Light Above My Path - LAMP: 2019

We live in a dark world...a world that suffers the affects of sin and evil. Yet this is the world into which God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. Jesus brought us deliverance from the darkness of sin and evil. He also gives us his Word to light our path, to guide us, and for us to take to the far reaches of the earth. As His word says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

The New Year

This year has flown by rapidly. It seems like each year does, but this one was a year that started quickly and continued throughout the year. In my area of ministry, there were 6 winter trips, 13 communities served with VBS volunteer teams, and multiple trips to meet the needs of communities including workshops, visiting friends, and supporting the communities at times of grief. It was an unprecedented year of ministry greatly blessed by the Lord Jesus.

All of us have just finished the celebration of the birth of Jesus--this incarnation of God as man but yet still fully God. The New Year is just hours away as I write this. People are still returning Christmas presents and packing grocery stores to stock up for New Year celebrations. Stores are already decked out for Valentine's Day. Has this season of the birth of Jesus been overshadowed by all the other trappings of this time of the year?

It seems as if there are so many other things that occupy our time and attention. But is there any room left for our Savior, Jesus?

Throughout the church year we recall Jesus' birth, His baptism, calling the disciples, His many miracles, challenging the religious leaders of His day. Then we follow the life of Jesus through Holy Week. Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The cleansing of the temple. Jesus' anointing at Bethany. Judas plotting to betray Jesus. The last supper. Jesus' arrest and trial. His crucifixion, death, and burial. Jesus' resurrection. His appearing to his followers. Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus ascension into heaven. Jesus promised He would return to take all His followers to be in paradise with Him for all eternity.

This is the reason LAMP sends missionaries and volunteer teams to spread this vital message to communities in the north. There are people who haven't heard the full story of Jesus. There are those who know it well and crave for fellowship with other Christians. Supporting adults, children and families in their faith is a directive Jesus himself gave to us, to go and make disciples of all nations.

LAMP enters 2020 with 50 years of ministry to the north. We at LAMP along with many of our volunteers, partners and donors are excited about the future ahead. Please continue to keep LAMP and the communities we serve in your prayers.

Finally, it is with mixed emotions that I’m announcing my official retirement with LAMP effective February 1, 2020. I have come to a point where I need to focus my time and energy on my own family. I will continue with LAMP on a part-time basis to mentor the new LAMP missionary, Rev. Randy Heide, who will be taking over my area of responsibility in northern Ontario and eastern Manitoba.

It is my hope that you will continue your support with Pastor Randy as he embarks on ministering to the people of the north. After all, LAMP is not about one person, but about taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, including remote communities in the north.

Blessed New Year to you all!

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The 5th--Wrapping it up

The rest of the summer went by rather quickly. After visiting the team in Big Trout Lake and the funeral at Muskrat Dam, visits continued with the teams heading north.

The next visit was to Wapekeka which is a neighboring community to Big Trout Lake. 4 of the team members stay an extra week and conduct a VBS in that community. They are the only 2 communities in northern Ontario connected to each other by a local road. This year, we were able to make a couple of great connections with the band office. We went over to thank them for the accommodations and gave them quilts. In exchange, they presented the team with a community flag. The finance director explained the meaning of it. We prayed together and then with weather closing in, I departed after lunch.

Team receiving the Wapekeka community flag.

A couple of days later, I flew up to Island Lake, Manitoba on Saturday morning and then caught a water taxi to Garden Hill. This is a hybrid team from Wisconsin and Texas (family connection). They do a great job and are well organized. I met a couple of the new team members and helped with VBS preparations. Their VBS runs from Sunday to Thursday.

The team preparing VBS crafts

After attending worship Sunday morning, we hurried back to the school where the team stays to to get ready for the first day of VBS. There were around 30 children in attendance but it usually picks up as the week goes on. This team has quite a few young members who are a great asset and attract many of the children.

The Wisconsin/Texas team at Garden Hill

Music time in the gym

After VBS, I headed to the airport to fly up to my next team visit at Norway House, Manitoba. This team has been going to the community for 11 years. They "divide and conquer" as they conduct 3 VBS sessions simultaneously at 3 different churches. Norway House is a large community of about 8,000 people and is spread out. Hence the VBS strategy. I met new team members who were excited to be able to participate. I also connected with team members I've known since my first VBS trip there. For the rest of the evening after supper I assisted the team in preparing crafts for the VBS.

The team preparing for VBS the next day

The accommodations for the team are divided up which makes it easier for the more seasoned members to have a regular bed. Monday morning saw everyone back together for breakfast and then loading up to head out to their respective churches. Since it's a challenge to be at all 3 VBS locations, and weather was closing in, I prayed with everyone before they all left. I flew back to Sioux Lookout before the weather worsened which would last for 48 hours.

The weather cleared in northern Manitoba a few days later and I flew up to Shamattawa to meet the team there. This team, which comes from the same church as the Norway House team, has also gone to Shamattawa in the winter the last 4 years and for summer VBS 11 years. The team of 5 (one newbie this year) as usual was ready to go. The first 2 days of VBS, they had a building to use. Unfortunately it was not available the rest of the week. So the team improvised and had VBS outside their accommodations. They have done this in the past and weren't phased by the change.

Crosses were decorated with grasses and flowers from the field.

I am impressed how this small team manages the large group of children so well. The children know the team well and look forward to their arrival.

Leon Dawkins entertains the children singing songs

The children line up for snack time.

The Shamattawa team and guest Pastor Nick

After VBS, we packed up the supplies and cleaned up the area. Then it was time to debrief and make supper. We relaxed for the rest of the evening. The next morning, we had breakfast, thanks to Leon who does a lion's share of the cooking. We prayed together before walking to the airport to fly back to Sioux Lookout.

The next visit on the schedule was to Sandy Lake, Ontario. Because the weather was going to be unpredictable, I flew up on the regional airline. This team since 2012 has conducted a memorial service for all the people who have died in the last year. The community appreciates it quite a lot. Part of what the team does is provide food and refreshments after the service. This year, one of the items would be bannock dogs. (Think of "pigs in a blanket"). Pastor Zach and his wife came over to the teacherage and showed us how to make them.

Pastor Zack and his wife making bannock

One sad event took place while the team was at Sandy Lake. A 3 year old boy accidentally drowned just before their arrival. The tradition is to have the wake at the home. The wake was held the same evening as the memorial service. After the service, the team went to the home and brought food for the family. We were able to pay our respects and support the family.

Community members looking at the memorial cards and candles

Because the funeral would be held the next day on Friday, the last day of VBS was cancelled as the funeral would be at the church where they held VBS. The team once again volunteered to prepare and serve food after the funeral. Because of my flight schedule, I had to leave before the funeral. We prayed together and then I went back to the airport to get my flight back to Sioux Lookout.

The next week, two teams were in communities. The first was at Cross Lake, Manitoba. This is the team of 35 people that comes from Billings, Montana on a charter bus. It's one of only 2 drive-in communities, the other being Norway House. We found out just days before they left that the schools would not be available for accommodations or for VBS due to major remodeling. Thankfully, one of the contacts arranged for the team to stay at a church and another home. VBS was held at the school, but all activities were held outside.

Most of the team stayed at one of the churches

VBS registration at the school

Bible story time at the school entrance alcove

Surprisingly, VBS worked out well with stations set up around the outside of the school. This team has always had a "can do" attitude and would let nothing stop them from serving the community.

In the evening, the team got the use of the Cadet building for games and hanging out with the older youth. To close out the evening, I did a devotion on dealing with tragedy, especially since there had been a recent young death in the community.

The next morning, I headed out early since another batch of stormy weather was moving in from the west. I stopped for fuel at Island Lake and then flew to Kingfisher Lake, Ontario to visit the team and community. I arrived near Noon and in time to help with the VBS. We had a small turnout that day but the kids were eager to come.

I helped with necklace making during craft

We headed back to the mission house after VBS where the team was staying to rest and debrief. We had also been invited to Big Beaver House, an island where Kingfisher and Wunnumin Lake got their start, which was a 10 minute boat ride. It was the last day of a mission festival including a huge feast of food. The team was invited to sing. I taught the group a VBS song, "The Little Red Box." Laura Ells, one of the team members sang "Where You There". The singing was greatly appreciated by all those in attendance.

Laura sang a solo for the mission festival

The Kingfisher Lake team at Sioux Lookout

After the festival started to wind up in the late evening, we rode back to Kingfisher to recoup and head to bed for the night. The next morning, we had breakfast and prayed together and then I got a ride back to the airport to fly back to Sioux Lookout.

We had a couple of weather fronts move through which delayed flying into the communities the following week. Unfortunately I was not able to get to Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba or to Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba. I was, however, able to fly to Muskrat Dam, Ontario to meet up with the team there. They have the use of the elementary school for both accommodations and VBS which is held in the gym. We did have a little glitch as the power in the community was shut off for about 20 minutes to change some electrical equipment. But that just added to the fun factor.

The kids gathered for VBS opening

Crafts were done by flashlight with the power out

The kids lined up for snack and sang "Grace" with the team

As VBS ended, the rain came but didn't dampen anyone's spirits. We all gathered for supper and a movie to relax for the evening. The next morning, the weather cleared off but was forecast to get worse as the day went on. We all said our goodbyes and had a parting prayer. I left mid morning to fly back to Sioux Lookout.

The end of the week on Friday took me back to Sandy Lake, Ontario. A friend of the team and mine,Gordon Fiddler, had flown out to Thunder Bay for treatment for advanced diabetes the day I was there for VBS. Unfortunately, he died of complications the next week. Gordon was a gifted musician and singer but also a dedicated Christian and loved to sing hymns. His funeral would be on Saturday, but I couldn't attend due to meeting the next round of teams coming through. So I went up for the day to attend the wake. I was able to meet with Gordon's wife and family. His sister, Rosie and brother David took great care of me providing food and transportation. Praying with the family was a privilege and brought them some comfort in this sad occasion. David gave me a ride back to the airport and I returned to Sioux Lookout in time to meet the team heading to Weagamow Lake, Ontario that evening.

The team drove in from southern Ontairo arriving late Friday afternoon. We met and had supper and one of the restaurants in Sioux Lookout and talked about their plans for the week. The next morning, I met the team at their hotel and picked up most of their food to take with me in the LAMP airplane. Cargo costs are very expensive ($2.70/pound) and I was planning on flying up that same day anyway. Their flight was delayed and I ended up beating them to Weagamow Lake by an hour.

One of the community members and a good friend, Gary Kakakash, graciously loaned us his pickup truck. When the team arrived, we loaded up all our cargo and went to the teacherage the team has been using the past 3 summers. The day was spent unpacking, doing VBS planning, and meeting with one of our other friends, Marsceline, to schedule other activities for the week. We made a trip to the dump to look for 2 liter pop bottles to use for the compressed air rocket launcher one of the team members made to entertain the kids. After a successful search, the rest of the evening was spent talking and sharing about life, faith, and challenges we all face.

Searching the dump for 2 liter pop bottles. No bears were sighted!

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast and went to church. Pastor Gery Luck, who leads the VBS team conducted the service. It is always special to be with the people of the community and worship with them. Afterwards, we gathered blueberries that grew next to the church to make come cobbler later in the day.

Picking blueberrys after church

When we finished picking blueberries, we went back to the teacherage for lunch and to plan our songs for singing at the radio station that evening. Pastor Jake invites the team each year to sing at the station. We had a couple of surprise requests but were able to accommodate them all.

Singing at the radio station. Pastor Luck on the left and Pastor Jake on the right.

With tired fingers from guitar playing for 2 hours, we headed back to our digs for the night. The next morning, I helped as I could to get the VBS supplies ready for the first day. Then I was taken back to the airport to fly over to Sachigo Lake, Ontario to meet the team that flies up from Winnipeg where their church is located.

I've made some really good friends on the Sachigo Lake team, especially with the winter trip we did together. This is a young team and is seriously dedicated to the community. Pastor Brad who leads the team wrote about why they go in an article you can read here. Their VBS runs from Sunday to Wednesday to accommodate everyone's schedule. I arrived late Monday morning for day 2 of VBS. This group is also very talented with music, creative ways to tell the Bible story, and with crafts.

Singing kicks off each day of VBS

Megan tells the VBS Bible story for the day using a science experiment

After VBS was over, we headed back to the teacherage for debriefing and supper. After supper, we walked to the ball field and watched the local young men play fast-pitch softball. It's a great way to meet with people and share in their fun.

The one noticeable trait, as is evident with many of the teams, is the compassion they show. The one-on-one time they spend with members of the community is a sign of the trust that the team and community have with each other. This included a visit to Edna Beardy who runs a small store in the community. She is also the principal of the school. While there, we got into a deep discussion with her cousin, Louis, about faith and life. These conversations are priceless and a way for us to build relationships in the communities. We got back to the teacherage rather late and headed to bed.

The next morning, we all met for breakfast and a devotion. Afterwards, I got a ride to the airport for my last flight of the VBS season back to Sioux Lookout.

The Sachigo Lake Team from Winnipeg.

All-in-all, 2019 has been one of the best seasons to serve up north. I was able to visit 11 teams of which 9 of them were overnight stays. The importance of those extended visits gives me the opportunity to spend more time with both the teams and communities. Relationships are crucial to be able to carry out the ministry of LAMP. This summer was the explanation point on growing those relationships and opening doors for more ministry to take place, not just during VBS, but during other times of need in the communities.

For these northern communities, they anxiously await the team's return next year. The work these volunteers do is making lives better and stronger in their faith. They are living examples of being the hands, feet, voice, eyes, and ears of Jesus exhibiting His compassion and love.

As the fall weather approaches, please pray for the following needs:

* That the Lord will provide encouragement to the communities especially as daylight grow shorter.
* That more volunteers would be willing to serve communities in the north.
* That the people in the communities will remain strong in their faith, especially during difficult time.
* That the Lord will continue to bless the ministry of LAMP for years to come.

Until the next time....

Pastor Dennis

Monday, August 5, 2019

The 5th Continues...

Things were going to get busy in a hurry upon arriving back in Sioux Lookout for the summer. I was going to hit the ground running. There were a couple of trips that needed to get done ASAP. While back home, I'd learned of the death of 15 year old Hailey from suicide in the community of Sandy Lake, Ontario. (Hailey has a twin sister Avery). So with a bag of handmade quilts donated to LAMP I flew up to Sandy Lake once the weather cleared. Once again Doreen Fiddler and her sister Lucy met us and took us to visit family and close friends.

Lucy, Pastor Dennis, Doreen

We visited Hailey's mom and gave her a quilt and prayed with her. She was obviously still reeling from the incident. Then we went to the neighbor's house which was next door to Hailey's father's house where they found her. They appreciated the gesture and the prayers. It's so important to let the people know who suffer through a tragedy like this that they are thought of and prayed for.

We made a quick stop at the band office to follow up with them on the plans for accommodations for the VBS team. Then it was off to a place called "The Site" which is where all the community activities are held. It was the last day of school. So the kids, their families, teachers, and staff were all there which included a feast and games for the kids.

The kids were enjoying games and food the last day of school.

Then it was back to Sioux Lookout to continue following up on more community visits and finalizing team accommodations.

One of the next important visits was to Cat Lake, Ontario. The team that had been going was unable to get enough volunteers this year to put a team together. I also wanted to track down Hailey's sister and father who were in Cat Lake for the summer. I went to my friend's house Edith and Charles Wesley. They were a little disappointed a LAMP team wasn't coming, but I told them we would try and get one for next year. We prayed with them before we went looking for Hailey's dad and sister. We were able find her dad and give him a quilt. Avery was visiting a friend in another community, but we left a quilt for her as well.

The next stop was the band office to find out if we could meet with the Chief and council. Fortunately he was in along with a couple of council members. I introduced myself and then talked about past teams and getting a new one to come in. He was very receptive. One of the council members said that he went to a LAMP VBS as a child and would like to see us return. I prayed with those who were present and thanked them for allowing LAMP to come to Cat Lake. One last stop was at one of the permanent missionaries house to talk about LAMP continuing to provide a VBS team. Matt was all for it since they have other areas in which they serve. So the jury is in: Cat Lake wants a VBS team! (If interested, please contact the LAMP office!)

Next on the agenda was the VBS teams starting to come north. First up was the team going to Big Trout Lake, Ontario. This team is a composite team made up of people from Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan! They all work together as one cohesive unit. I hosted them the Friday they arrived in Sioux Lookout. We had a great time of food, fellowship, and worship in song.

The Big Trout team moved inside the small cabin to avoid bugs and smoke.

The next morning, I met them at the airport to help with loading and parking. The smoke from the fires in Ontario had gotten really bad. Some flights were delayed or cancelled. But the team's flight was on time.

The smoke reduced visibility to less than a mile at times.

The Big Trout Lake team checking in for their flight up north

We were able to fly up on Thursday after a break in the stormy weather and made it a long day trip.

Getting the kids going with the motions for the songs.

The team does an amazing job with engaging the children with music, story telling, and crafts. After VBS, we returned to the team's accommodations to unwind. After praying together, we got a ride back to the airport to fly back to Sioux Lookout.

The next two days would be sad ones. The day the team flew out to Big Trout Lake, I received word that the deputy chief of Muskrat Dam and a friend of mine lost his 31 year old son-in-law to suicide. The day after our Big Trout Lake trip, we attended the wake in Sioux Lookout for Brandon. The next day, we flew up to Muskrat Dam to support the Fiddler family and community. Rev. Roy Morris officiated and I was one of the 3 pastors who assisted with the service.

Family gathered around Brandon's casket before the service

Brandon was known as an incredible hockey player for the Muskrat Dam adult team. He was a motivator and lifted the team up when they were down. The junior hockey team, the team from Sandy Lake, and his own team were his pallbearers.

Hockey players from Muskrat Dam and Sandy Lake were pallbearers

All the players took turns putting Brandon to rest. At funerals up north, the people stand in respect as the grave is filled in. Women sang hymns in the background during the process.

I was humbled and honored to be part of the funeral and to bring whatever comfort and hope to the family. This is unfortunately something that happens way too often in northern communities.

Roy Fiddler (Deputy Chief), Pastor Dennis, Rev. Roy Morris

Brandon's hockey team gathered together after the burial.

We stopped by Roy's house to visit with Brandon's wife and Roy's daughter. We prayed with her and gave her a quilt as a remembrance that she is prayed for and thought about at this sad time. Then we attended the community feast. Rev. Roy Morris had me open the feast with prayer. It wasn't long before we had to fly back to Sioux Lookout. The smoke was so bad that at 8,500 feet, we couldn't see the ground for at least half the trip. It has been the worst fire and smoke season I've seen in the 5 summers up north.

Well. I've gotten pretty long-winded...again. There's more to come, but until then, please pray....

* For the continued safety of teams traveling north and back home.
* For smooth border crossings coming into Canada.
* For families in the north grieving the loss of loved ones.
* For the Good News of Jesus to be proclaimed.
* For good flying weather so teams and communities can be visited by field staff.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of LAMP. You can't imagine how many lives you are touching through us.

Until the next time...

Friday, July 19, 2019

The 5th

I can just imagine what's going through the mind of people reading the title of this post. The 5th? Is it a date? Sort of. Is it a count of something? You're getting closer? Is it the 5th VBS season for Pastor Dennis? Bingo!

It's hard to imagine that this is the beginning of my 5th year in the north in the summer. So much has happened in the ministry to the communities and to the teams in that time. It's been an unbelievable blessing to me with the friends I've made and the relationships that are special beyond description.

So let's begin with some of those special relationships. The first trip after arriving in Sioux Lookout for the last 2 weeks in May was to Big Trout Lake, Ontario. This community lost an entire family of 5, a mother and 4 children, in a house fire that happened just 3 weeks after the team and I were there in April. It was important to go and provide whatever support we could.

The weather to Big Trout Lake was picture perfect!

One of the pilots we know from a charter company took this picture just before touching down.

We had a nice weather system move in that I like to call "severe clear". We were blessed when we arrived with the use of a vehicle from our friend Eno Chapman. He also helps with arrangements for the teams on both VBS and off-season trips.

Our first stop was the school to meet with the principal, Jemima Cutfeet. She wasn't there, but the 6th grade teacher, who is also a deacon in the Anglican Church and attends the ministry school where I teach, Mary McKay, saw us and immediately came over to us in tears and hugged me. She had known well the children who were killed in the house fire. I was able to comfort and encourage her. Mary is just one person of many in Big Trout who were deeply affected by these tragic deaths.

We stopped at the band office to see if Chief Donnie Morris was in. He was and were able to talk with him about how LAMP could help the community in the aftermath of the tragedy. He said, "Just come with the Bible camp." I offered to pray with him. He then yelled for all the Councillors to come into the conference room for prayer!

The next stop was to Rev. Steward Namokeesic who is the pastor of the Anglican church in Big Trout. His house was next door to the one that burned down with the family inside. The community set up a memorial at the site for the 5 killed in the house.

This is the memorial site for the 5 who died in the house fire that was at this location

We made a couple of other stops to visit friends and then went back to the school. Jemima was now there and we met with her. When I asked if I could pray with her, she said, "Follow me." We went to the main office where she got on the PA system and had me pray for the entire school! She also asked me to announce when the VBS would be taking place. Wow! They really need LAMP to be with them.

Instead of making the 15 minute flight ( and the 20 minute walk from the airport) to the community of Wapekeka, Eno was going to go there to meet with an elder. I had never been on the road between the 2 communities. Eno stopped at the elder's house and gave us the truck to go do our visits. I got to see one of our friends briefly and then went to the band office to follow up on accommodations for the VBS team. We headed back to where Eno was. He had me pray with his elder friend before we left and drove the 40 minutes back to Big Trout Lake.

Me, Keith in the middle, and Eno Chapman, our host.

Eno took us to the airport to fly back to Sioux Lookout. It was a major blessing to have Eno's truck. There was no way we could have covered that much ground without it!

The next day, we flew up to Sandy Lake, Ontario. My good friend Doreen Fiddler met us at the airport. We drove over to her dad's house to visit him. Sanadeus is the retired pastor of the church where LAMP holds VBS at Sandy Lake. He has been a long-time supporter of LAMP. That is obvious by all the pictures he has on the walls of his home with past LAMP pastor/pilots who served Sandy Lake. While there, in LAMP tradition, I gave a quilts to those people who had recently lost family members and prayed with everyone.

Blankets handed out to the people who lost family members recently.

Rev. Sanadeous Fiddler and Pastor Dennis

We grabbed lunch at the small restaurant attached to a community run store. Then it was back to the airport to fly back to Sioux Lookout. It's so much fun to be with Doreen and her sister Lucy. And it's also great to keep the relationships growing. That's what makes LAMP work up north in the final analysis.

Dennis, Doreen, and her sister Lucy at the plane before leaving

We had a couple of days of overcast weather. So we weren't able to make more trips that week after Sandy Lake. But the next week, the weather broke and we headed up to Cross Lake, Manitoba. But first, we needed to stop and check our fuel supply at Island Lake.

The office had 1,000 gallons of aviation gas delivered on the winter road. So we needed to stop to check that it was delivered and that the pump worked. I also needed to fuel up the LAMP plane to get to Cross Lake and back to Sioux Lookout. Everything checked out, and we were soon off to Cross Lake.

One of our contacts and a friend of mine picked us up at the airport. It was almost lunch time so we went to one of the local restaurants and grabbed some food. Then it was off to the school to visit my friend and school principal, Connie McIvor and the vise-principal, Kerry. They were getting ready for the big end of the school year dance. But we got to spend some time with Connie and pray with her. She is a rock in that school for those children. So I have become her pastor from a distance.

L to R: Keith, Connie, Kerry, Pastor Dennis, Dion.

After the school visit, Dion took us to his mother and brother's house for a visit. It was also Dion's birthday. So before we left Sioux Lookout, I stopped at the store and had a birthday cake decorated for him.

Dion and his birthday cake.

Dion then took us back to the airport (after a stop at Tim Hortons for coffee) and we loaded up and headed south to Sioux Lookout. The best part of the trip home was the huge tailwind we were able to take advantage of. I'll take a 37 knot wind on my back anytime! (177 kts versus 140 kts)

A fast trip home with the nice tailwind.

Our next pre-VBS trip was to Muskrat Dam, Ontario. Roy Fiddler, the deputy chief, is one busy guy. He helps with organizing the crew to prep and maintain the winter road. He supports the local hockey teams (Junior and Adult), works with other communities when they are in crisis, and is one of those people who would do anything to help someone else. He picked us up while we were walking from the airport to the community.

L to R: Pastor Dennis, Roy Fiddler, Keith

We went to the band office and then hung around with Roy to join the community feast that was being set up next to the band office. My participation was wielding an ax to split logs that had been cut to stoke the cooking fires. The food being prepared included fresh geese (man can those elders strip the feathers off of them fast!), potatoes, bannock, bannock dogs, white fish, and other bean and salad dishes.

Preparing the geese for soup and stew at the feast

Rev. Morris Fiddler, Roy's brother, blessed the food and then everyone showed up to fill up their plates. It was just a great day to relax with Roy and the people without having any agenda or specific program. As the food and people started to dwindle, Roy took us back to the airport for our flight back home to Sioux Lookout.

People starting to gather for the feast.

The next day was one of those trips you hope you don't have to make, but unfortunately, it's part of life up north. We had heard the week before that a 3 year old boy was run over by a piece of construction equipment prepping the ground for new modular homes in Wunnumin Lake, Ontario. I had contacted Rev. Joey Bluecoat to keep tabs on what the funeral arrangements would be. Bishop Lydia also was keeping me posted and asked if I would participate in the service. So Keith and I flew up for the funeral. When we arrived, there were vehicles shuttling people from the airport to the community hall. The wall had sheets of easel paper with lists of all the communities and the names of the people going to Wunnumin Lake and when. It was an amazing display of support for the family and community.

After grabbing some lunch, Joey took us to the church. It's heartbreaking to see such a small casket. But the peace and hope offered to the family is that through Joseph's baptism, he was a child of God and now his soul rests with Him. I offered words from 1 Corinthians 1:3-5 that speak of the comfort Christ gives us so that we can comfort one another.

The viewing for little Joseph before the funeral service

The cemetery is just down the hill from the church. We gathered for the burial. Afterwards, Joey took us back to the airport for our flight back to Sioux.

Gathering at the cemetery for the burial service

The beginning of this 5th season got off to a quick start and allowed us to visit more communities and help support the people and communities with the trials and tragedies they so frequently have. So we wrapped up this first 2 weeks up north which were quite successful and productive in ministry.

One final note on this trip, or should I say the trip home. My middle daughter had given birth to twin girls. Their baptism was schedule for June 2nd.

Lois on the left and Virginia (Ginny) on the right.

The 2 grandpa Pastors with their little ones

I was the one who would baptize Ginny and my daughter's father-in-law who is also a pastor would baptize Lois. So it was quite a special occasion. I dropped Keith off in Winnipeg and then headed south to the Omaha area for the weekend of family festivities and the baptisms. It was such a joy to see my daughter's family grow from 3 to 5 people (they have a boy who just turned 7) and to be able to share bringing one of their little ones into the family of Jesus.

Now, after a couple week respite at home, it's time for a couple more community visits and the VBS teams to start heading north.

Please pray for...

* Safe travel and good health for the teams and the missionary field staff.
* all arrangements that have been made will be good.
* Open hearts that are ready to hear the Good News of Jesus at VBS and other activities.
* The LAMP aircraft to perform flawlessly over the summer.

Thanks in advance for your prayers and support.

Until the next time...

Peace of Christ.
Dennis