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Andy & Amanda Powell
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Once again the northland is beckoning, and Andy and Amanda are
looking forward moving to their “other home” in Red Lake,
Ontario.
In
the fall of 2001, Andy moved to Stormer Lake (outside Red Lake) for
a 2-1/2 year term of service. His
first Sunday at Red Lake Mennonite Church was a commissioning
service for Amanda to a one-year term of service in China. The Fretz
(Amanda’s) family were always reaching out to young people. In
fact, they moved to Red Lake from Harrisonburg, VA, when Amanda was
four to help with the Popular Hill Boarding School. They began
inviting Andy to their home for Sunday lunches. They soon began
hinting about their other daughter that he should meet!
It was a good year for Andy as he learned to know and love
the Fretz family and the natives of Ontario, Canada.
The land and people won a place in his heart. |
After
their marriage in July 2004, Andy and Amanda moved here and have poured
their hearts into the youth at PMC. But
the northland has a grip on Andy’s heart and he has felt a strong
leading of God to work once again with the First Nations people of Canada
and Red Lake Mennonite Church. Amanda
confesses this was not an easy decision for her and it has taken two years
for her to submit to God’s call on their lives.
She says, “this may sound strange since Red Lake was my home, but
God has had to change my heart.” Now
they are waiting on God to open the final door.
In order to get visas, Andy has to have a serious job offer.
Once the paperwork is submitted it will take between 24 hours to 3
weeks to receive the visas. At
this point Andy has applied for numerous appealing jobs but nothing has
materialized.
Being youth leaders has been a great joy
and challenge for Andy and Amanda. As
I talked with them, I could sense a great passion for mentoring and
equipping the youth for missions and service.
The first year they worked on unity. They noticed a lot of clicks
within the youth group which
led to division and lack of mutual respect for one another.
They invited a couple from Red Lake to come and minister one
weekend and God broke through and tore down walls in a miraculous way.
The retreat was a time of healing as the youth learned to talk and
work together in unity. It was the catalyst to how good the youth group
functions today. Another area
they have worked hard on is mentoring the youth in leading worship and
music. The youth group is also structured with officers so that the youth
learn to take ownership and leadership. It is important to raise up the
next generation of church leaders.
At this
point they don’t know what the future holds but see this next stage in
life as a stepping stone to fulfillment of a bigger, longer term
“dream”. Amanda says,
“You can make plans but God can change them.”
A
challenge they would like to leave with the youth:
“Your wildest hopes and dreams cannot compare to the fabulous
plans God has for your life.”
By Pat Hertzler
The Youth
Respond
to Andy and
Amanda’s Leadership
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Prayer of blessing and
appreciation over their term of service with the youth.
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I appreciate Andy and Amanda…..
· For
their perseverance and positive attitude as they have led us youth.
I admire that greatly. Thank
you, Andy and Amanda. God will
bless your lives wherever you are. Dawn
Landis
· For
their genuine care, the sacrifices they've made, and the love they've
shown us. I am so thankful for their dedication- even bringing Justin when
he was just a little baby! I also appreciate the time they've put into
praying for us and teaching us. Kayley Kennell
· As
they have always been there for me when I need them most.
They have helped me when I was down and when I was on the wrong
path they helped to guide me back. I will miss them and Justin a lot.
Love y’all lots. Rebecca
Benson
· Thank
you so much for all the work you did for the youth group.
You will be missed. May
God bless your family. Leah
Schaefer
· Because
of the youth mission trip they took us on to Ohio and the trip we took to
Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center.
Both of these trips taught me a lot and I will always remember
them. Rick Benson
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