Beautiful Feet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”.

Isaiah 52:7

 It’s been three years since I have landed at an airport in a northern community, and then actually left the airport on foot. For the past couple of summers, every time we arrived at a community it was to drop off supplies, be it medical protective equipment, or donations of knitted winter gear and quilts, or gifts of crafts and school supplies for the children. 

However, we would only be able to meet our contacts beside our airplane, standing out on the apron of the airport. We’d unload our boxes and chat for a few minutes, then it was back in the plane to fire up the engine and head off to the next community. COVID outbreaks and lockdowns had prevented us from doing much else.

That changed this year as I landed with LAMP missionary, Pastor Randy, at Lac Brochet, MB. Instead of pulling up in front of the terminal building, we parked the plane on the edge of the apron and secured it. We were going to be staying a little while.   

While walking the dusty gravel road that leads from the airport to the community, I could see the steeple of the Catholic church rising high into the bright blue sky. 

As we drew nearer, there was the welcomed sight of children scurrying around the outside of the building, and a big banner hanging on the fence, announcing that the LAMP VBS was going to be happening all week.

We entered the rectory of the church and were greeted by Dana Naumann and her team, who travelled all the way from Michigan. Up until COVID started, being able to visit Dana on a beautiful summer’s day in Lac Brochet was something that happened like clockwork as she has faithfully led a team there since 2011.

I’m often amazed at the faithfulness and commitment of our volunteers. Many make the sacrifices to return year after year to bring the good news of salvation to those living in these remote communities. Despite having to put things on hold for the past couple of years, Dana and her team were not only willing to return, but excited to come back to Lac Brochet and visit the friends they have made over the past decade.

Thank you for your support of my ministry with MAF that makes it possible for these amazing volunteers to reach these communities for His glory!

LAMP has many more teams of volunteers just like Dana’s, who are committed to share the love of Christ with the children and people living in the vast remoteness of northern Canada. Unfortunately, though, this year, many were still not able to travel for one reason or another. Although we had many more teams that planned to go, only about a dozen were actually able to make their way to the mission field.

As COVID infections continued, some communities had to cancel due to an outbreak which led to them deciding to lock down. Other teams had to cancel because of the continued restrictions at the border.  Still, other teams were dealing with their own COVID concerns. One team, travelling from Wisconsin was sending two vans to Easterville in northern Manitoba. When they arrived in Fargo, ND, one of their team members tested positive.  Thankfully, one of their vans was able to continue on, while the other returned home, but there were many challenges like this all through the summer.

Still, we are thankful that we were able to progress toward a somewhat more “normal” summer. It was a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces once again as they attended VBS, and for us to spend time in the communities after a long hiatus.

We are looking forward to next summer, when hopefully, we will see many more beautiful feet of our volunteers as they go forth to proclaim the Gospel.