A SELECTED "NORTHERN
LIGHTS" MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #485)
Leaving the ranch and beginning
full-time ministry would seem like a ...
BRAND NEW LIFE
by Peter Salmond
 I
was working on a farm/ranch operation in Alberta when my wife Diane and
I were called by the Lord to join NCEM, a "faith" mission. I found
out that living by faith in a faith mission would mean living by faith
in every aspect of life, even my money. It was God who would have to
supply our needs, not me.
That was the biggest step for me -- I had to "let go and let God."
He would be the sole bread winner for my family -- I would no longer be
earning a living for our family. God was asking me to leave that behind
and place my total trust in Him for my family's future.
I remember the last day of work at my farm/ranch job. After I had
finished doing each assigned task that day, I would tell myself, "This
is the last time I'll be doing this."
Well, it came down to driving the tractor into the shop for the last
time at the end of the day. The steps down off of that tractor would be
the biggest steps I had ever taken -- they would change my life
forever.
I remember shutting off the tractor engine ... and then not being
able to get up off the tractor seat!
I tried, but somehow my legs just wouldn't work. I knew it was more
than just a physical thing. What was I going to do?
I just sat there thinking about my life. I knew that God had called
both Diane and I together into this new venture. I really had no excuse
not to go ahead with our plans, yet I was afraid. I knew that I could
not do it in my own strength, so I bowed my head and I called out to
God: "Please help me walk away from this tractor and to forget
everything about it for now. Help me walk into this new life totally
trusting in you. Amen."
You know what? I stood up, climbed down from the tractor seat, and
walked away. I went home to Diane and my children to start what seemed
like a brand new life.
About an hour later my boss showed up at my door carrying my lunch
bucket, my coat, and all the other stuff that I had left in the tractor.
It was amazing ... I had forgotten it all!
In the next two years, as we prepared for ministry, God proved
Himself faithful to us, over and over. We had accumulated bills that
totalled around the sum of $4600, and by the time we left for our
assignment in the Yukon on December 4th, 1989, those bills were all
taken care of.
Living by faith is exciting! God and His people are so good to those
who follow His leading into full-time ministry. As I reflect on God's
goodness since we joined NCEM in 1987, He has provided us with homes; He
has provided us with vehicles, and has kept them running. He has given
us finances so that we have always been able to meet the bills as they
arrive. We praise God for his faithfulness.
I must be honest and say, though, that our faith has not always been
strong, and still is very weak at times. But it is easier now to believe
that God is in control and that He will meet our every need as we place
our trust in Him and do His will.
God bless as you seek His perfect will.
 Peter
and Diane Salmond were stationed in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, for
several years before transferring to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Diane
serves as a video editor with the Tribal Trails television outreach, and
Peter coordinates Bible camping ministries in NCEM's Central-Field.
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