Summer 2026 Full & Blessed

Heading to make deliveries to Kingfisher Lake, ON

On our way to visit Norway House, MB

2026 could and should be considered a great summer of serving in the North. Nearby Forest Fires only prevented one team from going into their community, as the Saskatchewan Forest Fire Crews had taken over the school in Southend, SK, for their base. Alternate plans have been finalized for the Outlook, SK. team to visit October 23rd -26th.

Lutheran Church - Canada 2026 Convention

All set up and ready for visitors in the Display Gallery

I was honoured to be able to attend the Canadian National Convention representing LAMP. My wife, Darlene, served at the display booth for the majority of the convention, holding many discussions about volunteering, and even more with stories that people shared as they pointed at various spots on the Canadian map of LAMP communities we serve.

Standing alongside the Directors of Lutheran Bible Translators and BC Mission Boat Society

Thompson, MB as Home Base

The airport at Thompson is a great home base for our summer with 2-hr. flights to all locations

Andrew and I were able to once again base centrally at Thompson. Over the past couple of years, we had difficulty getting out of the airport when returning after hours, but happily this year we were able to get fob access to the tarmac directly.  The Thompson airport has been working on a new terminal, which the management hopes will open this fall, and so we don’t know what next year will look like, but management has assured us access.

Three-bedroom Airbnb gives us enough room

Our duplex is in a reasonable location and is well maintained

We acquired the summer rental of our Airbnb duplex home again this year. Having three bedrooms allowing room for Andrew, Michael and myself to have our own space.

Flights making community visits

Despite some issues in the Lance with Sensors and a failed starter, we were able to meet our scheduled summer visits. 

Breakdown in Cat Lake, ON

Our first visit was a planned overnight trip to join the Cat Lake Team and my wife Darlene. Our attempted departure didn’t go as planned when the starter failed to engage. Andrew ended up troubleshooting it for the next three days, until Friday when Steve Morley (Sky Care pilot and friend of LAMP) came to pick up the team. He brought a battery booster which did not work, so he hand-spun the prop and got the Lance running. We flew to Sky Care hangar in Sioux Lookout, where Steve Morley arranged for a mechanic and a flight coming in from Winnipeg to deliver a new starter. Happily, within twenty-four hours we were off in time to meet our next week’s schedule.

Cat Lake Team helps maneuver the Lance into the grass

Ready for diagnosis and repair

Due to our unexpected overnight in Sioux Lookout we were blessed to meet TWO teams for supper, as well as belatedly celebrate Andrew's Birthday and say Thank you to Steve Morley for his aid

Visiting Teams

This summer, Andrew and I were able to visit all of our teams, though some visits were shortened or I would be dropped off for an overnight without my partner. It went well. Overall, it was great to see the teams well prepared and supporting each other in ministry.

Visits to communities not receiving a team this year

Garden Hill, Kingfisher Lake, Muskrat Dam, Wunnumin Lake; out of those four communities, only Kingfisher received our visit. The others had contacts who were out of the community when we were available to visit.

The young Mennonite couple from Idaho flew up to visit for a week with their little one

Their summers had been devoted to serving Kingfisher Lake, supporting our team for the last three years (this picture is from 2023)

Visit to Wasagamack, MB, looking to receive a team

Visit and tour of Wasagamack, MB

Just a boat trip across Island Lake from the airport and Garden Hill community

Sean Harper from Red Sucker Lake, MB, shared our contact information with Cheryl Harper of Wasagamack. They are seeking help and would like a team to support the youth in their community. I visited to meet them and take a tour. I hope we can provide a summer team next year to work with Cheryl, the Christian community, and the Elders of Wasagamack.

Scheduling two missionaries

To prepare for our summer schedule, I spend time with Andrew and Michael to understand the flight needs and pilot downtime. It is amazing how God has blessed us with workable schedules. In past years, I have requested assistance from Dennis Ouellette, Gordon Gilbey, and Steve Schave to visit teams and communities we were unable to work into the schedule. 

This year we successfully negotiated the summer without that need. Sadly, that is a result of Wollaston, Sandy Bay, Pelican Narrows, Tadoule, York Landing, South Indian Lake, Leaf Rapids, Grand Rapids, Moose Lake, Garden Hill, Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Kingfisher Lake, and Wunnumin Lake not receiving teams; along with Southend and Shamattawa teams, who are planning fall visits. A total of 16 communities therefore did not require summer visits.

Conclusion

The summer of 2026 was blessed by our Lord, and serves as a benchmark for the years to come. From here, we will watch how the Lord God uses the ministry of LAMP to serve the communities we are invited into each year. 

As we walk along as Christian friends, including our Northern friends and the entire LAMP family (staff, volunteer missionaries, and partners). I pray that the ears who have heard the Good News about our gracious and loving Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will know they are not alone and continue to be encouraged through dark and troubling times. We want each individual to know we pray for them and understand that they are loved by their Christian brothers and sisters. May this simple message fill their hearts and lives as we all strive to live for tomorrow.

Evening flight home to Thompson, MB

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1)