Merry Christmas 2018!

This has been an amazing year of new beginnings for our family and also for the body of Christ at large! It began for us at the end of the year 2017 when our first son Alexander Isaiah was born on October 14, 2017! The Lord spoke to us that he would be a voice to the nations carrying the sword of the Lord in his mouth, which is why his middle name is Isaiah after the prophet in the bible and Alexander means defender of men. This year where ever we went Alexander drew a crowd as many connected with him and his adorable little smile!

As we stepped out the Lord confirmed, blessed and grew us together as a family ministry! We learned that the most important aspect of showing Jesus was reflected in our family unit as we love, bless and serve each other. The Lord showed us that our home is in heaven and we are merely just passing by as Hebrews 11:8-10 says.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
It seemed that the Holy Spirit was reiterating this verse to us as we chose to listen to the Holy Spirit and his leading! He wants us to be so dependent upon him for everything, that our hope is not in a home, ministry, people, places or things. He showed us our hope and our joy needs to be in his presence and not in these things which are important but not our foundation! Our foundation is Jesus himself and his presence in each other. Colossians 1:27 , “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

By faith March 17, 2018 we made it to Paris, France to pray for and witness the miracle of a couple receiving healing for the barrenness that they had experienced. The Mom is now pregnant and expecting after many trials of miscarriages!

By faith we got to meet the Wiget family in beautiful Switzerland who are strategically placed by the Lord there to see revival. We had a prayer meeting with Sarah and another precious lady who was so hungry for God that you could feel the fire of the Holy Spirit swirling around her as we prayed for revival in their home!

By faith we traveled to Germany to experience for a second time a mighty move of the love of God in Lage, Germany. We also got to visit their Holy Spirit cafe which was filled with the presence of God as we ate really good food! We are always undone by the Father’s love and healing being poured out to so many specifically those with mental illness and broken hearts from abuse. We are so blessed by Pastor Greg and Marie as well as all of their family!

By faith as the Lord lead we made it to England for a short visit to London, to reconnect with good friends. We were sad we were unable to see everyone this time in the south of England but happy as we headed to Macclesfield, England for Easter! It was amazing to reconnect with Pastors Paul and Roweena Entwistle of Good News Church,the mission field that Catherine spent many years ministering at! We made a quick trip to visit a good friend and prayer warrior Amy Armstrong, as well as drive through Wales to visit the gravestone of Rees Howells and connect with Evangelist Marilyn Harry with, “Awake Wales” who shared with us the love of God over a meal!

By faith we embarked to Thailand to see for the last time before he passed away later this year, a mighty man of the faith Pastor Anachit. We were honored to pray for him and participate in their new year celebration. I was blessed to play my violin with their worship team in 90 degree Fahrenheit weather! The presence of the Lord and joy of worshipping with these special people far outweighed the uncomfortable heat factor! We also were invited to attend a special small worship group believing for revival in their nation of Thailand.

This summer by faith we embarked with three amazing families of God that truly carries the heart of Jesus for the lost to Tsay Keh Dene First nations reservation in B.C.! The Imperials of Pensacola, FL, the Bamberrys of Vancouver., B.C. and the Pyron’s of Fairhope, Alabama. This was a pivotal, ground breaking, pioneering trip as we connected with churches throughout Canada specifically The River Fellowship with Pastors Paul and Heidi Hughes in Langley, Pastors Ron and Sharon form Prince George and ministers Bill and Valerie Taylor!
The Lord saved, healed and ministered through us as we choose to be vessels for him! A precious Sikh man gave his heart to the Lord in the open air outreach in Prince George that we helped organize. As the precious young people lead worship from Imperial family ministries the presence of God touched many hearts! Many hearts were also awakened and touched in Abbotsford as the Imperials ministered and shared their story how God called them- 9 kids and two adults to journey in a van across the states into Canada to the nations! This is just the beginning for them we believe!

The Bamberrys and the Pyron’s were an added bonus that brought so much life to us all! Lee and Jenn Bamberry and their 6 kids are very anointed in drama, preaching, and cooking! Keith and Margret Pyron are true Mama’s and Papa’s of the faith. They were like the glue that brought us all together with the Father’s love. They have a heart for missions in Canada and Keith this year helped spear -head another trip this past October with Anthony to Tsay Keh Dene.

One of my favorite memories was when Lee shared his testimony of his life growing up as a first nations man, the sorrows, joys and the victory in Jesus he now walks in. As he shared a precious man visiting the village broke down and wept as we surrounded him with the love of the Father. He gave his heart completely to the Lord and forgave many who hurt him. What a blessing to have these two families along encouraging, praying and playing with all of the children and people of the village as they were inspired to see beyond their pain to the joy that life has to bring!
The First nations ministry at Tsay Keh Dene and church that Anthony and I are sent from on the reservation is something that we feel very passionate about! When Anthony and I were dating we ministered together on the reservation for a week. I saw an open vision of the Canadian flag on fire upon entering Canada and while there visiting the village I saw a harvest field so ripe representing the many souls that the Lord wanted to save there and into the nations.

The Lord instantly gave me a vision of the calling for the First Nations people. They are called to help lead revival into the nations. The Lord said to me that Anthony and I would help Pastor these people and we are as we help oversee the church. They are very special and blessed people being the first of the land! God wants to raise them up and heal their hearts of the lies and curses that the enemy has spoken for many generations over them! It is time for restoration in the First Nations to the Nations!
We ended this year with a sudden Holy spirit trip to Orlando where we house sat for Pastor Chris Salina and his family Pastors Josiah and Kristien, with their little one Keziah! They are hidden treasures that the Lord connected us with and we prayed for them as they traveled to their mission trip overseas! They are pioneers in the nations. We were so blessed to also attend and minister at their church with Pastor Thretha and Pastor Ronnie Heard of Hope of Glory Kingdom Ministry- Living the Kingdom of God Today! Our hearts were blessed by their big hearts for God and vision to see the body of Christ set free and walking in their call!

While house sitting in Orlando we took another sudden Holy Spirit trip to be apart of the Holy Spirit retreat with Dr. Sandy Kirk at Camp America Ablaze with Behold ministries! It was a lovely time of healing, restoration and deliverance! We were so blessed by seeing our friends Barb and Dan Davidson and Dr. Sandy.

It was lovely to see the heart of Jesus being poured out during the teaching of the Holy Spirit and learning about Kathryn Kuhlman the secret to her walk with the Lord. I was blessed to help with worship again and just felt the Lord’s hand on me as I surrendered all to him. We hope to take part in their second Holy Spirit retreat coming up in April!

We then were able to join Pastors Jill and Hardy for their Thursday Prayer meeting at Southern Gate Church and loved to see what God was doing at their church. We felt like we were driving home as we pulled up to their house to visit and rest. I was blessed to lead worship and Anthony prayed for people as the fire of the holy spirit came upon him!

We attended a special conference concerning Revival, Israel and the Church hosted by Ron Cantor in Texas. It was a special time of impartation and divine appointments. We stayed with Mama Hazel and were so blessed by God’s love and some home cooking!

We were even able to stop in Louisana to visit our dear friends Mark and Katie Pernosky with their four special children! We got to spend amazing quality time with them and celebrate Thanksgiving!

We drove from Orlando to New York for a special family wedding of my BF from childhood Jessica Able! We also were able to share a small Christmas gift exchange with family the next day in New York. It was special to be with them and the realization that honoring and loving family is so important. To remember and to be intentional to reach out to our families and bless them this Christmas season says so much!

Dad Ovenshire turned 70 years old this year and I am so thankful for Him.

I know that family is a blessing. We also remember our family in Canada and the passing of Dad Chartrand -Steve and Mom Chartrand- Hilde. We love and appreciate the legacy they left for us in Canada!

We conclude this year with one more special wedding in Canada December 21st, of Ken and Lenora! Both Anthony and I will participate in their wedding. We feel this is the perfect ending of an AMAZING year to celebrate a wedding and to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings who was born of a virgin Mary and gave his all for us- the Bride of Christ !! We look forward to 2019 and ALL that it has instore.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Anthony, Catherine and Alexander Chartrand