This week in good news (Nov. 1-7)

There was plenty of bad news this week for Manitobans, from COVID-19 updates to violent incidents. But that doesn't mean the good news didn't happen!

Remind yourself of the good in our world over the past week with stories about meaningful mustache shaves and larger-than-life Jesus murals.

MADD honouring impaired driving victims

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are launching Project Red Ribbon from now until the end of the Christmas season to remind people to drive sober.

This project is MADD Canada's longest-running and most well-known public awareness campaign.

Each year, many volunteers across Canada hand out red ribbons with the MADD logo on it, asking people to tie them to their car antenna, their purse, backpack, etc. to show others that they choose to not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Local gospel singer draws people closer to God with new song

A gospel singer from Winnipeg is releasing a song of hope, drawing people back to focus on God.

"It just basically talks about how, through all the problems and the chaos, we want to be close to Jesus and be as much in love with Him and everyone," says Emmanuel Briggs.

Bibles delivered to Yali tribe 52 years after first missionaries martyred

A plane laden with 2,400 Bibles was recently welcomed by the joyful chanting and swaying of Yali tribal women in Papua, Indonesia.

The Yali people requested more Bibles in their native language and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) was eager to respond.

What makes this particular flight so remarkable is a story of God’s faithfulness that actually began 52 years ago.

Man gifting flowers for past 44 months in honour of late wife

A Winnipeg man who used to buy his wife flowers on a weekly basis now does so for strangers in her memory.

Kim Morfoot lost his wife Bonnie to cancer on March 4, 2017. Ever since he has been gifting flower bouquets to family, friends, and strangers in honour of her.

Doctor prescribes more love for Manitobans

A Winnipeg doctor, and Christ-follower, is calling on Christians to combat COVID-19 with love for others. That means both how we treat one another in public and online, and that means doing things like wearing masks, he says.

Dr. Timothy Ross was baptized in a Mennonite church at the age of 16 and today he calls Oasis Church in Winnipeg home. He's also been practicing medicine for the past 16 years.

He offered his medical opinion into the realities of COVID-19, as well as his opinion as a Christian on what following Jesus in the midst of a pandemic looks like.

Gospel spreading in Philippines despite COVID

People are going to great lengths to share the gospel in unlikely circumstances in Southeast Asia.

In the middle of summer, a local ministry leader alongside his team was travelling when they were stopped by highway patrolmen.

'Pick and Pack': shoeboxes making a difference around the world

This week a group of volunteers is helping people pick items and pack shoeboxes in Grunthal, Man., to go out and bless children around the world.

Frieda Wiebe is the coordinator for the Pick and Pack Operation Christmas Child shoebox set up in the Grunthal Bergthaler Mennonite Church.

While this 'store' only runs for one week of the year, all year round Frieda finds appropriate items for shoeboxes and then purchases them.

Winnipeg video business counting success in smiles

A Winnipeg-based video message company is reaching the eyes (and hearts) of loved ones in over 180 countries.

VidDay helps people create videos for loved ones using its videomaker, a tool that edits the videos for its users. The company curates wedding greetings, birthday wishes, and other kinds of videos on its platform.

Otterburne man shaves 47-year-old moustache for meaningful movember

An Otterburne man is shaving his 47-year-old moustache to raise awareness for men’s health this month.

Guy Roy, who lost his wife to cancer in 2019 and then battled it himself, made the decision to ditch the duster after his neighbour’s encouragement.

“Dad didn’t allude to anyone that he was thinking about it, or that he was going to do it,” shares Roy’s daughter Lynne while holding back laughter, “then Sunday morning before church he shaved it and put his mask on, and waited until after everyone was outside and in the parking lot when he took it off.”

Jesus returns as artist creates larger-than-life mural

People living in Transcona will enjoy a familiar holy face as they drive down Madeline Street once again.

An internationally renowned and award-winning artist, Charlie Johnston painted Jesus Christ onto Tabor Baptist Church for a second time. He finished up the new mural earlier this week.

Team rescues Canada goose from icy pond

A lone goose was rescued, rehabilitated, and now released into a new gaggle.

Winnipeg Animal Services, Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service, and the Winnipeg Animal Emergency Hospital teamed together to rescue a lone Canada goose.

The ground was covered in snow, but that did not stop a team from taking an inflatable raft into icy waters.

Chris Tomlin's surprise baby inspires new Christmas song

Chris Tomlin is celebrating the miracle of life this Christmas, in the birth of the Saviour and his third daughter.

Tomlin and his wife, Lauren, started off the year with two daughters ages 6 and 9-years-old. While they were very content with their daughters, God is surprising them with one more, according to Tomlin.

He posted his excitement on social media with the news of a new baby on July 18.

OCC Shoebox first gift ever received for many children

Placing a shoebox in the arms of an African child, one Winnipeg woman says, "I don't think that they had ever received a gift before."

Kris Harder has been involved with Operation Christmas Child for some time now, and it started with simply packing some shoeboxes.

"Then I became a church project leader. A woman, Lynette, came to our church to speak about Operation Christmas Child, and I just happened to connect with her after the service. They were looking for someone on their team here in Winnipeg."

Sadie Robertson Huff announces new worship group, releases first single

A new worship song has been released by the newly-formed worship group, LO Worship.

The group's name, short for "Live Original" Worship, was launched by author and reality television star Sadie Robertson Huff.

"I started LO Worship because I wanted to write songs that support the messages that Live Original is already sharing: that one encounter with Jesus can change everything," Robertson Huff says.