I hurt people

I hurt people a lot before! So begins the “creative writing confessional” I received recently from an inmate who spent a lot of time on a fairly simple message. He carefully and skillfully crafted each letter to accomplish his purpose. He wanted to state very clearly his awareness that he had blown it pretty bad in life. He seemed a bit amazed that anyone could ever give him another chance after the depth of his failure.

I am impressed by the diligence of his creative writing. I am happy for him as he experiences the ‘surprized hope’ that comes when you are given another chance after failure. But most of all I am reminded of how much I also need forgiveness and another chance. I have never landed in jail or been on the wrong side of the law, but I also have hurt people- a lot.

Even more importantly, I have hurt my heavenly Father. I have disappointed him with my words, actions and thoughts. I have chased after things of this world when He told me to love him with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. I have been apathetic towards things that break his heart even though I know he accused the people of Tyre and Sidon of being worse than Sodom and Gomorrah when they ignored the work of God in their midst.

As I have re-read the simple message in complex writing from the hands of an inmate, I am challenged as I read his closing phrase “People, be strong, not weak.” It really reminds me of God telling Joshua to be strong and of good courage. It is true that these words were given to a great political leader, but here I am reminded how much all of us need this challenge.  As we look around our community and ask God how He wants us to respond to various needs there, I think it is good for us to concur with the inmate.

Certainly, there are differences between you and the inmate, but there are none of us who have not hurt others. All of us need forgiveness, and all of us need the courage to stand up for what is right. Thank God for forgiveness, and let us be known as those who offer it freely to others, as we remember the challenge of Jesus that only those who give forgiveness are eligible to receive it.

Vallinga's resignation

 

Travis & Susan's resignation announcement

September 27, 2011

 

Hello friends,

 

We are enjoying fall colors here in Lynn Lake… mostly shades of yellow.

 

God has been at work in redirecting our family over the past months. After living in an isolated community for the past 5 years we felt that it was time for us to move on.

 

As we looked into the possibilities God directed us to contact a small rural church in Dorion, ON (near Thunder Bay) who were looking for a Pastor. We sent in our resume and other information after which they decided to have us begin the candidate process. We have been communicating with them and recently went as a family to visit the church. We spent 4 days there making new friends, exploring the community and Travis preached on Sunday.

 

On October 25th we received a call from them after the church voted and they have extended a call to Travis to become their new Pastor. We are very excited !!

 

Our house is sold and we have booked a U-Haul truck for the last week of October. It will be nice to move before winter settles in too deeply in the north.

 

Plans have already been made for a follow up Camp Meeting to be held on Saturday October 1 at 2 pm. The campers, their families and friends are invited to sing camp songs, view camp photos and hear a story from the Path Finders Bible Adventure books which we will be handing out to each family. These are from NAIM written using First Nations stories from their own culture which are used to present the gospel and include drawings by First Nations children. They were donated by the Caronport Community Church.

 

We appreciate the prayers and support that many of you have given over our time in Lynn Lake. I believe October is the last month we will be receiving support from Continental Mission. If you have been supporting us regularly you may wish to contact them to transfer your support to another missionary.

Continental Mission continues to go through a revisioning process with the goal of focusing more on the training of Native people. Feel free to contact Ferlin Abrahamson (Interim General Manager of CMI) for further information at (204)778-4491

　

Please pray for us as we pack and move. There are many details to be sorted out and a 21 hour drive when we go. Stephen and Bethany are planning to attend the local high school starting in second term but will continue to be home schooled this term. Lance & Cheryl are also planning to move … Lance is already working in Alberta in a year round construction job. Cheryl plans to join him as soon as they can find a home in Alberta or BC.

 

We will be in touch again to give you further information from CMI and to let you know what will be happening with Berge Lake Bible Camp and at least once to update you on how things are going as we settle into our new ministry. We will also give you our new contact information.

 

Blessings,

 

Travis & Susan, Stephen and Bethany

　

This Letter from CMI offfice

 

Dear friends and supporters of the Vallinga family,

     Thank you for the support and encouragement you have provided to the ministry in Lynn Lake through Travis & Susan Vallinga and family. Continental Mission has been pleased to have them serving as the pastor of Lynn Lake Gospel Church for the past 5 years. They have served enthusiastically in church and camp ministry in that community.

    They have come to the conclusion that the time is right to move on to another assignment and have resigned from CMI to accept a pastoral call to Dorion Bible Fellowship near Thunder Bay, Ontario. Though it is hard for CMI to lose staff members, we can see the wisdom of this move and offer them our blessing as they move on to fresh challenges.

    CMI wants to offer some assistance with moving and resettling costs and will be offering Travis and Susan a November pay-check in order to do this. This means that CMI will continue to accept support designated to the Vallinga’s up until the end of November. This support will be passed on to the Vallinga’s.

    After December 1, CMI will not be be continuing the Vallinga fund. We welcome your contribution to other worthwhile ministries or missionaries.

                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                Ferlin Abrahamson

 

                                                                                                               CMI general manager

                                                                                                                cell 204-281-2879