None of this is really about us. We, the Kennedy family, are included in but a few chapters of God’s Great Story. We hope as you read the stories of our journey as disciples of Jesus, that you too are inspired to consider how God is writing your life into His Story.

January 2024

“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Journeying across the (Canadian) Wilderness…

At the end of this newsletter you will read a poem that Joel wrote while reflecting on life as we presently know it. Of course the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt toward the promised land is a far cry from our little family’s journey towards France. But we have found parallels none-the-less in our stories.

On December 23 we moved out of Québec. Our home for the past 11 years, we left all pieces of our hearts in and around Montréal. We said goodbye to so many friends, an incredible community, so many memories and places we loved, our church family, and the city where both of our kids were born.

Our “exodus” out of Québec lead us to Ontario. There for 2 weeks, we connected with Joel’s family, celebrated Christmas, played with cousins, and said many more tearful goodbyes.

Saying farewell to Ontario, on January 8th we “journeyed” all the way back to where our story began almost 15 years ago: Calgary. Our time out west has again been full of precious family time with Becky’s parents and reconnecting with old friends.

Now we are trying to find a new routine, return to homeschooling, and re-establish some semblance of normal.

But the

truth is,

nothing

feels very

normal

For the first time in our adult lives, we have no home of our own, no car, no keys on our key chain.
Since October 2nd we have lived as guests in the homes of others.
Despite our many goodbyes, we have met so many new people, and been blessed by the outpouring of support from strangers in both Ontario and Alberta.
We have no regular routine or set schedule, every day looks different than the last.

In reflecting on the Exodus story, we sympathize with the Israelites more now than we had before. We are experiencing the emotions felt when familiar things are removed, when comfort, security and certainty is gone. As we journey toward our “promised land”, we too must trust in the faithfulness of God to get us there, as only He really knows the path and how long it will take for us to arrive.

It is here we have to choose. Can we rest in this place of uncertainty? Or do we seek control in our attempts to try to plan or predict how things will go, to somehow make this exodus easier? Can we stay in the uncomfortable and put our trust in our Creator God?

This is where God wants us to be. This is what He wants us to experience in this season. Peace in that place of trusting only in Him who cannot fail us. Finding our hope in the one who cannot be unfaithful. If God is in the lead and He is love and always present, then we are where we need to be. And where we want to be.

We proclaim that our exodus story will not end with a wandering in the desert for 40 years! Rather, like Joshua and Caleb, we are confident that our Great God will give us the victory. We will make it to France!

The Kid’s Exodus Experience:

Noëlle and Brennan have been through a whirlwind season of upended schedules and days that never seem to look like the one before it. Although it has come with it’s challenges, homeschooling has afforded us the gift of flexibility in how we spend our time.

Before moving out of Québec, the kids spent as much time as we could possibly squeeze in with their friends. It was precious time and allowed them to say goodbye “filled up” on the love and joy of those relationships.

After some tearful but healthy goodbyes, they have been saturated with family time, first with Joel’s family and now with Becky’s.

Through all of this both Noëlle & Brennan are growing in their faith and trust in God as their source of stability and peace through this season. They are such a source of joy to us and everyone they meet.

Everyone we talk to has the same question:

So when do you officially move?

Honestly… we don’t know exactly…

What we do know:

We have our French Visas!
We are officially more than 80% funded.
We have been overwhelmed by the love and support of a church here in Calgary who have committed to partnering with us.
We continue to meet and be blessed by new people everywhere we go.

What we don’t know:

The date of our departure.
How long it will take us to be “fully funded”.
Where we will live when we get there (hard to book something until we know when we will arrive).
When we should ship our belongings to France (and where).

We are so blessed by those who have already joined us on this financial journey. THANK YOU!

We are happy to report that we are presently more than 80% funded.

If you have not joined our team of financial supporters, would you prayerfully consider joining us now?

Want to help us reach 100%?

A GEM Canada initiative to help missionaries reach 100% funding, for every new MONTHLY donor who joins our team (after we reached 70%), GEM Canada will match that pledge with a one time gift. That means if you join our team of monthly supporters now, we will receive an additional month’s support in our GEM funding account!

Click here to Partner with Us!

Pray for France:

Pray for the hearts of the French. Pray for an openness to truth and the hope of the Gospel, in spite of the tainted history of the church in Europe.

Pray for our Family:

For courage to live in this place of uncertainty fully confident that God is in control.
For wisdom in discerning when it is time to book flights.
For peace in trusting God to provide a place for us to live in Aix-les-Bains.
Pray for us to reach 100% of our funding goals.
Pray for protection on the kids and our family in this season.