Back in the Burgh'

Wow, only a few blog posts all week. I feel terrible about not writing more this past week. I can say though, there wasn't much time. Leaving the houses 7:30, sometimes 6:30 in the morning and returning 11:00 at night is a busy schedule.

So many things to say about the past week in Moose Factory, but I don't have the time or energy to type all of that out. I will say this: Some folks wanted to stay longer, some folks were ready to leave. Maybe some folks thought we could do more or did too much. Whatever the case, it reminds me of a great hymn, "Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right." The second verse says:

"Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day.

This past week was in God's good and perfect will. He accomplished what He wanted to, and used us exactly the way he wanted to. So we can rest in the fact that the work done in Moose Factory is not only God's perfect will, but he will see it to completion. Seeds that were planted will grow, relationships that were started will continue, and hearts that were touched by the Holy Spirit will be stirred.

God exceeded our expectations beyone belief. Using people a completely different, and more useful ways than we could ever imagine. More relationships were built, with not only the Cree Gospel Chapel, but with the nonbelievers on the island. As we continue to show God's love in "the Moose," the more the Holy Spirit will drive out the darkness, and God's light will shine on the dear souls of this island and the surrounding James Bay area.

On behalf of Team Moose Factory 2012, we want to thank you for your amazing support, both physically and spiritually. For your enthusiasm in this ministry, even though some of you have never been there. For the hours upon hours of planning, prepping, and praying for us. The Lord has showed us much this week, and we will never be the same.

There are already talks about what this ministry will look like in Moose Factory next year. Please pray for these preperations, that we may continue to follow God's will and glorify Him in every way both here, and in "The Moose."

VBS and carnivals

Today was our first full day of ministry on the island. This morning after breakfast we started out our day with devotions and worship music, then a team meeting. After that we prepared for our busy afternoon of vacation bible school for the kids.

We ran a normal vacation bible school with the kids for the first hour and a half. Music, lessons, snack, craft. After that was over, we put on a "carnival" for the kids. We had face painting, games, bracelet making, nail polish station, and water balloons. The kids loved painting our faces just as much as they loved getting their own faces painted.

After VBS was cleaned up, and before dinner, we celebrated 4 birthdays with cake. Afton, Erin, Katya, and Danielle. Molly made the cakes with the help of Jess. It was delicious!

This evening there was a women's bible study at the church, about 5 of our gals stayed at the church for that while we took two van fulls of our team, and some Moose Factory kids (who have been hanging out with us) to sight see on the island. Some of the places we visited were the "dump" where everyone takes their garbage (sometimes there are bears spotted here), to gigi's (the local "walmart"), the Ecolodge, and the docks to take some pictures of moose river.

Tomorrow will be an even more busy day. In the morning we have some construction projects to do, preperation for VBS, and tomorrow evening Cultural orientation from one of the Elders of the church.

Adventures in the North!

We arrived in Cochrane safe and sound around 7:00. We are staying at the North Adventure in. A fine establishment as you can see below ;-)

We had dinner at the train station and are now getting ready for a good nights rest for our train ride tomorrow. We met up with the group of four from Montreal in North Bay. The photo below is us including the Montreal team in Cochrane before a team meeting.

The names of the Montreal team are Maya, Claudia, Sophia, and Sabrina. They are great folks and have already integrated into our group. Also, please pray for Josh, who is traveling back to Montreal Sunday. He drove the Montreal team to Cochrane.

A very providential thing happened tonight. Larry Armstrong and myself were standing by the vans at the train station just talking. We noticed a light on in the train station and decided to see if we could get our train tickets tonight. So we went in and not only were able to get our train tickets tonight, but all of our baggage tags. That way tomorrow morning we just need to unload the vans and load the luggage into the train baggage car. This is a blessing because the clerk at the train station said there are over 400 people going to be on the train tomorrow! He said if we waited til tomorrow to get our tickets it might have taken a very long time. The Lord is graceous, even in the small things!

We'll arrive in Moose Factory around 4:00 tomorrow. We should have internet at the church, I will try to shoot out a quick email and facebook post of our arrival.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

First stop to the "Moose."

The first leg of the journey was uneventful, which is a blessing. It was great to see our friends from Covenant Community Church in Wexford. Four of their members joined us. We hit traffic outside of Cranberry for about 15 minutes, and also construction near Erie for about 30-40 mins. The border crossing went very smooth. They let us go straight through without getting out of the vans.

Tonight we rest and have a full day of travel by van tomorrow. From Toronto we have about 9 ½ hours of travel to Cochrane, Ontario. We stop in North Bay to meet up with a church from Quebec a little after noon.


Please pray for traveling mercies tomorrow and for our drivers. Blessings!

The Great Commission

Matthew 28; 16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Yesterday morning Team Moose Factory was Commissioned in church. The Elders layed hands on us as we were kneeling during prayer, setting us apart to be called on by the Lord to go and spread the gospel.

As we prepare to leave in only 4 days, please continue to pray for our hearts and minds to be prepared for this trip. That we may be praying too, in preperation. One of the key things we tell folks going on this trip is "flexibility!" We do everything we can ahead of time, and schedule things ahead of time, but year after year we are taught that you can only do that so much. Once we are there, or in our travels, anything can change in a heartbeat.

If you would like to see us off, please come to Murrysville Community Church Friday around 1:30 and pray with us. We'd love to see you!