of international food stalls but the favourite of course is the Bavarian (southern Germany). On stage there is the castle band and then guests including a spanish couple, a 25 piece ensemble from the community and this year we had a Native dance in full feather outfit. Of course, the kids had their own highlights, the unlimited bubbles, helium balloons tied in any shapes and all sizes and pony and camel rides.
It was a great time with lots of great conversations! You can see some of the pics on the photos page too.
Up next – Titus Project Training Program begins!
Top 12 Photos from Year 1
Please click here to see the pictures fullscreen!
Happy Birthdayhttp://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf
If you really want, you can also view it on Issuu or just open up the PDF right here.
Titus Project Prep
Our Titus Training Program will be starting in just 7 weeks. We have 10 participants from all over Europe (like Sweden, Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland) in three teams heading to nations like Romania, Russia and Ukraine!
We’re so excited to see these SBS graduates go out and teach the Bible and how to study it. After having put in 9 months of very intense study covering all 66 books of the Bible they are ready to begin training in how to present that information so people learn it and use it.
Awesome! And we get to be a part of it! Please, pray that participants will have a good rest as they prepare for 3 months of travel, learning and teaching. Pray that the people they go to would be hungry for God’s Word, open to listen and determined to seek God and change their lives as He speaks to them. And pray for us as we do it for the first time as a family of 5!
Culture Guide to N. America
When it comes to living in far off places there are so many things that we have to learn. So when I read an article about what people need to learn if they are coming to Canada or America I thought it kind of interesting.
HSBC has a culture guide by country which is what inspired the McLeans article.
Highlights:
– (CAN) don’t compare Canada with America
– (USA)ย [Don’t] stand too close to someone youโre speaking with, lest you impose on their sense of personal space
– (USA)ย When Americans say โYesโ or โNoโ they mean it. โMaybeโ means โIt might happenโ; it does not mean โNoโ.
– (CAN) Most Canadians prefer business to be concise, and meetings begin with a minimal amount of small talk.
– (USA) You may be told to make yourself at home, and youโre expected to do so, and to ask for anything you require.
– (CAN) Communication is moderately indirect. Although most Canadians can disagree, they prefer to do so with tact and diplomacy.
– (USA) Americans often used sporting analogies that are not easily understood such as (Ballpark figure,ย Play hardball orย Drop the ball).
Sadly, HSBC has no country guide for Ukraine.
Which is English?
We have travelled and taught and studied multiple new languages with such variety as Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian and Russian. Of course, as teachers it is incredibly important to show humility by also being a learner, of culture and language, so that we don’t think we only have something to offer without also realizing that we have something to learn.
Anyway, the point about all this is to say we came across a nifty little game (thanks to one of the language learning blogs we subscribe too) which I’m sure will become very popular in no time, especially with wordies (that is, people who love words – kind of like “foodies”). Anyway, the game is found at whichisenglish.com. You, as the player, are presented with two words, one is real English and the other fake. Pick it correctly and you’ll get a slightly more difficult pair, get it wrong and you’ll get an easier pair.
Anyway, I thought I must mention this somewhere because all of our friends who teach English or learn English or Russian should have this up their sleeve for fun during class sometimes. I personally am looking forward to the Russian version which is on its way.
Teaching Adventures 