Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tammy and I just arrived home from the Gold Coast, Australia, where we met with 350 of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The weather was perfect, the fellowship even better. Not only was the music and worship renewing and inspirational, but I was delighted to participate in the blessing of 12 children, 9 of which were infants. Nearly everyone wanted me to pass greetings on to our families in fellowship around the world.
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Northwest Connections in Washington
Northwest Connections Family Camp was a success. We praise God for answering prayers and contradicting the weather predictions by blessing us with lots of sun!!! Fellowship and fun were the goals of the weekend as we connected with God and each other. The participants ranged in age from an infant to over 70 years old. They enjoyed a relaxing and laid back five days and four nights of camping.
Camp was held at the same state park as last year, but in a larger group site that was absolutely perfect. The group site was tucked away from most of the other camp sites so the impact of a full state park by Saturday night was barely felt. The kids had a giant field to play in and horses to admire on the other side of the fence.
The participants consisted of 19 overnight campers and 4 day participants representing 7 families with 11 children and 12 adults.
The days were unscheduled, with the exception of devotional time at 10 a.m. The families took great pleasure in a game of softball, created great artistic works at the arts and crafts station, played hours of capture the flag, and enjoyed many games of Uno. S’mores around the campfire at night and star gazing were highlights for all.
One family that attended camp has officially joined one of our congregations!
Shana Curd
Northwest Connections Director
BASE Camp in Tennessee
Our first official BASE Camp took place June 17-20 at the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. We had 8 mini campers, 19 junior campers, 21 teens/campers, and 25 staff. Campers were divided into 5 “crews” for the duration of camp. We started camp off with each crew making a pirate flag since the theme of camp was High Seas Expedition. The next two days were broken into 2 to 2 1/2 hour blocks that started with all camp Worship, followed by games, crafts, and Bible lesson/Christian Living for the crews to rotate through.
Other day-time activities included cooking class for the older campers, and building and painting bird houses with some of the grandfathers at camp. Friday night was highlighted with an all-camp game that we call Night Fury, which is a variation of flashlight tag mixed with an obstacle course. This was our first time incorporating this into camp and it was a HUGE hit.
Saturday evening began with our homemade slip-n-slide competition on the activity field. The night was finished with a dance, complete with a game of musical body parts. Camp concluded Sunday morning with a worship service, slide show, and meal for all the parents, staff, and campers to enjoy before departing. We are thankful we could take a few days out of the real world to experience the love and peace of our amazing Father.
Check us out at www.basecamptn.org
Wayne Wendt
Director of BASE Camp
Update from Canada
Wendy, Kylie and I visited the Battleford, Saskatchewan, congregation this past weekend. We enjoyed a meal and fellowship with Bill and Averil Hall on Saturday night. On Sunday about 50 members assembled for the worship service and a wonderful potluck meal that followed. One couple came from Tisdale (about a 4 hour drive), with others joining the Battleford members from the Saskatoon, and Maidstone (formerly Lloydminister) congregations. It was encouraging to meet several people from the Battleford area who have only recently begun attending. There is a positive atmosphere in the congregation, and that is proving attractive to new people.
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We are off tomorrow to Edmonton for a weekend event that Bob Millman has planned. As always, it will be enjoyable to visit in an area where I once pastored. Included are two photos from our weekend in Battleford: one of the church group at worship, the other of Bill and Averil Hall.
Warm regards to all, Gary and Wendy
Prayer Requests and Updates
Joanne Barrie
We grieve with pastor Lloyd Barrie over the loss of wife Joanne. Lloyd wrote:
My wife, Joanne, passed away peacefully Friday, October 1. She was surrounded by her family and the on-call hospice nurse. “Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone” was playing in the background as she smiled and left to be with Jesus. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over the past weeks and months! Her life, including the last nine months, has been an incredible journey.
Lloyd Barrie
Cards may be sent to:
768 North Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
Judith Omasta
Judith Omasta, wife of Larry Omasta, experienced pain in the lower abdomen and started hemorrhaging. At Huntington Hospital, they did an ultrasound and blood work. The blood work came back negative. The ultrasound did not show any masses or tumors, but did show a thickening of the endometrial lining of the uterus. The pain and hemorrhaging have both subsided. Judith was able to see her primary care physician on Monday and the doctor encouraged her by saying that she didn’t think Judith’s problem was severe, but they will probably take a biopsy of her endometrial lining.
God has dramatically intervened, and we are grateful.
Love,
Larry & Judith
Cards may be sent to:
1612 N Roosevelt Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
