HMIBC MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEWSLETTER

Dear HMI BC family,

I am sitting in my office, looking out at a beautiful warm sunshine-drenched afternoon. (It is quite amazing what a sunny day can do to lift up one’s spirits!!) A Vitamin D day like today can totally invigorate and energize me! So, while I am trying to be thankful to the Lord for whatever He brings, it’s much easier to be thankful when outside is a blue sky; warm and bright! (I think that you get that…)

Broncos memorial in Kelowna
Broncos memorial in Kelowna

Earlier this month, you heard from me in a special email regarding the horrific April 6th Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, where 16 people died. One of the dead was Broncos Coach Darcy Haugen, who was a wonderful Christian man. Darcy had been involved with Hockey Ministries, teaching in our summer hockey camps. I won’t rehash the incident again, but I do want to tell you about some of the ministry ripple effects that have taken place since then. In the aftermath of the crash, the vigil held in Humboldt was both moving and powerful. I cannot recall any other time in my memory when an event that consistently lifted up the name of Jesus was broadcast coast to coast on Canadian television. (With the Prime Minister and other dignitaries attending.) The Humboldt Broncos chaplain Sean Brandow did a great job of presenting Christ in the midst of gut-wrenching pain and sorrow.

Teams uniting in Humboldt memorial
Teams uniting in Humboldt memorial

During the following week, I was asked to lead at 4 memorial ceremonies: the first was at Prospera Place arena in Kelowna, where I read some scripture and gave words of hope, comfort and peace to a large crowd gathered. We finished with a moment of silence followed by reading the names of the 16 who had died. After a closing prayer, we all gathered for a crowd picture which was sent to Humboldt. It is so poignant to be able to pray publicly in decidedly secular setting, and close the prayer by saying “we ask all these things in the powerful name of our Saviour Jesus, Amen.” That first memorial ceremony was followed by a similar one at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna, right at centre ice. The arena was quite full that evening, and again we followed a similar script. I was very moved at this memorial and had trouble getting through it.

Sharing the tragedy with Evangel Church
Sharing the tragedy with Evangel Church

On Sunday the 8th, I gave a short memorial report at Evangel Church in Kelowna. On that day the sense of loss hit all of us and it showed. There were more than a few tears as we all looked to the Lord for strength. In all of these ceremonies, I remembered not only the grieving families, but also the truck driver and his family, whose lives will never again be the same.

With Wenatchee Chaplain Don Myers
With Wenatchee Chaplain Don Myers

The Commissioner of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) contacted me about plans for a memorial ceremony at the start of the BCHL Final series. As the chapel program coordinator of the league, I was honoured to have him contact me and ask for help. After planning in all out, I went to Wenatchee, Washington on Friday, April 14 to conduct a short ceremony at centre ice before game 1 of the final, and again in Prince George on Monday, April 17 for another short ceremony before game 3 there. It was so good to honour the name of Christ in those settings and to team up with chaplain Don Myers in Wenatchee and chaplain Jim Brown Jr. in Prince George. In these games, both teams came to centre ice and stood in alternating fashion around the circle. It was quite a moving ceremony in both arenas and it was an honour to be a part of them. It was good to connect with the chaplains of these teams as well as with Elliott Harder, who serves as the chaplain of the Prince George Cougars. (WHL)

With Chaplains Jim Brown and Elliott Harder
With Chaplains Jim Brown and Elliott Harder

In the past 3 weeks, there have been a number of inquiries from hockey clubs regarding the possibility of starting a chapel program. I believe that this is directly related to the Humboldt tragedy. I am reminded that even in the pain of terrible tragedy, that the Lord stirs people’s hearts. Please pray with me as I begin the process of initiating these talks and prayerfully beginning these new chaplaincies.

Now that the summer is ahead of us, I am looking forward to being involved in 2 HMI summer camps in BC. The first one will be a brand new one in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island and the second one will be our 9th year in Williams Lake. It will be good to get back to Williams Lake after last summer’s forest fires closed the town and the camp was forced to be cancelled. I ask you to pray for these 2 camps please. (The camp last year in Chilliwack was fabulous, however we could not secure the proper facilities like we did last year. I hope that we will be able to again next summer.)

Finally, I will be assisting at the Royal Bank Cup National Jr. A tournament in Chilliwack next month. I am praying for some good connections as I spend time with hockey coaches and executives through the week.

May the Lord bless you; thank you for your encouragement, your prayers and your support.

Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points

-Humboldt Broncos grieving families
-Broncos Coach’s wife and family
-first responders to the accident
-Broncos chaplain Sean Brandow
-the truck driver and his family
-new summer hockey camp in Shawnigan Lake
-summer hockey camp in Williams Lake
-potential new chapel programs/chaplains
-upcoming ministry at the Royal Bank Cup