As a former DCE, I have had my fair share of high school graduations. I can almost recite the speech the principal will give, what the valedictorian will say; however, the student selected is always different. Nothing wrong with high school graduations. They are milestones in all our lives. I can still remember mine and the feeling I had when I pulled away from the high school as a student for the last time.

This past June, I witnessed my first graduation in a mostly First Nations high school. It was very different and for a reason.  A lot of youth do not finish high school, and for some, this might be the only time they are publicly recognized. This high school graduation was also special as my friend Taylor had invited me to attend. All the students buy or rent very formal attire.  It almost looks like a prom.

 The day started with group photos at Ksan Museum with Mt. Roche de Boule and the Buckley River in the background. Students enter into the school gym carrying a candle and place it on the table to signify their years of education and then are seated on a stage facing the audience. (The graduating students design and make their own backdrop for the stage each year.)  Speeches are given and scholarships are awarded. But, the scholarships are presented by people in the community, business leaders, society members, and school officials. More photos are taken, and then there is a first dance with mom or dad and a special guest. No, I did not dance with Taylor. Then the parties follow.

I was invited to Taylor’s home. Since he lived in Gitanyow, I was able to see a lot of familiar faces. As the food was set, I was asked to lead grace for the meal. Humbled and surprised to be asked, I acknowledged Taylor and the other two youth from Gitanyow and thanked God our creator. What a treat and a blessing!

 This will be it for most of these young people. Maybe some will go for further education, some have or will start a job while others… try to figure out what to do next. This is normal for a lot of youth everywhere, not just in First Nations’ communities. Yet, in a First Nations community, it’s even more challenging to figure out where to go next given the lack of employment opportunities, transportation (no public transit), poor housing, and other barriers they face. As well, there are many temptations and trials that can detour young adults.

God does guise our steps, but we need an idea where to start (Proverbs 19:21). As many graduates look towards the future, may they find guidance from wise adults and other heedful resources. May we all trust in the Lord and not our own understanding. Will you help me pray for these graduates to find a meaningful path in life that is fulfilling and sustainable?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

“The separation is in the preparation.” This is the quote by Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson when asked about leading to the success of winning a football game, which happens a lot.  J I am not quoting Russell Wilson because I have similar success or his good looks. I reference this quote to emphasis the time of year LAMP and all the churches are in -- getting ready for their summer mission trips to remote Indigenous communities in northern Canada. 

It’s preparation time! Time to plan the trips, raise the funds, rent the vans, and most importantly prepare to teach others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s exciting and sometimes challenging.

Just recently, preparations I had made for this past April trip to northern B.C. did not come through in one community. However, after a few quick phone calls, things were fixed. This most likely will not be the last time my summer plans get changed. Those that have been on mission trips will tell you that it can be day-to day with changes, but the important thing is to start those preparations in prayer.

Pastor-pilot, Dennis Ouellette, on his pre-check flight plan, begins with prayer. Every week, the LAMP staff (including myself) end our meeting time in prayer for the communities we serve, the volunteers that serve with us, and those that support the ministries of LAMP. Even during the summer, LAMP’s mission teams are encouraged to have prayer partners back home praying for them, the team, and the families in the community.

You can pray right now, whether you are reading this blog for the first time or at any other time in the year.  Chances are that a mission team or missionary staff of LAMP is preparing or visiting a community. Ephesians 6:18 says, “ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” In a week, I will be leaving for northern B.C. to do summer ministry with LAMP. I ask that you not only pray for my safe travels but for God to work through me, that hearts and minds would be open to receiving the gospel message. More posts to come shortly.

Blessings,

Nathan

Spring Trip

And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. Luke 9:5

 

The highway to Gingolx (Kincolith)

I hope that would never happen to me. To be that guy who is told to leave because no one is willing to receive the gospel message.

I was waiting to receive word on whether I would be able to meet with our community contacts in Kincolith.  In anticipation that my phone would ring, I drove slowly to the community. As it turned out, our contacts happened to be attending a funeral in Prince Rupert and were due back later in the day.  As I approached a community close to Kincolith, Greenville, the thought of stopping in to introduce myself and the ministry of LAMP occurred to me.  But, another part of me wondered, “Would I be accepted or be told, no thanks!” and have to shake off the spring mud from my boots.

I said a quick prayer and headed into the Greenville band office. The receptionist was very friendly as I introduced myself. She then paused and looked at her desk. My heart sank, Oh no, here it comes, I thought, she’s going to say no thank-you.

“I’m trying to see who is here that you could talk to,” she responded.  I relaxed and waited briefly before the staff memmber came out to greet me. We walked back to her office where I re-introduced myself and explained about our LAMP VBS.  She thought that it was a great program and asked if we had activities such as archery and horseback riding, etc. Again, not sure how I would be received, I clarified, “Actually, we come into the community and teach about Jesus through crafts, games and storytelling.”

“Wow, really and what does this cost?”  she asked.  I explained that there was no cost, we just ask the communities to provide a space to teach and a place for the mission team to stay. Excited at the possibility, the staff memeber mentioned that they had a newer church the team could use and apartments that the team could stay in. Here’s where the story takes a turn.

No, I wasn’t kicked out, and I kept my boots on. I wish I could have said that we would have a church team coming this summer to teach the children. The truth of the matter is we don’t have enough churches to fill all the communities LAMP used to serve, let alone any new ones.  Reluctantly, I had to inform Pamela that we currently did not have a team available but were hopeful it would be a possibility in the future.

As I drove back to where I was staying, there was a mix of emotions inside of me. I wasn’t able to meet with the contacts in Kincolith, but I had an excellent unplanned visit with a new community.  On the one hand, I am excited for the possibility of a new team coming in to serve and, on the other hand, saddened that we can’t fill that community’s need yet. Please pray that God will make a way and raise up more mission teams to fulfill the need.

Gitsegukla School

The rest of my trip that week in B.C. went very well. All of the community arrangements have been made for the summer and VBS posters were dropped off for advertising. Part of my trip I was able to help with a field trip fundraiser at Gitsegukla school. I was also able to spend time with Jarvis in Gitanyow and attend Bart's church where he and Korin lead the worship music. I was eventually able to reach our community contacts in Kincolith, and everything is set for a new team to come in. Please pray for all the teams as they get ready to share the gospel message this summer.

Spring Fling

It was late when we finally gathered around the table for our first evening devotion. Kathleen and Nadine who are from Sherwood Park in Edmonton joined Andy from Damascus, Oregon and myself. In the morning we would head into Kitamaat Village for an afternoon VBS and for a women’s tea in the evening. Months before this evening devotion, we had several online meetings with different team leaders to plan what we called “Spring Fling”. I spent weeks of writing and gathering materials to make sure we had everything we needed. We did not know what the next day would bring, this was the first time a LAMP team was coming in the off season to the British Columbia communities. We prayed that night knowing God would direct and work through us to minister to whomever came.

The next day went perfect. We had five kids for the VBS and several women for the women's tea. At the end of the women's tea, one the ladies Bobbie, told our group they were going to make dinner for us. We were told to bring nothing and do nothing.

The next day we also had nine kids for VBS. We decided to read the Bible story from the Bible. When we asked who had a Bible, a couple of kids said they had one at their house and one boy wasn’t allowed to touch it. So Vicar Chris brought a case of New Testament Bibles from his church. We passed out the Bibles and explained how to use them. To my surprise the kids followed along as I read. At the end of the story we told the kids they could keep the Bibles. Not once but twice a little boy asked if we were serious about keeping the Bibles. After saying yes for the second time, several of the kids wanted to write theirs names in their own Bible. Sometimes we can forget that many people do not always have a Bible to learn from. That evening Bobbie and a few friends served us dinner. Wow, what a treat it was to be served when it was our desire were to be the ones serving. Most of Bobbies family came and a few others from the community. Before we ate, one of Bobbie’s granddaughters offered a prayer in Haisla, her native language.

Here is what she said:

Wednesday we headed into Kincolith which LAMP had a team there several years ago. This summer Faith Lutheran from Surrey, B.C. will be serving this community. Our goal of the trip was to plant seeds for the summer VBS program. Despite the long drive, the views made up for it. When we arrived at the church to set-up we found out there was another program happening. There was a science camp that had started at 9am and they would be wrapping up around noon. So we walked around the community meeting one of the youth workers and visiting the band office. I also visited the community contact person. As program began to wined down, I knew that not many kids would sit through another program. So in the end there were only three kids that stayed. They were all three from the same family. We had a great time with them.

As we left we stopped and visited an Oolichan camp. Click here to read more about the Oolichan. There were several men at the camp as they were preparing to slow cook several hundred pounds of Oolichans that had been fermenting for a few days. They were very friendly and gave us a tour of their process and even offered us some Oolichan grease to sample. I was expecting a stronger fish taste, it was rather mild but not that sweat. 

    It was an amazing week and many places that we could see God at work. By Friday morning Kathleen, Nadine and Andy had flown home. So I went fishing with Vicar Chris and Ray. It’s rare to see a nice day in Kitimat. We were very blessed by warm, sunny weather.

    Saturday I picked up Matthew Dusk, from Christ Lutheran in Yuma, Arizona. Then on Sunday the rest of the group came from Christ the Vine Lutheran in Damascus, Oregon. We drove into Old Hazelton to where we’d stay for the rest of the week. At 5:30pm we headed to St.Peter’s Anglican Church for a supper served by the ladies of the church. After a hearty dinner we setup for the evening youth night. 7pm came and went and we released that no kids were going to show, it was the end of spring break. So we used the time to plan and prep for the week of VBS, which we needed to do. The next day started early as we attended Ajagaleehl Gall Aks Elementary (John Field School). The community contacts for New Hazelton, Marian and Martin Penner go every other week to sing to second grade class. We came along to sing with them and offer a puppet show. After the puppet show, Dr. Jane (the second grade teacher) wanted to to have the ‘Ks’ and the 1s’ join her class. So we did the puppet skit another time, did a gospel illusion with the restored rope and sang a few more songs. What made this school visit special, it is a first nation public school. But Dr.Jane is a believer and allowed the Martins and our group sing Christian songs.

After saying goodbye to the kids, we grabbed lunch and headed into Gitanyow. This was the first time the team from Christ the Vine had been in Gitanyow outside the summer, so the snow on the ground was a different sight. We started VBS with about 16 kids. Enjoying seeing familiar faces both from the kids and parents that came to greet us. That evening we gathered at the drop-in, a place for youth to go to in the afternoon and evenings. We played a couple of games, sang some songs and had a devotion to finish off the evening. Very good day, but the next day was even better. The next day started early as we had to be at the Gitsegukla School by 8:30am. Angelena was the 2^nd & 3^rd grade teacher, her husband taught the 4^th & 5^th and was also the pastor at the local church. We did our VBS program in the gym for sixty kids from the ages of five to fourteen. We had to stretch a two hour program into two and a half hours and not talk about the “Christian message”. So we focused on moralism and sang more camp songs. But the kids had a blast. It felt like a summer VBS, receiving hugs and laughter. We stayed for lunch and the seven of us sat as different tables to talk with the kids. Just before we left I asked about the possibility of using the school for a team to come during the summer. I was told they would love to have a team come and if we couldn’t use the school, the church would be another possibility. Please pray that we can use the school this summer and that a new church would send a VBS team.

 We left for Gitanyow to setup for the afternoon VBS. We had about fourteen kids and around fourteen youth for the youth night. While we were trying to leave, I notice Jarvis (the adult in charge of the drop in.) wasn’t doing well. The pastor from the local church came in to pray with him but Jarvis still seemed upset by something. I found out his girlfriend’s brother had suddenly passed. Jarvis wasn’t able to see her off and felt bad he couldn’t be with the family. So Tina, Tyler and I prayed for him. While we were doing that, McKenzie was consoling a youth who was missing her brother and Kristin was also consoling another youth who didn’t feel like she had many friends and was dealing with depression. It was a long night but God was working through our group. 

The next day we had VBS at St.Peter’s Anglican in Old Hazelton. But no kids came. So Matt, Ryan and Tyler went walking around to find any kids interested in coming. But instead Matt ran into several of the homeless men he knew from the pass summers. Matt, Ryan and Tyler listened to each of their stories and prayed with them. Despite our plan, God had another plan to use part of our group. We went home for dinner and came back for youth night. Only two kids came, a brother and sister. The brother was a younger youth and Matt knew him from the summer. Now, if you remember my summer blog/newsletter I shared a story about a young girl that came by during our summer evening program. She had some amazing fried salmon and after I promised that I would not share her recipe she told me her “mom’s secret recipe”. She then asked about what we were doing here. So I told her about VBS and all the things that we do, she paused to think and then said, “I might come tomorrow”. Well, she didn’t come back that summer but she came to the youth night and we had a great time playing a card game with her and her brother. When they went to go home, Matt and Tina walked them back to their house and wonderful conversations with them. Let's hope they both come back this summer.

               The next day we cleaned up the house and left to head home. Our hearts and minds were filled with the many different events from the week. Everyone was looking forward to the summer trips and the possibility of coming during the fall. Prayer for the new seeds of faith planted during this trip and preparations for the summer.