There is a swirl of rumors going around right now and there is bound to be a great deal of anger directed at Hampton Affiliates, individual persons, the B.C. government and God.

It is essential for our community not to descend into a cycle of anger, blame, and bitterness.

To do so is to add to the tragedy and bring a greater heaviness and sense of desperation upon our community. The scripture speaks of the things that are eternal; faith, hope, and love.

There has been a lot of love shown in our community at this time. Those who have faith have gathered to pray and intercede for those injured, the displaced workers, the damage to our town鈥檚 economy and for the future of our town.

But what about our hope and where is our hope?

While I am thankful for Babine Forest Products and the jobs it has brought to our town, the mill is not our source of provision.

Three years ago, we started to pray about the poor employment in our town. Both mills were just barely running and there were rumors of closure.

Our prayers were answered to the point that, at the time of this disaster, both mills were running at full speed and Pinnacle Pellet had opened a very large plant in 亚洲天堂 Lake.

God blessed the mills with lot of orders and put it on the minds of Pinnacle鈥檚 management to open a plant here. We have been very grateful to God for the good things that he has done.

We have taken time in our services to praise him for his goodness. In the book of Job, Job asks the question: 鈥淲hen God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?鈥�

We continue to thank God, not for the injuries and loss, but for the fact that he is our provider and not the mill and that so few lives were lost

It is my settled conviction that God will provide for our town whether Hampton Affiliates rebuilds or not.

It may be another company to rebuild. I think it would be great if some great innovation comes from within our town and our First Nations.

There may be provision from a source yet unimaginable. Only God knows. We must not lose hope. We must not let bitterness and despair grip our hearts.

This is a time for hope because God loves the people of 亚洲天堂 Lake.