Brig Judy's prayer requests         

    The answer to prayer request     

  

    progress report on making house ready to sell        

   

Fellowship Hall	Cooking Salmon over open fire
Praying for Safety before setting Sail	Staff and family abord the ship the Solitude

 May 5 2008    

Greetings!We wanted to update you and ask for your prayers.In January, a letter was sent to the NAIM office from the Jacob Bear Church Board.This is where Brig served as the Pastor for 4.5 years.We lived in Broadview (the local town) from 1983-1986 and 1991-1997.Anyways, 57 folks from the Church (or friends of the church) signed the letter.They asked NAIM to consider placing us back in their vicinity to help build up the believers/church.NAIM has given us permission to scout out the possibilities.So...on Wednesday (May 7th) Chris & Brig will be flying to Regina and renting a car and driving out to the four Reserves north of Broadview.We'll have five days to visit with a number of people, chiefs, Reserve Councils, old friends, townspeople, & the Church Council to discern the best possible way of establishing disciples...who will carry out the work of the church for generations to come.We need wisdom and discernment.NAIM would love for us to remain in leadership but would grant us their blessing if we felt God leading us back to Saskatchewan.We need lots of wisdom and discernment!We'll return home early on Tuesday (May 13th).Thanks for remembering us in our travels and our daughter (Sara), who will be home alone and working.We treasure each of you...          ...Brig & Chris..  

 Results of the Trip

  Greetings!   Chris and I have returned from our 5 day journey into the area around Broadview.We thank you for your prayers.Your interest in our decision has been very encouraging.God orchestrated an amazing array of visits with native friends (in their homes, on the streets, in stores, at church...) and each one was encouraging and hopeful of our possible return.People shared how God had used us to impact their lives in some significant way and it was humbling & gratifying all at the same time.We had a meeting at the church (15 people) and expectations for our possible future ministry were laid out.1. There is a local native man (Harvard/Amherst educated) who has a full-time job and is preaching on the weekends. He would love to see us partner with him to do the mid-week outreach ministry that has been lacking.2. The members of the Church have decided to pull out of the liberal denomination that they had been apart of for 100+ years. They are now on their own and seeking to find their way.3. There are Christians (in the church and in the community) that need to be discipled and prodded to do the ministry, a job we feel like we had a hand in "starting" and would love to have the opportunity to help bring to fruition.Outside of the Church context we discovered:1. We were able to speak with two out of four chiefs and they gave us their "blessing" to return to their communities.2. With the high price of crude oil; oil/gas companies are investing in Saskatchewan's resources. It feels like a "gold rush" and many are investing and driving up the prices of land and houses. A similar home in Broadview that sold for $65,000 last year is now being marketed at $225,000! And there are only two homes for sale in Broadview.3. We were 2 days late in being able to purchase a serviced lot for $1.00 (one dollar). We visited the town clerk on Friday and at the town council meeting on Wednesday, the town put a freeze on the sale of future lots until they instituted a new policy reflecting the current demand for Saskatchewan property.We feel drawn back to Saskatchewan to help solidify the Jacob Bear Church in the community and to seek the Lord for a disciple making strategy that works in a First Nations context, so that this church will be stronger in future generations than it is today. We feel like partnering within this present framework is a strong first step to accomplishing these goals.Please pray for us: 1. Many logistics still need to come together related to my departure from the role as Coastal Field Director for us, and NAIM leadership, to sense God's leading in this change in ministry focus.2. Who would replace us in this position?3. Would we need to fix up our home (some/alot) before putting it on the market?4. Can we afford Saskatchewan prices?5. When could/should we move?Thank you for bearing with this lengthy email.We covet your prayers.Blessings...            ...Brig & Chris..

 

   

Greetings from Sunny & Beautiful Vancouver Island, The two teams of summer missionaries (that we're overseeing) are heavily involved in their community of Gold River.

We're excited about the prospects that are developing.

Our house repairs are well underway.

A close friend from Duncan (2 hours south) gave up his weekend to help me begin the fence.

Two NAIM staff men came over on Canada Day (July 1) and built my fireplace mantle!

We are almost finished fixing up the family room/garage (it's right behind the white door in this photo of our side yard and the room has turned out quite nicely.

We are so grateful for all the help God has sent our way.

We hope to list the house later this week.

We await further developments...

We do know that there are a couple of other houses available in Broadview.

We choose to write you in the midst of this transition to invite further prayer, as this process continues to unfold.

Thanks for encouraging us along...

      ...Brig & Chris..

August 16 2008