Dear HMI Pacific team,

Can you believe it, our lives have changed pretty drastically in the past few months! I pray that you are healthy not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. We chat often these days about social and physical distancing, and I am following all the rules but have found that it actually takes a real toll on my emotional well being. We need the strength that is found in Christ as we face these unprecedented days. He certainly is our Firm Foundation and our Anchor.

It is so strange to see arenas all over the country….  empty!!  No coaches, players, fans, no noise, no skates, no sticks and pucks, no burgers and fries, and… no chapels. For me, this Covid pandemic really hit me personally on March 12. That day I was on the Kelowna Chiefs bus heading for a road trip to Princeton. I have included a picture here of myself with Alex Draper, who is the Chiefs marketing director. We were anticipating a good trip and were not social distancing at that time… and didn’t have a clue about what was about to happen in the next 30 minutes. The bus stopped at a roadside pullout and after a few phone calls, the bus turned around. The road trip was cancelled, the entire season and playoffs were cancelled. It was very difficult for all of us, especially for the few 20 year old players who were enjoying their last year of junior hockey. What a disappointing way to end your junior hockey career! In addition to this, I had no choice but to cancel my ministry trips to the BC Junior B championship in 100 Mile House and the Canadian Junior A Championship tournament in Portage, Manitoba.

With the season so abruptly ending, I’ve had to reach out to players, fans and coaches in different ways. Just a few days ago I dropped by the empty arena in West Kelowna to ‘distance chat’ with the coaches. They are renovating the dressing room, so I was able to see them for a bit. I have also been able to do some social distancing ‘meet you in the park’ sessions. It’s pretty good bringing my own lawn chair and coffee and sitting in a park to chat and pray. I’ve had 5 of those in the past few weeks. I have included pictures of my ‘park’ sessions with Chase Johnston, (Warriors play by play broadcaster) and with Rylan Ferster, (2016 Warriors Canadian Championship coach). I have also included a picture of one of the last games this year in West Kelowna when I was with Head Coach Simon Ferguson and Assistant Coach Ayrton Nikkel.

Every two to three weeks I have been involved in a continent-wide Zoom call with Hockey Ministries International staff members. We are literally from all over the USA and Canada, and it’s a real privilege to be a part of this ministry team.

I’d ask you to pray for a few things with me. First, that junior hockey clubs in BC would be able to financially survive through this pandemic. The financial losses have been enormous, and with many clubs barely able to pay their bills as it is, this situation is a real threat. Of course, we can only have chaplains if teams continue to operate, so I am asking the Lord to keep the doors open across BC. Also, our HMI summer hockey camps (Williams Lake and Shawnigan Lake) are in uncertain territory. Every camp has it’s own arrangements with arenas, campers, cooks, counsellors, accommodations, etc. We are not at all sure if we will be able to have these camps this year. Please pray…. Also, I am believing God for ministry finances to continue as I am looking to the summer and the next season.

I’m looking to the Lord for His leading through this strange time. He is not surprised by any of this, so I will trust Him to guide through this. Things will slowly start to move again and I want to be ready to roll when that happens.

God bless you today and please take care,

Don Richmond

Hockey Ministries International

Pacific Region

• -for chaplains in BC
• -for survival of junior hockey clubs
• -for summer hockey camps
• -for new chapel programs
• -finances for the ministry