Dan and Elizabeth Canavan: March 2007
Have you ever wondered what the wife of a missionary does? I would like to give you a sample of what life is like here in Ireland from my viewpoint.
My first responsibility is to be a wife to Dan and a mother to Andrew, Becca and Caleb. This includes the normal housewife duties as well as homeschooling. Our day begins with the buzzing of the alarm clock at 6:00 am. It is time for showers, devotions, and breakfast. Then at 7:30, school begins. I praise the Lord for the privilege to teach my children. School is finished by 1:00. My children still have homework, piano practice and chores to accomplish before bedtime. On Monday and Thursday evenings, they have their running club. On Friday afternoon and evening, they have piano lessons and karate. Yes, Mom's taxi gets involved here.
On a weekly basis in the ministry, I teach the children's Sunday School Class. Keeping the lessons interesting and relevant to children aged 4 to 12 is a challenge that I enjoy. I also play the piano for the Sunday services. Andrew, Becca and Caleb now help play the piano for Sunday School and Wednesday Prayer Meeting. Sunday evening before the service, I help the various groups/choir practice for special music. Some of our people can sing and desire to serve the Lord in singing. Saturday morning, we all bundle up to go door-to-door soulwinning. This is exciting for there are three people of the church that go with us. It is no longer just us. God is good!
On a monthly basis, I help with planning the music program in the church, oversee the staffing of the nursery, organize children's outings and every 6th week hold a Ladies Bible Study. I also help plan and prepare for the special events on the church calendar. This usually entails preparing activities and the food for various events.
God also allows me to have discipleship Bible studies with newly saved ladies. I enjoy working with these new Christians and watching them grow. God also allows me to witness to ladies. What a joy to see someone receive Christ as their Saviour!
One such lady was Yang. She was here with her husband finishing up her degree in accounting. Because of the high cost of living, they sent their daughter, Shannon, back to China to be raised by her grandparents. This was hard on Yang, but even harder was her husband's return to China due to the lack of acceptance by the Irish into their society. God used this hard time to soften Yang's heart to the gospel. Each time that she came to church, she heard the gospel in the preaching, through one-onone conversation and through tracts given to her. One Sunday morning, Yang was there for Sunday School. I asked her to come back to a classroom with me that I might talk with her about Jesus.
As I talked with her, she thought that she was already saved because she believes. I asked her, "What do you believe?" She replied, "That there is a God." For her, this was a big step, but not salvation. From the Bible, she saw for herself exactly what salvation is and made the decision to accept Christ as her Saviour. Though Yang's English is fairly good, she still struggles with it. So when she heard of a "Christian" church that had a Chinese service, she began attending there. Eventually, Yang returned to our services when saw the difference between us and a liberal church. As Yang attended regularly, she began to grow. Part of her growth made her realize that her place is with her family even if it means a lower income and standard of living. Yang came to church one last time on March 11. She flew home to China the next day. I praise the Lord for allowing me to be a part of Yang hearing the gospel and getting saved!
Sincerely,
Beth Canavan
Prayer Requests:
1. Strength and wisdom
2. Stay encouraged
3. Triplets to grow into young people who fervently love the Lord.
