NORTHERN EAGLE MINISTRIES

FINALLY ON SKIS

2012-02-14T09:10:00.003-08:00

after hard work we are finally on skis which is a huge safety feature flying cross country in Northern Manitoba and Ontario with all the lakes, being a possible landing site in case of an emergency

PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES CLOTHING SALE AND MEETING IN BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

2011-12-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

The flying season ended with a trip to Berens River First Nation with Pathway Camp Ministries Directors Rick and Eliz Greer to organize the Camp Program for 2012 and holding a clothing sale at the Catholic Mission's Hall

KICKBALL 4 KIDS FOUNDER CHRIS THOMPSON NEEDED TO BE FLOWN TO BLOODVEIN RIVER TO HAND OVER A $2000 WORTH PACKAGE OF SPORT EQUIPMENT

2011-10-02T19:58:00.000-07:00

A GRANT FROM PEPSI HE RECEIVED AND WANT TO FIT 5 SCHOOLS IN NORTHERN FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES

Here his experience coming to Bloodvein:

If Rock Throwing and Streching the Neck Hole of Your Shirt ever become Olympic sports, Canada has a lock on the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for years to come.

For the tiny remote community of Bloodvein, there lies a veritable wealth of raw, untapped talent.

Thanks to our failed attempt to get to Bloodvein by ferry last week, I had the honour of being flown up by a wonderful new friend, Edgar Schreiber. I don’t have any fear of flying and even if I did, those fears would have been put easily to rest when Edgar told me that the his plane’s engine was basically the same as a lawnmower motor. Very reassuring. Edgar was an excellent pilot. And since I have to talk a lot in my regular job, I welcomed the opportunity to rest my voice while in his plane… Not because it isn’t possible to speak over the sound of the lawnmower motor, but because Edgar is a very gifted story teller and is a fountain of information about everything aeronautical!!

But back to the rock throwing and neck hole stretching. As I saw in the first two communities, Bloodvein’s youth are starved for things to do. Unfortunately, you can only break a window once and then the fun is gone. The window gets boarded up and you must move on. It isn’t often that you find an LCD TV in a garbage pile but, once again, once you smash it down into its component parts, you must move on.

You can only pester the town dogs for so long before they play dead so that you will leave them alone and move on!
Many of the buildings in this town are made of sheet metal. This serves a couple purposes. 1) Metal walls are somewhat fireproof, 2) When the white folks are inside these buildings setting up a clothing sale and you bombard the building with rock, it makes an AWESOME racket! We were hit from all side, including the roof. And when anyone would go check to see if the sky was, in fact falling, all the kids wanted was to come inside.

When the clothes were laid out and the residents were allowed in, the sale was a huge success. At $0.25 per article, there were some great buys and many happy faces! But after the clothes were purchased, the kids were bored once again.

And I know that I look EXACTLY like a jungle gym, but I have never had so many kids trying to climb me! We needed to start the gym night!

First, we packed the gym with equipment and then we packed it with kids. It was basically 2 straight hours of (somewhat) organized chaos. FAS plus ADHD times about 90% of the children equals total mayhem! I tip my cap to Matt, Dylan, Rick and Eliz. They did a fantastic job of organizing the games for these uberhyperactive youngsters. Definition of uberhyperactive?

See the photos of Mitch in the black shirt. Those pictures were taken at the end of the night and he clearly still had energy left to burn. Mitch was, by far the athlete of the day.

Half the size of most other kids, it seemed as though he was on a mission to shake the nickname that his friends had given him (a nickname that rhymes perfectly with his given name).

My day was long, but not nearly as long as that of Matt, Dylan, Rick and Eliz. Still, I had to go home and party. (Oh, I should probably explain that. After the gym night at the school on the Jackhead Reserve, a young fella asked me if I wanted to “party”. I told him that I was definitely interested in “partying” but that my idea of a party involved a nice long soak in a bathtub with some Epsom salts and possibly a crossword puzzle. Suddenly, he didn’t seem to interested in partying with me anymore).

Maybe I should have taken a cue from the dogs and just played dead halfway through the day.

And if the gift to me from the last school was the beautiful black rock from the shy little girl, the gift to me on this day, was the most beautiful Northern Lights show that I have ever seen.

FLYING MINISTERS TO TENT MEETINGS IN ISLAND LAKE FIRST NATION

2011-09-18T19:08:00.001-07:00

A huge white tent was the meeting point for people from Island Lake First Nation Community for 3 days.

click on the pictures to enlarge

I had the privilege to fly in Pastor Marcel Okomow and his daughters from God's River (about 1/2 hour flight north of Island Lake).

Marcel's daughter Marylov recently lost her husband, but her faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has given her a special gift to reach out to other people and comfort them with her warmth and faithful spirit in their times of struggle.

So she was a vital part during these days of tent meetings, giving her testimony and speaking about her experience with God in her grief and mourning.

Another family from Round Lake First Nation (located 1.5 flying hours east of Island Lake) attended the meetings as Pastor, speaker and counceler: Terry, his wife Saloma, daughter Marceline and two grand-kids.

After returning Marcel and his daughters to God's Lake and the family of five to Round Lake, I had a smooth 3 hour Night-flight back home to St. Andrews - most of the flight was in 10,000 feet (3 kilometres), the wind up there was in favour to me pushing me back home.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AUGUST 19th-21th - ISLAND LAKE

2011-08-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

First Group

NEM flew 8 volunteers for Interlake Christian Fellowship Church to Island Lake First Nation Community about 2.5 hrs by small airplane NE of Winnipeg Manitoba.

Because we needed two trips to bring all eight people to Island Lake, we had to have 550 ltr of fuel available at Arborg (2.5 hrs north of Winnipeg)

The program for this time was Vacation Bible School, re-connect and encourage the Christians in their effort to serve their community and some work on the Church building "Jesus Name Church", Pastor Joe Little built during the last ten years - sadly he passed away about a month ago, but his wife Julliet and Pastor Marcel Okomow from God's River First Nation are going to have tent meetings (Evangelization) September 9th till 11th.

Jonathan Hofer, one of the volunteers gives us a summary:

As I watch Brother Edgar pack the plane with our luggage, fishing rods, food etc. for our trip up north for our annual Bible School on the Garden Hill First Nation; I am praying that God would protect us and watch over us and for sure keep this Cessna 185 in the air as we fly. It is a beautiful little plane and it testifies the name of God as is zooms through the air, off course by the flight registration number which say C-FGOD, and the logo in the back which shows an eagle and the words, Northern Eagle Ministries together with a bible verse Isiah40,31 ; it is really fitting with the occasion and a thankfulness wells up in my heart that we have access to such a blessed brother who spends his time flying and ministering to people and being there for us as we carry out what God has laid upon our hearts that is to work amongst the First Nations People of this Province, Manitoba. I am also VERY VERY thankful for those that by faith give to this mission and support it financially, without it the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not be spread.

We lift of and with cheers from our families on the side of the grassy airstrip our thoughts turns towards the upcoming days and what they will be filled with, we pray silently as we watch the scenery go by beneath us and the further north we go the more desolate the land becomes, actually beautiful, we can see lots of rivers, ice road trails, rock, huge amount of trees, all kinds of shapes and sizes of lakes and even at odd times we can see broken down cars sitting beside the ice road trails and also the odd cabin, but yet the place is void of people and I had to wonder what hope there would be if we would have to make a crash landing but God protected us and within 2 hours or so we caught a glimpse of Island Lake and within minutes we were making a full circle over the island and descended onto the gravel air strip, we unloaded our luggage and walked over to the airport where they loaded our luggage on a little wagon and off we went down to the dock where we loaded into a boat taxi and started our 15 minute boat ride on a beautiful lake across to the Garden Hill Reserve, as we came up to the Hydro Dock we see Brother Randy Schrock waiting for us with a big smile, (he and 3 others had flown in, in the morning with Edgar, there were 2 flights that day with that plane, thanks Edgar it must have been a long day) we unloaded and headed towards Julliet Little's house where we stayed for the weekend, actually the girls stayed in the house and us 5 guys stayed in the church house on the floor, very thankful for the good night's rest we had every night. Joe and his wife have built and pastured this little flock for a long time, and with sadness I say our dear brother Joe has left this earth and is united with His Friend Jesus in heaven whom he served faithfully here on this earth.

Vacation Bible school was our main focus and the door has been opened for us towards the children, so next morning we drove down to the TV station and announced that we were here for our annual vacation Bible School and that all the children were welcome to attend, each team member introduced themselves and we sang a song too, than we went back to the little church house and set up everything we needed to, to get going that afternoon, spent time praying and opened the door around 1:30 to the first little knock on the door, my heart goes out to children and such Joy when at last they flocked in quite loud boisterous, but I must say that I prayed for each little face that walked through that door, we spent time praying with them, we had a felt board along where we could add felt pieces as we walked through the Bible story with them, those little eyes were glued to the board and took it all in, we were amazed that some of them remembered from last year some of the details of the Bible stories and it was a blessing for us to see that, the seed of the Word is planted and God will give the increase, His Word tells us that it will not come back void and on that promise we stand firmly, because it is being proven by all who have been saved by His Word.

We had two little songs which we made our theme songs and we were delighted to hear them sing the songs with a huge amount of enthusiasm and great smiling faces without a mistake a few short days later, also we had a theme verse, (John 3:16) which they learned fast too. Late in the evening when we were playing red rover with them, which seemed to be a favorite with them some of them would burst out singing a line or two from the songs, it thrilled our hearts to hear that.
   We had recess and they need a lot of attention individually which we see from the start who needs the most, who needs special one on one and even sometimes a firm no is needed, the response is amazing and within a day they're all begging to be carried on our shoulders to a tree where they can pick berries high up, o how my heart goes out just thinking of them, sometimes there were 2 hanging on to us just soaking in the love and compassion that they so lack, and that is, what I would like to bring out, we don't really have or push an agenda, these dear children need individual care and different kinds of attention and that is what we try and focus on. There were some 14 year olds that are sitting on the verge of decision on joining the drug, alcohol, immoral life style and on the other hand giving their young hearts over to the one that brings true peace and joy. We ask for a lot of prayer on their behalf.
   We spent the first evening with some older youth boys fishing and just being there for them, if they need to talk, we caught enough fish for our supper that night and were blessed with eating fresh fish, which we don't often have here at home. Some of the team members spent time walking door to door inviting children to come and join us next day and also to talk with the parents and others who are there to get to know them and invite them to come over to, also have been blessed with having parents, individuals ask questions and we are blessed by being able to share the gospel with them.
   Lots of the people are hopeless and depressed because of the living conditions on those islands and they need to hear of the true and lasting hope they can find, and that is a command for us to do, to go and preach the gospel and spread the good tidings.
   I would like to say again from the team and our Church here in this little nook of this big world in Arborg, Manitoba, thank you so much Edgar for the countless times where you have been there for us when we needed to go up north short notice to funerals etc, when these dear people begged us to come and comfort them and all the trips to the different reserves to share the gospel, also want to extend another thank you to all those who support financially the mission, airplane needs and also those who donate the Bibles and 101 Bible stories books for the children. Keep praying for us as we go and share the Gospel that make whole the lives of people. God Bless You All.
                                                                                                                                                                Jonathan Hofer

SERVING RON HUTCHCRAFT MINISTRIES - "ON EAGLES WINGS"

2011-08-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

On August 1st, Northern Eagle Ministries had the privilege to fly Jesselyn from St. Andrews to her home community Cat Lake, a First Nation Fly-In Community in North Western Ontario, 2 hrs by small plane.

Jesselyn came back from a Mission Trip, organized by Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.

Jesselyn with one of the team members

I joined a team called "On Eagles Wings" - it is a Native Youth Ministry from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, equipping native youth to become spiritual rescuers.
We travelled together with 59 other teens 2500 miles by bus to 10 reservations in 4 different states, having 3 outreaches in each reservation that took place in a basket ball court.
I did things, I never imagined I could do like talking to girls, I never met before, sharing what we called a "Hope Story"- it is my testimony - basically it is how my life was, what I went through, my turning point with JESUS and what HE is doing in my life now.

Just seeing GOD working through young believers, was very encouraging and it was a blessing to serve JESUS CHRIST with them.

I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them, but sometimes, they would reject it, because they thought JESUS is a "White Man's God".

So I explained to them, that JESUS is a brown skinned man from a tribe called Judah. This really opened their eyes toward CHRIST.
The founder of "OEW" (On Eagles Wings) counted approximately 700 native americans, who were heading towards destruction, but now heading into salvation during this mission trip.
I plan to use what I have learned to reach my people in my community Cat Lake ON.
I can do all things through JESUS CHRIST, who strengthens me.
This is my calling and I feel very passionate about it - I thank GOD, that there are Ministries, that go out into the world to proclaim what our LORD has done.
Here a link to more information about Ron Hutchcraft Ministries and some pictures from this Mission Trip
http://oew.hutchcraft.com/photo-gallery/summer-of-hope/2011-summer-of-hope

Here is my testimony also called "Hope Story":
My parents separated when I was 11.
I felt, that I could do what I wanted, because no one loved me.
At the age of 12, I had my first drink and I started drinking, smoking weed, and my friends and I would do this every weekend.
My mother committed suicide, when she was drunk - this happened, when I was 17; it was hard for me, because she was my best friend.
About a month later, my uncle drowned when he was drunk and I blamed GOD. I was so frustrated with Him, but I realized, that GOD never said that this wouldn't happen.
I moved in with my dad, that's when I got addicted with snorting drugs and gambling.
One night we were arguing and he started hitting me and saying stuff like "you are a looser", you are "nothing" and he asked me, if I wanted a rope, so I could go and hang myself, just like my mom did; and that all I wanted, was a man, to take care of me.
He was right! - because I do need a man to take care of me and his name is JESUS - ever since I asked HIM into my life I have this JOY this PEACE and NOTHING this world has to offer compares to what I have NOW.
No matter how bad my life falls apart, JESUS is always there to walk me through.
I don't need to get drunk to laugh, I don't need to get high on drugs to feel happy, I don't need to try to commit suicide to get rid of my problems, because the JOY of JESUS is my STRENGTH now.
AND HE CAN DO THE SAME FOR ANYONE WHO CALLS ON HIS NAME !
Jesselyn Gray 19 Ojubwe

FLIGHT TO GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION - FUNERAL PASTOR JOE LITTLE

2011-07-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Click on the pictures to enlarge

On July the 18th and 19th, the reason for our flight to Garden Hoill First Nation Commuity with Interlake Fellowship Church was a sad one - the funeral of Pastor Joe Little.

On both flights (to and from Garden Hill) the smoke from forest fires made our trip a little bit challenging

Interlake Fellowship Church and some of their members supporting Pastor Joe Little's Ministry in the Garden Hill First Nation Community for a number of years - it is located 2 1/2 hour flight by small airplane north-east of Winnipeg.

10 years ago, Pastor Joe started to built a church in his community mostly by himself, obeying God's call to do so.

He and his wife Juliet served this Northern Manitoba First Nation Fly-In Community all their life with counselling, Bible studies, Vacation Bible School and kids camps - they also adopted two kids and raised them together with their two children.

Here some pictures from the wake and funeral service:

August 19th till 22nd, we are going again for Vacation Bible School for kids and teenagers

THE YEARLY BLOODVEIN SHUTTLE FOR PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES

2011-07-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Since a couple of years now, Northern Eagle Ministries serves Pathway Camp Ministries trough Air Transportation on various occasions.

Saturday, July 16th, a team of 13 volunteers from Markham Chinese Baptist Church Toronto with their backpacks and Rick, the Director from Pathway Camp Ministries had to be flown from Pine Dock to Bloodvein First Nation Community on the East side of Lake Winnipeg.

Here some highlights out of Pathway Camp Ministrie's experience during summer camps:

Dear Friends,

Week 3 of summer camp is officially over and we had our last week in Bloodvein. This year a few of the logistics went a little smoother, but not all of them. We arrived at the dock to ship our supplies and 4 people by boat only to hear that our boat taxi driver was out in the lake in a fishing derby and would likely not arrive until 8 p.m. (4 hours after our scheduled time). However, we prayed and he was there only 40 minutes late - turns out the fish weren't biting that day for him. So...with the rest of the team flying over from Pine Dock, we reached Bloodvein in good time. There was confusion about the keys (again), but we got into the Band Hall and were able to get our supper. The house keys were more of a problem. We ended up with two teacherages by about 11 p.m., but they had to break into one to get it open for us. Apparently the locks are being changed next month, so they didn't mind.
It was a crazy night with enough mosquitoes to keep us all awake and also with a lot of rowdiness outside. The culprits ran off as the police came by, so things quieted down by about 4 a.m.
It was quite the week for weather - we were melting from the extreme heat on Monday & Tuesday. On Wednesday we had to end our program early as the power went off after lunch and we had no water or working washrooms, so things could have become quite unsanitary quickly. Then on Thursday it was cold & rainy with extreme winds. Thankfully the winds died down on Friday, enabling us to depart on the ferry. All of these conditions affected the attendance somewhat, but we ended up with 73 registered campers and a daily average of 56.
It was a busy week with very active children, but despite the weather conditions, they did well with their behaviour and their time in chapel. We knew most children from previous years, so it was a time to reinforce the Gospel message. Some of the community teenagers were assigned to "work" with us as part of their summer jobs, but their attendance and participation was sketchy at best. However, Wyatt, a teen we have known since he was 7 at Eagle Bay, was an active participant and did an excellent job. Our young friend Chris also joined us for staff devotions one morning and helped a bit.

Please pray that the truth of God's love will register with the children, particularly when they are insecure or scared. They are many families plagued with addictions and some children just don't go home for days at a time while parents are drinking.
Pray that the teens will have seen a real difference in our team members and will consider their options.
Pray for 3 young teens that are in their final trimester of pregnancies (Joellen, Martina & Danielle) - that they will be safe during delivery and that parenthood would prompt them to seek a better life for their families.

We say goodbye to our team from Markham Chinese Baptist Church today. They did an awesome job surviving the two weeks in the heat and other conditions and the children were sad to see them leave each community. It is a busy weekend as we pick up our next team from Bramalea Alliance and drive north to Chemawawin (Easterville) tonight to begin camp tomorrow morning (Sunday).

Pray for our strength & stamina as we enter Week 4.
Blessings,

Rick & Elizabeth

FLIGHT FOR PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRY TO BLOODVEIN FIRST NATION AND BERENS RIVER FN

2011-05-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 19th, I again had the privilege to fly Rick and Eliz Greer, the Directors of Pathway Camp Ministries into two First Nation Fly-In communities - Bloodvein River and Berens River.

We flew to Bloodvein and Berens River First Nations (both on the East side of Lake Winnipeg, about one hour north of Winnipeg by small plane) to confirm plans with local leadership and promote the upcoming kid's camps in these Communities.
PCM will held week-long Day Camps in seven Manitoba Communities this year.
From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, Monday-Friday in each community. The day is jam-packed with sports, games, crafts, skits, and small group times. We provide the campers with a hot lunch and a snack daily.

More info about this wonderful Ministry here:

http://pathwaycamp.com/?page_id=4

We missed seeing the children in Bloodvein as someone attempted to burn down the school last Sunday (only 2 portables were destroyed) and the school is closed while they clean all the surfaces to attempt to remove the smoke damage.
However, we have acquired the Band Hall for our mealtimes and some other activities for the week of camp. This is a huge improvement in facility for cooking and serving and we are thankful for its availability.

On the way back to Ashern we flew over some Interlake communities we serve with camps, gym-nights and clothing sale like Little Saskatchevan and Lake St. Martin.
Both communities are in a desperate state as the floodwaters continue to rise and swallow many of their homes. LSM has completely evacuated their community and a large number have left from Little Sask.

FLIGHT FROM WINNIPEG INTL. TO FIRST NATION COMMUNITY PIKANGIKUM ON

2011-05-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

We recently installed a belly pod underneath the plane which gives us room for 300 lbs of cargo

Part of the cargo for this trip - two cases with 90 bibles, donated from LifeLight Ministries Winnipeg, one for Fort Hope and one for Pikangikum, available for the women ministry during the weekend.

On Thursday May the 5th, we flew into Winnipeg Intl. to pick-up Native Singer and Evangelist Cheryl Barnetson and her three teenage boys (they have their own band to reach out to the youth) and their music gear, flying them to Pikangikum (1.5 hrs NE of Wpg) for Ministry together with New Mercy Ministries Piper Aztec

Friday (again together with New Mercy Ministries) we fly a Ministry Team of 8 ladies (5 in the Aztec and 3 with me in our Cessna 185) from Thunder Bay to Pikangikum (2.5 hr flight).
We had max. load with 4 people aboard and almost 300 lbs cargo - thanks to the cargo-pod.

The flight must have been a little rough on one of the ladies.
Here we have Linda Klein and Colleen Estres, Cheryl with her three boys and the three ladies I picked up in Thunder Bay.

After dropping off the ladies in Pikangikum, I flew back to Red Lake to pick up building material for the "Living Hope native Ministry's Drop-In Centre" in Pikangikum.
Here some info about this Minsitry:
Colleen Estes and Linda Klein serving Pikangikum First Nation with "Living Hope Native Ministries" for years, running a Drop - In for the youth and also teaching christian values at the school.
Colleen Estes; Pikangikum First Nation,
“He sets the solitary in families.” The Lord has had me be part of the lives of the families here: facilitating weddings, welcoming new additions to the family, birthday celebrations, sharing moose meat, and being with them in times of heart-wrenching loss.
Linda Klein, a committed coworker and skilled teacher, has taken most of the children's ministry responsibilities such as Sunday School and primary Christian Education classes.
Forty-one from here attended the Warrior Leadership Summit native youth discipleship conference this past summer. All were impacted at the conference, but now most are “weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” My heart’s desire is to re-gather and feed these and many others who have open hearts
http://www.livinghopenativeministries.org/documents/Hopelines12.10.pdf

My flight back to Winnipeg/St. Andrews was a smooth one and ended with a night landing.
On Monday, I loaded the plane with supplies and donated food for Pikangikum - the weather was a little bit marginal but manageable.

Arriving in Pikangikum, I learned that the Barnetsons had to go back to Winnipeg right away, because of the worsening weather we had to expect for Tuesday.
We took off (the weather hadn't changed much) and headed for Red Lake to refuel. From there we had a gorgeous flight till about 20 miles before landing, where the weather got challenging - we made it "Just In Time" into St. Andrews. I drove the Barnetsons into Winnipeg to their hotel and we called it a day.

UPCOMING FLIGHTS TO PIKANGIKUM AND FORT HOPE - NORTHERN ONTARIO

2011-04-27T16:11:00.001-07:00

We are presently preparing flights together with New Mercy Ministries (Flights Of Hope) and their Piper Aztec going from Winnipeg to Pikangikum and from Thunder Bay to Pikangikum and Fort Hope.

Both Pikangikum and Fort Hope are Fly-In First Nation Communities.

We take Evangelist Randy Barentsons and family and a Mission Team of ladies from Uxbride ON to minister to the women of these reserves.
http://randybarnetson.com/index.html
We will also have Bibles in our luggage again generously supplied through "LifeLight Ministries" http://www.thelifelight.com/

We used the winter month to install a Inertia Reel Seat Belt System for the pilot and the co-pilot seat and a belly pod - so now we can carry bulky stuff up to 300 lbs underneath the airplane, which helps carrying max. load closer to the CG (Centre of Gravity)

BIBLE DISTRIBUTION TO NORTHERN MANITOBA COMMUNITIES

2011-04-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with a business trip to some Northern Communities by pickup truck, we were able to deliver over 900 bibles generously provided through "LifeLight Ministries - Bibles for today" Winnipeg (http://www.thelifelight.com/).

We brought the bibles to two places: Cross Lake and Norway House - both First Nation Communities about 9 hrs drive north of Winnipeg.

A christian couple running a restaurant in Cross Lake, want to go door to door to hand out the bibles.
My other friend in Norway House - one of the few native Commercial Pilots, want to forward the bibles to churches and also to people he know in his community

PRAISE THE LORD

PATHWAY's FLIGHT TO BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

2010-10-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Edgar is saying: It is so good to be back on the controls:

On October the 12th and 13th, I flew Rick and Elizabeth Greer from Pathway Camp Ministries together with their new team-member Mike Bustin to Berens River First Nation, a Fly-In community in Northern Manitoba, a 1.5 hour flight by small airplane north of Winnipeg on the east shore of Lake Winnipeg.

They had planned a clothing sale and a meeting with the community leaders to plan the 2011 Camp and report on this years summer camp.

Pathway Camp Ministries is getting clothing from all over the country (sometimes new stuff) as a service to the Northern Manitoba Communities.

During the meeting, everybody involved, praised the kid's attitude during camp and how they like Pathway to come back next year.

It was a successful meeting with commitments on both sides.

The flight back to Winnipeg was a smooth and scenic ride.

BACK IN BUSINESS

2010-10-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

PRAISE the LORD, since last week I have my pilot license back with full privileges.

We are planning a flight to Berens River First Nation, a Fly-In community 1.5 flying hours north of Winnipeg with Pathway Camp Ministries mid October.

FLYING TO GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION FOR ONE WEEK VACATON BIBLE SCHOOL

2010-09-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

On August the 23rd, Bill Funk, our interim volunteer pilot, flew eight members from Interlake Christian Fellowship Church to Garden Hill First Nation Community to support the Jesus Name Church with a week long Vacation Bible School.

Garden Hill is a two hour flight by small airplane north-east of Winnipeg.

Due to we have only 5 passenger seats, it took two flights with a little bit of fuel planning, because there is no Avgas available at Garden Hill.

Thanks to the generous support of William at Jack Pine Resort (he let us use his private airstrip), we were able to cut on the distance to fly and the time.

Katie Schrock writes:

"Bible School started on Tuesday afternoon and the children were very glad to see the team members and were very eager for our attention - they would follow us and hang onto the guy's arms.

For the Bible Stories we used a felt board - we had skits, object lessons and singing.

The children really got into the singing - they would help holding up the song sheets and sang loud".

PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES SHUTTLE 2010

2010-07-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Due to health reason, I couldn't fly this years
PATHWAY SHUTTLE to BLOODVEIN.
So I asked a very good friend of mine, whether he would be willing to volunteer - here he is:
Bill, a gifted airplane mechanic (AME), professional Bushpilot and Crop-Sprayer -
and he loves to fly the "Buck 85"

Click on the pictures to enlarge
The task was the same as every year -
- to shuttle a team of 13 volunteers/workers from Markham Chinese Baptist Church Toronto with their backpacks and Rick, the Director from Pathway Camp Ministries from Pine Dock to Bloodvein -
- they had already a week camp in Grand Rapids

They did once again an excellent job - presenting the Gospel and Loving the kids

Go to Pathway Camp Ministries website to learn more about their program in Manitoba's Northern Communities

http://www.icmsgo.com/pages/pathway/pathway_02.html

COINCIDENCE OR GOD's PLANNING

2010-05-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here the first part of the story:

I was planning a flight to support Pathway Camp Ministry’s effort working together with their associates Phil Hood and Greg Meeres (Greg has filmed documentaries all over the world) and approximately 15 students from Grades 8 & 9 producing a video for the Community of Bloodvein MB, a community, only accessible by plane, boat or winter-road.

My part was to fly the students and the filmmakers over the community, so they could have some air shootings and to deliver a box with bibles for the students involved.

Now the "Coincidence or God's Planning" part:

Marge from Lifelight http://www.lifelightministries.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2 called and asked for a story how we as Northern Eagle Ministries deliver bibles into the Fly-In Communities of Northern Manitoba, referring to plans Wayne Herrod (volunteering for Lifelight) and I had weeks ago, flying into these Northern Communities and handing out Bibles.

Because we haven’t gone, I didn’t had a story, but I told her about my planning, the empty space in my plane and the time I have to go to two other communities before I am expected to fly the students with their film crew, and she was wondering, why she had an e-mail on her computer, saying that Bloodvein Nursing Station requested bibles – coincidence – I don’t believe that.

It took Marge and Wayne only 4 hours to organize bibles, talking to principles and nurses in charge of 3 northern communities, and I received 19 boxes with 755 lbs bibles (about 750 books) and was on my way to load the plane up to the ceiling and max. load incl. fuel and two guys.

With me came the Director of “Youth for Christ” Selkirk and we visited the nursing stations and schools of Poplar River First Nation, Berens River First Nation and Bloodvein First Nation, handing out easy-to-read bibles and had some good chats with the nurses in charge, health director’s and principles.

'
Linda Laite, Principal Poplar River School

Nancy Whiteway, Principal
Berens River School

We had a longer talk with Jackie Everett, Health Director Berens River, about the problems people facing in the remote Northern Communities: the effects of loss of family through foster care, suicide, addictions and violence.

Jackie Everett, Health Director Berens River

MEETING ONE OF OUR SUPPORTERS

2010-03-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

I had the priviledge to meet one of our supporters in person - Anna Smith - the director of the NATIVE CHILDREN's FOUNDATION of CANADA Inc

And here is, what she had to say:
My name is Anna Smith and I am Director of the Native Children’s Foundation of Canada Inc.

We help support Rick and Elizabeth Greer of Pathway Camp Ministries and it was through them, that I heard about Northern Eagle Ministries, as Ed had flown them into various Native communities in the North. I was very impressed with what they had to say and also I admit I was very curious and decided I would like to meet this couple. Ed happened to be passing through Orillia, Ontario on his way back to Manitoba and we met at a Tim Horton’s for coffee and chat.

I was immediately impressed with the intensity of this man and the love of Christ that shone from his eyes and the tenderness when he spoke of His Lord. I have spoken with Gisela by phone and she is just as tender as her mate. Later, I prayed and asked the Lord direction re helping to support this wonderful work of Northern Eagle Ministries.

Our Lord works in absolutely wonderful ways and it is a joy and a privilege to come alongside this dear couple to help support a much needed and important ministry into the fly-in communities of the North.

FIRST WINTER TRIP TO BLOODVEIN FOR PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES

2009-12-09T07:30:00.001-08:00

There she is in minus 29 Celsius soaked cold, waiting for our first trip North - to Bloodvein - 1.5 hr flight north of Winnipeg Manitoba.

On bord Rick and Eliz Greer from Pathway Camp Ministries and 250 lbs donated books for the school - once we arrived and put the books on a big table, the teachers asked if Santa Claus delivers early this year.

It was pretty cold in the airplane - outside minus 22 inside despite heater on - not much warmer.

BACK ON WHEELS FOR THE WINTER SEASON

2009-11-22T07:07:00.001-08:00

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Here some pictures made during the swap from amphibs to wheels

Two eyebolts holding the whole plane

Done - back on the ground safe and sound

Installing the engine pre-heaing system

and a new regulator - ready to go

MISSIONTRIP TO PAUINGASSI FIRST NATION

2009-10-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Again, with the same two members from Interlake Christian Community Church, Randy Schrock and Abe Wall, we flew to Paungassi First Nation, which is a fly-in community about 1.5 hrs north/east of Winnipeg by small plane - in summer accessible only by floatplane - so it was perfect to have the floats.

It's not only to have the option to land on water at the desired destination, as well as enroute, you have just a safer feeling to have floats underneth, due to the area we are going, has a lot of lakes - each one is a potential landing "strip" in case of an emergency.

No meetings had been planned - we want to be open for the Holy Spirit to guide us with visiting the people.
Some of them were known to Randy and Abe from previous visits, other's were people we were asked to go to.
We had a wonderfull time in spending time together, to encourage one another and having the opportunity to pray.

Another opportunity to share the Gospel was a visit at the radio station, where Randy and Abe spoke to the community.

This empty teacher's house was generously made available four us.

Winston and his sister provided food for us - thank you so much for your hospitality.

Our flight home from Pauingassi to Gimli

C-FGOD on floats flying to the ICYA (Innercity Youth Alive) wilderness camp

2009-09-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to lern more about Inner City Youth Alive (http://www.icya.ca/about/index.html ).
Since I heard from ICYA (which stands for Inner City Youth Alive - a registered, non-profit ministry that works with youth in the north end and core area of Winnipeg, our city's most needy neighbourhoods)
Click on the pictures to enlarge
I want to see their wilderness camp at Gem Lake which is 29 NM NE Lac Du Bonnet), to figure out, whether there would be a possibility for me to volunteer.
Soon after, I received a phonecall from Del Fast, the father from Camp Program Director Jordon, asking whether I could fly two elderly supporters (his mother in law and his dad) to the camp, because they won't be able to walk 2 km trough the woods. Nice planning - thanks to God, now I had a reason to show up at the camp.
There is also a cottage on a nearby island, which is used for the boys during night, when they have mixed gender during a camp.

Here some pictures fro m the camp.

A picture from our flight back to St. Andrews - this huge "garage door" was on course

MISSIONTRIP TO GOD'S RIVER FIRST NATION

2009-09-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Click on the pictures to enlarge

With two members from Interlake Christian Fellowship Church near Arborg MB (which is a 1.5 hr drive north of Winnipeg), we flew to God's River First Nation (3.5 hr flight by small plane) from Friday 18th till Monday 21th to attend their 10 day Revival Meeting to encourage and have fellowship with our brothers and sisters from the North.
We came back blessed and overwhelmed with their love for us.

God's River's radio station was meeting point for the evangelists from 3 different First Nation communities to broadcast the evening meetings.

It was a wonderful and blessed time with about 4 hrs church-time every evening. Two black Evangelists from "New Life Ministries" Georgia were there too, with an incredible message to share - One of the highlights were: "Don't gamble with your soul".
You won't believe, that the shorter one is 75 years old, the other is 50.

I had the opportunity to share out of my life, how Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, turned my life around and guided me out of my self-confident lifestyle.

I also presented the Overcomers Outreach Program (http://www.overcomersoutreach.org/)
OO provides Christ-centered recovery support and fellowship for those, whose quality of life has suffered due to problems such as difficulty in relationships, codependency, addiction any kind, eating disorder,gambling, obsessive/compulsive behavior and others.We are looking forward to establish regular meetings in a approved OO format to provide anonymity, safety and accountability of the group.
Fellowship in Recovery

Reconciliation to God & His Family

Education about Chemicals & Addiction

Edification through Faith in Christ

Dedicated Service to others

On Sunday, we celebrated a double baptism (a young couple from this community) done by Marcel Okemow (Pastor of the local Apostolic Church) and one of the Evangelist from Geogia.

The birds were on the ground on Monday, so why should we take off - so we went 30 minutes by boat to an abandoned camp to evaluate how it could be restored to hold Summer Bible Camps.
On the way back to the community, the out-border made a big buzz and jelled for oil - the only one we had, was Canola oil for the moose meat and potatoes we had at the camp. The engine quit and we became a play-ball to the elements water and wind. But thank God, another boat came along with some motoroil.

We had a great flight home, as you can see with all the lakes, the amphibs are THE safety factor in case of an engine failure.
You also recognize the round earth shape at the horizon.

PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES TO BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

2009-09-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Rick and Elizabeth from Pathway Camp Ministries (http://www.icmsgo.com/pages/pathway/pathway_01.html) - also with ICMS - had to be flown to Berens River First Nation on SEP 16th for review of this years summer camp and discuss the possibility and logistics of new programs.

See blog from JUL 24th and AUG 10th

C-FGOD ON A SPECIAL MISSIONTRIP TO EAA AIR VENTURE AT OSHKOSH - MMS Field Report #4: Thursday At Oshkosh, Cessna 185

2009-08-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in Field Report #1, the amphibious Cessna 185 that MMS restored for ministry in Canada is participating in this year's AirVenture.

The airplane's previous owner had the misfortune of landing the airplane, on water, with the landing gear extended from the floats causing the airplane to flip and incur severe damage. Edgar, the missionary who purchased the airplane as scrap, heard about MMS Aviation and asked if we could help him restore and repair the airplane for missionary use in Canada. We said we could and shortly after that Edgar towed the damaged and disassembled airplane up from Texas to our hangar facility in Coshocton, Ohio.

Edgar and the Cessna 185 arrive at MMS.

The airplane undergoing restoration and repair at MMS.

After restoration in Ohio and missionary service in Canada, here's the 185 moored at the AirVenture seaplane base.

Edgar and friends getting ready to fly.

The seaplane base viewed from the air.

Missionary airplanes, like missionary pilots and mechanics, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are better suited for one type of work than another, some better suited for one environment than another, and each having different capabilities by design or God's gifting as best meets the mission need.

C-FGOD ON A SPECIAL MISSIONTRIP TO EAA AIR VENTURE AT OSHKOSH - MMS Field Report #1: Monday at Oshkos

2009-08-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MMS Field Report #1: Monday at Oshkosh

While Monday started bright and clear in Oshkosh, an afternoon thundershower did move through the area creating some challenges for schedules, activities, and transportation. The report from our team is that everyone is doing well and is fully involved.

IAMA Tent & MMS Display
The majority of the mission-related displays are going to be featured in the tent sponsored by the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA).

IAMA tent before display set-up.

Here's our display inside the IAMA tent.

Cessna 185 Restoration Reunion
Several years ago, MMS finished a complete restoration of a crash-damaged Cessna 185 for missionary use in Canada. The airplane came with amphibious floats which also needed to be repaired and restored. It was a long, labor-intensive, yet rewarding project that has allowed Edgar S., the missionary pilot, to effectively meet ministry needs throughout the region surrounding Lake Winnipeg.

Edgar flew the plane down to AirVenture with his wife, Gisella, and friend, Karl.

Edgar's, MMS restored, Cessna 185

Edgar, Gisella, and Karl at their display tent at the seaplane base.

Zambian Reunion
Another reunion took place as well. Two years ago, Tim and Scott G. traveled to Zambia, Africa to assist Jacques, a missionary pilot, make repairs to Cessna 206 he operated in Congo. They formed a great working relationship and weren't sure they'd ever have the privilege to meet up with Jacques again in this life. But who did Tim and Scott bump into Monday in the IAMA tent? That's right, Jacques!

Scott, Jacques, and Tim.

Behind The Scenes with MASA
Michele is busy working behind the scenes as part of the Missionary Aviation Support Association's (MASA) effort to handle the logistics required by caring for the 400 or so missionaries who've traveled to Oshkosh for the event. Michele helped with registration and is responsible for helping make sure that all the missionares are fed. I believe she helped oversee more than 1000 meals on Monday in the MASA tent.

Michele organizes registration materials.

Stay tuned and check back often for additional AirVenture updates and field reports!

PATHWAY SHUTTLE TO BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

2009-08-10T22:57:00.001-07:00

Two more staff members from Pathway Camp Ministries had to be flown into the Fly-In community of Berens River, located 280 km north of Winnipeg.

Click on this link to learn about Pathway Camp Ministries (http://www.icmsgo.com/pages/pathway/Pathway_news_01.htm)

FLY 4 LIFE

2009-08-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

One of the big themes this year at Oshkosh was Mission- and Humanitarian Aviation under the Logo: FLY 4 LIFE - check this link:
http://www.fly4life.org/

GOING TO OSHKOSH WITH A MEANING
our trip to Oshkosh - the largest Airshow worldwide - followed an invitation from MMS (mmsaviation.org) being part of their presence as training facility for airplane mechanics preparing for their ministry with flying Mission Organizations worldwide.

We were at the seaplane base as a display for the restoration work MMS had done to our float-plane and had also the opportunity to present the Ministry this plane is now able to do with several Mission Organizations operating into Fly In communities of Northern Manitoba

Our wonderful hosts Bobbie and Keith:

talking to Chad, a MAF pilot, operating a Cessna Caravan Amphib in Bangladesh

READY TO GO - TO OSHKOSH

2009-07-26T03:13:00.000-07:00

After lots of paperwork, electronic filing for border-crossing, flight-plans for Canada and the US and weather-briefing, we are ready to go

THIS YEAR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT YEAR FOR MISSION FLYING

MISSION and HUAMNITARIAN AVIATION IS ONE OF THE THEME in 2009

look it up here:
http://www.iamanet.org/category/iama-news/

and here a virtual tour through the Fly4Life tent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvOdjaL-k4Q

C-FGOD will fly on amphibs to the Oshkosh Seaplane base to represent MMS (the organization rebuilt C-FGOD and amphibs after flip-over in saltwater) and the Ministries we are connected to in Northern Manitoba and Ontario like Pathway Camp Ministries, Pentecostal Church of Canada, Northern Mission Service out of Winnipeg and others

see MMS here
http://www.mmsaviation.org/

Pathway Shuttle

2009-07-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

16 staff members had to be flown cross Lake Winnipeg for Summer Camp in Bloodvein

WEDDING - FLOATS AND PLANE

2009-07-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

Here we go

Working on the Amphibs

2009-07-09T08:26:00.001-07:00

All new hardware

Tight fit for working on the power pack

Almost done

NEXT BIG EVENT FOR C-FGOD - OSHKOSH

2009-06-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

This year is the most important year for Mission Aviation at the Oshkosh event:

MISSION and HUAMNITARIAN AVIATION IS ONE OF THE THEME in 2009

look it up here:
http://www.iamanet.org/category/iama-news/

and here a virtual tour through the Fly4Life tent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvOdjaL-k4Q

C-FGOD will fly on amphibs to the Oshkosh Seaplane base to represent MMS (the organization rebuilt C-FGOD and amphibs after flip-over in saltwater) and the Ministry we are connected to in Northern Manitoba and Ontario

see MMS here
http://www.mmsaviation.org/

NEXT STEP - PUTTING THE AMPHIBS ON

2009-06-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

Assembling spreader bars

Rebuilt to new condition at MMS Aviation Coshocton Ohio

C-FGOD GOT WING EXTENSIONS AND MORE LIFT

2009-06-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

There she is

click here to see the first flight with extensions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5YckO9c1QU

With the wing extension the wingspan increased from 35 ft to 38 ft - these are almost 9% more wing surface and increases the payload with 400 lbs

here the extensions in process

Logo on our plane

2009-06-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

A very good friend of ours created us a nice logo for the plane
(click on the picture to enlarge)

We are now a Ministry of ICMS

2009-05-05T21:44:00.002-07:00

Please click on this link and then on Northern Ministry Service

http://www.icmsgo.com/

Settlement north of Selkirk

2009-01-28T19:07:00.002-08:00

Last year we bought a 80 acr piece of land, long enough for a landing strip and close enough to water for float operation

NMS served Aboriginal Pentecostal Ministries

2009-01-22T08:34:00.002-08:00

NMS served for a Church planting Project in North Spirit Lake, a fly-in community located east of Red Lake and Northwest of Sioux Lookout of roughly 500 people.

This group of dedicated Christians put up the building in less than a week
Right in the middle of this picture is the church foundation

NMS served Pathway Camp Ministries in 2008

2009-01-21T10:02:00.002-08:00

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Missionary and Pilot Byron Unger with his puppet "George" used C-FGOD to bring the Gospel into Northern Manitoba

2009-01-21T09:23:00.002-08:00

Missionary Byron Unger from Winnipeg, is a full time, dedicated Missionary to the youth , who preaches the Gospel with a puppet (George), a giant board and a guitar in schools, bible camps, churches and tent evangelisations - mostly Mantoba and the rest of Canada, but also some places in the States.

His long time vision is, putting ‘George’ and the guitar into a small airplane to make occasional winter ministry trips up to Northern Manitoba to preach the Gospel.

In May 2006 he obtained his pilot license, which was the first step to fulfill that very desire.

For a couple of years, Byron was looking for a Cessna 185, which, with it's performace and capacity called pick-up truck of the air. This 6-seat bush plane would be perfectly suited for ministry use up north, but he learned over the years, they are very rare to find around the Winnipeg area, registered for private use, and available for ministry.

Since years my wife Gisella and I have this vision to use our plane (Cessna 185) for missionwork in Northern Manitoba and Ontario.

Now God's planning came in action and brought us together and after we shared our heart's desire, we realized: God answered our prayers.

There was a lot of planning and preparation to accomplish before we could set out on our “first missionary journey”. But, on April 14, 2007, the bush plane loaded to capacity with “George”, the Giant Cut-Out Board, guitar, sound equipment, two pilots, and all of their gear - we departed to Thompson, MB on a 5 day trip to preach the Gospel and encourage missionaries around the North. Praise the Lord for all His goodness and guidance!! It happened!

HERE THE TRIP - CLICK ON IT TO ZOOM

NEWSLETTER July 2006

2009-01-16T07:47:00.002-08:00

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