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October 2012 Newsletter

The State of the Arctic

 

 There is a tourism slogan that has been used in the Northwest Territories for a long time. It simply says, “Within reach, yet beyond belief”. This refers to the stunning natural beauty of the NWT and that it is possible to see and experience such a place. I have always thought this slogan fit perfectly into the spiritual side of things as well.

 

 There are nine communities in the Arctic of the Northwest Territories of Canada. By “Arctic” I mean those communities that are physically above the imaginary line that runs at 66 degrees, 32 minutes North of the equator called the Arctic Circle. By Northwest Territories I mean exclusively that. Not the territory of Nunavut or the Yukon, and obviously not Alaska, USA.

 

 The combined population of those nine arctic communities is 7134. For the past 20 years our focus has been on the three major communities in the extreme Northwest corner of the territory called the “Western Arctic.” Inuvik has a population of 3504, Tuktoyaktuk 935, and Aklavik has 655 people dwelling there. Those 5094 souls in the arctic of the NWT have had a gospel witness for decades. That leaves six communities and 2040 souls in the Arctic of the NWT that have had little or no gospel witness. In the same time span the western arctic has had the blessing of a consistent and clear gospel witness, the 2040 of the remaining six arctic communities in the NWT have not. They must be reached with the gospel. Is this not truly representative of “Within reach, yet beyond belief”?

 

 So I want to start a prayer initiative. I’m going to call it the 2040 window prayer initiative.  2040 refers to the number of souls and window refers to the window of opportunity to reach those souls. At 52 years of age, the window of opportunity for me to reach those communities is almost closed. My mission director, Bro. Gary Forney is respectfully a bit older than me, so the window is a bit further closed for him. Larry Noland is focused on Aklavik and the other 13 missionaries of Points North Baptist Mission are dedicated to a ministry and people groups in other areas. The answer lies in those reading this letter. Some may surrender and go, and some may pray for the 2040 window. Some may give and some may promote Arctic Missions in their ministries. We truly are in a symbiotic relationship.

 

 2040 window. Yep, I like it.

 

 In lesser intense news, the meetings in Tuk have been good. Attendance is picking up since the weather has turned colder and I have experienced great liberty as I preach. Several visitors have been attending and the regulars have been faithful.

 

 I was able to purchase a “new to me” snowmobile due to a generous love offering of a Canadian church and a specific offering from a small Ohio church. The Arctic Cat snowmobile was new to me but in actuality it was 99.3% brand new. The machine has 7 miles on it! Nonetheless was officially not new therefore the price was reflective of a used machine.

 

 Lois is still adjusting and learning a “new normal” in dealing with her continued neurological difficulties. Angie attends Bible college in Florida and Steven and his family are living in Manitoba attending Bible college too. Becky is a mom of 3 now and is faithfully serving alongside her husband in Nunavut.

 

 Thank you for your love and support both in prayer and finances. We are grateful God has allowed us to partner with you.

 

 Steve and Lois Donley

 

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minus40 report

February 7, 2012

February 2012 Newsletter

Dear Praying friends,

A bit over 100 days and we will begin our return to the Arctic. We have added three new supporting churches with two pending since we started furlough. We have reported to many of the churches that currently support us if they contacted me and asked for a meeting. Our travels have taken us recently to Texas, Florida and Ontario. I’m writing this from Buffalo, NY and will be in Western Ohio this coming Sunday. Meetings in Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida will keep us busy through March.

Please specifically pray that the meetings in Wisconsin and Michigan will result in new support. Also please pray that the work of reporting to supporting churches will result in God meeting our needs for the far North. I have scaled back our wish list to two items on a must have list. We need our truck’s 4X4, shift on the fly feature repaired and we need a snowmobile in Tuk.

While stopped waiting for traffic a driver in a minivan plowed into the back of our truck right before Christmas. The eventual repair actually improved the overall condition of the vehicle. As well, we had a $2700.00 engine repair in Texas that solved a serious and potentially dangerous problem for Arctic extremes. You may also remember the heater core issues of September 2011 that were resolved in Ontario. Barring new difficulties and addressing the remaining 4X4 concerns, our vehicle will be in better condition than it has been for years. (By the way, it is a 2002 model with 226,000+ kilometers on it)

To go to Tuktoyaktuk without a good, reliable snowmobile would be foolishness. I said in an earlier wish list that $6,000.00 would get a reliable used snowmobile. I stand by that figure, but I am actually asking the Lord to provide His choice for me. Less or more, whatever He wants. So could you pray the remaining meetings might bring provision for this need as well?

Angie is in College in Florida and Lois and I are bona fide empty nesters. Adjustment is part of life and some changes are welcome and some are not. We constantly find His grace is sufficient. Our camper is pretty empty without Ang, but we are happy she is preparing to serve the King someday. We prayed for the Lord to put each of our children on the front lines and that is exactly what He is doing. Becky is in Rankin Inlet, Steven is currently in Inuvik, and Angie has inquired about Islamic people groups. Our hearts yearn for our 3, soon to be 4 granddaughters. However, Lois and I agree we would have it no other way. Children in the centre of God’s will are more to be desired than fine gold.

The ministry in Inuvik is operating fine without us and we sorely miss the people there and are counting the days until we meet again. Under new leadership they will have to look elsewhere for pastoral guidance and direction, but they will always be the recipients of our love and prayers.

Our sending church is going through a pastoral change and we are in prayer it will all turn out well. I have tried to be pulpit supply as often as my schedule allows. Leadership transitions are rarely crisp and precise events. Difficulties rise and fall and change is inevitable. These changes should be smooth with the Holy Spirit, but experience has us taught us to keep our eyes open. I will keep you informed of pertinent victories or necessary changes.

 

Thank you for your prayer and support,

Steve & Lois

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Dec 2011 Newsletter

minus40 report

 

 

This newsletter is a bit different in that I need to provide vital address changes and news. I do want to first express thanks to the Lord for his blessings and safety on our furlough. We have 3 new supporting churches so far and was recently informed a fourth church will add us to their mission family very soon. That makes four out of six. The remaining two churches have indicated they desire to support us but financial constraints are delaying their doing so.

                Canadian supporter should take note of the support address change. Please send your support to

PNBM-CA

163 Pine Valley Drive, Unit 16

London, ON  N6J4R1

Nothing about PNBM-CA has changed except the books and banking will be done in London ON by a professional. Any questions about this change may be directed to me personally or Bro. Gary Forney at 867-777-3360.

There are no changes for PNBM-USA and American support.

                We have a cell phone that can be used to reach us while on furlough whether we are in Canada or the US. It is 907-347-7993. You can text us as well if you prefer. Yes, I know I said “text”. Old dog, new trick. Miracles never cease.

               

                Below are some praises to report:

Vehicle repair/maintenance:

4 – LT 265/75R/16 load range “E” all-season tires – Need met by a Canadian church

Front windshield – Need met by a Christian businessman

Aluminum diamond plating for the front of our Camper that was damaged due to traveling on gravel roads. – Need met personally

New heater core and related parts – Need met by Canadian churches

 

Tools/equipment:

SPOT 2 Satellite Messenger (emergency locator device) – Funds provided by an assistant pastor

Antenna for a Marine Radio – Need met personally

 

Expenses:

Balance of our Camper loan – A huge portion applied personally. Under 5 K left

Travel funds – Need assisted by our sending church

 

Additional blessings

We have had an electric fireplace and mantle given to us by a wonderful church in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Many good love offerings have sustained us.

Alaskan churches and friends met our needs over and over again this past summer.

I purchased a new parka with a financial gift from a friend.

Last but not least, we have seen several come to Christ in the services where I preached. Several have been challenged by the messages and I am honoured to be used by our Lord.

               

                Please pray for continued safety as we travel, and for our truck to endure the rigors of furlough. We have traveled 28,706KM or 17,837miles since leaving Inuvik in June. Also, Angie will be going to college this January and we hope you will pray for her and Lois and I as we officially become empty nesters.

                Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support. We are truly thankful and recognize the difficult financial times we live in. Your support is seriously appreciated and considered precious.

                We also want to wish each one of you the best over this CHRISTmas season.

Steve, Lois, and Angie Donley

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October 2011 Update

In mid-October we took a week to deer hunt in Southeast, Ohio. All of our kids and Grandkids were with us. This was an amazing feat since they live all over the Arctic. Nathan, Becky and their two children Hayleigh and Alayna; Steven, Holly and their little Eve; and our Angie were all camping together. No “deer” were seen or harvested, but three “dear” were always there! It was a throwback to the days when we gathered for this annual hunt/camping event in which friends and family from far and wide participated. Maybe 30 years ago it started when just my dad, brother and I hunted deer. This year at 82, dad was there and so was my brother, Bob. When it was all over the kids all scatter and went their own way getting back to their lives and we are left with only a great memory of the last deer hunt together.

Currently we are in in North Carolina. On Sunday, Oct. 30, we are with Pastor Bryan Greene and Lighthouse Baptist Church in Rolesville, NC. The following Monday – Friday I am representing Points North Baptist Mission at Ambassador Baptist College for their annual Mission Conference.

God has met the need for several or our needs. Below is a list of the blessings.

Vehicle repair/maintenance:

        • 4 – LT 265/75R/16 load range “E” all-season tires – Need met by a church
        • Front windshield – Need met by a Christian businessman
        • Aluminum diamond plating for the front of our Camper that was damaged due to traveling on gravel roads. – Need met personally
        • New heater core and related parts – Need met by Canadian churches

Tools/equipment:

  • SPOT 2 Satellite Messenger (emergency locator device) – Funds provided by an assistant pastor
  • Antenna for a Marine Radio – Need met personally

Expenses:

  • Balance of our Camper loan – A huge portion applied personally. Under 5 K left
  • Travel funds – Need assisted by our sending church

Additional blessings

  • We have had an electric fireplace and mantle given to us by a wonderful church in Hagerstown, Maryland.
  • Many good love offerings have sustained us.
  • Alaskan churches and friends met our needs over and over again
  • I purchased a new parka with a financial gift from a friend.

 

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Ontario update

Lois and I leave Ontario tomorrow (Sept 19) and head toward Hagerstown, Maryland. Our time in the Greater Toronto Area has been quite nice. Our first conference was with Pastor Alcock and Brampton International Baptist Church. It was an exciting conference and the church had its best attendance ever the Sunday the conference ended. Next we reported to Heritage Baptist Church in Barrie. Pastor Pennell was a gracious host and very encouraging. We ended with Pastor Wiebe of New Life Baptist Church in Maple and helped celebrate the church’s second anniversary by participating in their mission Sunday. New Life is an exciting young church.

We thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with Pastors, church families and fellow missionaries. The campground we stayed in was quiet and relaxing. One of the best things about the trip was that we know of two souls that came to Christ on the particular Sunday I preached in Brampton.

Our truck is still in need of a minor repair. We still have issues with the heater. I had planned on picking up the part at a junk yard and complete the repairs myself when we get settled in the next campground. But Pastor Wiebe rallied his church family to give toward the need. Their generosity met the need to buy the part new and forgo the junk yard plan. We praise God for meeting our need and we head south in good health and joy in our hearts.

I emailed the believers in Tuktoyaktuk a few days ago just to keep in touch. I told them of our travels and offered encouragement in the Lord. One response came back and it touched my heart. “We pray that you will eventually become our Spiritual Leader.” This simple expression of hope affected me deeply. Would you join this believer in Tuktoyaktuk in the same prayer?