May 2021 L.A.M.P. - Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots
Blog Update: Rev. Randy Heide, Missionary Pastor
Flying over the North Saskatchewan River on our way to meet our contact in La Ronge
Missionary work with LAMP takes a different approach
The winter certainly didn’t slow us down when it came to supporting our communities or our teams and ministry partners. And in the coming year, it looks like more of the same activities hold promise for the ministry in the North. I have the added blessing now of supporting the four Saskatchewan communities that our Executive Director Ron Ludke served prior to his retirement.
Video sermon “Thank the Lord and Sing His Praise” prepared
This Fall, as the season of Thanksgiving coincided with the end of our Year of Jubilee (50th Anniversary), I prepared a sermon based on the Nunc Dimittis or Song of Simeon. I shared the hope that the gospel brings for all people amidst both good times and bad. You can find it on our Youtube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o_A5_qW3xE&t=4s
Blankets from the prairies delivered and more to come
The CLWR Warehouse in Winnipeg, which sent baby layettes, sanitary kits, blankets, dresses, and clothing overseas to refugee camps has closed its operations. Our Canadian Ladies Aid and the LWML are looking for new avenues to share their accumulated handmade gifts. I have accepted blankets and layettes from Langenburg, Swift Current, Hudson Bay and Estevan, and more such treasures are yet to come from Fort Qu’Appelle (just to name those that have contacted me to this point). In December, Andrew and I delivered the first load to La Ronge where the priest, destined for Southend, took to dropping off quilts along his path. Sister Una of Norway House told me that blankets are very helpful as there are many house fires in the North and the need for them is high.
LAMP Lights sent to team leads and communities
This Christmas, Darlene and I prepared LAMP Light Kits that would be easily mailed to both our Northern community contacts and to our team leads, connecting the two as family at this traditional time of peace and good will. We ran into a bit of a snag since one of our main components, a nativity sticker, took over a month to arrive, and so they weren’t shipped out until New Years Eve.
Medical kits delivered to Northern Ontario
Faith Lutheran Church in Kitchener, ON regularly ships basic Medical/First aid supplies to our overseas missionaries. With the current world wide pandemic, the countries are not allowing the packages in and they are being redirected back to Canada. I was contacted to see if any of our Northern communities could use these supplies as they were bundled and ready to be shipped. A couple of our communities were happy to receive them. Six kits were shipped free of charge via Sky Care to Sioux Lookout, and then our friend and owner of Weagamow Air took them on their journey North.
The provider of the bundles said: Currently we have a significant supply of sterile bandages in many sizes and shapes, knitted pneumonia vests in various sizes up to adults that could be used for winter wear for warmth as well. We have a large supply of baby layettes that contain the following:
· 2 cotton knit undershirts ( 3-12 months)
· 2 cotton broadcloth or light weight flannelette nighties (sleepers or onesies can be substituted)
· 2 flannelette receiving blankets
· 2 washcloths
· 4 diapers 26”to 27” square
· 1 flannelette baby jacket or lightweight knitted or crocheted sweater
· 2 large diaper or safety pins
We also gather bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, PPE, gently used sheets, towels and pillowcases, pain meds such as Tylenol and Advil as well as pain creams and antibiotic creams and vitamins for adults and children. At times we receive various sizes of blankets.
LWML-C Exhibit Prepared
I have worked closely with our Technical Support to prepare the video exhibit for the online LWML-C (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League - Canada) convention being held this summer. I am deeply honoured to help keep the work of LAMP before them, both for prayers, volunteers, and continued financial support.
This video isn’t available yet but a cool Music Video recorded for the 50th Anniversary is wonderfully done and now available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hds4gZJpsU
Preaching, serving congregations and spreading the message about LAMP
Even during these unprecedented times, I have been afforded many opportunities to preach and serve at various congregations. While there, I lead informal presentations and meet with pastors about the important mission work of LAMP. Conversations with area pastors also happen while I am “on the road”.
Continue to connect with various partners
It is an honour to support our partners in mission, and to acknowledge their work with us. I have taken the opportunity to call, send an email, or a card. I take the opportunity to connect with them, asking how they are doing, if they have any prayer requests, and share with them the work their LAMP Family continues to carry out during these Pandemic times.
Transport Canada final approval given
After a year and a half delay (Pandemic Shutdown and bureaucratic work), Transport Canada finally has given me medical approval to return to the air as a pilot! That means now I need to take time to fly with an instructor at Mitchinson’s Flight School here in Saskatoon who eventually will certify me as airworthy. I am discovering this memory doesn’t quite hold as much as it did back when I was 17 years old and received my flight training the first time through Air Cadets. To date I have been up for 5 flights and even though a bit overwhelmed am becoming more and more confident in the Pilots seat with each flight.
Backpack program set to roll out this summer
Due to Continued Pandemic lock-downs, in lieu of in-person VBS this summer, we are working to assist our teams to coordinate the sending of backpacks for the children of their community. It is planned to stuff them full of Christian Education, and Summertime activities, along with a goodie or two. These deliveries will once again afford Andrew Anstey (lead pilot) and I access to the local airports to see community contacts face to face, if only for a short time. Where we will have opportunity to pray with them, and give them these gifts from their teams.
Fall 2021 plans for teams to visit North as communities and borders open
Many of our community teams can’t wait to visit their Northern friends and are planning to go in person this fall if the borders open and the communities are willing to have us. They won’t be able to do a full VBS program or have all of their team join them, as many work or are in school, but they want to be there as soon as they are able.
Please pray for the people of the North who have lost many of their members to the Pandemic and as a result of not being able to get the Para-Medical Support they normally had, during this year of lock-down. May the Lord Jesus Christ give them hope during these additionally difficult days, and may we soon be able to attend and support their spiritual needs in person. Amen.
