CNBC Canadian National Baptist Convention - what an awesome group of people! Ray and I flew out of Grande Prairie, Alberta on Monday morning July 5th. We traveled through Calgary and then on to Toronto. Phil Brown, one of the local pastors, was kind enough to have one of his fellow workers, Don, pick us up from the airport (boy am I thankful for that). The GTA - Greater Toronto Area has over 6 million people. Our first night we enjoyed a Taste of the World with foods from a lot of countries. We then had the privilege of hearing from our Executive Director, Gerry Taillon. We had the opportunity to hear great Cuban music and worship. It was a good but long day.
On Tuesday Phil was our tour guide as we got to experience Niagra Falls...God is just an awesome creator. It was very hot and humid but the sights and the fact that we had a LOCAL driving us around was beyond words. We drove down Niagra Falls Way and went into the town of Niagra on the Falls. What beautiful homes, gardens and vinyards. We returned to Missisauga to where our hotel was located and got a ride into the Portico church for our evening worship time with Tom Elliff and another great group from Sanctuary Church in Milton. (www.jasonmcgibbonproject.com) "Where You Lead" is an awesome song.
Wednesday morning was our business session and my sweet hubby was elected 2nd Vice President of the CNBC. What an honor to be so well thought of by your peers. The different agencies presented reports and they blessed us. The session lasted until 12:30 and then there was a pastor's wives luncheon and sharing time. We had a short break and then back for the evening session. We heard from our president, Rick Lamothe, and another great word from Tom Elliff. There was a season of altar calls from both men and a very reflective and humbling time. The music was provided by Sequoia church with a lead singer, drummer (several kinds of drums) and a guitarist (several kinds of stringed instruments). I would take any of them home with me!
Thursday morning was filled with Equip Sessions and Ray and I went to two each. Our "Flags of Nations" was during the evening service. As the youth marched in with the flags of all of our Provinces and countries where we have missionaries (including black flags for where we have folks serving in countries closed to the Gospel). We heard God stories from several folks, some IMB folks who are back home from India, a MSC family from Texas now serving in Canada. It was gut wrenching to hear how much people pour themselves out for service to the Lord. Tom Elliff topped the night off with another word from God.
Friday morning found us catching a shuttle to the airport at 6:15am (that is 4:15am our time). We were a little late getting off the ground in Toronto and so we missed our connecting flight in Edmonton....it was a nice treat to have lunch at Montana's while we waited for the next flight to Grande Prairie. Once we arrived in GP we had some last minute shopping to do for VBS.....
Now, I think a lot of you are aware that we had a church in Texas say they would be here the week of the 12th-15th and wanted to "do something". I had wanted to do a mission VBS in the town of Hines Creek (about 20 minutes north of us) and so we turned them loose to plan and present this school. All was fine until we were driving home from holidays in the US and got an email that they would not be able to come at all. We felt that the children should not be disappointed and we would find a way with God's help to do two schools. Thanks so much to our folks who did step up to the plate and will be doing TWO VBS's. Actually it is so cool! We have rented the Museum in Hines Creek and it looks exactly like an old western town! We have around 30 kids enrolled and will hit the ground in the morning. SO PLEASE PRAY FOR US THIS WEEK. We are working with a skeleton crew but with God leading the way - to Him be the glory.... love you all and will keep you posted......
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