Frantically,
Mike Carter, a Kelowna chef, called all his former employees in the Bahamas
after he heard about the devastating hurricane. However, only one person was
able to answer the phone; it would be a lifesaving call for Dexter Ferguson and
his family.

            Ferguson told Carter that he had lost
everything in the hurricane, and asked if there was any possible way his former
employer could get him and his family to Canada. Without hesitation Carter said,
“Sure,” and then the enormity of this nearly impossible request dawned on
Carter. However, with God all things are possible, and Carter, driven by what
he called a Higher Power urging him on, went to work the next five days making
the impossible happen. Truly, it was a miracle and answer to a desperate prayer
from the young Bahamian Christian family.  

            Amazingly, the Ferguson family
survived in their flooded house by standing on top of the kitchen counter for
48 hours while hurricane Dorian hovered and the relentless waters rose. Tragically,
many friends and relatives weren’t as fortunate.

            The congregation at the Rutland
Seventh-day Adventist Church was riveted listening to Dexter telling his
family’s story on the Sabbath morning of Sept. 14, 2019. Dexter’s wife,
Bridgenna, stifled a sob while Dexter recounted their horrific experiences
throughout the storm and the harrowing and dangerous exodus from the Bahamas.

            Boats were available for the
desperate Bahamians, but at exorbitant prices for those urgently trying to flee,
and getting the whole family to Canada would take at least $25,000 total. In
the meantime, pandemonium ensued with huge numbers of people trying to get onto
ferries to escape. To add to their misery, the water table was poisoned from
the flooding, so there wasn’t safe water to drink or shower with, and food was
scarce, and the lineups to obtain these necessities lasted hours.

            Mike Carter started a GoFundMe
Campaign, and complete strangers along with some generous friends assisted
financially. One such big-hearted friend spent her life savings on the boat
ride for them, and she has since been paid back. The family got off the island
and then eventually made their way to Canada. Dexter’s sister, Amanda, and two-month-old
son Maverick soon followed suit and found their way to Kelowna too, and the
siblings were reunited thanks to Carter as well. They have a 90-day visa to
stay in Canada, but have nothing to go home to, and Carter is working on trying
to get them emergency refugee status.

            Kelowna citizens and businesses are
rallying to help the family, and the Manteo Resort Waterfront Hotel in Kelowna is
currently putting up the families in the interim until they find more permanent
housing, while Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna is accepting clothing donations.

            The Rutland church’s iServe team has
also contributed by giving the families a handmade quilt and a Bag of Love to
Dexter Jr. In addition, iServe is in it for the long haul, with leaders Dwight
and Donna Rose coordinating various efforts to meet the family’s day-to-day
needs. The Fergusons are very touched by Canadians kindness and how safe it is
compared to where they recently left. They feel at home at the Rutland church
and have been attending there the past few weeks since arriving in Kelowna and
plan on continuing to do so, while the church, through the iServe team, are
doing all they can to help this Bahamian family.

–Doreen Zyderveld-Hagel, Communications Secretary, Rutland Seventh-day Adventist Church

Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/iserve-kelowna-helps-hurricane-dorian-victims

It is an honour to congratulate
Tabitha Phiri for winning a Diversity Award for her passion
to foster diversity and inclusion in Alberta. She is an outstanding citizen who has committed the
last decade of her life to making
Alberta a welcoming province for all.

            Over the last six years, Phiri has coordinated
three research projects in the areas of economic security, domestic violence,
and immigrant settlement programs. She has also worked as the program coordinator
of Domestic Violence and Research for the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association
(CAIWA).

            Phiri is a
passionate advocate for marginalized minority groups and believes that
employers, community service providers, elected
leaders, and educators can meaningfully effect change in the lives of
immigrants who are working hard to start a new life in central Alberta.

            Again,
I would like to congratulate Tabitha Phiri on receiving this award and look
forward to working with her in the future.

By Mr. Ronald Orr (UCP)

MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka

This
article was first published in Lacombe Online on May 27, 2019, at lacombeonline.com/local/local-woman-recognized-for-fostering-diversity-and-inclusion.
Reprinted with permission from the office of Mr. Ronald
Orr (UCP), MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka.

Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/adventist-woman-recognized-for-fostering-diversity-and-inclusion-in-alberta

Did you
know that the Ontario Conference traces its origins 120 years back to a
campmeeting held June 15, 1899, in London, Ont.? And at this year’s
campmeeting, held at the International Centre in Mississauga on June 8, 2019,
over 10,000 in-person and online attendees celebrated our conference’s rich
history and continued mission. 

            Before the midday service, thanks to
a newly released 120th-anniversary video, attendees went on a virtual tour looking
at places that have helped shape us into one of the most diverse conferences in
North America; these sites included London and Toronto (former headquarters),
and Oshawa, our current headquarters. Attendees were inspired to build on the
foundation set by pioneers like Hiram Edson and Joseph Bates in Ontario over a
century ago.

            Critical to the day’s success was
the underlying message that even though we’ve come a long way—from a conference
of 500 members to nearly 34,000—we can and must do more to disciple others. In
the adult Sabbath school, for instance, a multicultural panel discussed
DiscipleShift in the home, focusing on biblical conflict management strategies
(e.g., being quick to forgive, seeking Christian counselling as needed).

            Later, Fredrick Russell, immediate
past president of Allegheny West Conference, delivered powerful, interactive
messages during both the midday and evening services. At midday, he recounted
the story of the servant whose master forgave him a $100,000 debt, who then was
unmerciful to a fellow servant owing a mere $50. “Oftentimes we are Adventist
but not Christian,” Russell said, warning listeners to live a life congruent with
their stated values.

            The very engaging and amiable
Russell refused to stand on the platform, and instead remained on the ground,
closer to the people. The audience was touched as he poured himself out in
ministry, one man exclaiming, “That’s deep!” as Russell spoke. Attendee Jennifer
Alvarado, reflected, “The pastor [emphasized that] we should consider, Do people see Christ in me?
And I think that’s a message we all need to hear.” 

            This year five pastors and one
teacher took part in the commissioning and ordination service. Bruce Boyd, the
senior pastor of College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church, urged Pastors
Sherry Augustus, Josue Manigat, Sheldon Imperio, Laurentiu Prelipcian, and
David James, as well as Ellen Bannis, teaching principal, to “motivate, inspire
and equip [all] people to be successful in their ministry.” Boyd concluded, “This
is your mission, this is your life, this is your call.”

            Later, Russell focused on
Philippians 4:6, 7, encouraging visitors that as disciples of Christ, you don’t
have to toss and turn at night. Come what may, you are in total peace. Aundrea
Belnavis shared that she had been at the evening service primarily because of
her role operating her employer’s (Kingsway College’s) booth most of the day.
“I needed this,” she smiled.        Attendee
Judy Rodney added, “Pastor Russell confirmed things that I’ve been going
through in my life [this week], that I need to go forward and reflect Jesus,
and be anxious for nothing.” 

            Yet again, actors and musicians from
across the conference—including a multi-ethnic choir and recording artists
Tiffany Campbell-Dailey and Norwill Simmons—added a unique touch to the
traditional midday service elements. In dramatic segments, the main characters
(male and female) depicted our natural resistance to God’s call. In the end,
the voice of God (portrayed by James Rooney, Camp Frenda director), assured
them—and the audience—“Come to me, and I’ll do the rest.”

            Following the same theme as the
adults, teen speakers—Alvea Hurlington, Luke Charles and David Machuca—shared
the challenges and joys of discipleship, particularly urging young people to
work together to reach others for Christ. For the young adults, Tacyana Nixon,
currently a Master of Divinity student at Andrews University, made
the gospel relevant with biblical and personal examples. “Pastor Tacyana
reminded us that God is a personal God [who] cares about the small issues that
affect our lives. Whether it’s losing our keys or studying for a test, God
cares,” said attendee Tristan Mignott of Ottawa East Church.

            In their section, children were also
encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a disciple. For instance, older
children engaged in small group discussions on discipleship led by
facilitators, answering questions such as, “What does discipleship look like to
you? What are some ways that you think will make more disciples?” Other
highlights for children included puppet shows, crafts, and singspiration. For
many children, it was also a time of fellowship. Jayline Thompson, age 7,
stated, “I felt happy and excited to meet my old friends from church.”

            Throughout the day, the 2019 Campmeeting
incorporated both contemplative moments and calls to action; for instance, the
youth and adult sections featured prayer walls. Similarly, a needs board in the
adults’ section offered visitors a tangible way to serve at the conference and
local church levels. Then, in the third year of the Compassion Initiative,
youth and young adults were motivated to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they
distributed care packages and ministered to the local community.

            Zachary
Padyachy (from Sarnia church), who worked with Compassion, summed up, “My
favourite part [of Campmeeting] was meeting new people and building God-centred
friendships. Seeing young people who are passionate about Christ and ministry
is always an uplifting experience.”

-Christelle Agboka, Ontario Conference

Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/ontario-conference-campmeeting-celebrates-120-years

The Canadian Union of Seventh-day Adventists and ADRA
Canada are saddened by the events unfolding in the Bahamas.

Hurricane Dorian’s fury wreaked unprecedented
damage.  Many have been killed or
injured.  Over 72,000 people are in need
of urgent assistance.  Over 13,000 homes
have been badly damaged. The full extent of the damage is not yet known as some
areas continue to be inaccessible.

ADRA Canada in partnership with the global ADRA network
is raising funds to provide food, clean water, emergency shelter kits, other
necessary supplies.

ADRA staff are on the ground providing assistance in
partnership with local Seventh-day Adventist churches and volunteers.

The Canadian Union encourages cash donations to be made
to ADRA Canada at adra.ca/hurricanes for our brothers and sisters in Christ who
are struggling.

Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated.

May those affected be blessed with peace, safety, and the
knowledge of the love of God.

Sincerely,

Mark Johnson President, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada

Stephen Matthews Executive Director, ADRA Canada

Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/adra-responds-to-hurricane-dorian

For 16
years Acts of Kindness has been blessing single moms in the community of
Langley and Aldergrove, B.C., with a free oil change. This year over 60 single
moms and their children came to enjoy the pampering provided for their vehicles
and themselves. As their cars were getting an oil change, vacuum, and wash, the
mothers were treated to new hairstyles, manicures, eyeglass repairs, health and
nutrition consultations, and some yummy food. All the while, their children
enjoyed rock climbing, a bouncy castle, crafts, and sports led by the Church in
the Valley Kids Zone team.

            Over 106 volunteers donated their
talent, food, and time to make this day happen. More volunteers than ever came
from the local businesses outside the church to support this ministry as it
grows. The demonstration of giving freely of their time, their strengths, and
abilities, and ultimately sharing Christ, has become such a ripple effect in
the community. God definitely has a hand in all that is happening. Ruth 12:12 says, “May the Lord repay you for
what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel,
under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (NIV).

            It is easy to underestimate how a
little generosity and kindness can change a person’s attitude, day, week, or
even life. A gesture of a smile can be the difference between someone making
uplifting decisions in life or poor ones. Assisting a mom to make sure their
vehicle is reliable can be the difference between a mom feeling confident or
feeling like a failure. Church in the Valley and Acts of Kindness uses the
Single Moms’ Oil Change to support mothers physically and emotionally, so they
can change the future of the next generation.

-Submitted by Leah Kwas and Pastor Walter Rogers

Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/single-moms-oil-change