The Bible says that men plan their course, but it is God who establishes their steps. Steve & Tara Regnault will tell you that, not very long ago, moving to Big River, Saskatchewan, wasn’t part of their family’s plans at all. But they know that their arrival there was clearly established by the Lord.
Steve & Tara Regnault (front) with Asha, Paul, Teresa (back).
GOD STEPPED IN
Tara grew up in a remote part of Nepal and she was fulfilling her plans for a career in medical work in a hospital. None of the girls of her village had a good education, and not many of the boys. Coming from a remote area, she was accomplishing her dream of overcoming poverty and social discrimination – when God stepped into her life.
Steve was born in Canada but grew up in France, the son of Canadian missionaries. He attended high school in Germany, but it was a struggle, he says. After graduating, he decided never to enter a school building again!
He spent some time in Austria, before moving on to India, and then to Nepal. It was while they were working in the same hospital in Nepal that Steve and Tara met. Both had plans of their own, but later saw how it was God who had the ultimate control all along.
They fell in love and were married, not knowing what lay ahead for them. The Lord gave them three children: Teresa who is now 17, Asha who is 14, and Paul who is 10.
The Regnaults began a church planting ministry in Nepal, in which they would spend the next 15 years. They found fulfilment in places they hadn’t expected.
After Tara’s struggles to get through school and secure employment in a hospital, she found herself as a busy stay-at-home mom. And Steve, who was sure he didn’t like school, was spending a lot of time in a classroom. That’s because he started a Bible school, and was also home-schooling their children. God certainly has a sense of humor, say the Regnaults.
A SERIES OF EVENTS
Seven or eight years ago Tara & Steve began to feel a leading from God to move to Canada to work among First Nations people. Almost three years ago they made that move, guided by that calling, but had no specific direction on where in Canada they should serve. They thought it might be in the Maritimes and were to the point of buying a house there. They prayed that God would lead them away from that if it was not His will.
Interestingly, there was a series of events the evening before they were going to purchase the house. One of those was a phone call from someone they had never met before, encouraging them to consider moving to Big River. God was once more establishing their plans for them.
They arrived in Big River last June, just in time for the Bible Camp’s busy summer schedule.
FINDING THEIR BEARINGS
Steve & Tara are thankful that God has brought them here to be a part of the work. They admit that they are still finding their bearings in Saskatchewan, but are excited to see what God has planned for the future.
This past fall and winter they have been part of childrens and youth outreach in the Big River area. Steve has helped with necessary maintenance around the Camp, and there are plans in the making for short-term Bible school sessions at Big River. They have hosted a short-term team of young adults from France. In February they also accompanied a team of youth from Big River area to Arizona and Mexico for short-term service.
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TRANSITIONS for TERESA
by Teresa Regnault
Moving from Nepal to Canada, and then from Ontario to Saskatchewan, was hard, but exciting. Both transitions involved leaving friends and family.
I’m not good at building relationships, and I had mixed feelings about having to do it all over again in Saskatchewan, but working at Bible camp made it easier. Cabin leading was amazing, not only to know the staff, but also the kids. It was exciting and encouraging to hear when a camper or a junior staff member gave their life to God.
But during Camp I was questioning what I was doing wrong when it seemed that no one in my cabin was showing interest during devotions. Although I hate to admit it, this lack of interest hurt my pride – which was a good thing, since my pride shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
I like what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Bible camp is a great place to grow and learn more about God – for everyone involved. I was sad when the summer ended, but it’s cool how even when camp is over, AWANA Bible clubs are beginning. It is encouraging to see the kids I met at camp still learning about God, and the various helpers serve with joy regardless of their crazy week. I love helping out in these programs that bring fun into the lives of kids.
