To King's Addition Baptist Church, and Supporters of Canadian Missions,

Dear Brethren,

The details of the events of the last two months are far too numerous to relate in this report, so I will attempt to give an overview, and fill in the details by personal contact, or in ensuing reports.

As I write this report, I am in California, packing up possessions and readying my family to make the move to Canada permanently, with just a few 'loose ends' to take care of before we leave.

Yes, that's right, PERMANENTLY!

The 'bottom line' is this, that after more than two years of struggles with the Canadian government, we have been granted a 'Positive LMO', which allows us a twelve month work permit.

The meaning of this is best explained with an extract from a communique from our lawyers:

Hi Gordon!

The 12 month work permit period will begin once you obtain a work permit at the border.

Also, Yes - you will be able to begin the process for Permanent Residency in Canada once you have worked in Canada for 6 months. Once you are in Canada, I will send you the forms to begin that process!

In essence, this means that the struggles with the paperwork are at an end, perse'. That is, that we still have to follow the protocol of applying for the work permit at the border, which, with the LMO, is a 'given', and then the process of applying for 'Landed Immigrant Status', none of which would have been possible without the LMO (Labour Market Opinion).

I ask for patience from those that have so faithfully supported us and the work through the trying times of the last several years, knowing this, that the Lord has answered our prayers in His way, and in His timing.

I pray that any doubts that anyone may have had during this time have been assuaged permanently. I know this, that when we return to Fort Smith, it will be with a renewed confidence, and the knowledge that we have, without doubt, a clear mandate from God to continue the work to which He has called us to.

While there is a certain sense of urgency to return to Fort Smith as soon as possible, I am quietly confident in being in God's will on a daily basis, and making our way back there with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

The work in Fort Smith itself has been strengthened by the Lord in so may ways since my arrival there in December 2010, not the least of which has been the baptisms of the past few months (five in all), the last two of which I performed the day before I left for California, and they were, Cheyeanne and Samantha Paulette. Please pray for this precious young family, so faithful and eager to serve the Lord as part of His body.

I apologise for not attending to this report sooner, but it has all been a bit of a blurr, and quite frankly, I have been a bit overwhelmed with all the answered prayers, and the logistics of making our 'final' move to where the Lord has planned for us to be, all along.

I am truly humbled to reflect on how the Lord has used us, and worked in our lives to bring His will to pass. ALL THINGS do indeed work for good (Rom. 8:28).

At this time I feel like the Lord has dropped me back, just behind the 'frontlines', to regroup and refresh for the battles ahead, but with a renewed vigour and resolve to carry out the Great Commission that He has given us.

I am thankful that He has seen fit to give me a faithful, loving, and obedient flock to be the undershepherd of, and to know that we are all looking forward to the work that the Lord has laid out for us, knowing that His hand is upon us as a body.

We are thankful for the support that we receive from those that have remained faithful to the work in Canada, and we are especially thankful to those that have given special offerings to help toward the costs of our move, which are substantial.

There are those that have made contributions so that we are able to make our move to Canada debt free, personally, and what a tremendous blessing that is. It hasn't been easy with not having had health insurance for one thing, and the logistics of us having been living apart for the past six months or so hasn't been easy as well.

Even at this 'late' stage the Lord continues to provide, as we have picked up support from another church, Citrus Missionary Baptist Church of Inverness, Florida, with Pastor Troy Sheppard and the loving brethren there. Thank you all who continue to support us so faithfully, and we pray the Lord's blessings upon you, and know and appreciate that you have a part in a tremendous work of the Lord.

Please continue to pray for us and the work in Canada, and please make contact with us when you can. I am so thankful for those that kept in constant contact with me during my, sometimes extremely lonely times, in the past six months.

I pray that this report has helped in letting you know where we are at in the work at this stage, but if you have any questions, please contact US.

In His Will and Service

Gordon Wiegold

Canadian Missions

To King's Addition Baptist Church, and Supporters of Canadian Missions

Dear Brethren,

I pray that this report finds you with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lately, when anyone asks how I am doing, my standard answer is that the Lord and Satan are keeping me really busy! Equally, it seems.

Fortunately, the word of God tells us in 1John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

February has seen us continue to get to know each other better here at the Mission.
The Lord has been gracious in teaching me the difference between being a preacher, and being a 'Pastor', albeit sometimes not so gently, but I am thankful that He has impressed upon all of us, that His hand is upon the work here, and that we have a growing unity in seeking to be obedient to Him, and to seek the grace, from Him, to strive to carry out His plan, which is the great commission.

I must express at this time of how loving and caring the folks here at the Mission are of me personally. They are extremely mindful of my needs, and see to it diligently that I want for nothing. Oh how sweet the love of the brethren!

We are at present, with the sanction of our home church, making plans to organise into a New Testament Church. We seek your prayers for those preparations.

Two weeks ago, Bro. Norman Starr, a Mission member, and I, made a trip to Fort Chipewyan, three hours SOUTH EAST of here, to conduct services on Saturday afternoon at the home of Bro. Lawrence Vermillion, a Mission member that lives in 'Chip'.
Bro. Norman's excitement and enthusiasm for his 'first Missionary journey' certainly were infectious(what did David say, "restore unto me the JOY of THY salvation").

We drove about three and a half hours across three rivers and a lake bed, on ice, not over bridges! On the way there, after crossing the first river, we were travelling on a 'bush' road, and I use the term 'road' loosely!

Time and time again I thank the Lord for the gift of that amazing Chevy truck, and the Brother that gave it to us. What an incredible resource and tool it is in the Ministry that the Lord has privileged us to be a part of.

We had lunch with Bro. Lawrence, and then in the afternoon we had services, after overcoming a visit from two 'Jehova's Wittnesses' . I explained to the young lady that introduced herself as a "Jehovah's Witness", that we were Jehovah's witnesses as well, but not in the way that she thought!

Services went well with ten of us present, including four of Bro. Lawrence's siblings. In the time since, we have had some very positive feedback to our time there, encouraging us in what we already knew, that there is a great opportunity to begin a work there (population 1100).

It seems that the 'Go ye' of the great commission, is indeed, continual and ongoing. Please pray as we look at the logistics of making regular visits to 'Chip'.

As uplifting and spiritually rewarding as the positive events have been this last month, I have personally, at times, been overwhelmed with loneliness from being away from my family for so long, and, recently, with heartfelt despair at the news of a twenty year old young man here in Fort Smith that ended his own life by shooting himself.

I can't escape the thought that this young man died without hope, yet I read in the bible Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

How simple is God's plan for mankind, belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and then that we strive together to spread the Gospel through the preaching of the word, a simple message of hope, yet we see today so many divisions and petty differences among Baptists.

So many men with their own agenda, seeking their own righteousness. So many that call themselves Christians, that are ever too quick to judge others and point fingers, while neglecting their obligations of Brotherly love and obedience to God, totally oblivious to the destruction and despair around them.

How simple is the message of the Gospel, yet how can we ask why they don't get it, when it seems we can't even get it ourselves.

How terribly, terribly sad.

The total insanity of beaurecratic 'i' dotting and 't' crossing continues 'ad-nauseam'. I am so tired of being asked questions that I couldn't possibly have answers to. I simply leave it with the Sovereign God that I serve, and trust Him.

As long as I am here in Fort Smith(and regions beyond), I will seek daily to be faithful to the calling He has given me, through His strength, definitely not my own.

We ask for your continued prayers, and are so appreciative for the support, love and prayers that are shown to us by the faithful.

We are so thankful to those that have taken the time to contact us with cards, letters, emails and phone calls. It is so refreshing. Thank you.

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Revelation 22:20.

In His Service

Gordon Wiegold

Canadian Missions

King's Addition Baptist Mission
PO Box 1156
Fort Smith
Northwest Territories Ph: 867 872-2418
Canada
X0E 0P0