Category Archives: singing

Garden Hill

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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.

loading up

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

September Trip South

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The first stop on our trip was a baseball game with friends. Fun fun!

we like batter’s practice for a chance to get a baseball

After that it was time for family camp in Iowa. Every year we’ve gone has been an encouragement and we leave with challenging messages lingering in our minds. Are we being a wise steward of the time God has given us? Do we have a godly vision for future generations? And what are we doing about it?In addition to the hours of wisdom that camp provides, we enjoy fun activities and lots of fellowship.

Dad and Abby went ziplining

Due to an injury Jonathan was on crutches so sometimes he had a personal chauffeur!After camp we went to North Carolina to sing in a couple places, one of which was a community awards dinner…a great chance to share the gospel in song with many people.

setting up

While we were there we had the opportunity to visit a living history Cherokee village. It was really interesting and educational. One thing we found fascinating was a hand-powered drill they invented way back in time.

Jonathan did a great job getting around

some of us enjoyed a walking trail afterwards

Our next destination was Tennessee to visit our grandparents and extended family.

And on the way home we enjoyed more mountain scenery. It’s an amazing world God has made!

I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations. For your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth. Psalm 108:3-5 NKJV

 

November-December Trip

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At the end of November we headed south to participate in a prison crusade. This was the second time we were able to be a part of this particular outreach. Prison ministry is something we enjoy and SO look forward to. And especially since January was the last prison outreach we were involved with, we were excited to be doing it again.

On our way down we stayed in Kentucky with some friends of ours, who always are amazing hosts when we are passing through. And since this was Kentucky, guess where our family had to go…?Yes, the Ark Encounter! (Starting about here we lost some of our trip pictures, so they will be a little sparse.)

the cross on the door of the ark reminds us that trusting in Jesus is the only way to escape God’s judgment

exploring…that is one huge ship!

It’s a great place to visit! The inside of the ark really helps put into perspective what it may have been like, and the displays give good reasons for the credibility of the Bible. (And while you are there make sure to visit the kangaroos in the zoo there if you want a few good laughs.)

Next, it was off to Tennessee for Thanksgiving with our grandparents and family. We always love seeing them.

lots of cousin games

ready to eat

pie time!

From Tennessee we went to North Carolina for a few days for Dad to do some ministry recording. We were able to stay at a camp that has very graciously let us use their place a number of times.  We have gotten to know the people associated with camp and enjoy great times of fellowship when we stay there.

And the Cherokee, North Carolina, area is such a beautiful place!

we stopped by High Country Tire to visit Mountain Faith

After North Carolina…Florida for prison ministry!

The first prison we went to was a different experience. When we arrived and came up to the gate, we tried to check in but discovered we were not able to enter. Most of the volunteers were able to, but something had happened with processing our family’s information, so we had to wait outside the prison while everything was being sorted out. Of course we were praying that it would all work out, but we were unaware of who else was praying. After sitting under the pavilion for probably at least an hour, we were cleared to come in, and by the time we made it through security and to the chapel it was well past our scheduled starting time. But the prison worship band was up on stage singing for those gathered while they waited! And when we walked in, one of the inmates said, “Praise the Lord! This is what we prayed for!”

At our second prison we held two services, and in at least one of those I know that between the volunteers and Dad, they were able to individually pray with most if not all the inmates. Dad preached the gospel in both of the services. The chaplain told us later that one of those groups of inmates was being moved soon, so it was wonderful that the last thing they heard in that chapel was the gospel message.

fun with friends after prison

In the third prison there was a man who represents a lot of the inmates we encounter. Just by looking at him you could tell he had a tough background…but he had been saved and made a new creation. When he came forward during the invitation Dad had a chance to talk with him. He’s getting out soon, and life is so uncertain, but he really wants to trust God in all of it. Pray for people like him, for men and women whom God has gotten a hold of, whether they are getting out or not.

Sunday morning was the last service and it turned out we were going back to a prison we had been in last year. It just seemed like such a joyful morning, with the inmates excited to be in the chapel to worship God. After we sang we sat in the back row of the chapel, and when the invitation was given, a number of inmates went forward to respond to however God was working in their hearts. Seeing them kneeling in prayer, and one standing with his hand raised, made me think of what a day that will be when all of us who are redeemed will be kneeling around the throne, worshiping Jesus.

Thank you so much to everyone who was praying for us. You got to be a part of this too!

On our way home we stayed with our cousins…

ukulele jam

…spent a couple nights in the Wisconsin Dells with friends…

…and kept in mind we were heading north to Pickle Lake a few weeks after that!