On Sunday June 4, there was a gathering at Summerland Baptist to say goodbye to us. There was many people who shared how Gary had affected there lives while he was pastoring here. It started with Thor Sundvig and how when he first met Gary all he could see was his earrings, but as he got to know Gary and his heart to serve God, he saw Garys true character. He even honoured Gary by putting on earrings!! The generations were all covered as others shared how Gary had touched their hearts and led them to our Lord Jesus. Lauren Nixon sang a beautiful Irish song and did an Irish dance. The mens choir also honoured Gary by wearing earrings and a couple put on wigs to look like Gary, Hans Vandermay even shaved off his moustashe for the first time in decades we hear!! They sang a song they made up to send off Rain Happens and even popped open a few umbrellas. Make sure you click on the pics to see the earrings up close up, such a hoot! The evening wrapped up with a beautiful watercolour painting of the Summerland landscape painted by Ken Ballintyne presented by the church.Before we went downstairs the whole gathering came togeather in a big group hug, layed hands on us and prayed for us. Then we all held hands and sang one of Garys favorite songs, All for Jesus, led by our son in law Luke. Quite an emotional time as a couple hundred of us held hands and sang. We then went downstairs for some cake and an open mic time for people attending to comment. I, Denise, even got a few praises. Then Gary gave his final benidiction, which I tried to take a pic of but my batteries had died, then we went home. It was a wonderful evening with tons of loven from everyone. We will miss you all.