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HMIBC News 2016

HMIBC MARCH/APRIL 2016 NEWSLETTER

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Best D-men Award 2016A warm May spring hello to all of my HMI Pacific teammates!
1 John 5  “This is the confidence that we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.”
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So much has happened lately and continues to happen in the HMI Pacific world!
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Humanitarian Award 2016Lately, my time has been consumed with my home club, the West Kelowna Warriors.  This is the first time in their 10 year history that they have had a long successful playoff run, and it is still going on. There are exciting times around here, now that we’ve just won our first ever BCHL title.  What that means is that we are in Estevan, SK for the Western Canadian Championship (WCC) tournament.  If we are successful here, we’ll head to the Royal Bank Cup (RBC) Canadian Championship tournament from May 14-22.  More importantly, it means that I am able to hold extra playoff chapels; so far I have had 3 extra sessions with the team.  These guys are pretty close, and to be able to share Christ’s love and to pray with them is very, very special.
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Mission Fair in PentictonAt the end of the regular season, I was asked to make some presentations for the West Kelowna Warriors Awards Night.  At centre ice right after our final regular season game, I was pretty pumped to present the best Defenseman, the Chapel Program and the Humanitarian Awards.  What an honour to be able to do things like this!
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Recently I had the privilege of speaking on a Sunday morning in Victoria at North Douglas Church. Thirty five years ago, I was the youth pastor there…. how time flies!  I’m thankful to Pastor Rod Fair and the leadership of the church for their support of Hockey Ministries in BC.  A few weeks earlier, I was pleased to speak at Bethel Church in Penticton, and I thank Pastor Dave Funk and the church leadership for that.  (Pastor Dave also serves as the chaplain for the Penticton Vees hockey club)  After the service in Penticton, we held a mission fair, which was an opportunity for people to ask questions about the different ministries that were represented.
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Chaplains Brian Wade and Emil FernandesI have recently made a few trips down to the lower mainland, visiting some chaplains and looking for a few others.  I met with Chaplains Emil Fernandes, (Abbotsford) and Brian Wade, (Aldergrove), Danny Stebeck, (Vancouver Giants), and Graham McMahon. (Chilliwack)  Please pray with me that I will be able to make connections in Surrey for the chaplaincy of the Eagles hockey club.  I have been emailing a young man there, but haven’t met him as of yet.  Also I was contacted by the Port Alberni Bulldogs coach about finding a new chaplain for his club, since his old chaplain moved away.  I would ask for your prayers again as I meet with some of the pastors there.
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With Chaplain Danny StebeckWhile in the Vancouver area, I was able to spend a few minutes with Dan Hamhuis of the Vancouver Canucks. Dan arranged for me to take in the Canucks morning skate after which he signed a jersey for me and we had a good chat and a prayer. Dan is a great encouragement to myself and to Hockey Ministries International for which I am thankful to the Lord.  That evening I was so happy to take my youngest son Lane to a Canucks game.  What a great day that was!
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With Chaplain Graham McMahonJust a few days ago I was treated to have a visit in West Kelowna with Tony and Rebecca Janzen from Victoria.  The Janzens are wonderful friends with Lorraine and myself.  Tony is the chaplain of the Victoria Grizzlies Jr. A club, and I would ask you to please pray for the wonderful chaplaincy work that Tony is doing.
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These are just some of the highlights of the last two months, but I hope that it is enough of a snapshot to let you know how the Lord is moving in the world of hockey here in BC.  Thanks so very much for taking the time to read this newsletter today!  I pray that you are encouraged by this report, and that you will be inspired and drawn closer to living out the Lord’s plan to which He has called you to.
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With the Canucks Dan Hamhuis“I am confident — that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6
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Tony and Rebecca JanzenPrayer Points
  • For a new chaplain in Port Alberni
  • For a new chaplain in Surrey
  • For the 40 HMI chaplains in BC
  • Tony Janzen in Victoria
  • For ongoing Warriors chapels
  • For God’s guidance as I attend WCC and RBC championships
  • For upcoming Williams Lake HMI Summer Hockey Camp
  • Prayer of gratitude for a wonderful chaplaincy year
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All for Jesus,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region
HMIBC News 2015

HMIBC NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER

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Happy New Year to the HMI BC team!
Campbell River Storm chaplain Bobby Rau
Campbell River Storm chaplain Bobby Rau
I want to extend to you and your families the very best as we look to 2016.  I am so glad that this coming year is in His hands.  There are many uncertainties and variables in our world that we perhaps haven’t seen before, so we simply look up in faith to the Lord, who is the Lord of All.
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Let me give you a quick summary of what I’ve been up to these last few months….
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With Cowichan Valley Capitals Chaplain Chris Clarke
With Cowichan Valley Capitals Chaplain Chris Clarke
Early in November, I toured the north part of Vancouver Island, where I was able to visit with Bobby Rau, the chaplain of the Campbell River Storm hockey club.  Bobby is a wonderful guy, who loves the Lord and is willing to share his faith with the Storm players.  He is a busy guy – he’s also the coach of the local high school football team!  On that same trip I met up Chris Clarke, who is just starting as the new chaplain in Duncan with the Cowichan Valley Capitals club.  Chris has taken over from my good friend and long time Capitals chaplain Norm Sowden, who is praying about a new chaplaincy opportunity.
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Remembrance Day 2015 with the Warriors
Remembrance Day 2015 with the Warriors
Mid November was a busy time, as I was honoured as team chaplain to lay a wreath for the West Kelowna Warriors hockey club at our local Remembrance Day ceremony.  This was the first time that I was asked to do such a thing. What a moving experience that was!  A few days later I took a trip to the Kootenays to visit some of our HMI chaplains there.
I met with Matt Moore in Invermere, who is taking over from previous chaplain Trevor Hagan.  Matt is starting to build relationships with the Columbia Valley Rockies hockey club.
Columbia Valley new chaplain Matt Moore and past chaplain Trevor Hagan
Columbia Valley new chaplain Matt Moore and past chaplain Trevor Hagan
On that same trip I had a chance to visit with Trail Coach Nick Deschesne and their chaplain Bruce Taylor, as well as Creston Coach Jeff Dubois and their chaplain Harry Haberstock. Along the trail I was able to spend a few minutes with Paul Reimer, the chaplain in Cranbrook with the Kootenay Ice.  A few days later I was able to meet up with Dave Funk, our new Penticton Vees hockey club chaplain.
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Creston Coach Jeff Dubois and Chaplain Harry Haberstock
Creston Coach Jeff Dubois and Chaplain Harry Haberstock
Early December was the time for our ‘Pastor Don’s 5th Annual West Kelowna Warriors Christmas Hamper Drive.’  This event is spearheaded by the Warriors chaplaincy program.  We had a fabulous Drive this year, delivering 50 Christmas hampers to needy families in West Kelowna.  These hampers were paid for through the kindness of fans and staff of the hockey club.  In mid December, I was able to hit the road for 4 days with the Warriors hockey club.  It was a wonderful road trip, including a Saturday morning chapel, plus some personal chats with  players.  Times like this are so very special; it’s almost surreal when I am on trips like this.  While all these trips are going on, I am still holding chapels every two weeks for the Kelowna Chiefs club in Rutland and of course the Warriors in West Kelowna.  It is always a busy time in this  ministry, but it’s a wonderful kind of busy.  With the Lord’s sustaining help, I am feeling strong and healthy as I look toward the new year.
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Trail Chaplain Bruce Taylor and Coach Nick Deschenes
Trail Chaplain Bruce Taylor and Coach Nick Deschenes
Thank you for your support, in prayer and finance.  It is such a blessing to serve the Lord in hockey arenas throughout the province.  You truly make it possible to do what the Lord has called me to do.
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With Kootenay Ice chaplain, Paul Reimer
With Kootenay Ice chaplain, Paul Reimer
Prayer Points of thanks:
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  • -for 40 chapel programs operating in BC
  • -for young lives that are being exposed to the love of Jesus
  • -for new potential chapel programs to begin
  • -for a possible new summer HMI camp in Chilliwack
  • -for the faithful support of HMI BC
  • -for new chaplain Chris Clarke in Duncan
  • -for new chaplain Matt Moore in Invermere
  • -for new chaplain Dave Funk in Penticton
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With Penticton Vees chaplain Dave Funk
With Penticton Vees chaplain Dave Funk
God’s richest blessings to you all for 2016!
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region
Uncategorized

HMIBC SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 NEWLETTER

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Many hello’s to all of you from one of me,
2015 Opening Night puck drop
2015 Opening Night puck drop

I trust that you are doing well during this hectic fall season.  Lorraine and I are certainly busy; our days are packed full.  This is a fabulous time of year for me, with hockey in full swing, and ministry spilling all over the place!  Ready to read about what’s going on?  Okay, here goes…..

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Coffee with two Kelowna Chiefs players
Coffee with two Kelowna Chiefs players

September began for Lorraine and I with a rush, as it usually does with most people.  I was asked to take part in the West Kelowna Warriors opening home game ceremonial faceoff which was a great way to start the hockey season.  In mid September, after attending the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, my chapels began with both the Kelowna Chiefs and the West Kelowna Warriors hockey clubs.  These chapels are held every two weeks, and almost all the players attend.  It is so wonderful to discuss ‘God Stuff’ with the guys and end with a prayer!

West Kelowna Coach Rylan Ferster
West Kelowna Coach Rylan Ferster

Besides the chapels, I try to get together for coffee (as you can see with these two Kelowna Chiefs) or sometimes host players for an evening in my home.  Lorraine and I had a great evening recently as four Warriors boys came over to our house.  (We watched the Blue Jays win an game vs. the Royals, followed by a good talk and then ended the evening with prayer.)  I have also become a good friend of Warriors Head Coach Rylan Ferster, and we have J & J and chat often.  (J & J is our slang term for Java and Jesus; we never have coffee without prayer. It’s my rule!)

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At home with 4 West Kelowna Warriors
At home with 4 West Kelowna Warriors

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, there were numerous changes in chaplaincy personnel this past summer.  I thought I would introduce two of the new chaplains to you here. Dave Funk serves as chaplain of the Penticton Vees and Terry Dyer serves the Powell River Kings. Terry is also the team trainer and athletic therapist.  I am so very glad to have these two join the family of HMI BC chaplains.

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Penticton Vees Chaplain Dave Funk
Penticton Vees Chaplain Dave Funk

In early October, I made a quick trip up the road to Vernon, where I met chaplains Joel Olson (Revelstoke Grizzlies) and Michael Fox (North Okanagan Knights).  Just a few days later, I was honoured to connect for a visit with Murray Fairweather who has been a great long time friend and HMI BC supporter.  In mid-October I was privileged to sing the National Anthem for the Kelowna Rockets, something that I never tire of.  I find that it is a wonderful opportunity for visibility and influence in the world of hockey.

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Powell River chaplain Terry Dyer
Powell River chaplain Terry Dyer

In the next few weeks I will be traveling to the north part of Vancouver Island and then I’ll head out to the East Kootenay’s (Invermere, Cranbrook/ Kimberley/ Creston and the Nelson/ Trail area).  I have many appointments during these trips, and I would appreciate it if you could remember me in prayer during these times.  Of course, safety on the roads is a big factor as well praying for good meaningful connections.

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Chaplains Josiah Olson and Michael Fox
Chaplains Josiah Olson and Michael Fox

Thank you for believing in this ministry and for supporting what we are doing here.  I am so grateful to the Lord for His provision and grace and to you for your assistance.  May the Lord bless and strengthen you, and reward you for your Kingdom faithfulness.
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All for Jesus,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

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Great HMI friend Murray Fairweather
Great HMI friend Murray Fairweather
Prayer Points:
  • For safe travels on our BC winter roads.
  • For the 40 chaplains across BC.
  • For the players attending chapels.
  • For my trips with a few teams this winter.
  • For added support for this HMI BC ministry.
  • For new opportunities to minister.
  • Thanksgiving for many good ministry moments.
  • Upcoming HMI trips to North Vancouver Island and the Kootenays