introducing our missionaries...
Cynthia Armstrong (nee Merriman) was raised in a Christian home at Paddockwood, about 65 km north of Prince Albert, always knowing about NCEM through her parents’ support of the early missionaries. Her family moved to LaRonge in 1972 where, following high school graduation, she entered nursing, obtaining her RN diploma in 1977.
That career spanned 38 years, on many reserves and remote Arctic locales. In 1986/87 the Lord brought her back to Saskatchewan to attend Bible school. In 1988 she joined NCEM, serving at Headquarters as the Bookstore manager, then moving to Buffalo Narrows to keep current in nursing hours required to be an RN.
In 1994, NCEM reacquired Timber Bay Children’s Home (it was started by two single NCEM missionary ladies in the 50’s) and was looking for staff to run the Post Office and do maintenance. The Lord didn’t need a nurse there, but He had a big surprise for Cynthia, who was a very happy, contented, single lady. It was hard to run a Bible Centre with only Cynthia and one maintenance worker, but the Lord was bringing His team together.
Retired parents of NCEM missionary, Ruth Armstrong, Vernon Armstrong and his wife, Edith, had served part-time in NCEM doing building projects, the most recent at Arrowhead Native Bible Center in New Brunswick. While serving there, Edith was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1992.
Vern, who had been praying for a godly woman to come alongside him, found her at Timber Bay! Married in 1995 and blessed with the following years, Vern was unexpectedly promoted from their Whitehorse, Yukon home to his heavenly dwelling in 2021.
Cynthia wondered what new adventure the Lord was going to provide. He indicated there would be one in Prince Albert at NCEM Headquarters. Volunteering there for six months in 2023, Cynthia moved to Prince Albert in October 2023 to assume full-time work. She sees her role at the HQ Office as one of encouragement and helping in any way she can, be it office work or brightening the day for people she encounters.
