|
Server : Apache/2.4.62 System : FreeBSD fbsdweb2.web.rcn.net 14.1-RELEASE FreeBSD 14.1-RELEASE releng/14.1-n267679-10e31f0946d8 GENERIC amd64 User : www ( 80) PHP Version : 8.3.8 Disable Function : NONE Directory : /domains/melanchton/old/ |
Upload File : |
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<title>Redeemer: Our Mission Team Trip to Ulukhaktok, page 2</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="RLC.css" type="text/css">
<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="RLC.js"> </script>
<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="SwissArmy.js"> </script>
</head>
<body class="bakimage">
<!--<h1>Our Mission Trip, page 1</h1>-->
<img src="Buttons/Mission_t.JPG" width="233" height="40" alt="Mission" border="0">
<hr>
<h2><img src="images/Misc/ca_nt_shield.gif" width="31" height="38" alt="Northwest Territories shield" border="0">
Our Mission Trip to Ulukhaktok, NT - Page 2, Reports
<img src="images/Misc/ca_nt.gif" width="54" height="36" alt="Northwest Territories flag" border="0"></h2>
<h4>Click here to go to <a href="RLC_MissionTrip2.html" target="main">Page 2 - Reports on the Mission</a>.</h4>
<h4>Click here to go to <a href="RLC_MissionTrip3.html" target="main">Page 3 - Images of the Mission</a>.</h4>
<hr>
<h4>The Drum Dancers of Ulukhaktok</h4>
<div align="center">
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jKOf8WnEd9I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<hr>
<p><i>Webmaster's note: The following report by Cyndy Hillegass on the Mission Trip was first published in
the Fall 2013 issue of Gleanings, the quarterly newsletter of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Allentown, PA.
It is reprinted here with Cyndy's permission.
</i></p>
<h3>How Does One Begin to Describe a Journey</h3>
<p>A Report by Cyndy Hillegass, Mission Team Member</p>
<p>
How does one begin to describe a journey that was an adventure, a blessing, as well as a challenge?
At the beginning I suppose would be the logical response ...and so it begins.
</p><p>
I made comment to Mary Richards in February of 2012 that I wanted to do OEW Bible Camp the following summer.
Mary looked at me as we stood in the curriculum room at Redeemer and said in amazement,
"Cyndy, I have been thinking that very thing!" Thus the seed was planted, thus the journey began.
</p><p>
Within days it appeared that Pastor Donna and Donna Debelak would also be joining the team.
With church council's permission we developed ideas to assist in mission support for our trip
to the North. We were to learn a great deal about the generosity of people at Redeemer not only
through their monetary support but through kind words, ongoing prayer, and the warmth of hugs.
</p><p>
Certainly not every team that may head to the North had what we had... a guardian and guiding angel
by the name of Sister Verna. Sister Verna continuously showed us her unwavering support throughout
the planning and implementation of this mission trip. Thank you so much for all the encouraging
words you gave us, Sister Verna, as we persevered through our journey.
</p><p>
A major task for the team was to prepare our applications for On Eagle's Wings which included State
Police clearances ,PA Child Abuse History Clearances, and an up-to-date passport. We met several
times over the course of this past year with the OEW director, AnnE Zimmerman. AnnE informed us in
November of our destination, Ulukhoktak, a community of 470 people located north of the Arctic
Circle in the Northwest Territories.
</p><p>
We wasted no time in learning what we could about the community of Ulukhaktok via internet, books,
and communication with Maurie and Dottie Arsenault, a couple who had served in Ulukhaktok for seven
years in conjunction with OEW. Certainly the "goings-on" of a village community was important to
our understanding how we would relate to them during our week there.
</p><p>
Through the generosity of our Redeemer family and friends the financial goal needed was achieved,
plane tickets purchased, and passports secured. Our next major hurdle for this trip was securing
and preparing the curriculum we would use both here at Redeemer and in Ulukhaktok. Over the course
of the months of May and June the team held weekly conference calls with Mim Campbell who updated
us on the latest in changes to the WIN curriculum.
</p><p>
The team spearheaded the use of the curriculum at Redeemer during the week of July 15-19th as our
children participated in Wonder In Nature. The hottest week of the year proved to be VBS week and
we sweated our way through each day's activities. We knew that would not be the case in Ulukhaktok,
turns out they were experiencing their coldest summer in years!
</p><p>
July 21st was an especially memorable and emotional day at Redeemer as we were commissioned to be
disciples to the people of Ulukhaktok. Mary. Pastor Donna, Donna and I were overwhelmed by the show
of support from our Redeemer family. The hugs, well-wishes, and tears meant so very much to us.
</p><p>
Thursday, July 25 found the four of us safely ensconced in the rear of an Air Canada Express Jet
headed to Calgary, then another flight to Yellowknife. It was here that we were met by Pastor Kirk
from the Lutheran Church in Yellowknife. Following a brief tour of the city we went to the Trapper's
Retreat and he handed over the keys to the Windstar van and we were off and running. While we were
able to sleep and shower at Trapper's there was no available cooking facility so meals had to be eaten out.
</p><p>
Our Friday was spent securing the needed OEW materials located in the "lounge" at Trapper's Retreat
as well as grocery shopping for our needed food items to take to Ulukhaktok. The cost of food in
Ulukhaktok is prohibitive to purchase there. A box of Kleenex tissues was $5.25... a bag of frozen
vegetables was $6.50!!! Another major concern was Mary who was sick with a virus. We were all
praying for a quick turnaround in her feeling better.
</p>
<div align="center">
<img src="Images/Ulukhaktok/00_firstairwolfjet.JPG" height="240" width="360" alt="First Air Jet" border="0">
</div>
<p>
God answered that prayer and sure enough our Saturday morning flight included Mary! Oh sweet relief!
With each of us having a suitcase, a carryon, as well as taking three duffle bags of OEW materials,
and three cardboard boxes of food we knew that we were over the weight limit of "goods to go"!
But once again God's hand was involved in the plan to go. First Air is owned by the First Nation
people and they are familiar with the work of OEW. When they learned where we were headed and why
we were going it was a simple response of "No charge!" We were elated! We also learned that we
were not on a direct flight to Ulukhaktok but would be stopping in the village of Kiglukluk first.
</p><p>
We noticed in the gate area in Yellowknife three young women with very young infants. When
approached by us one of the young women explained that her child was three days old and she
was flying back to her village. The Canadian government removes all pregnant native women
from NWT to Yellowknife two weeks prior to their due date, houses them in a group home, and
following childbirth returns them to their villages.
</p><p>
As we landed in Kiglukluk we heard a rather disturbing announcement….we may be returning to
Yellowknife. The weather in Ulukhaktok was prohibitive to a landing by air. So we waited rather
tensely for what would be the 1:00 weather report.
</p><p>
Meanwhile we held conversation with the principal for the Helen Klavik School in Ulukhaktok.
He was arriving from Boston and was under a two year contract with the Canadian government
to administrate the school. Jeff provided many an insight to village life, what to expect,
and also informed us that school was starting on Thursday. We were astounded... wait, we are
to have VBC from 1:30 to 4:30!
</p><p>
Great news arrived with the 1:00 weather report... we were going on to Ulukhaktok! We boarded the
plane and within an hour landed at the airport. Our "taxi" proved to be a big blue van whose
driver was quick to throw all of our luggage, duffles, and boxes into the back of his vehicle.
</p><p>
We were warmly received by members of the church named Sarah and Connie. They opened the
mission house to us and explained the functionality of various items and rooms. It did not
take long for us to get settled in. We were eager to check out the site where Camp would be
held and so we headed to the church to peruse the site of Camp. That evening as we set out
to explore our new surroundings we met up with a young woman who invited us to the school to
watch drum dancing. We ran for our cameras and were out the door and headed to the school.
What a thrill to actually see and feel the traditions of these people!
</p><p>
Sunday morning found us as well as numerous village elders at the Church participating in a
service led by Pastor Donna. Connie translated sections of the service into their native
tongue. What a moving experience... to be sharing the body and blood of Christ with our neighbors
to the North.
</p><p>
The week in Ulukhaktok flew by. We ventured out to meet peoples and were warmly received by
everyone we encountered. Vacation Bible Camp was held Monday thru Thursday from 1:30 to 4:30
in the Church. Friday due to the start of school we held camp from 6-9 p.m. School had been
pushed back a day because teachers from outlying areas were unable to fly in to
Ulukhaktok... inclement weather!
</p><p>
Pastor Donna went to numerous homes ministering to village elders . One of those memorable
experiences came as we visited with Taipana Rene Oliktoak, a 98 year old woman selected as
one of the Wise Women of the North in 2013 by the government of the Northwest Territories.
She was the mother of 15 children and had adopted other children along the way, children of
family who could not take on the responsibility of yet another baby. Her first adoption came
at age 16, when she acquired her sister's child. Rene was warm and endearing , a model for
all people in living a faith-based life.
</p>
<div align="center">
<img src="Images/Ulukhaktok/00_patrick1.JPG" height="360" width="240" alt="Patrick" border="0">
</div>
<p>
Not to ever be left out was our guy "Friday" so to speak. Patrick Joss was the grandson of
Rene and a 30 year old mentally challenged individual. For the week we were there Patrick
was a total God sent individual. He gave us the "heads up" on all matters pertaining to the
village, what is happening when, what to do, what not to do, where to shop for best price,
and he never ceased asking about Maurie and Dottie. Through our discussions with the RCMP,
Steve, we learned of how everyone loved Patrick and that "he is the best there is." Since our
departure Patrick has called to the Church office and left a message. Though uncertain as
to its contents I know that Patrick misses us just as we miss him!
</p><p>
</p>
<div align="center">
<img src="Images/Ulukhaktok/00_ourteam.jpg" height="240" width="360" alt="Our Mission Team" border="0">
</div>
<p>
During the course of our week in Uluhotak we learned some surprising things... there has been
no church presence by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church since 2011.
No sacraments... no baptism, no marriages, etc. Maurie Arsenault's ministry was their last formal
contact with the Church. How does one turn around and walk away with that knowledge? Now I
understood why we were so often asked "Are you coming back?" They had given us much to think about!!
</p><p>
Our week with the children was crazy busy. We found them to be loving, warm, and mischievous.
Quick to hug, quick to walk out the door if they wanted to "go out", quick to say "koana"
(their word for Thank you!) Quick to dance to "Gangnem Style" and be videotaped, quick to ask
how old you are, and quick to accept four old ladies who had come into their hamlet with God's Word.
The formula was so simple... love them, they love you back.
</p><p>
Forever will be embedded in my brain the image of our first little camper, Kaia, who arrived with
a big, beautiful smile as she opened the door to the church on the first day of WIN. What a sight
she proved to be! We knew we were being blessed with the Holy Spirit to guide us through our week.
</p><p>
Friday evening as Mary and I walked away from the Church having completed the cleanup and locking
down of the facility a woman approached us. We drew up so to speak prepared for another sight of
handmade goods to be sold to us. (Once people found out we were interested in purchasing items we
were frequently waylaid at the mission house or at the Church to purchase goods.) With a bright
smile on her face she thanked us profusely for coming to Ulukhaktok and sharing God's Word with
the children.
</p><p>
That my friends was the Holy Spirit at work in Ulukhoktak! Thank you for giving Pastor Donna,
Donna, Mary, and me the opportunity to share this journey with our brothers and sisters in the North.
</p>
<div align="center">
<img src="Images/Ulukhaktok/00_mabelprint1.JPG" height="240" width="360" alt="Mabel's Print" border="0">
</div>
<p>
Koana, koana, koana!!
</p>
<hr>
<h4>GO TO <a href="RLC_Main.html" target="main">WELCOME PAGE</a> or
to <a href="RLC_Mission.html" target="main">MISSION PAGE</a> or
to <a href="RLC_MissionTrip.html" target="main">MISSION TRIP (PREPARATIONS)</a> or
to <a href="RLC_MissionTrip3.html" target="main">MISSION TRIP (IMAGES)</a></h4>
<script type="text/javascript">
AddCopyright();
</script>
</body>
</html>