Ministry Trip to Southern Alberta – Feb 3-8
Posted by: Anita Kehler
Church: Hague Gospel Church
Date: February 10th, 2011
Experiencing God at work … that is what we sense when we see how things are evolving in the Alberta Low German Ministries and we are so excited to be part of the mix as we seek to work together as EMMC, EMC, and CMC, in connecting churches, raising up new leaders, and reaching out to those who are still seeking.
“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord ….” - Prov. 20:24
On Thursday, February 3, 2011, Isaac & Lynne Harms and their daughter Amy pick us up and together we travelled to Vauxhall, Alberta. We had some rich fellowship with the Harms’ along the way and together enjoyed the warm hospitality during our stay in Alberta.
We are thankful for Pastor Ben & Tina Froese who hosted us and for Ben & Eva Stoesz and Abe & Anna Bueckert who hosted the Harms family. Thank you to the many others who had us in for meals or brought food to the churches where we were gathering. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of hosting but we sensed the love of Christ and an eagerness to build relationships.
Friday night the Mennonite Gospel Church in Vauxhall changed their “Singstund” to and evening service where we had some hearty singing and a message from Isaac Harms. The MGC is fully alive, growing in number, and seeking creative ways of finding more room. The gift of music that Pastor Ben & Tina Froese bring to the church is much appreciated.
On Saturday morning Allen and Isaac met with the MGC board in the morning and then we, together with Isaac & Lynne and Amy, Pastor Dave & Audrey Wiebe (Tabor EMC), Pastor Abe & Anna Bueckert (Picture Butte EMC), and Pastor Ben & Tina Froese (Vuaxhall MGC) drove up to Brooks where we met with Pastor Dave & Sharon Dyck (Two Hills CMC) and Pastor George & Irene Krahn (Camrose CMC) for a wonderful time of Praise, Prayer, and Fellowship. Allen & I had gotten to know all of them in the past few years but it was exciting to see how they enjoyed being introduced and how open they were in sharing and praying for each other. God is good!
Sunday morning Isaac preached in Picture Butte and we stayed in Vauxhall where Allen was preaching and I did the Children’s Feature. After our potluck lunch at church we drove out to the Taber Hospital to visit Hector & Susie Bueckert and then on to Picture Butte in time for a true Belizian meal of chicken and rice & beans. We had gotten to know most of these people from our visits to Belize and Isaac & Lynne have just returned to Canada after a 5 year Pastoral role the Spanish Lookout Church. What a treat for us all. After supper more Belizian people joined in and enjoyed a devotional by Isaac and more food & fellowship.
Monday was spent connecting with more people and touring the Tabor MCC and Tuesday morning after our Staff Meeting Conference call we headed back to Saskatchewan. Travelling with Isaac & Lynne Harms gave us many hours of debriefing and visioning and praising the Lord for how we had witnessed the Holy Spirit moving among His people. We would appreciate your prayers for our Church Plants in Alberta.
- Pastor Al & Anita Kehler – Hague, SK
NOTE: Please check Region 1 face book for some pictures.