Ever wondered if miracles really happen? Are things left to fate and circumstance, or is there something else intervening?
Lyle and Kay Carbert have been ministers for over 50 years and said that miracles most certainly do happen and they are excited to write about it.
Their first book, No,We Don’t Do Miracles – But God Still Does!, was released June 17 and published by Xulon Press. The book is a memoir about miracles the Carberts have seen and their life together as ministers.
The pair married in 1959 and this September will mark their 55th wedding anniversary. They have three children, nine grandchildren – and according to their book – have seen a lot of miracles.
Lyle said they have been travelling for years helping preachers at different churches…churches that believe in miracles, but according to Lyle, had never seen one.
“We looked at each other and felt a little bit embarrassed that we had seen hundreds of miracles and never thought about it,” said Lyle, sitting next to Kay on a hot summer afternoon in their Cochrane home.
He said they had always thought it was normal for all ministries to experience miracles. They decided that they were supposed to put together a book about all of the miracles they had seen.
Kay mentioned that they changed names and places in the book in order to protect people’s identities.
Lyle wouldn’t go too far into all of the miracles that are documented in the book, but did provide a few teasers.
He spoke of gold fillings forming in badly damaged teeth, severe burns being healed to the point where hair had re-grown on the skin– something that is almost medically impossible – and money coming to those in need right down to the penny, right at the last moment.
Lyle said people would have to read the book to find out more.
“We’re just normal people who never thought anything else except ‘this is how we do (things) and how we believe,’” said Kay, smiling as she looked at Lyle.
She explained how that is part of the reason they decided to tell their story – because they are such normal people.
Kay described herself as the son of a farmer and Lyle the son of a businessman.
Lyle was raised in Northern Ontario and Kay in Southern Ontario. They both attended the Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Peterborough, Ont. Kay graduated in 1960 and Lyle in 1961.
Lyle said Kay’s roommate from Bible college brought her to London, Ont. where Lyle was attending University of Western Ontario. They went to the church where Lyle was attending and they were introduced.
They said they started a church in Cochrane in 1989 and turned it over to a different pastor in 1997 and travelled. They returned to Cochrane in 2005 starting Springs of Joy Christian Fellowship.
“That was pretty good,” Kay laughed. ”He doesn’t usually tell it that way, but that was OK.”
“She chased me till I caught her,” said Lyle with a grin.
Kay said the key to having a successful marriage for so many years is that they have a similar focus and good communication.
“I believe putting God first in what we do makes it easier. Do we have disagreements? I will say yes, but they don’t amount to anything because you just talk it though,” said Kay.
For now, they call Cochrane their home and are happy at Springs of Joy. Lyle also drives a taxi a few days a week mentioning that the church is half full of people he’s met while driving.
As for writing another book, they both agree they would again one day, but are enjoying releasing this one for now.
