Harvest Party On Sunday (Oct 18th)

This Sunday is one more of the Heartland Family Fun series.

This week it's the Harvest Party At The Maarhuis Farm.

Rain or Shine come to the Maarhuis Farm at 49309 Chilliwack Central Rd

It all starts at 2:00pm

Pumpkin carving, hayride, weiner roast and more fun.

Please bring the following
- lawn chairs
- roasting food (ie weiners)
- roasting sticks
- juice or pop

Forgetfulness Part II

The school district is more than supportive and helpful to us as tenants to their schools on Sundays. We have a great working relationship with them and the no show from the janitor last week really was unusual. They went out of their way to apologize and of course we are very appreciative for them and their support.

So last week we were ready after the outdoor service to see things sort of come back to normalicy. The janitor was there early to let us in and we started set up but we soon realized that we didn't have any speakers. It was my job to pick up the speakers on Saturday from the rental place, but .... so, we huddled again and decided to go completely unplugged. No amplification of sound.

The musicians were up for the challenge. Heather and Melanie were great. We moved the chairs all closer in and I as people arrived we tried to explain that we were going to be unplugged that morning. I was loosing my marbles and some people prayed for me and I was fine after that. The service started and it was again memorable.

I did go this week to the rental shop and I have the speakers and extra cables ready to go.

Hopefully, I or anyone else doesn't forget much this coming Sunday.

Forgetfulness

With all our sound equipment gone, we had a few days to pull together some equipment for the upcoming Sunday gathering. Brian did a huge effort detailing stuff missing and renting enough equip for Sunday. Alex bought a new lock and put in extra hours following up on things.

Sunday came and there was a lot happening that morning. There was going to be a baptism, some testimonies, a pot-luck after the service -- just a whole lot of fun and good stuff - and add the edge of patching together a sound system.

I got to the school early at around 8:50 to get a jump on the setup. The janitor usually arrives at 8:55ish. But by 9:12 no janitor. Made a ton of calls to janitor and school district office - all answering machines. 9:16 we realize that we will not have access to the school. We huddled around and thought of our options. Mike DV had some generators and kevin went to pick them up. We found an outside hose tap to fill the tank for the baptism. Some extra tents showed up for shade. It was going to be an outside service on a hot day.

Brian patched the sound together using one generator and the other generator was used to keep the crock pots hot for the potluck.

The service was special and raw. Carina and Kyle professed their faith and Carina was baptised. Very emotional. It was a special morning. And the food after was great. Melanie did a great job co-ordinating all the social part of things.

It was quite something to see how people pitched in happily to make a difficult situation turn into something fun and very meaningful.

Welcome Coby Grace!

Coby Grace was born into this world yesterday, Sept 23!

A new sister to Finn. Mom and Dad are doing great!

The Storage Bin Break-In

Got a call last week Friday from the school that we rent on Sunday's, that our storage bin door was open. I was visiting with some other ministry people in Abbotsford and left the meeting early and drove to the school.

I called our setup team leader, Alex, and he got to the school before me and noticed that the bin door was open and all our sound gear was gone. Probably $15-20K worth of stuff. Sound board, speakers, monitors, cables, etc.

The church people are troubled that someone would be that desperate that they would need to steal from a church. We are more concerned for the people that needed to steal than we are the stuff that was taken. The church owned equipment will be replaced over time, but the people who stole the stuff are more valuable to us than the equipment.

The church has an insurance policy, but we are unsure how much of the equipment will be covered.

This is difficult news for us, as we are trying our best to help people. In just two days, this Sunday, we will be discussing as a church family how to help people in the community in a more intentional way. We are growing in this. This theft will give us more resolve to help others.

Scott Elzinga and Heartland Fellowship

On the morning of Friday, May 29th 2009, the Elzinga family buried their son and brother, Scott Elzinga. Scott was 18 years of age and was tragically killed in a farm accident on May 23rd. The Celebration of Life service was held On May 29th at 1:30pm at 1st Avenue Church in Chilliwack.

More than 1200 people in a sea of orange were in attendance to remember Scott and remember the work of God in Scott's life.

Patt and Bouwe along with their three girls Hannah (Matt), Shanine (Chris) and Heidi invited everyone to the family farm for refreshments. Hundreds of people came and with them food. With a harp playing in the background, people visited, grieved and gave thanks to God for the life he gave Scott.

Scott was born on September 14, 1990, baptized on Oct 14, 1990 and professed his faith in Christ publically on Easter morning, 2006. Scott graduated from Unity Christian High School in 2008 and completed one year of college at Columbia Bible College where he played basketball.

Our Heartland family was shocked at the news of Scott's death. Scott was one of us and it is difficult to accept the reality that he is no longer with us. The day after the accident, we gathered for worship as a church family and surrounded the Elzinga's with our prayers and promises from God. It was an emotional and deep time of prayer, worship and hearing the word of God.

When people first heard the news, many people came to the farm right away. Food, offers of help and many loving hugs and tears were given. In the days that followed, the Heartland family was mobilized to help the Elzinga's. There were immediate needs (food and being present) along with short term needs - services and events to plan and the people of Heartland stopped their regular routines and helped and cared.

From my perspective as a pastor, I have never seen that deep and widespread expressions of care and mercy in my 15 years of ministry. So many took the initiative, self-organized, and gave. From my heart and the heart of the Elzinga's, thank-you Heartland!

During the viewing, on Thursday, May 28th at Woodlawn funeral home, the family gathered for prayer. We read together Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Please continue to pray and seek ways to support the family in the long term. The family is coping with your prayer, but the road ahead of them will be difficult.

Scott Elzinga

The Celebration of Life Service for Scott Elzinga will be held on Friday May 29, at 1:30pm at 1st Avenue Church in Chilliwack.

Grave Side Service is at 10:30am at Vedder View Gardens

Viewing is at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28 from 7:30-9:00pm

Visit Scott's Rest In Peace Facebook memorial page here

Everyone is invited to the Elzinga's 47845 Lindell Rd., after the service for a time of fellowship. If you are attending, we are asking that you please bring a potluck dish, as well as your own plate,cutlery, and lawnchairs. Refreshments will be provided.

Bruins Faith Night 09

Faith Night 09 was on Friday, February 20th when the Bruins hosted the Rockets.  

It was worth all the effort leading up to the event.  This was my first large event that I was a part of - the Bruins staff put on one every home game.  I am amazed at how much work goes into putting on a WHL hockey game.  There are the rink operations staff, the Bruins staff, people that we brought in from the community to promote their cause and the band Sterr who provided great music for us.  It was a lot of co-ordinating for everyone.  

I was left with so many impressions.  The Bruins staff were wonderful.  They wanted to make this event positive for everyone and they went out of their way to do so.   Thanks Barry, Derek, Vanni, Jacob, Andrea, Janice, Zelda, Robbie and Randy.  The coaches, Jim and Dan were very supportive and assisted us with the players when we needed to have their involvement.  

The causes/agencies that came in to promote their cause, they were all very positive about how things went for them.  MCC, Worldvision, Salvation Army, Hungry for Life, BC Teen Challenge, Stoney Creek Expeditions, Unity Christian School were terrific to work with and I'm so glad they were all there.  Hopefully they will be back and maybe be able to have an additional 4-8 more causes/agencies.

The Prospera staff were very helpful and wanted to make this event a positive one and their contributions certainly paved the way.  Thanks Lars, Greg (and his staff) and Willa.

Heartland was tremendous in giving me the permission and blessing to be involved with Faith Night.  Many too were at the game.  

Looking forward to Faith Night 2010.