To the HMI BC faithful,

It just can’t be happening! ..  but it’s true: summer has slipped away and we are starting the fall season.  And that means many things, and one of them is that hockey  training camps are now fully under way.  Didn’t we just finish yesterday?  IT sure seems like it!  Still, I am pretty pumped that I get to head back to the arena and all the action that waits there.  Here are a few of my summer ministry highlights for you.  Sit back, grab a coffee and enjoy the read.

Right at the start of summer, on the July long weekend, I was pleased to be invited to be a part of the West Kelowna Warriors entry in the Westside Daze Canada Day parade.  That was a great experience once again, and I was honoured to participate in it.  On that same weekend, I was asked to sing our National Anthem in Kelowna at the Girls Provincial Fastball Championships.  What fun that was, singing out there on the diamond!  (I will sing the National Anthem pretty much anywhere, wherever it gives me a visible opportunity to be known as a Christian chaplain.)

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During the summer, I had a chance to meet up with some veteran chaplains, like Emil Fernandes from Abbotsford and Colin Chornohus from Coquitlam as well as a few new chaplains that I met for the first time.  One of the new guys was chaplain Neil Klammer of the Lloydminster Bobcats from Alberta, the team that the Warriors defeated in the Royal Bank Cup Canadian Final.  Neil is a wonderful Christian man and does a real good job with his team.  I also met up with Chris de Monye’ who is the new chaplain for the Surrey Eagles club. I am very sure that Chris will do a great job for Eagles Coach Neufeld and the team.

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In mid July, I traveled up to Williams Lake for our 6th Annual Christian Hockey Camp.  It’s always good to be reunited with the camp director Corwin Smid. Corwin is a long time friend who also leads the Youth for Christ organization in Williams Lake.  The staff that gathers at the Williams Lake camp are fabulous; people like

councillor Matt Rowan from Gibsons, BC and others becoming regulars there.  While at the camp, I took a detour to see the old Williams Lake arena at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.  Man, that rink has some fabulous memories for me.  (If the arena walls could only talk……..)

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Not long ago I was honoured to speak at Bethel Church in Penticton. Pastor Dave Funk is doing a great job there, and also serves well as the chaplain of the Penticton Vees hockey club.  I thank Pastor Dave and Bethel for allowing me to come to speak and for standing with me in this ministry.

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Finally, just a week ago, the West Kelowna Warriors Coach called me into his office and presented me with my personal Warriors championship ring, signifying my part of the unbelievable Canadian Championship season that wrapped up in May.  I was pretty pumped about getting that ring! It will be a keepsake for life, and I’ll wear it for selected celebration occasions only.  To this date, only the West Kelowna Warriors have won the Triple Crown in the same year, winning the Fred Page Cup (BC), the Western Canada Cup, and the Royal Bank Cup. (Canada)  I am so grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him in this capacity.  I ask you to join me as I pray for the boys on this team (and all the other teams), the coaches, that fans and the entire staff.

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I am looking forward to another busy fall season, complete with chapels, travel and ministry all over BC.  Please keep this ministry in your prayers, it would mean so very much.  Finally, thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter, and for supporting me and hockey ministries in the way that you do.  I trust that you enjoy reading what is going on in the HMI BC world.

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For a greater purpose,

Don Richmond

Hockey Ministries International

Pacific Region