Spring Fling 2019 Week 3

The final and last week of Spring Fling 2019, was awesome! One of the main reasons for such an amazing week is Catherine from the Edmonton LAMP office joined Kathleen and I for the week. Catherine combined with Kathleen as if they were a team of four people. Everything ran very smoothly, and there was a ton of energy in the room. We also stayed at Vicar Travis’s place with his cat Astrid.

Since school was back in session, we held VBS at the church from 3:30 -5:30 pm. We averaged around ten kids which was due, in part, to Catherine and Kathleen inviting a homework club playing at the playground on Monday. Many of the kids weren’t familiar with the Bible, so we had to take extra time to explain things.

We had assistance from Redeemer Lutheran in Kitimat through Vicar Travis and a member, Carol, who helped at VBS and another member, Ellen, who made cookies for the kids. It was wonderful to have their help and support. After a dinner break, the ladies held a women’s tea on Monday and Tuesday night. Each night there were different and new ladies that had not attended from previous years.

“But wait, there is more” -- Because of my time volunteering at JANT, I recognized most of the ladies that attended. The last two nights of our time in Kitamaat Village, we were invited to help prepare vegetables for the stew on Wednesday for a healing feast held on Thursday.

Back in October, a young man had a major accident working on the new board walk around part of the bay. As a way to get rid of his bad luck, the community held a cleansing feast. After the meal, one of the men from the village performed a smudging ceremony for this young man and his family. At the end of the ceremony, a prayer was offered. I was glad to hear the prayer was to Jesus thanking Him for life and His love. Everyone in attendance observed and received a bath towel as a way to wipe away our tears. The next morning, the three of us left early to fly back to our respective homes.

There is already talk of the next spring fling. I am hoping most everyone will return and hopefully the new groups serving in B.C. will join us.

Spring Fling 2019 Week 2

The second week is what I call a typical week serving with LAMP. It started by Shelly Ree’s (team leader from Barrhead, AB) flight being cancelled and rescheduled for the following day. The group from my home church arrive on Sunday, and we headed to the Airbnb house, which was farther than we liked...by 20 minutes! But, the views and the house was well worth it.

Later that evening, the group was treated to a Gitsanimx class, because I had been attending class with Dr.Jane who is also an active member at the Salvation Army Church. The group did better at picking up the language with one team member even surprising the grocery store clerk by saying, “Hamiyaa” which means thank-you.

The next day we scrambled to get everything ready since I had to get Shelly at the airport. We hurried back to the church where the group finalized plans for the VBS afternoon program at the Fire Church in New Hazelton. Although Christopher was the only child in attendance, he quickly bonded with one of the team members who shared a Harry Potter interest. Two days later, we doubled attendance when his cousin came, who also had a great time with a 3.3 adult ratio to students. The grandmother was very glad Christopher and Emma could attend, since her son doesn’t allow ‘religion’ in his house. We’re praying Christopher will be around in the summer when the group returns.

Originally, evenings in Gitanyow were going to be Tribal games for each of the clans. We were planning to hold VBS for the kids in the drop-in center while the adults played on Monday – Thursday. But, when I contacted the youth workers the night before, they had already started the games on Sunday and asked if we could join them. Hence, several of us and my young thirty-year-old self played several games of basketball most of the night.

 Later that evening, we offered a ride home to a person staying in the neighboring community. He opened up about being sober for five weeks, how he wanted to be a better dad for his two kids and an example to others in his community. Just before we dropped him off, we prayed with him and thanked him for sharing.

The next morning my body was reminded of my true age (45).  However, it had been a great night.  It was good to see so many familiar faces coming together for fun around being active.

Next evening, we helped with a feast intended to teach the youth and us the “guest”. What a treat and a very good time of “but wait, there’s more” experiences. Most people may never experience a feast in their time in the communities. Afterwards, a talent show was held, where one of our members sang a song, and we helped judge the different age groups. Although a late drive back, we were excited to share in the events. The next evening, we returned to hold a one day VBS since the tribal games were over. We had over a dozen kids and youth!  After the program and clean up, it took us awhile to say our goodbyes.

Our final evening of week two of Spring Fling was a youth game night at the Salvation Army Church in Hazelton. (As stated earlier, I met with Alex during my Gitsanimx class regarding us attending this). When we arrived, Alex and his wife Adrian were waiting for us. There was a table of refreshments and many board games stacked up.

Since most of the Gitanyow team are former youth at Christ the Vine, this brought back memories of my times with them in high school and youth group…maybe that’s why I haven’t been sleeping well lately. One of the youth who showed up was the Penner’s grandson.

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, teasing and competitive spirits from both sides of the board. We prayed together, and Alex offered to help us get into Gitsegukla if interested in sending a VBS team there. Alex also assists at the Salvation Army camp in Houston, B.C. and holds some programs in Gitsegukla.

The next day I shuttled people and cars around to get ready for week three.