This week in good news (Dec. 27-Jan. 2)

This week, Manitobans rang in the new year alongside the rest of the world with joy and acts of kindness.

Christian artists respond to Nashville explosion

After a Christmas Day explosion in Nashville, artists of faith are offering their condolences to those impacted by the disaster.

In the early morning of Dec. 25, a camper van exploded in the U.S. city, injuring three people.

Police had responded to the area to reports of gunshots just before 6:00 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, they located a camper van broadcasting a warning message to leave the area.

Christmas Day terrorist attack thwarted in Pakistan

A Christmas Day terrorist attack on a church in the Pakastani city of Peshawar was stopped by police, but a missions organization says the terrorists are already back on the streets.

Mission Network News reports that "security forces raided a house several miles away from the church. Police were seen arresting four terrorists and seizing several explosive devices, including suicide bomber vests.

"One of the men arrested was the leader of a banned militia in the country."

Manitoba woman lends helping hand to families with special needs children

A woman from Lorette, Man., is making it her mission to help parents with children requiring extra support.

Jenn Black worked for 15 years as an inclusion specialist at daycares and has personally seen how children with special needs can feel left out, including her two children.

“I have a son with extra support needs and I know it’s hard for him sometimes to find friends that understand him and want to play with him, so I figured I would start this group.”

Nashville officer credits voice of God for saving his life in Christmas explosion

An officer in Nashville, Tennesse, says that he wouldn't have survived a Christmas Day explosion if it wasn't for listening to the voice of God.

"I literally heard God tell me to turn around."

2021 to bring hopeful view of the pandemic

While it will be many, many months before Manitoba returns to a pre-pandemic normal, Manitobans have been proving their resilience as case numbers trend downwards.

Anticdotedly, the Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Jazz Atwal says he saw people doing a good job of following the current public health guidelines over Christmas.

"I think there is a lot of buy in," Atwal says. "I think Manitobans adhere to the messaging. I think a lot of people did what they needed to and I am hoping the same happens over New Years.'"

IDC woman creates worship journals with First Nations communities

A new believer says that she has grown close to God over the past year, using His words as inspiration in her latest publishing project.

Marianne Curtis's path to God has been rocky, including experiencing an abusive partner, being called a "devil spawn" by her adoptive mother, and leading others into temptation. Despite this, Curtis says she is returning to God.

"I told God I am done with my life. I have screwed it up so bad and I dared Him. I said 'you exist. Change my life in a year. Make me different."

Tauren Wells new song a movement to help 'God's children'

Tauren Wells is releasing a new single that he says is more than just a song, "it's a movement."

The song is called 'All God's Children' and was released on December 31, 2020, at midnight.

"Over the course of the past several months, God has been opening my heart to ways I can lend my influences to causes that are greater and bigger than me," Wells says in a video posted to his Twitter account yesterday.

Lauren Daigle celebrates hitting platinum for song 'Rescue'

Two-time Grammy award winner Lauren Daigle is celebrating a Platinum certification for her song 'Rescue'.

Her sophomore album Look Up Child reached Platinum first, earlier this year.

"Thank you for your support, for loving the song, and for sharing stories. I'll tell you, anytime someone gives over a story or what the song has meant to them through a hardship, it makes me want to write more," Daigle shared.

Free online New Years Eve shows for Manitobans

Families can ring in the new year with shows being put together by local artists.

Instead of braving the cold, this year Manitobans will be celebrating the new year warmly at home.

ONE Worship Night back for New Years Eve

To ring in the new year, Winnipeg's ONE Worship Night band is inviting people to join a virtual time of praising God.

February 23 is the last time the group put on a worship event for any and all Christians to participate in the Southern Manitoba area.

Tonight, on New Year's Eve, the group is reuniting to put on a virtual event on their Facebook and YouTube channel to celebrate the new year in worship, at 9:00 p.m.