Miracles at Chinook Winds Adventist Academy

Grade 5 Students.

Have you ever been stuck? I mean really stuck—to the point you knew it would take a miracle? Well, we sure were stuck here at CWAA on two separate occasions this 2020-2021 school year, until we “tried” God by praying to Him for guidance in the situation.

Before I share further, I'm sure all of you know well that Adventist education comes with a steep price tag, and for those of you who have already put your children through, you get it.

However, by and large, the majority of parents with whom I have spoken over the years never regret, despite all the money, having sent their children to receive a Christian education.

As the chaplain of this beautiful school, I want to tell you ministry continues to happen here. Yes, God’s Holy Spirit is here, and our frontline workers, our teachers, are also pastors, so to speak. Thank you, teachers, for your commitment. Many times, I have walked the hallways and seen and heard our teachers sharing stories, using assignments to teach life lessons, and above all, sharing the love of Jesus with our students and children of families that have no Christian affiliation.

Today I received a call from a church member who was impressed over the past two weeks to call and ask if there was a financial need at Chinook Winds. He told me that God was good to him during this economic downturn and he felt moved to reach out to our school. This family made a significant financial donation that will allow three more students to continue their education at CWAA in the 2021-2022 School Year.

Please keep praying for our schools here in Alberta and the many students currently engaged in Bible studies. For now, let me get back to getting unstuck—God’s way. In John 15:7, we read, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” We often ask for selfish things, but on two separate occasions, we at CWAA sincerely needed God to come through to help several families. With what, you ask? Money, and lots of it.

Pajama Day.

Grade 6 Girls.

Grade 11 students.

Grade 6 sorting through monthly food drive called Foodbank Fridays.

I will allow our principal, Mr. Bruce Fillier, to share the following stories in his own words:

Back in the fall, our business manager, Millicente Adede, and I were in prayer, seeking answers for God's will to be done regarding students' unmatched financial needs at Chinook Winds Adventist Academy. We had consultations with our chaplain, Pastor Antunes, and he was able to locate some resources to meet a few of those in need.

A short while later, though, several families advised that they were experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic and other life challenges and were worried about how that would affect their children’s stay at CWAA. As a staff, we prayed, and with one family, we also prayed, asking God to open the door to resolving this money problem.

About an hour later, we had an unscheduled visit from an individual who shared that God had been good to their family this year and had blessed them financially. As a result of that visit, this individual and his wife gave a distinct, substantial financial gift to be used where the need was greatest.

Praise God!

“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24, NKJV). God does indeed hear and answer our prayers, and miracles still happen as our petitions are brought before the Almighty.

Over the last month, Mr. Fillier was discussing with me a few letters that needed to be sent out to families that had not been able to cover bills over the past two years. As you can well imagine, a lot of money was being owed, but the thought about sending those letters was making us feel terrible. “Lord, what do we do?” Well, we prayed again, “Please Lord, these are your families and your children. Open the door, Lord,” and open it He did.

Mr. Fillier wrote this:

Today I received a call from a church member who was impressed over the past two weeks to call and ask if there was a financial need at Chinook Winds. He told me that God was good to him during this economic downturn and he felt moved to reach out to our school. This family made a significant financial donation that will allow three more students to continue their education at CWAA in the 2021-2022 School Year.

Some may say it’s a coincidence, but to those of us who follow this all-powerful, all-knowing, loving God, we know full well He is still in the business of working miracles. Amen!

Let us pray in faith and always remember that "for with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

—Submitted by Pastor Paul Antunes, Chaplain, Chinook Winds Adventist Academy