Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Lots of Thanksgiving

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Last night the Bergen family met for Thanksgiving dinner. We were one week late as Darrell and Marlene were in Mexico. We loved the celebration, the time together and the rich bounty God has provided for us. Like one of our daughters remarked, “Those were the best mashed potatoes of all the four Thanksgiving dinners I went to this year.”

Darrell and Marlene’s
Mary Kate
Darrell Stobbe
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Canadian Thanksgiving Picture

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For the first time in many years we are celebrating our first Canadian Thanksgiving while we are in Canada. 

HEBREWS 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”



History and Origin of Canadian Thanksgiving

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him – Frobisher Bay. At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed ‘The Order of Good Cheer’ and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year’s War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed…

“A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed  … to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.

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Please pray for Sandy Thiessen

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Please pray for Sandy Thiessen, Dan’s wife. She is very sick.
Their daughter, Amanda, is posting updates on her blog.
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My dad has asked me to use my blog as a way of letting people know what’s going on with mom. I will continue to post my own thoughts, experiences etc. but I will also post daily about mom’s welfare.
Today was a difficult day. Mom found out she has cancer in her lungs in addition to her liver, kidneys and stomach (which she already knew about). The good news was that the cancer doesn’t appear to be in her brain. However, the doctors think there is still something going on in her brain because she has terrible double vision, quite a bit of pressure and a headache.
She is staying at Peace Arch Hospital until tomorrow. The doctors want to do a biopsy on her liver and then she can go home. Mom has decided that home is where she would most like to be so we are honouring her wishes. 
For more updates click on Amanda’s link below.
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Maraba Worship Team

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Last Sunday the team prayed over Max, asking God to anoint him to be the new worship leader. Chelsea has been a great help, taking over the leadership from Annika. Now the team is passing the leadership baton once again, this time to Max. The worship team here in Marabá have all come to the Lord, learned to worship and learned to play instruments in this church. Homegrown.   With God’s grace they are overcoming many hurdles such as anger, insecurity, inner wounds, unhealthy ways to resolve conflict and pride. The Lord anoints them to lead His body into His presence with worship. They thank you, if you have said any prayers on their behalf.