It’s that time of the year again when we head up to Pickle Lake, Ontario. Actually, last week was when we went up–we got home this week. For the past several years we have been invited by missionary friends to sing at a conference for Christian workers who work in the north. After the conference we helped with evangelistic meetings at the town hall. We have lots of pictures… so for the most part I am going to let them tell the story.
it’s a long, long road
We left for Pickle Lake on a Monday and spent that night at NYP headquarters in Dryden. They are always such willing and hospitable hosts…what a blessing to us! We spent the evening after supper singing, first us for them, and then they sang for us.
trying out instruments
beautiful a capella music
much fellowship and many laughs!
We arrived in Pickle Lake the day the Christian workers conference started. It was so good to see our missionary friends and the church family there. One thing we really enjoy about Friendship Baptist is the way they sing. They love God and sing like they mean it. It is a joy to be a part of that.
we shared a few songs each night
Deborah and Mrs. Rassmussen sang
lots of food prep and cooking to be done
the lovely chefs along with generous others kept us well-fed
After the 3-day Christian workers conference the outreach, called “Freedom in Christ Conference,” began. One of the meetings specifically addressed the issue of alcohol addiction. Some needy people came out to it. The day it began it began some of us went into town to hand out fliers to invite people. So many people up there have alcohol addictions and they need Jesus in their lives. We were praying for people’s salvation.
setting up chairs in the town hall
tuning instruments
cable man
setting up the sound system
sharing a salvation story…
…and another
“Father hear us when we pray.”
“There is hope!”
Gary Quequish spoke each night and Sunday morning
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness
to all generations.”
…Psalm 89:1
coming forward for prayer
On the last of the three “Freedom in Christ” nights, a man accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior! Pray that he will grow strong in the Lord.
pray for him
Gary Quequish has pancreatic cancer and was not, according to the doctors, supposed make it to Christmas of 2013. But, as you can see, God still has plans for him. He needs prayer; he is in pain but he is still serving God. It was so good to see him again. He had us in stitches a good part of the time with his hilarious stories and comments!
he’s holding a portrait of himself that Daniel drew
Both of these conferences were encouraging to be a part of. Praise God with us for what He did in people’s hearts! Thank you for all the prayers!
The following were also an enjoyable part of our time in Pickle Lake.
Canadian bowling
our crowd
the mamas are always reliable scorekeepers
tag after the town hall meetings
Jonathan made friends with many Pooh-bears
a quick selfie before the lava hit the the house. no wait, this was the bonfire after church one night. duh!
Monday after one last breakfast with our friends, we said farewell, and headed down the long, long, road home, caravaning (is that a word?) with Mrs. Rassmussen’s step dad who was heading back to Minnesota as well. Before we left, Mr. Crisco played us a hilarious version of “Happy Trails to You” that had us laughing so hard we were still laughing when it was done.
Jonathan and Mr. Crisco…and Abby being mischevious
We stopped in Sioux Lookout at Tim Horton’s for lunch (where you can get a doughnut as a side!), and had an unitentional-but-would-have-been-intentional-if-the-phone-had-service meeting with Mr. Quequish and his wife, who live in that town. So we visited a good while before continuing on. It was great.
ten people, two booths and two chairs
rugged beauty
Now we are home, trying to catch up with life since it’s been a month since we’ve had any kind of “normal.” What a ride it has been! We are calling to mind things to bless the Lord about like it says in Psalm 103. He is faithful, and without Him we can do nothing.
Special thanks to Mrs. Rassmussen, Deborah Rassmussen, and Mrs. Sweat for taking pictures for us. We appreciate it!
And more to come on Alabama…
“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 15:5
