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Dear Vineyard family,

An update from Anida and me.  Either Anida or I have tried to contact every adult whose contact details we have between us.  If we missed you, please forgive us.  It’s likely because we don’t have your phone numbers. To the best of our knowledge, it seems that everyone who relates or belongs to YKVC, at any level, has managed to evacuate safely.  People are scattered from as near as Bechoko, through High Level, Peace River, Fox Creek, Whitecourt, Fort Smith, Edmonton, Jasper, Calgary and beyond.

Our thanks to the people of these towns, and others, who have opened their arms and hearts to evacuees in all sorts of ways.

Prior to evacuation, Anida and I had planned to head out of YK today (Sunday 20th) after Church on a big road trip that includes visits to three Vineyards, Langley BC, Brandon MB, and Winnipeg Central MB.  We have various bookings confirmed from this evening onward. Our trip continues as planned.

I am facilitating ‘leading change’ workshops in Langley on 23, 24 August. Then commissioning two new pastors Trever and Thea Dennis in Brandon on 27 August. Then we drive to Winnipeg to meet with the WCV leaders between 28-30 August.  Please pray for us along the way. With the fires in BC, we might need to reroute and could have detours to reach our destinations. Because this was a pre-planned ministry trip for us, we are way less unsettled than many others.

As a Church we want to thank all the people who had to remain in the city, or territory as essential workers. Some are from us. These are the people I am aware of: Breanne Walterhouse (was released by Stanton Territorial to drive out on Friday night and is safely with Tim and kids in Edmonton now.) Matthew Lovett (was released to drive out on Saturday to join Steph and his family further South.)

People who remain as essential workers are, Curtis Kuchta, Erin Sawatsky (both RCMP), Ian Ellsworth (ECC firefighting), Bing Guthrie, as an essential Dr in Hay River. Bing is being flown to Edmonton as I type and will be flown back to Hay River as required. We appreciate and value you all and you have our prayers. Some others like Tilman Frers, and Taida Speck were required by their employers to stay on longer but are now safely out of the city.

Anida flew out to Edmonton on Thursday with Tim Walterhouse to help him with their kids, as Breanne had to remain in the city as an essential worker. I drove out on Thursday morning with Michael and Matthew Snyder as passengers and Chyrisse Dekker drove behind us with her two cats, in a convoy of sorts. We linked up with the Reitsma’s in High Level and camped an evening with them before heading out further South. Steve and Laura spoiled us with tent accommodation and a good breakfast before we drove out. Chyrisse is in evacuee lodgings in Peace River and Mattthew & Michael in the same in Fox Creek.

I linked up with Anida and we are in Jasper currently, headed toward Vancouver on Monday. Please remain in united prayer for more and more sustained rain and for favourable wind directions.  Pray for the safety of lives and property in our city and Kelowna.

Lord, we thank you for your protection and ask for your mercy.

Keep safe, remain responsible and stay connected. Grace and peace to all, till we are together again.

Melt & Anida