Author Archives: Deborah

Garden Hill

Garden Hill is a remote community in Manitoba that, until January, we had been to as a family only once before…over six years ago!

This is now the first fly-in community we have been to since the plane crash. It was difficult to fly again, but God was so faithful. And we are grateful to people who were praying for us through the whole journey of faith surrounding that weekend.

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we flew over miles of bush

we landed in Island Lake…

…and drove across the frozen water to Garden Hill

The church up there had invited us to come again and sing at some special meetings which also involved other people from the community and from elsewhere. It was a privilege to be able to be there.

Dad and Ernie…friends for many years

lots of people shared songs and testimonies over the weekend

Arnold (singing), the pastor, has such a heart for people to receive the gospel. Pray for him and his wife as they faithfully serve Jesus.

the boys are much taller than they were last time we were here!

On Sunday we went to the local TV station to sing and for Dad to share a message.

the guys rode in the back of the truck to the station!

During the course of the weekend we had a good time getting to visit with people we don’t see very often, and enjoyed some home cooking Garden Hill style!

…like bannock!

At the Sunday afternoon service we were blessed by the testimony of a man who is known by the nickname “Happy Feet,” because he is so full of joy and thankfulness for God’s salvation! As individual Christians, what are we known for? What comes to people’s minds when they think of us?

Sunday evening was a really special time…believers from the other nearby communities came together for the service. It was not constrained by time, and what a night it was as people shared songs and testimonies, prayers were lifted up, and God’s Word was spoken. It was so neat to be a part of a gathering like that.All weekend we were well-cared for, with people shuttling us around in vehicles, cooking food, and opening their homes to us. Thank you to everyone who blessed us!

Monday was head-home day. Back across the frozen lake to the airport we went!

waiting for the plane to arrive…and in case you’re wondering, those are sleeping bags all wrapped in white

the community where the airport is located

We got to enjoy the sunset that evening from the air. Amazing!  What a mighty God we serve!

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. Psalm 68:4 NKJV

November-December Blessings

We experienced many blessings as we drew near the end of 2019.  Here are several of them:

Blessing #1: Thanksgiving with family in Tennessee…

and there were more of us during the week, before we took this picture

We are grateful for each time we get to see family, since they all live so far away! There was lots of laughter and fun…and food.

Blessing #2: After that we spent a few days in North Carolina. Dad did some work on a Without Reservation project and we got to spend time with some dear family in the Lord.

…and since we were relatively close to the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters, we made a day of going there to process Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and some of also us took a tour.

one shoebox gift equals at least one gospel opportunity

every step of processing is important!

Blessing #3: Prison ministry in north Florida! This is something we so appreciate being a part of.  People from all over come to reach out with the love of Christ to those behind the fences.The times of volunteers coming together for corporate worship and testimonies of God’s working during the week are amazing. People share stories that only God can orchestrate!

At one prison, which we have been to twice before but not in two years, a man remembered us and told Dad that he prays for us. That is amazing. And it really blessed us. There are so many people in prison who are not the same person they used to be…you can see it on their faces. Jesus has changed their lives.

Thank you for all your prayers!

And, after being in some nice weather in Florida, we had to quickly transition to some bitter winter winds as we got closer to home. But we usually adjust quickly and we always love our winter wonderland!

The last couple months have been extremely busy…updates are coming!

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 NKJV

Oklahoma

This fall we were in Oklahoma for a Native evangelism conference, which was geared for encouraging and equipping believers. The boys and Dad were the tech team, and after the sessions during the day we sang for the outreach service each night.

during the morning sessions we broke into small groups to work on Bible storytelling

afternoon sessions

At the evening services there was some good preaching!

We also sang at a few other churches while we were down there, where we met new people and saw familiar faces and friends…some of those we haven’t seen in a while!

so good to be with the family at Blue Baptist again…people we have served with in South Dakota

One of the neat things about traveling the continent is there are believers to fellowship with just about anywhere you go. Oklahoma definitely has people who love Jesus!

Since we were so close to Branson, we hopped over there for a night and enjoyed a rousing family game of mini golf, Sight & Sound Theatre’s production of the Christmas story, and time with friends.

to experience an amazing, live Biblical drama, visit Sight & Sound Theatre!

Pictures from our latest trip coming next!

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV