Montreal 9/13
It has been a week since the tragedy that struck at the Dawson College in Montreal. The news papers have been filled with analysis and accounts of what has taken place. Stories have surfaced how a young man evolved into a killer.
As some of you know my wife and I were celebrating our Anniversary in Montreal at that time. As we walked through the community this past week the streets were filled with young people. The place where we were staying is close to the University. The grocery store that we visited is filled with the young adults that live in the community.
Accounts are now coming as well from families that have been deeply moved as they realized how close their children were to this tragedy. Yesterday they buried both the girl that was murdered and the murderer. My emotions are stirred deeply with this story with all that has happened.
Montreal has experienced the horror of “their own 9/11”. The world of these families will never be the same.
A Pastor’s Account…
Pastor Joe shared his account of last Wednesday the 13th. Pastor Joe is on staff at Montreal Evangel Temple just off St. Catherine’s street. The church is very close (less than ½ Block) to the old Montreal Forum where the “Montreal Canadiens” used to play hockey.
Just after lunch time a young person came to the church office and was very upset. The student described how there has been a shooting at the Dawson College. (Dawson College has about 10,000 young adults attending classes in the college building and its sits just to the northwest of the old Forum building.)
Joe described how he went out of the building with the student. Together they walked towards the Forum. As they came closer, suddenly a group of students came running in their direction. Joe described the group as possibly 300 to 400 in size. Many were crying as they ran in Joe’s direction. He said that he would never forget the look in their eyes – one of sheer panic and terrible fear. Many had witnessed the shooting of their friends and had seen the gun man personally. At this point no one knew for sure how many gun men there were. First reports said there could have been three people doing the shooting.
My wife and I sat in the Evangel Church on Sunday evening listening to Pastor Joe minister to the people that attended. He read from Psalm 10 which gave a clear picture of the events that had taken place on the past Wednesday.
I am asking you to pray for the churches in Montreal this week as they help in the ministry to these families and the community as a whole. I was very impressed with Pastor Joe and his ministry. I know that God has his hand on this whole situation.
In the service of Sunday evening four people raised their hands to indicate they wanted to accept Jesus as their Saviour. God is moving through all of this.
Psalm 10
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."
12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
As some of you know my wife and I were celebrating our Anniversary in Montreal at that time. As we walked through the community this past week the streets were filled with young people. The place where we were staying is close to the University. The grocery store that we visited is filled with the young adults that live in the community.
Accounts are now coming as well from families that have been deeply moved as they realized how close their children were to this tragedy. Yesterday they buried both the girl that was murdered and the murderer. My emotions are stirred deeply with this story with all that has happened.
Montreal has experienced the horror of “their own 9/11”. The world of these families will never be the same.
A Pastor’s Account…
Pastor Joe shared his account of last Wednesday the 13th. Pastor Joe is on staff at Montreal Evangel Temple just off St. Catherine’s street. The church is very close (less than ½ Block) to the old Montreal Forum where the “Montreal Canadiens” used to play hockey.
Just after lunch time a young person came to the church office and was very upset. The student described how there has been a shooting at the Dawson College. (Dawson College has about 10,000 young adults attending classes in the college building and its sits just to the northwest of the old Forum building.)
Joe described how he went out of the building with the student. Together they walked towards the Forum. As they came closer, suddenly a group of students came running in their direction. Joe described the group as possibly 300 to 400 in size. Many were crying as they ran in Joe’s direction. He said that he would never forget the look in their eyes – one of sheer panic and terrible fear. Many had witnessed the shooting of their friends and had seen the gun man personally. At this point no one knew for sure how many gun men there were. First reports said there could have been three people doing the shooting.
My wife and I sat in the Evangel Church on Sunday evening listening to Pastor Joe minister to the people that attended. He read from Psalm 10 which gave a clear picture of the events that had taken place on the past Wednesday.
I am asking you to pray for the churches in Montreal this week as they help in the ministry to these families and the community as a whole. I was very impressed with Pastor Joe and his ministry. I know that God has his hand on this whole situation.
In the service of Sunday evening four people raised their hands to indicate they wanted to accept Jesus as their Saviour. God is moving through all of this.
Psalm 10
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."
12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
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