5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. (Luke 10:5-7)

 

Praise be to God! On August 9th, the Canadian government opened the borders for air travel. This was God’s timing since a brand new mission team was heading to Witset (Moricetown) to conduct LAMP’s only in person Vacation Bible School this summer. Unlike times when Jesus sent the disciples out to do ministry, I was able to pack my bags and bring the things needed to support the LAMP team from Stony Plain, AB serving Witset.

 

On August 16th, I met the team in Witset for a normal start of a first-year trip.  Normal start as in － no kids showed on day 1 of VBS. Luckily, we had partnered with a local non Indigenous pastor to help connect with people in the community. Pastor Doug and his wife Sherry have been living in Witset for forty years and knew every person living there, and everyone knew the Andersons!

 

So we walked the neighborhood with Pastor Doug and Sherry to invite any kids to our VBS. When we all got back, we had three kids. During the rest of the week, Pastor Doug and Sherry would pick up a few kids and others joined them.  The team averaged 11 kids every day after that.

 

Video of the team to Witset

Another exciting event took place that week.  After taking a break due to COVID, the Andersons re-initiated a Friday night pizza party at their home.  This is a tradition that they have been doing for almost fifteen years. About a dozen youth showed up, scarfed down pizza and ran around playing games. Later, a family of five boys and five girls joined in the fun. After a while, the Anderson’s gave rides home to most of the kids from the community.  The family of ten kids, along with the Anderson’s three grand-daughters, led the team and myself in some worship songs and a short devotion. It was such a fitting way to end our time in Witset.

 

The Anderson and Goerke kids leading everyone in praise songs.

The following week I was able to visit most of the communities that LAMP serves in B.C. It felt so good to see people face to face and be able to pray with them in person. It has been several months since any COVID cases have been reported, and nearly everyone has received their second vaccine. For the most part, everything seemed back to normal. There were the usual soccer tournaments, restaurants were open, and the movie theatre had just opened. And almost everyone was not wearing masks . . . until Wednesday, Aug. 25th when the BC government implemented a mask mandate to reduce transmission and protect people indoors again.

 

Visit with Minnie from Kitamaat Village

Other exciting things happening: A new secondary school is about to break ground near Gitanyow. The school will save some students an hour of travel (one way), and the school is geared towards the First Nations’ students. The idea for the school is to help slow the dropout rate by providing access to education closer to home and offering classes that will teach their culture.

 

Gitanyow fishing grounds

On Saturday, Aug. 28th, I was invited to a special announcement at the traditional fishing grounds for Gitanyow (Wilp Wii Litsxw Meziadin). I had always seen pictures of people fishing at this place but never really knew where it was. Most of Gitanyow was in attendance to witness a document signing by all the chiefs. The document declared that the Gitanyow fishing area would be protected from any development or other environmental impact (mining, mineral extraction) from the rivers and nearby land. There was then some dancing, and fish that was caught that day was served.  A couple of news reporters were on hand to record the story.  It was an exciting day!  Again, I was thankful to physically be present for this event.

 

Melinda showing me how they fish.

I also was able to record some podcasts that will be released soon. One podcast that I recorded offered me more insight into the residential schools and life in the community of Gitanyow. As soon as I finish editing them, I will post a link.

 

If everything stays the same, and the border remains open, I plan to make a trip in November to visit the communities again and begin to set things up for winter visits.

 

Your prayers are so needed and greatly appreciated. Please pray that any COVID variants do not make it into the Indigenous communities, that the US/Canada border will remain open for travel, and that we can find opportunities for God’s Word, grace and love to minister from a distance or whatever way possible.