Change Together Now

New Wine in New Wineskins for Us! I asked Laurel to write and share the new things God is doing in our lives now! Here's our story! Hi Everyone!... Ray and I want to let you all know where we are now and what we're doing. We were living and working at Deer Valley Meadows Camp for 16 years on and off, and sharing in short term missions opportunities along the way, going out and coming back to camp to work. During the COVID season, we really felt God moving our hearts to new things and new ways; that He wants to establish us in many ways. At the end of a quiet summer, both Ray and I found our attention drawn toward the Global Prayer House/Youth With A Mission ministry in Medicine Hat, AB! We heard about a pioneering training school they were planning on starting called "Legacy DTS (Discipleship Training School)! This is a training YWAM school which purposes to bring different generations together to learn from one another! We communicated with one of the leaders (Rick Sorum) about the Legacy DTS, and what role we might play! As a result, we decided to drive down to Medicine Hat (about 4 hours south of where we were at) to meet and talk some more. From that meeting, we decided to apply for staff and move to Medicine Hat! We were accepted on staff so, on September 1, we packed our cargo trailer and moved south. We jumped into the staff team right away. We were graciously hosted by a family in "the Hat" (how Medicine Hat is often referred as) for two weeks. We were quite touched at our first staff meeting as the other staff shared how they had been praying for some time for Mother and Father figures to join them. We were very encouraged by how God was moving to bring unity among some of the churches and GPH ministry through forgiveness! We are seeing the evidence of a new unity beginning in this city, which gives us hope of a great move of God soon to come! We feel so blessed to be here now! We've also been a part of various YWAM bases, and they all have their own wonderful characteristics, yet carrying the same spiritual DNA! This campus is called Global Prayer House because it has a strong emphasis on prayer as foundational to ministry and fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God. This emphasis has been so reviving and refreshing to my (Laurel) relationship with the Lord at this time. Where my prayer mode was often "God, help!", it's becoming more transformed to a devotion to the Lord and so much comes out of that place, walking and talking more closely with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit! On September 22, we began a combined DTS of the normal "Pursuit Internship" with the Legacy DTS (geared for adults 50+ years of age). These were combined because the number of students were very small due at least in part because of COVID! Our students' ages range from 18 to 72. Two of them even made it over from the US (having to isolate for two weeks upon arrival). Our speakers/teachers are all from Canada this year, and our outreach will also be in Canada instead of Asia. We have three months of teaching and intimate time spent with God, followed by two months of outreach. We do concentrate of cross-cultural ministry, but will still be able to do this in Canada even some things won't be so drastically different as an international outreach. Ray and I have been asked to lead the outreach! We're getting help to plan as well as some coaching along the way from those who've done more from here. We're in the planning process now and excitement is rising as we look at the prospects. Ray and I so love being a part of this whole process of seeing people get to know God better, realize their sonship with their heavenly Father, and their identity in Christ, as well as gaining freedom from those things we've allowed the enemy to bring over us! We are all learning how to stay free and to walk and talk with the Lord! We are also learning to let the Holy Spirit fill us up, lead us to reach out to others, and use the love and authority the Lord has given us to help and draw other to Him as well. He wants His kids back! We learn to get His heart for others, for cities, nations, and the Church, His Bride! Ray and I are involved in a variety of ways here. We are both small group leaders, help in the kitchen, and work the sound board. I (Laurel) am in charge of hospitality including taking care of birthdays. Ray also goes for groceries, helps some of the students with fundraising, doing occasional maintenance, and is in charge of students overseeing prayer for the nations. We appreciate your prayers whenever you think of us. We want to continually be walking close to the Lord and be led by the Spirit in all we do here. In this school season, the students can all use prayers as well as they are receiving so much in this time, and there's a lot to process. No one on staff with GPH/YWAM have salaried positions therefore we are dependent upon God, and those whom God moves to be ministry partners with us! We learn to trust the Lord and His faithfulness, and also to partner with those who are interested and are led to give financially or in other ways. We know the real value of having friends who would commit to praying for and with us! Because the goal of our ministry is spiritual in nature, we are acutely aware of the real battle that takes place over the hearts and minds of those God wants to show Himself to through us. Intercessory prayer (which is praying as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray) has real significance to the success of what we do! Therefore, we really do treasure those who would be willing to partner with us in this way as well. Ray and I would love to visit with anyone who is interested in finding out more or staying in touch! Please message us if you would like to talk or chat about what God is doing here at GPH in this season! We will communicate more as our outreach plans are finalized! Thank you for taking the time to read a bit of our story! Laurel and Ray DONATIONS: If interested in partnering financially with us, here is the contact information! Donations can be made in Canadian or US Funds, but the office must be contacted to give directions for US funds! Thank you! Y Project Funding Office PO Box 57100 RPO East Hastings Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6 Phone: 604.436.4433 Fax: 604.436.4466 Email: [email protected] Registration No. 82455-6484 RR0001 Our code for financial donations is: FR04 #RayAndLaurelFarris #GlobalPrayerHouseYWAMMedicineHat

Hi everyone, Sorry I have not communicated for so long! We are in the middle of a major transition right now! Moved cities, joined a missions organization called Global Prayer House; a YWAM ministry in Medicine Hat, AB, Canada! Waiting to get moved into an apartment.... and the list goes on! We will be starting a training school in about a week and a half so, at this time, not sure when I can jump back into this venture online! I’m not giving up on it; just need to find the ...time when I can do it! Prayers appreciated, and looking forward to some great interaction in the future!

I am sharing on the Goodness of God; the first in a short series of videos on this topic!