Wishing all the Rehoboth supporters a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

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DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE NO. 101 INSIDE Wishing all the Rehoboth supporters a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

REHOBOTH OFFICES 3920-49 Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 (780) 963-4044 (Administration Office) Box 1312

Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5W4 (403) 250-7333 Box 602 Three Hills, Alberta T0M 2A0 (403) 443-2239 9899-112 Avenue Ste.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

1 DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE NO. 101 INSIDE Wishing all the Rehoboth supporters a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. From the Board of Directors, the Staff and all the Clients 2 Vine of Hope in Stony Plain 6 Smiles in Grande Prairie REHOBOTH OFFICES Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 (780) (Administration Office) Box 1312 Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1N1 (403) #106, Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5W4 (403) Box 602 Three Hills, Alberta T0M 2A0 (403) Avenue Ste Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 7T2 (780) But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2: Published by DeJong Printing Ltd

STONY PLAIN Vine of Hope Giving the Greatest Gift of the Christmas Season to our Individuals Rehoboth was founded on a Christian based philosophy.

This group was meant to be a ministry from within for both individuals we serve and our staff. This is exactly what it has become.

The group has assisted our individuals to develop celebrations at Easter, Thanksgiving and for Christmas.

With the Christmas season upon us, the individuals and staff at Rehoboth look forward to yet another opportunity for all to express who we are in Christ.

Submitted by: Janice Blake Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus We Three Kings Individuals enjoying the show The Shepherds arrive to adore their new King Rehoboth Christian Ministries Mission Statement In

2 STONY PLAIN Vine of Hope Giving the Greatest Gift of the Christmas Season to our Individuals Rehoboth was founded on a Christian based philosophy. Over the past couple of years the Stony Plain Region has developed a group called: The Vine of Hope. The Vine of Hope began as a concept in the heart of Laurie Purches, our former Regional Manager. This group was meant to be a ministry from within for both individuals we serve and our staff. This is exactly what it has become. The Vine of Hope empowers and embraces individuals and staff within the Rehoboth family to practice their faith in a clear and supportive atmosphere. The group has assisted our individuals to develop celebrations at Easter, Thanksgiving and for Christmas. Mary and the ANGEL The Vine of Hope was honored earlier this year when they were asked to present their Easter Celebration to a church community in Edmonton. With the Christmas season upon us, the individuals and staff at Rehoboth look forward to yet another opportunity for all to express who we are in Christ. Because Rehoboth is a family, and Rehoboth is a community, we have the opportunity in our diverse background to come together and celebrate what God has done for us. Submitted by: Janice Blake Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus We Three Kings Individuals enjoying the show The Shepherds arrive to adore their new King Rehoboth Christian Ministries Mission Statement In obedience to the will of God, Rehoboth shall convey God s love to persons with disabilities and their families by making room for them through personal support, advocacy and public education and by providing them with opportunities for personal growth and meaningful participation in society. Financial Policy Spending of funds is confined to Board approved programs and purchases. Each donation that is designated toward an approved program will be used as designated with the understanding that when any given need has been met, designated donations will be used where most needed. All donations are acknowledged and receipted with a tax-deductible receipt. 2 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

COALDALE Season s Greetings from Coaldale!

Our Wonderful Weavers have been making a variety of fibre arts projects for our annual Pancake

Kitt and Joanna are working on a rug hooking wreath, and Andy is preparing fabric strips for

Our woodshop crew is busy making Christmas crafts, working on contracts for the Research

Jackie and Denise are building sleighs, and Cathy and Sampson are putting together a barn wood

son is over and now we can enjoy the Christmas season with our focus on how truly blessed we

save us from our sins. We celebrate that at this time of year.

forgiveness and He will give it freely. And John?

3 COALDALE Season s Greetings from Coaldale! We have had an incredibly busy Autumn, with everyone getting ready for Christmas! Our Wonderful Weavers have been making a variety of fibre arts projects for our annual Pancake Breakfast and Poinsettia and Craft Sale, on December 1st. Kitt and Joanna are working on a rug hooking wreath, and Andy is preparing fabric strips for them to use. The greenhouse is also busy, with a bountiful crop of fresh tomatoes and peppers! Our woodshop crew is busy making Christmas crafts, working on contracts for the Research Station, and making rustic furniture. Jackie and Denise are building sleighs, and Cathy and Sampson are putting together a barn wood chair. son is over and now we can enjoy the Christmas season with our focus on how truly blessed we all are to live with the knowledge that we serve a living God and that He sent His only Son to save us from our sins. We celebrate that at this time of year. It is so awesome that God loves us no matter what and that all we have to do is ask for forgiveness and He will give it freely. And John? Well, he and Alana checked out Disneyland with his family! All of our staff are relieved that the CET and SFQ sea- From all of us in the Coaldale/Lethbridge Region, management, staff and especially those we serve on a daily basis, we thank you wholeheartedly for all of your support this past year and we wish you all Blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy Submitted by: Kerry Coward and Alex Hann DECEMBER 2007 REHOBOTH 3

CALGARY Calgary Rejoices And thou shalt have joy and gladness and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14 The Vocational team rejoices in the Lord and gives praise everyday.

The Vocational team continues to be embraced by the Calgary community; our participants have employment and volunteer positions throughout the city and enjoy outings to many of our popular

I would like to take this opportunity to focus on a few individuals that are truly making a difference.

Geoff and Andrew are our two entrepreneurs who over the past year have launched a Snack Basket business Geoff & Andrew s Munchie Mania, Geoff and Andrew have 5 snack baskets in offices throughout

4 CALGARY Calgary Rejoices And thou shalt have joy and gladness and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14 The Vocational team rejoices in the Lord and gives praise everyday. During this joyous season one can t help to reflect on and recount our blessings over the past year. The Vocational team continues to be embraced by the Calgary community; our participants have employment and volunteer positions throughout the city and enjoy outings to many of our popular attractions such as the Science Center and Calaway Park. With 25 participants in our Vocational program talent and skills are in abundance. I would like to take this opportunity to focus on a few individuals that are truly making a difference. I introduce Tyler, Geoff, and Andrew these fellows are going out of there way to better, not only our Vocational program but all Calgary programs and the community at large. Geoff and Andrew are our two entrepreneurs who over the past year have launched a Snack Basket business Geoff & Andrew s Munchie Mania, Geoff and Andrew have 5 snack baskets in offices throughout Calgary and business is booming! Geoff and Andrew appreciate the support they receive from Calgary business and are always sure to give back to there community. Recently Geoff and Andrew attended an event for Operation Christmas Child where they donated gift filled shoeboxes that will bring joy and hope at Christmas to children in desperate situations throughout the world. Geoff has great knowledge of computers and has a passion for writing. Recently Geoff has volunteered his time to re-launch Calgary s Regional Newsletter The Open Door which has been out of circulation due to a lack of volunteers. Geoff also enlisted the help of his peers Andrew and Tyler; they are involved in conducting interviews and creating articles for the newsletter. Geoff is now the Executive Editor and has embraced this challenge, currently he is in the midst of editing the Christmas edition. Andrew and Tyler along with the assistance of there support worker developed and facilitated a Hygiene Presentation that was broken into 4 sessions for participants of the Vocational program. This workshop proved to be motivating and valuable for all individuals. Andrew and Tyler were able to Fun in the Sun! share their knowledge and skills with others while developing organizational and facilitation skills themselves. This was truly a rewarding experience for the entire Vocational team. This is only a snapshot of the Calgary Vocational Team there are many other participants doing some amazing things. Tyler, Geoff and Andrew are truly an inspiration to us all. Through them we see the workings of the Lord. With the coming of the New Year we are looking forward to renovations in the Vocational Center. We are planning to expand our kitchen and washroom facilities and add additional rooms to allow for a computer and art learning center. We have a great VISION that will create an energetic and positive learning environment for our participants. The Calgary Vocational Team wishes you and your family a truly blessed Christmas. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 Submitted by: Stephanie Martinell 4 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

THREE HILLS Bring Your Presence to the Tree Yes, that is spelled correctly!

our focus, our meditation before the cross of Christ (the real Tree of Christmas).

We will all refer to an Advent calendar with Bible verses which will remind us daily throughout December that Christmas is about Jesus and His coming to earth.

Some of us will visit the elderly in seniors homes and cheer them up with cards and wishes for a peaceful Christmas.

5 THREE HILLS Bring Your Presence to the Tree Yes, that is spelled correctly!! We get so wrapped up in purchasing presents to put under the tree that we may need to disentangle ourselves from the busyness of Christmas activity to bring our presence our worship, our service, our focus, our meditation before the cross of Christ (the real Tree of Christmas). Here are some ways in which the individuals in the Three Hills program plan to refocus their hearts and minds on the real meaning of Christmas. We will all refer to an Advent calendar with Bible verses which will remind us daily throughout December that Christmas is about Jesus and His coming to earth. During our devotions together we will sing a Christmas carol each day of December telling us the true story of Christmas. Some of us will visit the elderly in seniors homes and cheer them up with cards and wishes for a peaceful Christmas. Some people have chosen to bake some goodies for people who are unable to do this for themselves and wish them a blessed Christmas. There are many of us who like to sing and we would like to join a group who are going caroling and sing blessings to others in the community. Some of us prefer to stay home so we would like to invite someone over for tea and cookies who doesn t get invited out very much and bless them with our fellowship and joy. A few of us are very excited about taking part in the Christmas pageant with real animals (including a camel!!) at the Guzoo Animal Farm and allow others to enjoy the memories of what it was like that first Christmas night. All of us plan to go with our friends to a play at Rosebud depicting Christmas and to choral performances that focus on Christmas and worship. We look forward to participating in church services at Christmas that focus on Jesus birth and singing hymns of Christmas. It is special to us all to buy a meaningful gift for someone we love and express our care for them as we present it to them. Many of us participate in Art Class and will be making cards that we have drawn personally. We plan to give these Christmas cards to community members, friends and family members to show our love for them. Of course we will decorate and have Christmas parties and activities to celebrate together and to enjoy fantastic food and fun together and to wish all our friends God s blessing this Christmas season. These represent some of the ways in which we will bring our Presence to the Tree. We encourage each of you to join us in this recognition of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. From all of us in Three Hills, a wish for a blessed and joyful Christmas. The Clients and Staff in Three Hills DECEMBER 2007 REHOBOTH 5

GRANDE PRAIRIE Smiles Smiling is infectious, You can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, And I started smiling too.

Our Median Home is a wonderful addition to the Rehoboth family.

further the cause of Rehoboth in Grande Prairie Smiles were easy to find as this committee held its first annual Family Event in June.

John 1: 14 The Clients and Staff in Grande Prairie wish you all a Blessed Christmas Submitted by: Kelvin VanDasselaar Invisible Harmonies We know that all things work together for good to those who

But God says, All things! Things like joy, sorrow, crosses, prosperity, health, sickness, the cup full, and the cup emptied; the lingering sick-bed, or the early grave!

6 GRANDE PRAIRIE Smiles Smiling is infectious, You can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, And I started smiling too. ~Author Unknown Smiles are everywhere in Rehoboth s newest Region as we celebrated the arrival of 3 new individuals into our residential program earlier this year. Our Median Home is a wonderful addition to the Rehoboth family. Smiles were the order of the day as we held our first Advisory Committee Meeting this spring and are thankful to Corny Thiessen, Dave Knoepfli and Theresa Suderman for their desire and dedication to further the cause of Rehoboth in Grande Prairie Smiles were easy to find as this committee held its first annual Family Event in June. Staff, individuals, and family members were treated to a BBQ and an afternoon of fun events. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1: 14 The Clients and Staff in Grande Prairie wish you all a Blessed Christmas Submitted by: Kelvin VanDasselaar Invisible Harmonies We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 We are quick to, limit the Holy One of Israel, and to say, Some things have worked together for our good. But God says, All things! Things like joy, sorrow, crosses, prosperity, health, sickness, the cup full, and the cup emptied; the lingering sick-bed, or the early grave! Often sight and sense lead us to doubt the reality of this promise. Sadly we can see, in many things, scarcely a dim refl ection of His love. Useful lives taken; blossoms permanently plucked; spiritual props removed; benevolent schemes blow up. But the apostle does not say, We see, but We know. It is faith to trust God in the dark. This also comes from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. Let us be still and know that He is God. We have a wonderful advertisement of a Physician from the Spirit of Truth, says one, who heals all your diseases. He requires but one thing, to take all He has prescribed, bitter as well as sweet! Doubt not my love He seems to say, the day is coming when you shall have all mysteries explained, all secrets unraveled, and this very trial demonstrated to be one of the all things working together for your good. Men see not the bright light in the clouds, but it shall come to pass that at EVENING TIME it shall be light! For Heidi Cabanela she was a light in our lives we will miss her very much. From All of her friends and family at Rehoboth Christian Ministries Calgary 6 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

html or call 780-968-8483 for more information 2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Kamphius President Edmonton Tony Bouma Vice President Calgary Al Brander General Alternate High River Jane Brouwer, St.

7 CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS DON T LET SUMMER SNEAK UP ON YOU! OR YOU WILL MISS OUT ON CAMP THIS YEAR! Adult Week 1: July 5 11, 2008 Adult Week 2: July 12 18, 2008 Independent Week: July 19 25, 2008 Youth Week: July 26 August 1, 2008 Register online at: camponlineform.html or call for more information BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Kamphius President Edmonton Tony Bouma Vice President Calgary Al Brander General Alternate High River Jane Brouwer, St. Albert Marianne Penner, Three Hills Otto Salomons, Lethbridge Barb Slomp, Edmonton Peter Deys, Lethbridge Friesian Clock not ticking? I can restore your precious family heirloom so that it will run for generations. The intent of this project is to raise funds in support of Rehoboth Christian Ministries. Upon accepting my estimate, your payment will be made as an tax deductible donation to Rehoboth! For a free estimate contact: Morris Kool m_kool@shaw.ca Ex-offi cio: John Bekkering Past President Lethbridge Mike Vos Secretary/Treasurer Edmonton Wally Mulder CEO/Executive Director Offi ce: Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 wally.mulder@rehoboth.ab.ca Check out all our events online at annual_events.asp Membership Campaign The month of September was designated as Membership Campaign month. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the Contact Persons and Canvassers in raising $39, in donations and $15, in memberships to date. If you have not renewed your Rehoboth membership or given a contribution for this year s Annual Membership Campaign, and would still like to do so, please send it directly to Rehoboth Christian Ministries at Avenue, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 2J7 or you can contribute via the Rehoboth website at Submitted by: Linda Rosendal Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Church Attending: Special Cause: Membership: ($10.00/member) Membership Form $ $ Donation: DECEMBER 2007 REHOBOTH $ 7

Unique Corporate Generosity Park Lighting in Edmonton and Cartwright Lighting in Calgary have contributed a total of $61,137.00 to Rehoboth Christian Ministries.

The proceeds of Park Lighting will be applied to facility improvements at Rehoboth s Camp at Gull Lake and the proceeds of Cartwright Lighting will be applied to improvements at our Vocational Center

This very unique and wonderfully generous contribution from these corporate donors is most grate- fully received and warrants a very hearty THANK YOU from the Rehoboth family.

Plain Golf Tournament - $32,000 Proceeds from Joyful Noise Choir concerts for new cabin at Rehoboth Camp United Way of Alberta Capital Region United Way of Calgary and area Donation from Vander Heide

8 Unique Corporate Generosity Park Lighting in Edmonton and Cartwright Lighting in Calgary have contributed a total of $61, to Rehoboth Christian Ministries. These funds represents the proceeds of total sales at Park Lighting in Edmonton, ($ ), on Saturday, September 22 and at Cartwright Lighting in Calgary, ($28,537.87), on Saturday, November 10. The proceeds of Park Lighting will be applied to facility improvements at Rehoboth s Camp at Gull Lake and the proceeds of Cartwright Lighting will be applied to improvements at our Vocational Center in Calgary to enhance and expand the work, lunchroom and washroom areas used daily by the individuals we serve and their support staff. This very unique and wonderfully generous contribution from these corporate donors is most grate- fully received and warrants a very hearty THANK YOU from the Rehoboth family. Team Cartwright Team Park Gifts Gratefully Received Individuals/Groups/Clubs/ Societies In Honor of Hidde & Jackie Born s Wedding Proceeds from Coaldale Golf Tournament - $30,000 Proceeds from Stony Plain Golf Tournament - $32,000 Proceeds from Joyful Noise Choir concerts for new cabin at Rehoboth Camp United Way of Alberta Capital Region United Way of Calgary and area Donation from Vander Heide Family Reunion Park Lighting Edmonton proceeds of sales Saturday, September 22/07 Cartwright Lighting Calgary proceeds of sales Saturday, November 10/07 Churches First Christian Reformed Church Edmonton Covenant Christian Reformed Church Edmonton Ottewell Christian Reformed Church Edmonton West End Christian Reformed Church Edmonton Providence Canadian Reformed Church Edmonton Barrhead Canadian Reformed Church Neerlandia Canadian Reformed Church St. Albert Canadian Reformed Church Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church Granum Christian Reformed Church Maranatha Christian Reformed Church Lethbridge Taber Christian Reformed Church Taber Canadian Reformed Church Trinity Reformed Church Lethbridge Burdett Christian Reformed Church Bethel United Reformed Church Calgary SonRise Christian Reformed Church Ponoka Woodynook Christian Reformed Church Lacombe Memorials In Memory of Mrs. Emma Folkertsma In Memory of Mrs. Elsie Dekker 8 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

From our house to yours The staff and residents of Rehoboth wish you a Blessed Christmas

DECEMBER 2006 ISSUE NO. 98 EDITOR PETE AGES INSIDE From our house to yours The staff and residents of Rehoboth wish you a Blessed Christmas 2 Christmas Celebrations 4 Three Hills Year in Review REHOBOTH