News & Notes for Praise & Prayer

N E W  i n  N C E M

We recently welcomed Ross & Marianne Amy into NCEM as missionary candidates.

The Amys are from Beauvallon, Alberta. They have five grown children, and one still at home. They’ve served previously with Wycliffe Bible Translators, with Ross involved in Cree language translation. Ross began his post-secondary education at Berean Bible College, and completed further training in missions, Old Testament theology and linguistics. Marianne’s schooling has included Alberta Bible College and nurses training.

The Amys have begun building their prayer and financial support team with plans to join Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute staff at Lac La Biche, AB. We appreciate your prayer for them.

PRAY for ARCTIC QUEBEC

Serving in an Inuit Arctic Quebec community, a significant part of Ruth Armstrong’s ministry involves teaching the Bible to students, kindergarten through Grade 7, in the public school.

With these classes taught in the Inuktitut language, Ruth is thankful for her Inuit co-teachers, and the friendships and discipleship opportunities they share. Ruth mentions one, particularly, who is “learning as she teaches.” Ruth has sought to be an encouragement and help to her coworkers, as they have at times been significantly affected by family issues.

“The community continues to struggle with issues related to alcohol and drug use,” says Ruth. “The only solution will be a move of God in the hearts of individuals.”

P R A Y :  Pray for the distribution of the Inuktitut-language Bible teaching curriculum (developed by Ruth and her coworkers) to other Inuit community schools. Ruth says she knows God is working among the people, but says it’s sometimes hard to report visible results. Also, Ruth has been caring for two and-a-half year-old, Nadia, and was recently granted permanent foster care.

FRESH VISION at KEY-WAY-TIN

It’s a very tiring weekend, but one of my favorite times because of all the excitement, the sports, and the spiritual seeds that are sown and watered.”

That’s how Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute staff member, Andrew Siebert, describes NorthQuest, KBI’s annual Native youth retreat, this year held February 17-19 with about 65 guests on campus.

“This year the drama presentations were a special highlight,” says Andrew. “I enjoyed practicing them with the students, then hearing how God used them to challenge retreaters – who are now continuing to experience the truths of the dramas in their own lives.”

Andrew has been on staff of NCEM’s First Nations school at Lac La Biche, Alberta, since 2010, the same year he married his wife, Melissa. He’s thankful for God’s faithfulness as he’s settled both into married life and new ministry responsibilities.

“We are excited about what God is doing at KBI,” report the Sieberts, “and the fresh vision He has given – ‘By faith to disciple men and women to victoriously live and share God’s Story.’ “Seeing this happening in classes and in the rest of KBI life is inspiring!”

P R A Y :  Andrew & Melissa appreciate prayer for themselves and for the staff/student family at Key-Way-Tin – for “love, courage, wisdom, and faith.” The School is looking for additional staff, an increased student enrollment, and adequate financial provision.

TECH. CHALLENGES at TRIBAL TRAILS

There have been many technological changes affecting our Tribal Trails TV ministry over the past 30 years since its beginnings. Blaine Witherow has dealt with each of them.

The latest challenge is the industry standard change to High Definition (HD).

“Incorporating new software and updating our video/editing equipment has brought expense and personal frustration to our staff,” says Blaine. “Lately it has caused two- or three-week delays in finishing each program.

“But the purpose is to bring the Gospel to viewers across our land,” he says, “so our staff willingly work with the challenges.”

A matter for praise is that Tribal Trails is now airing daily on Vision TV across Canada.

“Individuals and families are responding to the message of Christ bringing hope and freedom, shared by our guests. There are many who call in for prayer and literature,” the Witherows report.

Rachel keeps busy responding to viewers requests for Bible-based material, much of it produced by First Nations writers. Prince Albert is a gateway community to northern Saskatchewan, and Rachel also distributes Christian literature to public places like local hotels and medical facilities.

P R A Y :  Pray for Blaine and fellow staff at Tribal Trails as they deal with changes to video taping and editing equipment. Pray also for upcoming taping trips to various communities this spring, as testimonies and songs are recorded. Pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed in God’s power and authority through Tribal Trails. Our callers reveal that there are many communities with no visible church representing Christ.

MINISTERING in the MARITIMES

Venus Cote serves on our Eastern-Field where the number of missionaries and First Nations believers is comparatively smaller.

So it was especially encouraging to Venus when two young First Nations men from a New Brunswick reserve introduced themselves as believers at the “Jesus to the Nations” missions conference in Halifax in late March.

“That was exciting for them and for us,” says Venus. They were encouraged to find out about NCEM and about our Arrowhead Native Bible Center (Grand Lake, NB), which they had never heard of before.

The meeting resulted in plans for one of our missionaries to visit them and assist in planning outreach on their Reserve.

Venus’s regular ministry involves home visits on St. Mary’s First Nation, at Fredericton (NB), where she lives. She also travels to Oromocto and Woodstock Reserves, and is thankful for a Native Christian lady who accompanies her on these outtings.

There’s a core group of believers meeting weekly for Bible study on St. Mary’s Reserve. “But I’m concerned for a number of people who have attended, and who no longer show up,” adds Venus.

“Some of them have made decisions for the Lord but, for various reasons, have become discouraged in their Christian walk and haven’t come back to Bible study.”

Venus visits as many of these as she can, but is hoping that more of the believers will see the need and find the time to reach out to these folks. Each weekend Venus is also working with a number of First Nations women who are residents in a one-year Christian addictions program.

There are usually deeper issues underlying the drug problems,” says Venus, who relates well to these ladies because of their shared Native backgrounds.
“Also because I had a form of addiction years ago, I have some understanding what they’re going through,” she says.

Venus also helps out at Arrowhead Native Bible Camp each summer, and on occasion during the year when a cook is needed.

P R A Y :  Venus’s biggest prayer concern is for the wonderful First Nations Christian people in her area who are busy with their jobs, and finding it hard to reach out to neighbours needing a special touch from God.

BOOKSTORE MOVES to DOWNTOWN LOCATION

To increase access to Christian resources for First Nations, and better facilitate face-to-face ministry, in January we moved our Bookstore from NCEM’s Headquarters 8 km west of the city of Prince Albert (SK) to a downtown location.

Our new store-front name is Tribal Trails Books & Resources – a name familiar to many through our weekly Gospel television program, and identifying our bookstore ministry as primarily to First Nations.

Bookstore manager, Lydia Goede, is especially enjoying increased opportunities to talk with First Nations folks who stop in – many who didn’t know about the Bookstore till now, or about the many resources (books, CDs, DVDs) produced by and for First Nations people.

She’s already had many more occasions to pray with people, and to refer those requesting counseling, Bible studies, and fellowship.

P R A Y :  Please pray for the great potential of this ministry to provide evangelism and discipling tools for First Nations. Pray for manager Lydia Goede and assistants, including associate NCEMer Laureen Pattison.

Note: Our new location is: 16-13th St. W. / 306-764-4490, but all previous contact numbers remain in effect for those requesting materials by phone, mail, or email. Our Bookstore Catalogue is available by request, or may be viewed online at www.ncem.ca/resources/bookstore.

WITH the LORD

Retired member Selma Stobbe passed away on March 2 at age 73.

Selma (Sally) and her husband, Ed, served with NCEM in Prince Albert from 1987 until 2004. Selma served diligently in our Printshop, while Ed gave leadership to the Tribal Trails TV department.

Selma was also known for her talented and inspiring musical abilities on the piano and organ. Living with the effects of ALS the last months before her passing were especially difficult, yet Selma displayed God’s sufficient grace. Selma is survived by her husband, Ed, two children and one grandchild.

 

IN APPRECIATION

We’ve appreciated very much the service of Ken & Dianne Mahood who have concluded their membership with NCEM. The Mahoods served with us for 18 years, ministering in La Ronge and Timber Bay (SK). Ken assisted our Higher Challenge wilderness camps, and served a term as a field director. The Mahoods are employed in the Prince Albert area.

We’ll also miss the service of Brian & Sandy Langendoen. Brian is now an associate pastor at Birch Hills (SK). He joined NCEM in 1991 to serve in Manitoba, New Brunswick, and James Smith (SK), before marrying Sandy in 2000. They served together at Timber Bay for eight years. The Langendoens still live close to James Smith First Nation.

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