Dear Supporters and Friends,
It is with great joy and excitement that this letter comes to you. On November 16 I preached at our home church in Ohio. I announced to them, and now to you, that Barbara and I are going back to the mission field. This requires some explanation, so, please bear with me.
A few months ago, I began to consider the ministry, as it is now, and I asked myself, "Could someone else do what I do?". The answer to that question was "Yes". In fact, almost any person of average intelligence could do what I do. So, what is keeping us from going back to the mission field? God has graciously given us back our health, so that would not be a problem. Our age is a factor but should not prohibit our return. In fact, there is no reason why we should not return to the Canadian Arctic.
I will continue as the director of PNBM. The Lord has blessed us with some terrific help in the PNBM office and around the church. With their help, the Internet, and coming home as often as necessary, not much should change, at least as far as the Mission is concerned.
PNBM missionary Chris Raguth is planning a church plant the first week of June '09 in northern Ontario. I have been asked to preach during the week of meetings leading up to the formal opening of the church. We will then continue on to the barge landing at Hay River, NWT, to ship our pickup and trailer on to Norman Wells. Our plan is to be on the field by June 2009. We will return home August through October each year, which will allow us to be home for Missionary Candidate School, do the work in the Bible colleges, meet with prospective missionaries, their pastors, and attend to whatever else would need our attention.
We plan to pioneer a new work in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, and start from the town of Norman Wells. I want to bring a younger couple/family alongside as early as it can be arranged. I would promote them as the missionary/pastor and would stay with them as long as necessary.
There are other things that are falling into place but this gives you the general idea. We would covet your prayers for us and especially that someone will step forward to go with us, or at least follow closely. Your questions or comments welcomed.
God bless you.
Yours for the Arctic,
Gary Forney
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