A 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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Lately, 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. hmibc
At 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! hmibc
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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I 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. hmibc
While 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! hmibc
Just 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. hmibc
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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“I am confident — that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6———————————————–
Prayer 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