|
A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #488)
"HQ" - There to Support
 It's
almost 8:30 a.m. at NCEM's office complex in the jack pines west of
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Several cars have pulled into the lot. In a
few minutes staff will gather for a half-hour chapel service, then
disperse to their offices and work areas.
On the "mail desk" this day is Ardys Winger. Her initial concern
is the contents of the mail bin from Canada Post. Individually addressed
mail is sorted and remaining envelopes are opened for processing. Later
Ardys will move on to other office duties.
In his office, Ardys's husband, Gary, spends much of his day on the
phone, in face-to-face conversations, or writing notes concerning the
myriad of details of a Mission with over 40 stations and several
departments.
Yes, it's office work. It might seem ordinary, not the stuff that
missionary books are made of. Truth is this work, and the people to do
it, are vital.
"HEADQUARTERS"?
"HQ" has sort of a military sound to it, but this isn't where
you'll find generals barking out orders. It's more a place where you'll
find people serving their fellow missionaries.
It is "HQ" in that it connects all our missionaries and
ministries across the country. It's a place of hands-on activity, but
also of spiritual work. What goes on there helps build God's Kingdom,
and prayer is an important part. Daily chapels include prayer for all
NCEM members. Prayer requests received by phone or e-mail are taken to
the Lord -- it's not uncommon for staff to drop their work to gather
in groups to pray at any time of the day.
KEEPING THEM ON THE FIELD
Without HQ, would NCEM's work stop? The answer to that comes, in
part, by understanding that our missionaries can only commit themselves
because supportive churches and friends designate gifts for their living
costs. These funds are passed on to the worker once a month ... but
there's much involved in this process!
Each donation (whether by mail or electronic transfer) is
acknowledged and receipted; and each donation -- whether $9 or $900 -- is considered important. Care is taken to honor donors' designations
and, when not clear, time is taken to call them. As with gifts to the
Mission's General Fund and other ministries, accuracy is required and
approved standards are followed.
Besides Ardys, Laura Bekkatla and Misako Mori do this work at the "mail"
and "receipting" desks. Rosalie Kent is our bookkeeper, and Ed
Peters is this department's working director. Roy and Betty Smith also
assist.
It's day-in day-out work, and it's for the Lord. There's no
guaranteed salary -- these are "faith" missionaries just like
everyone else in NCEM. It's routine service -- and they may struggle
finding something "exciting" for their prayer letter reports -- yet
essential.
OTHER LANGUAGES?
You'd expect to hear an unfamiliar language on NCEM's fields ...
but at HQ? Well, you might recognize a few words of "computer-ese"!
Computers have greatly enhanced the work done at HQ, but they are very
complicated machines. We're thankful that God has sent workers who
understand them.
Walter Pope and Jim Davis form our computer support team, and the
ways computers are used is growing. Computers are used for finances,
language translation, video and literature production, e-mail, Internet,
inventory, postal services, and more. And these fellows must understand
not only computers, but also the technicalities of each of the
ministries in which computers are used.
Yes, we can easily imagine some of our field missionaries -- used to
being out on the land -- going a little "cagey" if assigned to one
of these HQ jobs! In God's sovereignty, just as He has gifted
evangelists and teachers, He gifts some for technical work.
BECAUSE WE'RE A TEAM
While field missionaries invest their lives in their First Nations
neighbors, you'll find HQ staff investing more so in their fellow
NCEMers.
In 1996 the Wingers moved to HQ from serving among the Inuit of
Arctic Quebec. Now, whether in the office or out, Gary and Ardys's
priority is enabling other missionaries. (Philip and Bonnie Knight
recently completed 11 years of similar work and are moving to field
work.) Secretary-Treasurer, Ed Peters, is another of NCEM's
administrators caring for the needs of fellow workers. Besides finances,
he tends to government regulations, insurance, property management, and
numerous other matters.
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
While our Printshop staff produce literature for First Nations
readers (see "Media Missionaries"), they also print materials that
keep NCEM's supporters informed and praying. Rollie Hodgman plans
publications such as Northern Lights, along with audio-visuals and web
sites.
Like other HQ staff, working each day with missionaries and machines,
Rollie also finds opportunities for personal ministry. For him it's a
youth group outreach and local Native church work. Efforts like these
give HQ staff perspective to their daily duties, but are squeezed into
limited time and energy after a day at the office.
WHERE THE ACTION IS
There's so much more that could be told. There's the Smiths'
hosting of HQ visitors. There are the mailing volunteers (who helped
affix over 12,000 address labels for this issue). And though this is
about those we often call "behind-the-scenes" workers, we need to
say that these at HQ aren't the only ones. There are the supportive
spouses of HQ staff, some with other ministries, some with children at
home.
There are also our field missionaries. They are
"front-liners" but they faithfully serve where few may take
notice. It's for them HQ exists.
Media Missionaries
(definition) n. medium, pl. media
-- a means...
HQ is home to two media centres: TV (Tribal Trails) and Printshop. "Means" defines quite well what it's all about -- a means of
spreading the Gospel! It's the same message that takes our field
missionaries to Native communities, but shared through electronic
signals, paper and ink.
These media outreaches are not to replace our field missionaries -- they are, in fact, a support. Through media, the message goes to
thousands of destinations, including places a missionary cannot reach,
or may not be welcomed. When our workers find open doors, videos or
literature remain to witness and teach long after the visit. Another
significant support is that media enables Native people to speak to
Native people, crossing racial barriers.
Our media missionaries appreciate your prayers. TV Dept. staff
includes: Brent Wahlstrom (Administrator), Conrad Flett, MiLin Lau,
Jacquie Lisson, Diane Salmond, Eric & Michelle Sinclair, and Blaine
Witherow. Printshop staff includes: Dennis Siemens (Manager), Gary
Brown, Ralph Dyck, and Lydia Goede (with Kit Elford and Selma Stobbe
recently completing several years there). Bill & Doris Dyck serve in
the Bookstore.
Can you pray for me?
That's a request that's become familiar to Bill and Doris Dyck.
Most of their work at HQ involves shipping Bookstore materials to
missionaries and First Nations customers. But there are also
opportunities to minister more directly.
Recently Mary* (*name changed) was in the Bookstore. She looked quite
sad and, in her conversation with the Dycks, told of suicides in her
family.
As Doris and Mary moved to a quieter place to talk and pray, Mary
revealed that she didn't know the Lord personally. She showed
spiritual desire, but abruptly ended the visit, saying, "I have to go.
I'll be back."
She still hasn't returned, and we appreciate prayer for Mary and
others like her -- that they will find the Lord through Bookstore
materials purchased and through personal contact with our HQ staff.
Back to Northern Lights
magazine index
Back to SELECTED Northern Lights Magazine
Articles INDEX
|
