Sunday, Sept. 5, the congregation gathered at Community Baptist Church probably noticed an empty space in the pews.
Just the previous Sunday, the same congregation had welcomed a new family into their midst, who had arrived earlier that week from Hong Kong.
Pastor Ron Braun had first met Jeff Tam over 10 years ago at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and College in Cochrane, Alta. where they were both pursuing their theological studies.
"He roomed and boarded with my wife and I for a little over a year," said Braun.
After graduation, the two went their separate ways, with Braun accepting a position in North Battleford and Tam returned to Hong Kong.
The two men kept in touch, although sporadically.
Just over two years ago, Braun was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Tam, who was thinking of coming to Canada.
"I felt really excited to have him thinking of coming back to Canada, especially to serve in our community because he could have gone anywhere in Canada," said Braun.
Tam worked on the immigration process for himself, his wife Mildred and their two young sons, Job and Joshua.
In the spring of last year, Tam came for a short visit, to see what he hoped would become home for him and his family.
After much anticipation and prayers on the part of the Community Baptist Church, Tam and his family finally arrived in North Battleford in the wee hours Aug. 24.
Braun's wife, MaryAnn, had been preparing for weeks in advance, finding and renting an apartment for the family, furnishing the apartment and buying all the little things needed in the house, such as tea towels, small appliances and utensils.
"They didn't have to bring anything," said MaryAnn, adding the cost of shipping from Hong Kong is very high.
The following Sunday, the congregation welcomed the Tams into their midst, holding a special lunch for the occasion after the service.
It was anticipated Tam would have worked with the youth in the community. He also had plans to instruct karate, for which he has a black belt.
Then, after less than a week in Canada, the unthinkable happened: Tam received a call from home, informing him his father was terminally ill.
"He can't have that on his mind and try to do ministry work here," said Braun.
In the end, Tam decided to pack up his family and go back to Hong Kong. They left Sept.1, deciding to take the whole family because it was uncertain how long Tam would have to remain in Hong Kong and being alone in a new country would be difficult for his wife and children.
"I was pretty sad to see him go," said Braun. "But he will be back."
The Brauns don't expect the Tams to return for at least a year, as Job and Joshua are in elementary school and their parents wouldn't want to move in the middle of the school year.
