Dear HMI Pacific Crew,
My update this time will be brief, so let’s go. In early November, I hopped on the Warriors bus for a road trip to Powell River and Cowichan Valley. It was a good trip and I was able to have a chapel with the team in the hotel in Powell River. Trips like this are wonderful on that they are all about great relationships and opportunities to share with players and coaches alike. We had to cancel our game in Port Alberni on the trip because of an ammonia leak at their arena, which of course is extremely dangerous. The arena was closed for a number of weeks in order to repair the problem. I am thankful that the lead was discovered and we didn’t go there. We will visit Port Alberni to make up that lost game on our second island road trip in late January.
When we finished the road trip, Lorraine and I went to Oliver to take part in a mission Sunday at Valley church. Valley is a Christian Congregational Church that has embraced us beautifully. We are so very thankful Pastor Ken Clarke and the good people at Valley. Also in November we traveled up north to Quesnel to speak at Bethel Church. Pastor Monte Harrop hosted us well; we enjoyed a wonderful day with the people there.
One of our highlights every December is the annual West Kelowna Warriors Christmas Hamper Night. I’m honoured to coordinate this tradition through the chaplaincy program. When all was said and done, the players, coaches and myself were able to assemble 55 wonderful Christmas hampers for needy families in West Kelowna. I must thank the fabulous Warriors fans for donating the way they do, so that we can help out our community every Christmas.
Over the past while, I have been pleased to connect with various chaplains and hockey people along my travels. One of these is the chaplain of the Vernon Vipers, David Hockley. When I look outside at our weather, I thought that this winter picture of David and his wife Edith was perfect…! Another one of our great chaplains is the Creston Thundercats’ Harry Haberstock. Harry is such a wonderful influence in the Creston area and a wonderful chaplain to their local hockey club. I was able to connect also with the Prince George Spruce Kings broadcaster Kyle Anderson and veteran BCHL coach Troy Mick. (It was Troy who was instrumental in my initially getting into Hockey Ministries chaplaincy.)