- -for new chapel programs in Revelstoke, Comox and Campbell River.
- -for an open door with the Abbotsford Heat Coach.
- -for the Kimberley chapel program, as it has stopped for the time being.
- -for strength and protection as I travel during the fall season.
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A warm hello to the HMI BC team,
My cousin, Vern Walker
and his wife Jean
What a summer.... a few apprehensive days with the West Kelowna forest fires, very exciting HMI ministry trips, and a vacation to Saskatchewan.
In early July, Lorraine and I took a week to visit her family in Saskatchewan. We had a relaxing time on the prairies, which we definitely needed. I am a prairie boy at heart, (a Rider fan!) and spending a week on the farm and in a small prairie town was just super.
The hockey wedding that I
performed for Joe and
Jodie Horner.
In mid-July, I had the privilege of performing the wedding for two of the season ticket holders of the Westside Warriors club. As their chaplain, I have become the 'pastor' for many of the people, and I am thrilled to be able to speak into their lives about the love of Jesus.
With Joe, who is signing
the wedding register
In late July, I took a trip to Abbotsford to visit the new AHL Abbotsford Heat club that is starting operations there. This is a top pro level club, with a brand new state-of-the-art arena that seats 7,000 people. Going in faith, not sure of anything, and after praying and taking a deep breath, Larry Krause (the new Heat HMI chaplain, if we are given final approval) and I entered the arena. Predictably, 2 security guards stopped us, and I explained what we were doing there. One guard was not that receptive, but before he could say anything much, the other guard told us that he would get a Heat staff member to chat with us. One thing lead to another, and before you know it, I was chatting with an old friend who works for the Heat in the corporate sales office. (Two years ago, I had taken him through an Alpha-like course.) In a few minutes, there were 4 Heat staff members chatting with us. The Lord completely opened the door, when we were not even sure that we would get past the first security guards!! It reminded me of Peter's miraculous story in the Bible! (Acts chapter 12) It looks very good for the possibility of a chapel program with this new club, so please keep praying. The final decision rests with the Head Coach, Jim Playfair, but I also know that he can be directed by the Lord Himself....
Visit that Lorraine and I had
with Colin and Teralee
Chornohus. Colin is the
chaplain for 3 clubs, the
Vancouver Canucks, the
Burnaby Express,and the
Trinity Western
Titans.
I spent a few days on the north part of Vancouver island, meeting with the Coaches of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings and the Campbell River Storm Junior B clubs. I am happy to report that both coaches were open to chapel programs, and now I am asking the Lord to lead me to the right local chaplains for these teams. While on the trip, I had the privilege of visiting my uncle, and some cousins that I have not seen for 30 years or so. It was wonderful to connect with long lost family.
Emil Fernandes, Larry
Krause and myself.
Emil is the chaplain
of the Abbotsford Pilots,
Larry, we pray will be the
chaplain for the
Abbotsford Heat
Also, the door has opened for a new chapel program with the Revelstoke Grizzlies Junior B club. Their new head coach and GM is someone I have known for 9 years in this ministry. Please pray for the right chaplain to be in place for this team.
This summer has been quite tense in Kelowna because of raging forest fires in our tinder dry climate. The temperatures typically rise to 30 plus degrees Celsius every day for weeks, with no rain in sight. It is wonderful for sun seekers and beach vacationers, but that also brings high alerts for forest fires. When the 3 fires started in July, we were on evacuation alert, and had to pack up our important things and put them in the car for quite a stretch. Many were evacuated and I had a chance to minister to people when they registered at our arena which acted as the fire emergency centre for a few days. These days of ministry were very exhausting for us, and we thank the Lord that no one was badly hurt, although there were a few homes lost in the fires.
My cousin Marnie and 'Jake'
Lorraine and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this month, so we took a few days to get away. I am so very grateful for the wonderful wife that God has blessed me with.
Our Westside Warriors club is now in the middle of training camp for the new season, and I will be at the arena over this next weekend. I pray that the Lord direct me to the right people. Please pray for all the chaplains as they step into the swing of the new season.
I have attached the updated graphic of teams that have chapel programs and the names of their chaplains. In BC, we sit at 32 Hockey Ministries chapel programs for the 2009 - 2010 hockey season, and I thank the Lord for this! I would suggest that the list be used as a prayer guide, and I thank you for praying faithfully.
Gladly serving our King,
Don R
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