Dear Friends,

Greetings! I hope the New Year is going well as we are already in the second month of 2008!

The last few months of 2007 brought on different kinds of obligations at our home, with not only the Christmas and New Year Holidays, which Jake and I spent with our children and grandchildren. But prior to the holidays we had our house renovated and that alone consumed a lot of our time and made it hard to get a newsletter out before now. It's a relief that the work is done and we are happy with the results!

Christmas was special this last year since we were able to spend it at home! I got to decorate the house and we had friends and family who live in the area down to celebrate. We had a wonderful time together remembering the real reason for Christmas and the precious gift of God's love, while we gave and received gifts ourselves.

My New Year prayer for you and for us is that we will thirst after God and love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength and love those around us. (Mark 12:30 & 31). I also pray that God will bless us and show us how much He cares for us and wants the best for us. May His presence be with each one of us as He leads us to do what pleases Him. May we also allow Jesus to do any spiritual renovations in our lives that will allow us to be all that He wants us to be. "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Highlights and Blessings
Highlights and blessings happen in all our lives every year and here are some of the ones that I have experienced in 2007:

In September Jake my husband drove our car to Puerto Vallarta and arrived on the 29th. I flew in and arrived on October 3rd.and stayed till the 22nd.. While in Puerto Vallarta together we helped out at the Casa Hogar Orphanage on a weekly base. I also lead worship and sang special music at the Christian Community Church a couple of times. On the 23rd of October I flew to Calgary to attend the Canadian Gospel Music Awards and the Canadian Christian Music Conference. I stayed at Kel and Lorinda Block's, friends who were gracious to open up their place to me while in Calgary.

At the CCM Conference I went to the Songwriting Workshop and a few educational Workshops on Management and Booking. The whole event was great and I was encouraged that I went. I hadn't attended a music conference since 2001 so it was good for me to go. I met a number of other artists, musicians, songwriters, and a few older friends involved in the Christian music industry. During the CGMA I also got to meet Byron Spradlin the President of A.C.T. International (Artists In Christian Testimony), which is a mission organization out of Nashville, as well as the President of the GMA in the U.S.A. I was pleased that I could connect with these people.

The Covenant Awards show the last night of the CGMA was filled with incredible talent; I was blessed to hear the talents of a number of gifted Canadian artists, and to see and hear what an impact they are making not only in Canada but some of them around the world. It was wonderful and what a great way to encourage one another!

When I arrived home I was also encouraged to hear from a few people interested in having me share my music and ministry with them. It was a nice welcome home! In Dr. Blackaby's book "Experiencing God" he challenges us to watch and see what God is doing and join Him in that work. As I have made myself open to God and His ways I have found myself in many interesting places. I would never have thought I'd be singing to seniors or alziemers patients in a retirement home, or in Mexico! However, I believe these are great opportunities to show God's love. However, I want to be obedient to what God wants. Obedience is what God wants from each of us and I think sometimes He sends us to places that we wouldn't consider your normal ministry setting. He wants us to be real and to share with people how He has changed our lives as the opportunity comes up anywhere!

One of the biggest highlights this year was when I arrived home on October 27th and found out that we were grandparents once again! It was a big surprise because Jason our second grandson was born three weeks early to our son Mike and daughter in-law Danielle. The other surprise was to hear that he was born at home in a breech position. It was a miracle from God and our prayers were answered. Jason was healthy and a 6 lb. baby boy! Praise God!

Another highlight and piece of excitement this year was when both of my parents celebrated birthdays in their 80's! I thank the Lord for the years that God has given them and how active they still are! At the same time I take these years seriously and I pray that God will continue to give them many more years of health. I thank God for the example they have been in regards to their commitment to Jesus Christ and their love for Him. This in turn truly blesses me. Jake and I are looking forward to going to Manitoba to see our parents in March of 2008.

In November 2007 I received an invitation to join A.C.T. International and I am still in the process of seeing what this mission organization is all about. I will attend an Orientation March 11-13th in Nashville. I am looking forward to this trip since I have never been to Nashville and I will also be able to get a better perspective as to what it will be like to be on staff with A.C.T.

I was blessed with a new printer/fax/copier that I received as a gift and I also was able to purchase a Fender Acoustica Guitar Amp and a Portable 250 Fender Sound System for a great deal through e-Bay.

Another special blessing that I have from God is my family members, the many friends I have and a prayer and ministry accountability team who stand with me. These people encourage me with their prayers, understanding and support. I appreciate and love each one of them. If I didn't have God to depend on and the support of my friends I'm not sure if I would continue to do what I feel so passionate about.

Music Ministry Opportunities
I had a number of different scheduled events that took place through out 2007 and also had the opportunity to sing at Calvary Community Church in New Westminster for their Christmas Eve Concert, with a number of their own very talented people, this was very special! Christmas is such awonderful time to share music that has a beautiful message about Christ's birth and to give hope to those who are seeking.

In 2008 I have a few things scheduled and would ask for your prayers.
Concerts and Events:

    • February 7, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Nooksack Valley Christian Reformed Church, Nooksack, WA
    • February 14, 2008 - 2:00 p.m - Langley Retirement Home, Langley, BC
    • March 11-13, 2008 - A.C.T. International Orientation, Nashville, TN
    • April 5, 2008 - Puerto Vallarta Mission Project Fundraiser Concert (TBA)

For more information on these concerts and updates see the Concert Schedule
Prayer Requests

    • Pray for God's guidance and direction in every area of our lives and ministry
    • For safety in our travels
    • For ministry opportunities
    • For the Holy Spirit to touch peoples lives
    • For God's kingdom to advance and that all would be done for His glory

Current News
I just got back from Puerto Vallarta and Jake is staying on for a couple more weeks. The weather has been cooler than we have experienced in the last 15 years that we have been going to there but as the days seemed to fly by the weather started to get warmer. We certainly still enjoyed the sun and the warmer climate that B.C. does not experience during this time of year.

One of the Saturdays in January we were at the Casa Hogar Orphanage and I also sang a special music at two of the morning services at the Christian Community Church. While there I was asked to lead worship and sing special music for a 3 day Seminar. It went really well even though I didn't have much notice! We also went to visit another church plant and took a ministry tour with them. We handed out popsicles to the very poor kids that live right at the edge of the dump in very poor living conditions, visited a family that is being helped by the church through Compassion - Impact to build a home situation that is healthier. We also visited a school where they teach English to about 30 kids who are to poor to afford to go to school. It was another eye opening experience to what the poor go through in Puerto Vallarta. We hope to get involved in other mission projects when we go to Puerto Vallarta next year. As well I am preparing for up coming concerts and hoping to do some songwriting.

Ministry Bookings:
If you are interested in booking this ministry for an outreach, women's, single's or church event, conference or retreat contact by:

    • Phone: 604-881-1316
    • Booking: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
    • Other Questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
    • For more information and Calendar
    • check out my website at http://jeannettepetkau.com

Thanks for your support and interest in this ministry.

       May God bless you! In Christ,
       Jeannette Petkau
       Singer/Songwriter