Regional Updates
(Winter 2014)
Grace Flowers in Ontario
FEB Central—In May 2013, Harbour Fellowship Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, celebrated its 25th anniversary. As part of our anniversary, we had the privilege of walking across our parking lot to bless our neighbours with a day of clean up and community building. Over 90 people from our church joined the residents at the housing complex to build a patio, picnic tables, and a flowerbox to enjoy in their common area. Flowerbeds around the complex were cleaned out, along with the community garden that is shared between the church and housing complex. After all of the work was done we took part in a meal together and continued to meet new friends. For dessert, our neighbours blessed us with an anniversary cake. A perfect way to end the day, as we recognized what God has done, and is doing among us.
—Written by Laureli Veldhuizen (Winter 2014).
Molded with Grace
Fellowship Pacific—Isaiah tells us our lives are like a lump of clay. We are shaped by the things that touch our lives as we spin through our days. On Thanksgiving day, 2010, a truck went off the road, over the embankment and sheared off a pole. There were three young adults from Dallas-Barnhartvale Baptist church in the vehicle. One young man, Luke, was in serious condition fighting for his life. He was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital. Luke, his family, and the community of believers at DBBC were shaped by the events of that day. Luke would live but, according to the doctors, he would never walk again.
The incomparable grace of God began to shape Luke and our church family. We saw God in action in each step of the journey. There were praying believers at the accident scene. Miles away from Kamloops, at VGH, God sent believers to support and encourage Luke and his family. Even though they were hurting deeply, through Gods’ grace they were being loved deeply.
After surgery and recovery Luke spent two months in rehab. When it was time to come home, the church family lined the road with signs and banners and cheered him on in a very emotional homecoming.
The next months were very difficult as Luke fought to make the enormous adjustments that come with being a paraplegic. In the three years since the accident, Luke is back driving his 4 X 4, works full-time in a machine shop, hunts, fishes, plays wheelchair basketball, and lives life to the fullest.
We have all watched this young man display amazing faith, determination, and strength through this difficult journey. He is using this tragedy as an opportunity to share Christ and to help and encourage those around him. We have all grown in faith as we watch Luke serve a God FULL of grace and mercy.
—(Winter 2014).