God has worked in Goose Bay and there is now an assembly which meets there. We are given some of the details of the work which God has done.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 says “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered: but god gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God.”
The first contact we made with anyone in Goose Bay, Labrador was through a tract band in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Subsequently, Bibles and more tracts were mailed to those who had expressed interest through the reply cards. The first visit to Goose Bay was in March ’82, with follow-up visits in December ’82, April and May ’83. In July ’83, a number of brethren came to the area with a tent, but a poor response was received at that time. Nevertheless, the Lord led some of us to return during the winter months. David Swan and family moved that fall to Goose Bay at the beginning of the school year. I spent some time with him that fall, and Olive, Andy and I moved here in the new year. We went back to Flower’s Cove at the Easter break. We made our move permanent that summer. After fourteen years we are still here.
David’s living room was used the first winter for meetings. Later, we were able to purchase a trailer that had been used as a schoolroom and place it on a lot in a trailer court. We used it to proclaim the gospel for a few years. We saw some blessing in the salvation of souls. After being taught the truth of baptism and being gathered unto His name, the local assembly was planted in May 1988 in that same building. We had another baptism in the summer of ’92, and later saw five more souls added to the assembly. We undoubtedly have had our growing pains, but there are currently eighteen in fellowship.
We moved into a new hall which we built in October ’92. God has been gracious in meeting our needs. Goose Bay is located about two hundred miles south of the much talked about Voisey Bay. A large nickel discovery in Voisey Bay is creating a lot of activity. It is possible that the assembly may grow from Christians who may find employment in the region. We look forward to whatever the Lord may have in store for us here. He promises to be always faithful.
This update on the Lord’s work is written with the humblest desire that God will be glorified. As the Psalmist wrote, “Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). “This was the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Mark 12:11).
