KEMC Youth

Beautiful Day

2010-04-17T16:53:00.001-07:00

Hey all,
Just a quick update. We are settled in and having a good time. Last night after we arrived we learned about some of the girls that live the struggling life of a prostitute. After which we headed out in the vehicles to deliever roses to prostitutes. We would stop the vehicles at the side of the road and some youth would get out and offer a rose to the girl. Some took them some didn't. It was an interesting experience.

Today we split into two groups. the first went to a women's shelter at Union Gospel Mission and did a lot of work projects for them. The second group did the downtown plunge where we went out in groups with a bag lunches and interacted with the homeless, offering them lunch, eating with them and learning about their lives. People were extremely friendly, graqteful and happy to talk. We basically walked up and down Portage Ave in groups and stopped when we felt led to. It was a real challenge but very rewarding. We also tried panhandeling which was very humbling. (any money we received we gave away).

Tonight we are hanging out at the YWAM house and are all able to have a shower. We won't be able to post pictures, as it's hard to take them, it's awkward to ask people if we can take their picture.

We may or may not be able to post again. We'll see. Tomorrow after church half the group is going to do a chapel service at the correctional centre and the other will do thier downtown plunge.

Keep praying for unity, safety and the ability to step out of our comfort zones and bless the people we are serving. They sure have been a blessing to us.

Peter

On the road again, but not so far

2010-04-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

In 2 days our grade 9 and 10s are leaving for 4 days in the North end of Winnipeg. YWAM is leading our trip. We will be interacting with a lot of the agencies and the people they serve. Please pray for us as we travel and as we serve by assisting the ministries and interacting with people who may be in desperate and seemingly hopeless situations. May we be shining lights as we share the love of Jesus. Please pray for our team:
Kris Bachmeier
Tamara Banman
Karissa Bateman
Silas Bohren
Coralie Dueck
Katie Fast
Alyssa Friesen
Zac Kamstra
Rob Martens
Jared Morran
Yolanda Morran
Oliver Neufeld
Colton Plett
Caleb Sawatzky
Ryan Sharples
Rebecca Siemens
Hayley Toews
Amy Unger
Mac Wiebe
Caleb Friesen
Jen Friesen
Kayla Penner
Peter Ascough

Back in El Paso

2010-04-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to let you know we are back in El Paso. We had a smooth drive and really enjoyed stopping at the Sand Dunes. It was like being at the beach in North Central Mexico, without water of course.

Tonight we are hanging out and celebrating Katie's 18th birthday with a pinata and ice cream cake.

Tomorrow we plan to attend a local church here and then we're getting ready for our flights. We leave El Paso at 6:20pm and land in Fargo at midnight. Then a three hour drive and we'll be home.

It will be with sorrow and excitment that we leave. Sad to go but happy to be home again. Thanks for your continued prayers and we'll see you soon.
Peter

2010-04-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

Tara here again :-) The group is at the Ebenezer church where they've been spending the nights while in Cuauhtemoc and should soon be blissfully asleep so they can be up bright and early tomorrow morning to begin our drive to El Paso (Do you parents really want your youth back?? We've had a blast with them and so have our boys!).

Yesterday we spent the day at various work projects. Some painted and installed windows here at LeRoy and Faith Siemens house. Others cut down trees and fixed soffit and facia at a nearby church in Anahuac. And others cleaned and raked at the Ebenezer church. After that we enjoyed a supper out at La Marea restaurant.

This morning the group got to know the ministries at the La Reforma church, a church here in Cuauhtemoc. In the afternoon we were able to help with the first Kid's Club at the Anahuac church. The church is planning to continue this Kid's Club every Saturday starting tomorrow! And just this evening we joined in a church service at the Ebenezer church and participated with a drama and a song.

(The Ebenzer church, Anahuac church, and La Reforma church are all in or around Cuauhtemoc)

so there's the recap of the day.

Pray for us tomorrow as we travel back up to El Paso, with a stop along the way at some Sand Dunes in Mexico.

The Canyon

2010-04-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few groups of the canyon and caves we visited yesterday as we drove to Cuauhtemoc.

At the end of the Canyons there was like a giant room with huge rock on both sides, with a sanctuary type setting. The acoustics were great in there and we enjoyed singing a few songs together.

The group.

Here in Cuauhtemoc

2010-03-30T18:43:00.001-07:00

Traveling yesterday went really smooth. Spent some time in Chihuahua City and were able to see the city a bit and do some souvenir shopping. After we took a drive into the country along a winding road to this great canyon called Namaruchi. It was really cool. There were some caves in the rock and at the end of it was a large cavern with great acoustics so we spent some time singing.

We arrived in Cuauhtemoc last night around 8 where we met Elvera Friesen and enjoyed enchiladas for supper. we are staying in a church which is comfortable and today we will be spending the day working in a variety of locations. Please pray for safety, energy and unity today.

Peter

It's a dry heat!!

2010-03-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

We picked up Jon last night, the trip was very quick and smooth. Very glad he is here now as well.

Well just a bit over 30 today and sunny without a cloud in the sky. This morning a group of us traveled to Orenteno (maybe spelt wrong), a small town outside Delicias where Dallas and Tara go to church. One group of 5 did some painting at the pastor's house, and the other put a new tin roof on the church. Meanwhile the rest were cleaning up the parks around Dallas and Tara's as well as doing some painting. It was really cool some neighbours came by and were just so thankful for the work they were doing.

This afternoon we did our second kids program in the local park. We had about 40 kids show up! It was really fun. With the heat, even though it is a dry heat took a lot out of us so we took some down time late this afternoon to stay in the shade. Tonight we've been invited to one of our billets house for supper. He's an engineer and a dairy farmer with just a small herd of 800 cattle :)

God has just been so amazing. We've had some great opportunities to serve and get to know people. they have certainly had an impact on our group and we pray that we have had an impact on them too.

Pray for us as we travel to Chihuahua City tomorrow to check out the city and the market and then we head over to Cuautamoc where we will be doing lots of work projects as well as another kid's program. Hope to get more pictures on tonight or tomorrow morning.
Blessings
Peter

Pictures

2010-03-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Tara here! Peter, Dallas, and LeRoy (missionary from Cuauhtemoc) are in Chihuahua City right now picking up Jon Siemens at the airport and should be back anytime. In the meantime...here are a few pictures of the group's trip so far. I'll just tell you that it has been wonderful having the group here and they have already been a blessing in how they've been so willing to serve others.

The group ready to leave the El Paso guesthouse on Sunday morning to go to church in Chihuahua City.

The view driving from El Paso to Delicias (in the summer this will be nice and green).

Our trusty traveling vans, at a bathroom break on the way down from El Paso.

Pastor Pete hard at work! This morning (Monday) cleaning the park where Dallas and Tara have Kid's Club every Saturday. While some were cleaning the park, others were handing out invitations at the houses on the nearby streets inviting kids to come to our afternoon program.

The group after cleaning the park, along with some of our regular kid's club boys that volunteered to help them. That was really neat to see.

Helping the kids make their Wordless Book bracelets.

We had an amazing turnout of just over 30 kids! The program involved singing, a Biblical drama, a game, a craft, and later a soccer game - the Canadians against the Mexicans! Which ended in a 10-10 tie. We'll be doing another program tomorrow in this park with the kids.

Hanging out at Dallas and Tara's house.

Beautiful

2010-03-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day! First I'm sure if texting is working. It might be working for some phones it might not be working for others. Did the one I sent to Darryl get through in time for the end of church? Comment and let me know.

Our drive from the border to Chihuahua was as smooth as one could hope for. We know the prayers of our families and friends back home played a part in carrying through. We weren't even stopped at the check point, they just waved us through. We left El Paso at 8am mountain time but as soon as we cross into Mexico it was an hour earlier yet. Even though they are on mountain time they do not "spring forward" till this upcoming weekend so there is actually a 2 hour difference between us and Manitoba. Anyway the drive was really beautiful with lots of rugged mountains. We'll have lots of pictures from that drive. We arrived late for church, a beautiful little church, the congregation was about 15 people. The people were friendly and the music great. Tara was given a mic to translate the sermon for us so that was cool. Our guys did their "Everything" skit and did a super job. We enjoyed lunch with the church and were able to overcome a lot of the language barriers as people seemed to know more English than they let on.

After Chihuahua we drove to Delicias. We arrived to find people lining the street right at the corner of Dallas and Tara's place only to discover the today was the 77th anniversay of Delicias and they were having a parade. So we went to the corner to find a place to watch and were immediately approached by 2 ladies who asked if we were the group from Canada. Their pastor had talked about us in church this morning. So they invited us to their house a few doors down where they set out chairs for us to watch the parade and then went on to serve us ice cream cones. WOW!! Needless to say 20 white Canadians watching a parade in Mexico stand out. Those in the parade kept doing double takes and one guy even took out his camera and took a picture of us!! Now that's different.

After supper we took our guys to their billets houses. Some I would call mansions but we'll let our pictures when we get back tell that story. Everyone we have met have been going out of their way to make us feel welcome. I have been overwhelmed by their generosity and concern for or well being. Being part of the family of God quickly overcomes any language barriers.

Thank you so much for praying for us. We have felt God's hand as we have traveled and spent time in these 2 cities. Tomorrow we hand out invitations for our kids program and will then be doing it in the afternoon. We will also be doing some work projects, clearing glass and some painting. Pray that we will be lights as we serve and spread the love of Jesus.

We will try to get more pictures up soon. When so much of the last couple of days has been about traveling it's been hard to get pictures onto the computer. We should have time tomorrow for some.

Again thanks for all your prayers. Blessings
Peter

We Made It!!

2010-03-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you all know we made it safely to El Paso. We arrived at about 2pm local time (which is mountain time). Crossing the US border, making our flights and connections all went very smoothly. We arrived at the EMC guesthouse and spent some time thanking God for being with us and enjoying a great lunch out in the back in the sunshine with mountains all around us. Beautiful place. We are all very tired but we need to go to the border today to get our visas for tomorrow's travel which could take a few hours. Pray for it to go quick so we can spend some down time tonight. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers we'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow night when we get to Delicias.
Blessings
Peter

Here we go!!

2010-03-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

So tonight we're leaving, 10:30pm. There is definitely a mixture of excitement and anxiety as we prepare to travel together. I have been overwhelmed by the prayers so far and know that many will be praying for us as we travel and serve. Please check back here often to read about what we are doing. Hopefully we can get some pictures posted, but we will post prayer requests as well. Here's a few that we've been praying for prior to leaving:
- For Dallas and Tara and the kids as they prepare for us
- For the kids club they are leading that we will be assisting with. That the kids would understand God's love for them and accept Him into their lives.
- For protection "from all evil" and spiritual attacks for our entire group and for unity within the group.
- That God would bring lasting change in us that would cause us to become His hands and feet no matter where we are.
- For safety as we fly and drive. Look at the list below to get the names of all participants.

We go with confidence knowing God will be with us and that the prayers of our church family with be lifting us up as well. Thanks
Blessings
Pastor Pete

Mexico Trip 2010 - Leaves Friday!!

2010-03-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

Theme verse - Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Y todo lo que hagan o digan, haganlo en el nombre

del Senor Jesus, dando gracias a

Dios el Padre por emdio de el.

Team members of the KEMC Youth Mission Trip to Mexico:

Caycie Bartel
Colton Froese
Kristen Harder
Sarah Hiebert
Nicole Kuhl
Abigail Morran
Jacquelyn Morran
Tabitha Morran
Philip Naylor
Andrew Penner
Kaitlin Post
Rebekah Sawatzky
Jon Siemens
Scott Unger
Peter Ascough
Ron Harder
Phyllis Harder
Mike Penner
Connie Penner

Thanks for your prayers!

Redirect

2009-12-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Hey there,
If you have arrived here looking for info. about the youth events. We post them on Facebook, look for Kleefeld Youth Group.
Thanks
Peter

A New Year of Events!!

2009-09-04T08:02:00.001-07:00

Welcome back from summer. I hope it was a great one for you. We are going to be posting our coming events here again so feel free to stop by and check out what's going on.

Our Kickoff events will be:
Jr. Youth Thursday Sept. 17 and Sr. Youth Fri. Sept. 18
Corn Maze - We plan to leave the church at 7pm. Cost is $8 per person.

Looking forward to seeing you all.
Peter

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Windup Events

2009-05-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Friday June 12 - Sr. Youth
Meet at Ron and Phyllis' at 5:30pm for a BBQ. After we are headed to Grand Prix Amusements so bring some money. All Grade 9's are welcome.

Saturday June 13 - Jr. Youth
Meet at the church at 10am. We will be headed up to Bird's Hill Park for swimming, rollerblading, sports, etc. Lunch will be provided, bring snacks or $ for snacks. Return time will be 5pm. All grade 6's are welcome.

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Events for May 26-28

2009-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 26 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Mike and Connie's at 7:30pm. Penny lane (the road they live on) is bad between Ridge road and 1 mile south so go the extra mile south on the 216 then follow the Perogie shop road to Penny lane.

Thursday May 28 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm

Windup events are scheduled for
Fri. June 12 - Sr Youth - 5:30pm at Ron and Phyllis' then off to Grand Prix - supper provided.
Sat. June 13 - Jr Youth - Heading up to Bird's Hill park - 10am -5pm - lunch provided.

Events for May 19 - 21, 2009

2009-05-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 19 - Sr. Youth - No Youth
We will all be resting up after a great weekend at Abundant Springs.

Thursday May 21 - Jr. Youth - Smugglers and Spies
Meet at the church at 7:30pm for this great annual game. Dress to be outside and running.

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Events for May 12 - 14, 2009

2009-05-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 12 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Pete and Irene's at 7:30pm

Thursday May 14 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm

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Events for April 28 - 30, 2009

2009-04-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Apr. 28 - Sr. Youth - Steinbach Soup Kitchen
Meet at Grace Mennonite Church at 4:45pm. Call Pete if you need a ride.

Thursday Apr. 30 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm

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Events for April 21 & 23, 2009

2009-04-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Apr. 21 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Mike and Connie's at 7:30pm

Thursday Apr. 23 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm

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Events for April 5 - 11, 2009

2009-04-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

April 5 - 7pm - Worship Night
Come to the church for a time of songs, a skit and snacks

There are no other events this week.

Jr. Youth - Make sure you are collecting sponsors for 30 Hour Famine.
Our event will be April 17 & 18

Events for March 31 & April 2, 2009

2009-03-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

No Events planned for Spring break - enjoy your week away from School

April 5 - 7pm - Worship Night
Come to the church for a time of songs, a skit and snacks

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Events for March 24 & 26, 2009

2009-03-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Tuesday March 24 - Sr. Youth - Village Oaks
- Meet at Village Oaks at 7:30pm for a night of games and snacks with the residents there.

Thursday March 26 - Jr. Youth - No Event
- The Jr. youth will not be meeting this week due to the Youth Leader's meeting
- Any Jr. youth who did not receive 30 Hour Famine info. and who want to participate need to contact Pastor Pete ASAP.

Note: There are no events during Spring Break. the next event is our Worship night on Sunday April 5 at 7pm.

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Events for March 17 & 19, 2009

2009-03-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Mar. 17 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at John and Clara Koop's (170 Aspen) @ 7:30pm

Thursday Mar. 19 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church @ 7:30pm-9pm

Abundant Springs Info. - May 15-18, 2009
For youth grades 9 and up. Early registration is due on March 29 with a $25 deposit. Talk to Pastor Pete if you need a form.

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Events for March 8-14, 2009

2009-03-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

Sunday March 8 - Worship Night - 7pm
Come out to the church for a great night of music and to hear about Ian and Zac's adventures in Uganda and Australia.

No other events this week. Stay posted for next week.

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Events for March 3 & 5, 2009

2009-02-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Mar. 3 - Sr. Youth - No Event
There is no event as we have just returned from our retreat.

Thursday Mar. 5 - Jr. Youth - Meet at the church @ 7:30pm
Unfortunately, SPLAT registrations were full so we were unable to register for the weekend. So we are planning an event for this Thursday at the church. Details to follow.

Sunday Mar. 8 - Worship night
All youth & adults are welcome to join us at 7pm at the church for a night of music and food too!

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Events for Feb. 24 & 26

2009-02-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Feb. 24 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Ron and Phyllis' @ 7:30pm

Thursday Feb. 26 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Church at 7:30pm
SPLAT registrations forms are due.

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Events for Feb. 17 & 19, 2009

2009-02-15T12:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Feb. 17 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Gary and Pat Martens at 7:30pm

Thursday Feb. 19 - Jr. Youth - Skating at Rec. Centre
Meet at 7:30pm - come for skating and snacks. Pick up is at 9pm.

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Events for Feb. 12 & 13

2009-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday Feb. 12 - Jr. Youth - Capture the Flag
Meet at the church at 7:30pm to play the indoor version of this great game.
Be sure to invite your friends.

Friday Feb. 13 - Sr. Youth - Fun & Games
Meet at the church at 7:30pm. We'll have stuff to do all over from floor hockey to Wii to Settlers.

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Events for Feb. 3 & 5

2009-01-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Important Notice - there will be no Youth Worship Night on Feb. 1 Please check back to see when the next one will be.

Tuesday Feb. 3 - Sr. Youth - Skating at the Rec. Centre
Meet at the Rec. Centre at 7:30pm for skating. There will be games and snacks inside.

Thursday Feb. 5 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Because Feb. is such a wacky month we are doing a Bible Study night again with lots of fun stuff to do! Meet at the church at 7:30pm.

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January 27 & 29, 2009

2009-01-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Jan. 27 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Ron and Phyllis' @ 7:30pm

Thursday Jan. 29 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church @ 7:30pm. Pick up is at 9pm.

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January 20 & 22, 2009

2009-01-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Jan. 20 - Sr. Youth - Menno Night
Girls - meet at Don and Dorothy Penner's at 6:30pm for a Fancy Dress / Big Hat Tea Party. There will be lots of games and food. Be sure to check out the MCC store for some fashion ideas.

Guys - meet at the church at 6:30pm. We'll be making pizzas, doing some big screen games (Wii, X-box) and probably a little floor hockey. Bring a bottle of pop or a bag of chips. (if you want you can wear a big hat too)

Thursday Jan. 22. - Jr. Youth - No Youth
This Thursday the Jr. Youth leaders have a planning meeting so there will be no youth.

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January 13 & 15, 2009

2009-01-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!
Welcome back from Christmas holidays. Hope they were great. Here's our upcoming events.

Tuesday January 13 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at Mike and Connie's at 7:30pm

Thursday January 15 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm. Pick up is at 9pm

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Christmas Parties

2008-12-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

Thursday Dec. 18 - Jr. Youth - 6:30pm
Meet at the church for a pizza party followed by some Christmas games and an indoor snowball fight. Pick up time is 8:30pm.

Friday Dec. 19 - Sr. Youth - 6:30pm
Meet at Don and Dorothy Penner's for pizza. Dress for caroling. Also, bring $2.

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She's here

2008-12-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

Joy Beatrice Ascough arrived on Thursday Dec. 4 at 7:42pm. She weighed 8lbs 4oz and was 19.5 inches long.

Upcoming Events

2008-11-28T07:30:00.001-08:00

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6
- There are no youth events this week. Hopefully, Pastor Pete and Irene will be announcing the birth of their third child.

Tuesday Dec. 9 - Sr. Youth - Food Drive
- meet at the church at 7:30pm we will be collecting food from around Kleefeld for the Christmas Hampers

Thursday Dec. 11 - Jr. Youth - Food Drive
- Meet at the Rec. Centre at 7:30pm we will be collecting food from Kleefeld for the Christmas Hampers. Pick up will be at the church at 9:00pm.

Christmas Parties
The Jr. Youth Christmas Party will be at the church Thursday Dec. 18 @ 6:30pm. We'll be having pizza and playing some great games!! See you there.

The Sr. Youth Christmas Party will be at the Penner's (3rd street) Friday Dec. 19 @ 6:30pm. Come for supper and dress ready to go caroling.

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Events Nov. 23 - 29, 2008

2008-11-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Nov. 25 - Sr. Youth "Bible Study"
-Meet at Ron and Phyllis' @ 7:30pm

Thursday Nov. 27 - Jr. Youth "Bible Study"
- Meet at the church @ 7:30pm-9:00pm

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sr. Youth Christmas Party is going to be Fri. Dec. 19th, so switch your shifts if you need to so you can join us!!

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Events Nov. 16 - 22, 2008

2008-11-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Nov. 18 - 7:30pm - Sr. Youth "Menno Run"
Meet at the Rec. Centre - Kleefeld has become hostile toward Christians. Your mission is to get to the Bible Study without the local authorities knowing. Dress to be outside.

Thursday Nov. 20 - 7:30pm - Jr. Youth Leaders Meeting
The Jr. Youth leaders are meeting at Pete's so there is no event tonight.

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Some pictures of previous events

2008-11-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

A Picture from our Sr. Youth "Rake and Run"

Jr. Youth "Stealth"
Serving our punch from the garbage, Yum!!

Now that's my kind of Rice Krispy Square!!

Upcoming Events

2008-11-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

Thursday Nov. 13 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
Meet at the church at 7:30pm. Pick up is at 9pm

Saturday Nov. 15 - Sr. Youth - Food Prep.
For those in grades 9-12 who are interested in attending Abundant Springs. We will be meeting at the church to prepare the food for Sunday Lunch. We will be asking for donations to help cover the costs of our trip.

Sunday Nov. 16 - Sr. Youth - Serving Lunch
We will be serving lunch to the church to help raise money for our Abundant Springs trip. If you are in grades 9-12 and plan to come to Abundant Springs in May come to the kitchen immediately following Sunday School to help setup.

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Oct. 28 & 30

2008-10-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Tues. Oct. 28 - Sr. Youth - Bible Study
7:30pm @ Mike & Connie's

Thurs. Oct 30 - Jr. Youth - Bible Study
7:30pm @ Church - Pick up is at 9pm
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Oct. 21 & 23

2008-10-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

Tues. Oct. 21 - Sr. Youth - "Rake and Run"
Meet at Pete and Irene's at 7:30pm. Dress warm and bring a rake.

Thurs. Oct. 23 - Jr. Youth - "Stealth"
Invite all your friends to come out and play this game of cunning and intrigue. Meet at the Rec. Centre at 7:30pm. Dress to running outside. Pick up time is 9:30pm.

New Look for a New Purpose

2008-10-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

So we've changed the look of the blog. We want to use this blog as an opportunity to share pictures and information regarding Sr. and Jr. youth at the church. Check back for updates often. We will post upcoming events and details as well as pictures from past events. If you want to add info. to the blog you can through comments or by emailing Pastor Pete (see profile).

A quick one

2008-04-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

We got really busy on Friday and Sat. Friday morning we finished up at the camp and we're treated to an awesome BBQ for lunch. The afternoon was spent getting ready for our evening praise and worship night which went really well. Our youth did an amazing job with the music and skit (we'll do it for the church when we get back).
On Sat. we spent the day out on Lake Melville ice fishing. We had a pretty successful day catching between 400-500 smelt (that's not a typo) as well as 8 trout and 4 rock cod. We are all a little red in the face because the day was beautiful and sunny at about zero degrees. Of course in Labrador fashion the day finished with 2 of the 8 ski-doos breaking down and needing to be towed back but we all got home safe and sound. We enjoyed the day on the ice, taking breaks in our friends tilt (a small trppers cabin) and labrador tent enjoying fried cribou and onions. A great way to end a super week.
We are enjoying lunch with the folks from Northern Cross and then it's pack up time. We will no longer have internet after lunch but we will be home tomorrow. Please pray for us as we travel all day tomorrow as we are tired but still excited from all we've expereinced. We have been so blessed by the opportunities we have had to serve as well as through the times we have also been served.
See you soon.
Peter
P.S. Sorry there are no pictures today but we'll show you lots real soon.

2008-04-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Well a big snowfall is just another spring day in Labrador. It makes for lots of fun but a little snow clearing as well. We had to walk some of the way into camp so that the plow could clear the lane. We then were able to help with snow clearing and trees again. At least those who were painting were able to work hard and pretty much finish all their projects.

On Thursday evening we had an opportuninty to drive up to

North West River and join the Pentecostal Youth Outreach for a devotional and floor hockey. It was a good chance to meet some of the youth who live in Sheshatui, the Innu community. Some sat on the stage and talked while others played hockey. A good way to get to know a bit about a small isolated community.

Having Fun

2008-04-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures. The first is from our kid's night at Northern Cross Church. It's been a lot of fun. The second is from the soup kitchen we served at on Wed. The guy in the picture is Toby who made this craft for us despite only having one arm. He was also around the on Thursday when we had a group go and clean the food bank area. The Manager of the Friendship Centre (and deputy Mayor), Stan Oliver, told us that we had saved them 3 days work from what we did.
Jumping back to Wed. we had to cancel our evening activities as over a foot of snow fell and visibility on the roads were about zero. See the next post.

Keep praying

2008-04-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

We started some after school ball hockey today and had 8 kids show up. Please keep prayig for us.

- Pray for safety

- Pray as we keep meeting with the kids in the evenings as well as during hockey after school that we would have opportunities to share Jesus with them.

- Pray for us as we prepare for our big praise and worshipnight on Friday night. Many have already expressed interest in coming.

- Pray as we have opportunities to encourage each other as well as those we work with.

By the way. Do you notice Riley trying to be management with the big "bosses" :-)

More work at the camp

2008-04-01T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here's some others hard at work painting in the cabins. We have had such beautiful weather so far but they are calling for some snow tomorrow. We'll wait to see.

Working at the camp.

2008-04-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here we are working at the camp. Lots of trees to cut down. Brush to burn and wood to chop. I think that the pastor in the snowpants is a very flattering picture. We come to the conclusion that no one looks good in snowpants.

Happy Anniversary

2008-04-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ron and Phyllis celebrated their 19th anniversary today (plus it is Reuben's 2nd birthday). The youth all chipped in loonies and toonies, bought them some sparkling grape juice and sent them out for supper.

pictures

2008-04-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

I won't say a lot today. But here's some pictures. After a hard morning of working we had the opportunity to snowshoe up the hill at Birch Brook.

Finally !!!!

2008-03-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hello from Labrador

Finally a chance to update our blog and show you some pictures.

Things are going well. We've had a couple of evening events at the 2 churches with kids and it's been a blast. We spent a good part of the day at the camp working outside cutting trees and painting in the cabins (pictures from that tomorrow). The weather has been good. Beautiful sunshine today (we all have sun kissed faces and racoon eyes from our sunglasses) we did a great hike this afternoon. We snowshoed up to a lookout across from the camp. God has answered our prayers with amazing accomdations at the base and we have enough vehicles to get us all around. 2 people in each room with it's own bathroom and showers. People have been friendly and very generous with providing snowshoes, offering ski-doos for Sat., and looking out for us for meals.

You can continue to pray for us:

- safety as we work at the camp.

- opprotunities as we work with the kids at our programs.

- continued unity as we work, travel, eat and do so much together.

- that we would be reminded to pray for the people here. "Our battle is not against flesh and blood but the principalities and powers of this dark world."

Thanks for your prayers. We should have more tomorrow.

Peter

Praise!

2008-03-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! First of all...I can't believe the trip is in only 3 days! I hope that you have all started packing...(I may not have...yet...) It is so amazing what God has done for us in the planning of this trip; the money, the opportunity, the leaders, everything. Praise God, that's all I can say.

As the trip draws nearer, I have had two phrases constantly in my head:

I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1

AND

So, come let us sing a song, a song declaring we belong to Jesus. He is all we need. Lift up a heart of praise, sing now with voices raised to Jesus. Sing to the King.

I just felt like sharing that with you because I think that it is just so awesome what God has done!

I also want to say to the leaders; you are amazing! You have also done so much work in the planning and making all of us get our butts in gear and all that good stuff. Thanks so much. :)

Anyway, that's really it. Good luck to everyone, smile, have fun and God bless. :)

Love you

Karli

Northern Cross Community Church

2008-03-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

It is such a treat for me to share with you about my friends Lawrence and Melanie Peck. Lawrence was a contractor who felt called to ministry. After completing seminary he and Melanie were asked to consider planting a church in Labrador. After much prayer and deliberation they went. They started a house church which met in many different locations over the first few years until God answered their prayers to build a church which they completed in 2003. Shortly after this Irene and I arrived in Goose Bay.

We have shared many great moments with Lawrence and Melanie through leading music, snow shoeing to their cabin, playing games and just sharing our lives. One of my favorite memories with Lawrence and Melanie was the day we snowshoed to their cabin, had supper and played a game of Settlers. Christopher was 3 1/2 and had fallen asleep on the couch. At around 10pm we decided it was time to take the 1 1/2 km walk back to the vehicles. So we put Christopher in his snowsuit, wrapped him in a sleeping bag and placed him on a sled to pull him out. All this and he didn't wake up. About halfway out we all had to stop. There were no clouds in the sky and the stars were like millions of beacons of light with green and yellow northern lights dancing in praise to their creator. It was at this point Christopher sat up, a little confused as to where we were but happy to lay down again when his daddy told him everything was alright. This is one of many memories of watching northern lights, hiking with friends and continually being awestruck with the beauty of creation which surrounded us in Labrador.

Lawrence and Melanie have a passion for Labrador and for people to know the healing power of Jesus in their own lives and in the relationships around them. We will have the opportunity to run one of our kids programs at Northern Cross as well as our Friday Praise and Worship night. God has been using Northern Cross to be a light in this community and so pray that we may enhance that light as we point people to Jesus.
Peter

The Labrador Christian Youth Camp

2008-02-15T13:39:00.001-08:00

In 2003 when Irene and I arrived at the Labrador Christian Youth Camp (LCYC) there had never been a kids program nor was there even a source of drinkable water, yet the camp had been in existence for about 30 years. Working along side the local community we established a workable short term solution to the drinking water issue, developed a summer kids' camp program, built cabins, updated old cabins, cleared trees, put in a new road and even after all that recoginized that the work was just beginning. We really had to sell the idea of kids' camp because not many had heard of it before. Jump ahead to 2008 and under the direction of new camp directors the kids program is continuing to be successful and upgrades are still in the works. God has been faithful to LCYC. He continues to remind Irene and I that it his His camp and He has great plans for it.

We are asking you to join us in praying for LCYC. For our opportunity to assist in it's development through some maintenance and tree clearing and to pray for the current director's Derrek and Vicky Roder-Martin. It can be a challenge to work in "Labrador Time" where no one is in a rush, but it is also a blessing as the focus becomes more about relationships than it does about the work. Pray that as the camp experiences a time of transition and the challenges that go along with it, that the operating committee will remain untied, that the focus can be on God's plans for the camp and on the people the camp serves. Pray also that we may be a blessing as we offer our services to the camp but that we may also be blessed as we develop relationships with some of the Labradorians who have passionately served this camp for 25 years or more.

Peter

Having a Bowl!!

2008-02-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

Well it's been some busy weeks. We've been praying about what to do. Praising because of God's responses. Making plans, asking questions, working on raising money and discovering that as we answer one detail then 2 more arise. Maybe it's just me but I need a break. So let's go have a bowl. Bowling in Steinbach on friday night will be just what we need. A time to have some fun, hang out, laugh (especially at my efforts bowling) and just enjoy being together. Let's leave some of the planning details behind. We know what we have to do, we're working on it, so time to take a breath of just plain fun. That's my plan anyway. I hope you'll join me. Meet at the church at 7pm or the Steinbach bowling lanes at 7:30pm. Cost $6 plus bring $ to go out after.
This week I'll be posting more info about people we can be praying for as we prepare for the trip so keep checking back.
Peter

Meet Sabina

2008-02-08T08:58:00.001-08:00

This is Sabina Hunter (holding Reuben). She is the lay-pastor of the Moravian church (also pictured) which is one of the places we will be ministering while in Goose Bay. I want to introduce you to Sabina so you will remember to pray for her and the church. Sabina is only part-time so has to hold another job as well. Along with her responsibilities in Happy Valley - Goose Bay she also overseas 3 other churches located on the North Coast of Labrador. As a single mother of a teenager she has a real heart to see youth come to know Jesus and to know Him fully in all aspects of their lives. One of her greatest struggles is the number of teenage suicide funerals she has had to preside over. Pray for Sabina and for the Moravian Church. Pray that we may be a blessing to her and that we can assist her in her passion to see youth come to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Peter

I've given up smoking for Lent

2008-02-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is the joke around our house at this time of year. I don't smoke so as we approach Lent I feel giving it up would be manageable. However, this year my thoughts are more serious. As we prepare for this trip to Labrador my biggest fear is that the money won't be there. God has called us and I believe he will provide but I also think he is asking each of us to do our part. So I have been asking myself, "What will I give up in order to give to the trip." We've asked the church to be willing to go above and beyond to donate to this opportunity, I had better be able to do the same. The cost of a coffee each day or the cost of going out to eat each week adds up as well as reminds me to pray for the needs we have. God has called us, He is faithful and will do it (1 Thess. 5:24) but I believe His calling is that we partner with Him and to offer whatever we can to be used for this purpose.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" Eph. 3:20-21.

This is our theme verse. Do you believe it? Let's give Him what little we have so he can grow it into so much more.
Peter

Let's Share

2008-02-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hey all,
Here's a place we can share our thoughts, plans, dreams, fears and ideas as we prepare for this trip to Labrador. Take time to post your thoughts, what you're doing and goals as we get ready.