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By Tony Bulawa
As I write this article in May, I am excited about
the Far North Field Conference that will be held
in June this year. The Field Conference is a time
for BIMI missionaries serving in the Far North
to come together for a few days to fellowship
together and to be encouraged, refreshed, and
to gain a renewed vision for
ministry moving forward.

Considering the vastness of
the Far North—stretching
from Alaska through Canada
to Greenland (covering well
over 5.25 million square
miles)—one can imagine
that many missionaries who
serve in this area are often
isolated one from another. In fact, most BIMI
missionaries in the Far North are separated from
each other by hundreds and even thousands of
miles. So, this time to come together at our Field
Conference is especially important. While our
Field Conferences are typically scheduled every
other year, this will be the first time we will have
the opportunity to meet together as a group
since 2018 due to COVID restrictions in place
over the past three years.

Since early 2020, missionaries and
Gospel ministries around the world have
faced challenges and obstacles that are
unprecedented in our lifetimes. In the North,
especially in Canada, missionaries, pastors,
and church members have gone through some
difficulties they probably could not have even
imagined as late as 2019. In times such as have
been recently experienced, it is human nature
to wonder what the Lord is doing and even ask
if He is still at work. We know the Lord never
stops working; His Word never returns void;
and His will is certain to be accomplished.

We know this, but that does not keep us from
wondering. We are often like the Psalmist who
cried out: Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?
arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest
thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and
our oppression (Psalm 44:23–24)? Like the
Psalmist, we know the promises of God such as
For the Lord will not cast off his people (Psalm
94:14a), we know the truth of Psalm 121:3b, He
that keepeth thee will not slumber. Yet, in times
like the past few years we still wonder where is
the Lord and what is He doing?
L-R: Pastor Ronnie Gilbert, Tony Bulawa, Gage Gilbert,
Don Sisk, Aleah Gilbert, Angie Gilbert, Paula Bulawa



As I have been making preparations for the
Far North Field Conference, I have been going
through missionary prayer letters and reports
from the past few years. Through this, I have
found myself rejoicing as I am reminded that
the Lord never stops working and He continues
to do great things both in the Far North and
around the world. The Lord has never and will
never surrender control over His creation! This
time of preparing for our gathering together
has reminded me that while many have
wondered over the past few years, there have
been a faithful group of missionaries pressing
on and trusting the Lord for great things. And
what great things He has done!
Gage and Aleah Gilbert are an example
of a couple who spent the majority of their
deputation time preparing to go to Greenland
during the years of the COVID restrictions.

During a time when many wondered if
deputation could be accomplished, the Lord
raised their support and they recently left for
their first term on the field. What an amazing
thing to know the Lord timed the Gilberts’
arrival in Greenland to be this past Easter
Sunday! Over 2,000 years ago, the disciples
spent three agonizing days wondering where
God was and what He was doing. Easter is a day
that reminds us that God is always at work and
will always be victorious! It is exciting to think
of what the Lord will do in the years to come
through the ministry of this young couple.

Another example of God’s working is a recent
report from the Léveillé family serving in the
Greater Montréal Region of Québec, Canada.

Here is an excerpt from their most recent
ministry report: “We
have some exciting
news to share with
you: our Newcomers’
Class is
growing! Currently, we have
nine people attending
who are interested
in baptism or church
membership. One of
these individuals seems
to be unsaved, which
presents a wonderful
opportunity for us to share the Gospel with
him. As our church continues to grow, the need
for a new building becomes increasingly urgent.

We are currently at capacity most Sundays and
sometimes over capacity. While this is not a new
challenge, we are confident that the Lord will
provide in His perfect time. The church is His,
and if we keep our eyes fixed on Him, we will
not lack His supply.”
On the other side of Canada, God is still
doing amazing things through the ministry of
BIMI missionaries Russell and Lisa Mackay.

The Mackays’ latest
prayer letter (May
2023) from the
Greater Vancouver
Area in British
Columbia, Canada,
relays the glorious
news that they “have
seen six people come
to Christ” since
their last prayer
letter. Their previous letter was published in
March 2023 and in that letter they reported
they had “seen ten people come to Christ
since September.” Here is an excerpt from
the Mackays’ May ministry report that relays
other blessings from the Lord: “We had a
wonderful missions conference in March….

We had an increase in our Faith Promise
commitment, which is very exciting. The
preaching encouraged our church and inspired
us concerning our need for our own building.

The cost of real estate here is the second
highest in all of Canada. We know that it will
take miracles from
God to see us in our
own property. Would
you please pray for
wisdom and guidance
for us concerning this
great need? God is
able and we will trust
Him for His timing
and provision. He has
faithfully provided our
every need all of these
years.” Number 2, 2023
BIMI 33