Off to Thompson, MB
Some
will bring a harvest, some will wither, others will never take root, others
will be choked out, (Matt.13:3-9) yet our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, tells us in the Bible
that we are to go on and spread the seed. He, is of course, talking about
sharing the Good News of His love, mercy, grace, and sacrifice for all the
world. This is the seed planted. And the gift of faith given by
the Holy Spirit is the plant grown from that seed. The plant producing
the crop of hope, comfort and purpose.Gifts from Supporters
We often
talk about the fruits as peace, joy, and love. Yet more basic fruits of faith
are having hope beyond the struggles of the day, having comfort amid trials,
pain, and heartbreak, and having a purpose to stay grounded in this world, not
stop it all through hedonism, addictions, and even the finality of suicide.Newly Minted team for Cross Lake, MB
The Lake taken from near the church at Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake), ON
My new friend and driver in Garden Hill, MB |
Taking
to the Air
This summer
Andrew Anstey (MAF Missionary Pilot) and I flew over 60 hours visiting
communities we serve. We made overnight visits and joined the work of 11 Teams
in action.
The Lance
worked well and saw us through our many hours of transporting community gifts
along with our overnight packs as we moved in with the teams.
Again this
summer, the flight ministry was based out of Thompson, MB. We were blessed to
house sit the same family home once again, though after being spoiled for two
summers, we will need to find a new location to base ourselves in Thompson next
year.Andrew flew Church leaders from Kingfisher over to Kasabonika, ON
The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) over Kingfisher, ON
Feast at Kingfisher (Bannock Donuts, Snow Goose Soup, fried potatoes, Tea) |
Worship held Sunday morning and afternoon in Kingfisher |
Recognizing the Past
The Harper family, who are strongly connected to their LAMP
family, made the trek from Red Sucker Lake in Eastern Manitoba to The Pas in
Western Manitoba for a special memorial visit, at which I was invited to
participate, offering prayers. Andrew and I flew over from Thompson to join the
family, and share in this very special memorial day visit.
Fanny Harper & Family @ the Six Mile Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, The Pas, MB |
Fanny Harper (Matriarch 93 years of age) had found the final
resting place of her parents, who had been flown out of their community during
the Tuberculosis Epidemic in the Late 1950s. All she knew was they went to a
hospital when she was 16 and never returned.
Now after an in depth search their names were found on the
Sanitorium List at Clear Lake, MB. The mass graveyard where they were laid to
rest was found to be at 6 Mile Cemetery (on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation) North
of The Pas. This was an opportunity for Fanny as she sat facing the graves to
thank her parents in her Language for being good parents to her, raising her
with faith in Jesus. Her family had brought earth from Red Sucker Lake which
she dumped there symbolically bringing home to them since they could not bring
them back to their home. After 77 years and before her leaving to join them in heaven,
Fanny was blessed to be of sound mind and able body to travel, having some
closure to a missing chapter from her life.
Bridge next to the Historic Hudson Bay Depot @ Norway House, MB |
Supper with the team. aka... interrogation of the Pastor Pilot ;-) |
Bringing
the Good News of God’s Love
It is my
prayer that all our teams, while building relationships in the community they
serve, are planting those seeds of the gospel (Romans 10:17). Seeds that
through faith lead to hope, comfort, and purpose.
There is
joy in the eyes of the children we serve as they find acceptance from these
strangers coming into their community. Strangers who become friends, friends
who share the love and gift of acceptance they personally know. Friends who
share about Jesus, who gives purpose for their sacrifice of time to come to
their Northern Canadian community.
We can see the seeds of faith taking root, and the plant growing. As time passes, we see the pursuit of not only hope, comfort, and purpose, but also the gracious blessings of peace, joy, and love.
Sharing the Love of Jesus