"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...."

"Holy Spirit, ever living as the church's very life; Holy Spirit, ever striving through us in a ceaseless strife; Holy Spirit, ever forming in the church the mind of Christ; you we praise with endless worship for your gifts and fruits unpriced." "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  This is an update of what God is doing in Labrador these days.

Congregation members serving supper to 500 displaced
community members  at the Canadian Forces mess hall.

The Holy Spirit has been working in remarkable ways - thanks be to God! - and you'll see why. One of my confirmands stepped up to say that his life has been totally different since confirmation in 2011.  Scripture has changed his life!  He's purchased 3 bibles since and a concordance.  An older woman came forward to say she'd like to go to seminary.  Another woman said to me that she smelled frankenscense and myrrh with God leading her to Ephesians 5, and finally directing her to take religious classes.    A younger woman called to say she's totally inspired by scripture.  Her joy is evidence of that.  Another telephoned to share her excitement in a Psalm she was reading and wants to attend Bible study.  All come from different facets of the congregation, and all of this has been within the last 3 weeks.  Please pray for these folks and the rest of the congregation as they come to experience Christ in a living way.
Most recently, Happy Valley Moravian Church has begun it's first Stewardship series; entitled "Percentage Living", leading the congregation in the journey of prayer, worship, serving, percentage saving and spending, and devotion and sharing through tithing. Many of our congregation have stepped up to share their testimonies and offer encouraging invitations and challenges to move forward in these areas. Its been an exciting time. We've also celebrated holy baptism of 4 infants this month to add to the excitement.
Another event that's happened recently is the release of a new film highlighting the Moravian music history of Labrador over 250 years.  If you would like to peruse this film, simply go to this link below.  It is now available for viewing via CBC’s Video on-demand service at http://www.cbc.ca/nl/features/presents/till-we-meet-again/. 
Again, thank you for your prayer support.  May we all "encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today'" Hebrews 3:13 
Joyfully a servant of Christ,
glenna

To God Be The Glory Great Things He Has Done!

Whenever I used to go to the fabric store, I couldn't help but stand and stare at the large rack with all the sewing thread on it.  You know what I mean;  over a hundred beautiful colors to choose from, yet for my sewing project, I only needed the perfect choice of color to match my fabric.  Sometimes, the thread matched the fabric perfectly in hue, and sometimes, the thread was a contrast to the fabric.  Either way, the finished product was sturdy and usually a joy to wear or look at. 


Moravian Youth Camp 2012 in Hopedale

Makes me think of how God spins each of us as a thread; different colors, different textures and thicknesses; each according to the task(s) he has for us to do.  Then as we go about our day, sharing our thread with those (other threads) we encounter, each of us slowly becomes a rich tapestry of woven and beautiful fabric; unique in beauty and function for the next encounter(s).  Point being, every encounter in our lives, every disappointment, every joy, every challenge, from small to large, strengthens us for the upcoming encounters on the well-lit path and journies of life and faith.  Some of the seemingly most insignificant experiences turn out to be vital to our ministry;  like the guy in elementary school that took a snowball and smashed it into my face (I was in kindergarten!). Some people are sad and just need more love than others I remember thinking. (I also learned to take a different route home from school). 
Although I left the dastardly snowball scene in tears, I thank God for walking with me all the way; for not thinking "all boys" are mean, or for nurturing a bitterness towards the boy, or for developing an unwillingness to go out and seize the new day; all options we have the ability of selecting when done wrong.
All this said, let us give thanksgiving for God's grace in all things, for how he spins and weaves us over time, for how He draws us closer to Him with each passing encounter, for how He reveals Himself in the most amazing ways.  That is a lifetime of thanksgiving.  To God be the glory - great things He has done!

! Spring Has Sprung !

Spring has sprung in Labrador...

At last!  Not that there's anything wrong with the winter season - but the shoveling of the steps every day did get a little old.  Signs of spring..... dandilions appear first, longer days, bright daylight at 4:00 am and dark at 11:00 pm, one day is freezing temperatures and 6 hours later is 80 degrees, the sun is beautifully warm and the air is cool; birds begin to sing; the skidoos make way for the 4-wheelers, dust storms, lingering snow turns brown from the sand, the river ice breaks up and pushes downstream - getting stuck then freeing itself, boats & seadoos emerge, and fresh trout!  Enjoy these visual signs below as we worship the loving Christ that springs forth with new life; through His resurrection, we are redeemed in perfect love.

" Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water." Psalm 114:7-8

"The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

"When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right."  Jeremiah 33:15

As soon as the Northern Ranger makes its first run up the coast; Elizabeth (85), lifelong fisherwoman, sails to Rigolette.  We won't see her until November.  A bless-ed woman!

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,

abounding in thanksgiving.   Colossians 2:6-7

"I Delight To Do Thy Will, O God." Psalm 40:8

Our 2012 Confirmands

Many, MANY times, we are left with the abounding sense that God has blessed us way beyond what we could ever deserve.  No amount of time could we ever live and serve that would make up for the boundless gifts; rejoicing and suffering, that God has poured out upon us.  Missing the beautiful spring of North Carolina, I think of the spring flowers, especially when 15 new centimeters of snow fall in April.  It takes days and weeks for a flower to grow and bloom; much like the beautiful lily one blossom after another.  Some days in the life of that plant are sunny & bright, and some are windy, rainy or cold.  But when the plant begins to bloom; having survived all the elements, it is truly glorious and shining, making the area around it that much more radiant & beautiful.  Every day in the elements was worth it. 

Thanks be to God, that His children are so much more precious and faceted, as each has unlimited potential, possibility, and sphere.  "....my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11.  I believe the 'shining' of a servant of God is 3-fold, if not more.  First, it is that when we are in His will, seeking His path, we are planted in the exact spot of the field that we can shine the best.  The gifts He's endowed us with are engaged to their fullest and have the greatest impact, and all the 'weathering' that has taken place prior to that planting is being employed.  Second, our joy is made complete as God's plan and work around us unfolds. There may be suffering along with the joys, but seeing God's vision, and the transforming of hearts, is strengthening.  Thirdly, shining requires sacrifice from the worldly comforts and familiarities around us.  "Letting go" in order for God to grow HIS garden requires the remembering and understanding that He sees the entire picture; He knows all and is ever present, and all things are possible through His hand.  At that point of understanding,, how can we refuse His command, His call? 
Shining in the garden isn't about our selves, quite the contrary, it's quite the opposite. It's about seeing hearts transformed into the freedom and love of Christ and being so overwhelmed with humblesness and gratitude of how God's blessings and gifts in those new hearts and lives are the grace upon which we don't deserve.  THAT is the joy that surpasses all.  Suffering and sacrifice only makes the joy deeper.
Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter in Happy Valley Moravian Church was a holy adventure in Christ. With an unprecedented Easter attendance, the proclamation of the cross of Christ was radiant and burning in hearts.       He Lives!  Let us all rejoice! 

Our Home; the Temple within our hearts

Not to speed up the season of Lent any more than it seems to be going, but we began Lent with an experience of intimate fellowship with our Lord; and the most humbling of wonders within our Christian journey;  the Lord’s Supper.  David Lose puts this time in simple words, “Jesus gathered with his disciples, those who left home and kin to follow him, for a final meal, and yet more than a final meal. It was a final sharing of himself – all that he was, did, and ever hoped for – with his beloved friends. It is a giving of himself – in the fullest sense possible – in this private and intimate setting before he gives himself painfully and publicly to the world.  What must it have been like, we may wonder, to be that close to Jesus, to have his gaze upon you and know of his abiding regard for you?” Think for a moment how your own family meals take place.  For that brief moment (30 minutes?), does all in the world take second place to the community of family during that time?  I hope so;  no tv in the background, trying not to answer the phone (probably an 800 call anyway), and a time to ‘collect’ with oneself, and ‘connect’ oneself with the family.

Although each of our family mealtimes look different, I’ve learned a lot from Labradorians.  During the dinner and supper hours, many things come to a standstill around here.  One saves no time by shopping during those hours as the limited staff members mean you wait in line longer.  And the meal isn’t completed until one’s cup of hot tea has been patiently enjoyed (a longstanding British missionary tradition).

Life among the Inuit is also special because it is a culture of personal communication.  Phones are used of course, but the best way to promote a gathering or make your point be heard, is in person; not a memo, the phone call, a meeting, or advertising in the newsletter.  Good old face-to-face sharing.  This ‘shift’ in culture for us has been a true blessing.  In their homes, I put my watch in my purse and go by their time.  I’ve found that those times provide an opportunity to say ‘thank you’, find out how someone is really doing, drop some thoughts or ideas, or gain some thoughts or ideas. Wonderfully, it has also been a time to simply sit (usually with hot tea), share scripture and pray.  How does life get better than that?!   
Christ honors us with the gift of the immediate presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the temple of our hearts.  As Lent progresses, may we all learn from the Labrador Moravians to take the time to stop & ‘let go’ of our daily agenda, open the temple of our hearts in a most profound way, and either share a verse, or ask to pray right there on the spot, thereby sharing and giving of oneself and living the life we are all called to do.  Actually, we’re telling that person we love them enough to put a halt to the highway of business of our day, and share with them the gift of Jesus resurrection and life.  A gift, for us and for them, that keeps on giving.
Share below, what has been happening in your temple during this season of Lent.