We are back home in Uxbridge after an incredible time with new friends in Red Lake and Pikangikum. As it was difficult to find the time to update the blog, and to access a computer, we were unable to write throughout the weekend, so here is a summary of our travels.
The day in Red Lake was filled with activity. We arrived at the mission house at about 1:30pm, unloaded, met the leaders of Living Hope Ministries, and set off to do some shopping for Colleen, our ladies' luncheons in Pik, and our own meals. We had supper with our Red Lake contacts and hosts, and then headed off to pick up Cheryl Bear from the airport. We spent the rest of the night planning and preparing for our time in Pik.
Early Friday, we loaded the van with cargo and a couple of us headed with load 1 for the airport. Margot drove back to get the rest of the team, while Katie and I worked with the admin to figure out how we could get all our cargo to Pik. The main administrator told us it would require a MIRACLE to get it all in! I assured him that if Jesus could feed the 5000, maximizing much out of little, that He could also minimize our cargo to fit! We prayed for a miracle...and guess what? God performed one! The gentleman couldn't believe it! Praise God!
We arrived in Pik by 10am and were happy to be greeted by Colleen in her pickup! We headed to the Eagle's Nest, our accomodation place, to unload. After an orientation session with Colleen, we dispersed to our first activities: Margot, Jen, Kylie and Katie taught volleyball skills to Gr 6,7 and 8 classes; Bonnie met with the Principal and delivered gifts from the Durham Board of Education. She also taught a Grade 5 class on the theme "YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE"; Nancy, Chantal and Sara began preparing food for the Saturday luncheon.
After a quick supper, we headed to the Community Centre to set up for the YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Gathering with the ladies of Pik. About 30 attended the Friday coffee house, enjoying snacks, handcrafts, manicures, hair-cutting, music by Cheryl Bear, in a candlelit environment with quiet music playing. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting such special women and children, and spending time doing these activities together.
Saturday morning was filled with baking cheddar-garlic bannick, and setting up for the afternoon of activities. Several ladies from the community joined Nancy in the kitchen preparing home-made chicken soup. Sara set up a photo studio which allowed moms and daughters, sisters and friends to have group pictures taken, printed and pasted in a photo card. Throughout the day we also played musical chairs and did a balloon stomp which created lots of laughs. About 40 women and children joined us for the luncheon, and then stayed for the afternoon, many participating in handcrafts, manicures, make-up, hair-cutting, and photos.
Saturday evening was well-attended (over 50 women and children) beginning with the handcraft of modelling clay. Everyone participated -- young and old, and many beautiful creations were made. We shared the legend of the sand-dollar which fascinated everyone, and packaged one for each woman to take home. Cheryl sang and spoke for about 30 minutes, engaging the crowd. We ended the evening creating night-light lamp coverings made with beads. Each woman went home with a gift bag with an iron-on label "You make a difference". We encouraged women to take a second one to share with someone who was ill, or not able to attend, so that they could "make a difference".
Sunday morning, we prepared the potato salad and sloppy joes for lunch, then went to set up the community centre for the activities. Many women made tissue paper flowers. We encouraged them to make extra ones to deliver to friends and family who could not attend. During lunch, our team presented the Lamps of Motherhood, a drama sharing the importance of letting our "light" shine in our role of being a mother, through the various stages of life, right up to being a grandmother. It ends with a special moment of remembering and realizing that our source of light is Jesus.
We closed off about 2pm, which gave us just enough time to clean up from these activities and set up for Cheryl Bear's concert at 4pm. The concert was well-attended and well-received. Her witness to the power of Jesus in her life was clear, and people thoroughly enjoyed the variety of her music.
Following the concert and supper, we had a wonderful time of fellowship with Colleen, Linda (a new worker in the community), and Cheryl. We praised God for the opportunity to bring joy to so many women in the community, to build friendships with the women and children of Pikangikum. We thanked Him for the way He brought us all together "for such a time as this".
We are truly grateful to so many who have prayed for our safe travels, good health, and a rich time of fellowship in Pikangikum.
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Hello to all the team
ReplyDeleteI just checked in tonight (or more specifically early this morning) and was so glad to read such a detailed, interesting and inspirational update on your trip.
The note just made us feel as if we were right there with you participating in all the activities and meetings.
What a blessing it must have been to these communities and the woman and girls that you ministered to so enthusiastically as you shared what you had brought for them and the wonderful music and messages that Cheryl had for them.
We will pray that it touched them is such a way that it did made a difference in their lives and that they will be anxious to go out and share the good news with others who were not there and that they will indeed also make a difference in their own community.
May God bless you for taking this message so lovingly to those who seldom have the opportunity to be a part of such an event.
I am sure you too were all blessed by having been able to do this service for God.
Love from Caro-Claire