February 2026 Off and Running We Go!

 If January 2026 was a time to be home and to get caught up on some things, February 2026 was quite the opposite. It was, as they say, 'go time'! And that is what I (we) did!!

The month began with me at our church helping with the children's message. Fun times! Later that day there was an online meeting with LAMP missionary pastor Nathan S and his team leaders. I was able to attend and it was great to hear about their plans for the spring and summer. If I am able, I might go with Nathan on his yearly Spring Fling (a visit to his communities). That could be really good!

The next day my wife Lynne and I boarded a plane and flew to Winnipeg. Now that Lynne is retired, I am hoping that she can travel with me a bit more. We spent some time in Winnipeg visiting with some great LAMP team leaders like Janet, Gregory, and Doug. We also took a drive up north during that week and visited the communities of Easterville and Grand Rapids. After many attempts in the past, I was so glad to finally be able to connect with some of the staff at the school in Easterville. The vice principal there was very kind and visited with me for a fair bit of time. I learned a lot about the school in particular and also about the community in general. Good stuff! On our way home, we stopped for soup and a visit with Karen, a long time supporter of LAMP. It was wonderful to meet her and to see her cozy cabin on the shores of Lake Manitoba. Beautiful! (and the soup was great, too!)      

                 

At the end of that week, we headed over to the Missionfest event at Church of the Rock in Winnipeg and set up an exhibit booth for LAMP. Lynne and I spent some good time at the event visiting with people and answering questions about the work of LAMP. We met some very nice folks and also had the chance to connect with more LAMP team leaders and donors. So good!

After Missionfest wrapped up, Lynne and I hopped on a plane to Phoenix, Arizona. We met up with the LAMP staff and their spouses and kids for a short retreat. After devotions and some team building, we enjoyed some fun times and food together. Following our retreat, we all took the time to attend the Best Practices Ministry event at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. The church there sponsors this free ministry training and equipping event every year...I had heard about it but this was the first time I was able to attend. We also set up a LAMP exhibit booth there and enjoyed meeting both new friends and also seeing some longtime LAMP volunteers and supporters. I was especially glad to connect with Maura as well as Roger and Pam...LAMP team leaders from my communities that I had not met in person yet. It was also fun to connect with some other Canadians down in Phoenix at the event.

We flew back home in time to get ready for Ash Wednesday at our church. There was a chicken dinner before the service and then we gathered to be reminded about Jesus and his suffering for us. We also received the ashes on our forehead...dust you are and to dust you will return. 

On the third weekend of February, we packed up and headed over to Vancouver Island for some special birthdays. Our sister in law Brenda was celebrating a special birthday and our granddaughter was also celebrating a special birthday. It was so fun to see them and celebrate with them. It was also fun to visit my son Josh at his school where he works as a teacher and administrator.

While I was there, I heard about the Vancouver Circuit meeting so I asked about attending. It worked out that I could. Before heading back to the mainland, I also had a chance to have coffee with Sonja B from BC Mission Boat Society. It was good to hear how things are going with her work and also to share some updates from LAMP. When I got home, it was time to prepare for my own LAMP team leaders meeting. It was also fun to get this card (see below) from our church body's national office staff. Nice!!

On a personal note, February 2026 was also the month when my dear friend Lynn Gergens passed away. Lynn had been facing some health challenges for awhile now but it was still too soon for me. Here is a picture of Lynn and the words of tribute I posted on Facebook. There is also a link below to the online article about Lynn published by our national church newsletter The Canadian Lutheran. 

My friend, partner-in-crime, mentor, wise guide and prayer partner Lynn Gergens passed away early this morning. We first met when I was a first year college student...she saw some leadership potential in me and has been challenging / encouraging me ever since. I got the chance to serve on youth gathering committees under her leadership and later invited her to speak to youth at the gatherings I helped lead. We developed the Sabbath conference (then the National Professional Church Worker Conference) together almost thirty years ago to encourage deacons and other volunteers in the church. She was a teacher, a leader, an inspiration, and a beloved child of God. I appreciated her wisdom and counsel as I navigated the tricky waters of being a church worker in three different congregations and she was very supportive of my new work with LAMP. She loved my wife and my kids so much and so well...and she loved me. I love you, Lynn, and I will see you again!!

Here is the link...Lynn Gergens, prominent youth ministry leader and former LCC board member, enters into glory - The Canadian Lutheran 

Thanks for reading this and for following along with my adventures. There is more to come!!