Missions Update: Tony and Janet Ens

Whitehorse, YT – It was our intention to start two GriefShare groups beginning in late January; one Wednesday evening, and the second Thursday mornings. Our plan was for the morning group to be a women’s group and for the two other facilitators to facilitate that group, with Janet filling is as needed.

Due to changes in schedules and availabilities, Janet is facilitating both groups. It makes it a bit busier than we originally planned, but we have been so blessed at the same time. One of those blessings is seeing how the Lord puts the groups together. He knows who will be able to relate and speak into each other’s life experiences. Another blessing is to see the healing and growth in those who are taking it for a second time. One individual was so overwhelmed in their grief the first time through, that they can hardly remember those sessions and are amazed at what they are learning this time.

“Tony, are you available to….?”

A phone call with these words came on Monday. Would Tony be available Saturday to officiate a funeral in Ross River. Tim, the missionary/pastor, is away with family. Tony said yes.

Last month these words came on a Wednesday asking if Tony could preach Sunday. The person scheduled to speak had come down with pneumonia and could not foresee being well in time for Sunday. Usually being asked to preach comes with a month’s notice, so this was a bit of a challenge, but he got it ready.

Another “are you available” call last week was regarding officiating a wedding in July. It was nice to get an “are you available” for a wedding.

In early March the pastor planning to bring a team from Barrie, ON to help us again with the Pelly Crossing Adventure and Bible Day Camp June 30 to July 4 called, asking for prayer. For a number of reasons, a team from Barrie and Montreal will not be able to come. This is disappointing for both them and us. Pray that all things will work out according to God’s plan.

We desire to run the Adventure and Bible Day Camp whether we have lots of help like in 2023, or a smaller team from our church like last summer. God blessed both camps, but it was nice to have the youthful enthusiasm and energy of teenagers! The kids missed the teenagers too!

Healing the Pain of the Heart (HPH) is a ministry of Institute of Biblical Counseling Int and Rising Above Healing Ministry. The hope is to see lives transformed through Biblically based teaching and soul care. They see the pain people carry in their hearts as the reason for destructive behaviors such as addictions, rage, anxiety, depression, and suicide. The workshop helps students identify and process personal struggles using a Christian counselling model that exposes and addresses heart issues. Students learn to know God better, leading toward resolution of painful personal issues. Subjects include Dignity vs Depravity, Issues of the Heart, Issues of Abuse, Family Issues, Loss and Grief. HPH Whitehorse is planned for June 16 to 20. We hope to see some people from the communities come and would like to see the workshop happen in communities in the future.

May will find us on the road for three weeks, Lord willing. Our first responsibility is leading several workshops at NCEM’s Candidate Orientation and Training in Big River, SK. We will be sharing at: Morrow Gospel in Winnipeg, MB (May 18) and Martensville Mission Church in Martensville, SK (May 25). May 10 to 19 we plan to be in Manitoba visiting family and supporters. One of our hopes on this trip is to connect in person with the NCEM candidates who have done their training over the past few years. A good number of them will be at the NCEM Central Field Conference at Nipawin Bible College, Nipawin, SK, May 20 to 23, so we will be attending that conference this year.

Please pray for …

• The Lord’s provision and guidance in preparing for the Pelly Crossing Adventure & Bible Day Camp.

• Safe travels to Saskatchewan and Manitoba

• Heart preparation of those who will be attending the Healing the Pain of the Heart workshop.

• Pelly Crossing to have a full-time lifeguard this summer. The brand-new pool was only open a few weeks last summer.

• Those grieving multiple deaths to turn to the Lord rather than other “comforts” in their grief.

• The May to September break from GriefShare to be refreshing for us and our co-facilitators.

Praise God for …

• The renewal of Tony’s contract as Spiritual Support Provider at Whitehorse Correctional Centre.

• The opportunity to see the Lord work in lives through GriefShare.

• Brett’s health is the best it has been since 2021.

• Six days enjoying the beauty and quiet of Atlin, BC to celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary.

• Home church: Gospel Mission Church Morden, Manitoba

___________________________________________________

Tony and Janet serve with Northern Canada Evangelical Mission (Church planter / Member care). Their home church is Gospel Mission Church Morden, Manitoba.