This is just a picture of me in front of the famed

'sleeping giant' across the harbor from T-bay.

The picture was taken from Mt. McKay and from

here the peninsula across the lack totally looks

like a sleeping giant, hey!? Just thought you'd like

to look at a picture of my face while you read the

blog.

Life in the Atlantic watershed!!!

Good day and greetings to all!

Well now after being here in Thunder Bay for 3 weeks, I just want to say I'm AMPED on this ministry, Aboriginal people and this CITY!

Over the last 3 weeks my feelings towards my job and this place have gone from a tentatively tough start to bursting at it's seems (and my heart strings) present love for this place and my mission here. Seriously the last couple weeks have been some of the most stretching but blessed weeks of my life. Whether making a super tight friend on my first day in Thunder Bay or having GOD lining up the right businesses and people to meet; GOD is in this place and HE's moving here in these people.

I should share with you what the day to day and the long and short of my time in Thunder Bay has looked like. The 'Youth Center' re-opened Friday the 12th (a week after I arrived) where some 30 kids dropped in for the evening. A lot of my job is dealing and organizing volunteers, and we had a tremendous 10 volunteers go through the training this last week, so it's exciting to see that this 'Drop in' ministry is in the heart of a lot of people. Administration, program planning, building management, fund raising and public relations are all areas that I've started learning, and will need prayer in developing and furthering these areas. North Ontario could be the most beautiful place in the world for autumn. That may be a biased opinion but I've ditched my car now for a bike and so far this seems like a perfect place to stay out side and car; well see how Thunder Bay winters go though, hopefully just as well.

Along with all the blessing that GOD has been heaping my way, there are a lot of challenges to this place and job. One area that I've been learning a lot about is poverty, and the fact that there is a great economic need here. That's not to say that I've stepped into absolute poverty, but I do live in a core area of the city and the truth in the empty store fronts and needed social programs tells the story enough.

I want to share with you 2 programs that I have been given the vision for and you might be interested in being involved in. I have been given the dream to start a mountain biking ministry with the reference from the kids and the encouragement of the board. Many of the kids at the 'drop in' are from Northern communities and so aren't terribly established here in Thunder Bay and don't have access to bikes or decent recreation. It's my hope to start this ministry and raise enough bikes/support to have it running by spring. Also the exterior of this center could drastically use a face lift (there's not even a sign put up yet) and one day of a couple guys work painting and building would do wonders for this place. If you're interested in being involved in either, or just want to share or ask a question, my contact information is at the bottom of this message.

The Church here is near a majority Ojibwa and is terribly supportive in helping me find my place here. I'm learning so much through sharing with the kids at the drop in the brothers sisters at the church and I'm loving all of their sincerity, openness and friendships.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen. Psalm 41:13

ps. Sorry that was so sappy but it's just the honest truth.

Scott Penner
New Hope Youth Center
newhope.scott@gmail.com
(807)252 3554
1-1014 Victoria Ave. E
Thunder Bay, On.
P2C 1B6