DR. BOB ROSE
In March of this year, Dr. Rose passed away after a courageous two-year struggle with cancer. Bob was a highly valued member of theFairhaven Board of Directors and his passing has been a huge loss to this ministry. Bob served with great distinction. He was a quiet, humble, thoughtful and strong leader. Whenever he spoke, we listened. Apart from serving on our board, I was privileged to count Bob as a dear and trusted friend who also served as a wise personal coach. I would encourage you to remember Bob’s wife, Carol, and her family in your prayers as they process their deep loss.
COUNSELLING ASSOCIATE
One of the ingredients missing from our counselling ministry has been the option of a female counsellor. We have been particularly concerned for some women in ministry or clergy wives who would benefit from meeting with another woman and appreciate the option.
With this in mind, we are engaging the services of a local counsellor on a contract basis. Her name is Sharon Watt and she is the wife of the lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Vernon.
Sharon and her husband Dan have been married for 37 years. Most of those years have been spent in full-time Christian work, interspersed with studies at UBC, Prairie Bible College, ACTS Seminary, and French language study in Quebec. Their ministry years have included working as a youth pastor in Penticton, church planting in Okanagan Falls, B.C. for 5 years, leadership training in the Congo (then Zaire) for 10 months until illness brought them home, church planting in Belgium for seven years, seven years in denominational church planting leadership, lead pastoring in a church in Victoria and now at First Baptist Church in Vernon.
Sharon received her Master of Theological Studies in Counselling degree from ACTS Seminary in 1999 and worked as a clinical counsellor in a Christian Counselling centre in Victoria for seven years before moving to Vernon in 2007. Presently she is on staff at her church as a pastoral counsellor. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
They have three married sons and four grandchildren. Their three sons are all involved in full-time Christian work. Sharon and her husband love the outdoors, all seasons of the year.
COTTAGE PROJECT
Because of the amazing generosity of Fairhaven partners, we are able to proceed with the construction of another cottage. The site has been selected and cleared. The cottage has been designed. The building permit should be issued soon.
This will be a newly designed, one-bedroom cottage which will be adult only. It will serve the purpose of what is commonly referred to as a “hermitage”.
We hope to begin excavation the end of June so the cottage can be closed in before winter begins. Please contact us if you would be interested in offering your skills and time as a volunteer on this project.
It is very satisfying and fulfilling to be able to provide accommodations that speak of quality and beauty.
So often our guests are blessed and deeply touched by these facilities which bear testimony to the value that God places on those who come to Fairhaven.
THE “FAMILY” DINNERS
Our annual dinner tour is completed for another year. I am so grateful for each person that was able to attend. What an encouragement that has been! Many of you also were able to contact us and let us know that you wanted to attend but were not able to this year. Thank you for remembering us.
The spirit of the evening was very uplifting in each location and we came away with gratitude for all those who partner with us.
We have been given a bit more breathing room in our general fund, but we do realize that we are entering a season when income from donations slows down.
However, we have every reason to be confident that God will continue to provide all that is needed. Thank you so much for your generous help that has made a difference, whether through prayer or financial support.
MAILING ADDRESS
Recently, we have cancelled our postal box (155) which we kept open for some time until we felt most correspondents were aware of the changeover from the box number to the street address.
Please send all correspondence to:
#1-8191 Rogers Road, Vernon, BC V1B 3M8
FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT
Recently a vicar and his wife from England spent time at Fairhaven and wrote this thoughtful note regarding their retreat:
“We had the most wonderful time staying at Fairhaven. The peace, views and time to reflect and rest were just outstanding. Thank you to all the wonderful, loving team of people who served us over the two weeks.”
It is not hard to keep serving when you see God at work!
Gratefully,
Len Frank
Executive Director