11 days and 10 nights...
God is truly faithful. These past 11 days for me have been filled to say the least but coming out of them, (and sleeping in today until noon) I feel like God has really knit all that I have been involved in together…
The Aboriginal conference in Sioux Lookout began my venture last Thursday where I experienced such passion and commitment to the cause of Christ… Church leaders from various reserves coming together full of zeal for the Lord they serve. I met a woman wanting to meet with the leaders concerning a church in her reserve… a humble request made. This request however was not coming from a common lady, you see this lady had just buried her son’s two weeks ago and had her home burned to the ground. I stopped in my tracks wondering what I would be doing if that were me… I know that I wouldn’t be speaking about my love for my reserve, and how they so desperately needed God… She is an example to us all. Or meeting with a Pastor, a previous chief that build his church with his own two hands. God had given him the privilege of being elected chief and with that he was able to override the bands decision not to have a reserve church… now they have a church, because of his faithfulness… Or what about the 60 year old man who brought his portable mill in a canoe over 60 miles to a reserve he cut tree’s, milled them and built a church with the help of another couple of seniors and a middle aged couple… I could go on and on about the stories faithfulness in the aboriginal people, God had a plan for their lives, they sought Him and found their area of influence…
Next stop was Mission Canada Meetings at National Office with the Children’s Guiding Group and Superintendents. What a thrill to once again be around a table with individuals from all providences who have a love and passion for children. As we plugged through our heavy agenda foundational ideas began to form and cement in the hearts of all. It continued as we met with our District Superintendents on Wednesday and heard from them their hearts cry for the children in Canada. By the end of the day our action items were formed and details set in motion. These meetings have been fruitful to me and my ministry here in the WOD. As our group meets it’s wonderful to see evidence of God’s convicting spirit as all from BC to the Maritimes relayed concerns that echoed over and over again… It was extremely productive and I was honored to attend and represent the WOD along with Pastor Shepherd at the table.
On Thursday (in the midst of a crazy storm) plans were finalized for Blown Away. By Friday the sun was out, the butterflies exited my stomach and we had an awesome time in Hamilton at Blown Away. Judging from the hundreds that were there and the evaluation comments lives were touched by all that took place. My appreciation goes out to all that made the weekend possible, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors & the WOD staff, it is a weekend that I know I will carry with me as I press on this year desiring above all to be Blown Away by all that God has for me in my ministry. We focused on camp inner-change Saturday morning and with donations and pledges were able to sent 64 ½ kids to camp… with that announcement make someone put another $60.00 in my hand and made it 65!
VERSE FOR THE WEEK
On Friday evening I opened with a verse from Jeremiah and I wanted to share it with all of you…
Jeremiah 29:11- 14
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.”
I will be found by you… those words continue to ring in my heart as I call out to God, He will be found. He has both a purpose and a plan for the circumstance that you are in currently, in the past or in your future… He has a plan. He has placed you where you are for a purpose, no this isn’t rocket science, and I know we have heard these words before, but God is calling us once again to a place of trust, a place of faith, where we realize and hold true to these words as we journey together. In my journey I have gone through some ministry and personal up’s and down’s, but believe that by holding true to God, seeing His plan through rather than forcing my own reveals to me both His love and His awesome power. As you and I continue to trust & have faith in our current, past or future journey God will reveal to us His plan, as we pray and seek we will certainly find!
What’s Going on
Plan to Protect Focus - March
Next weeks kidzvillage will be focused on Plan to Protect, Policy Formation and Maintenance, the following weeks will focus on creative ways to maintain the policy regardless of volunteer base or church size, our final focus will be on training ideas, keeping it fun and creative. I’ve got some ideas of my own and some from other children’s pastor’s, please share your ideas as well by emailing me at pmcarthur@wod.paoc.org please provide your submissions by Friday March 9th, Thanks…
Vacation
I can hardly believe it my self, but I will be out of the office from March 12th to 30th. I will not have computer access as my unit requires repairs and will have to be left at district office (not enough cushion in laptop bags… focus for April J ) You will be in my heart and prayers during this time. See you in April, tanned and ready once again to give you & God my very best !!
May God continue to bless each one of you as you journey with Him.
Pam