We're back from Canada and we've all gone our separate ways for Christmas break. Two weeks' worth of doing the Lord's work has been incredibly satisfying as well as humbling. Both weekends of Snow Camp at Eagle Bay gave us the opportunity to "do camp" which everyone seemed to enjoy quite a bit. We like the ebb and flow of Outdoor Education, but what a blessing it has been to plan a program and see it come to fruition through our hard work and the opportunities the Lord has given us.
The first and second weekend seemed to be quite different from each other. The first programmed weekend we had a younger kids weekend of Snow Camp and the second we had older kids. Some of the differences are obvious for age and needs that come along with those ages. But when we got into the second weekend's program, we realized that these kids truly felt hopelessness and depravity in their lives.
As most of the children in the area are growing up, they have certain opportunities that most kids have. Some of these things are given them by the government and some by their community. But as they get older, many of these opportunities are taken away since with age, the kids become more of a liability. For instance, there are several Hockey leagues that younger kids are encouraged to participate in. In fact, many of the tribes, although very poor, have Hockey rinks for their kids to come and play their favorite sport. Because of fights and poor behavior in the past, Hockey leagues stop when Native kids in the area reach the age of 11 or 12. So, in this situation, the next step for the kids is to either have their parents drive them approximately 2 hours away for a league, or they have to find something else to fill up their time.
This is a common occurrence with many of the activities that are offered in the Tribes and often times the choice that teens make is to turn to drugs and sex to fill the purpose of their existence.
We had several teens who came out on our second weekend who were starting to fit into that mindset. It is the mission of Eagle Bay Camp to express the hope that is found in Jesus Christ through camp weeks and weekends like these.
So our first weekend, we learned how basic of a need this is, and that these kids really responded well to someone offering themselves to them in love. Through those simple relationships, we were able to share the Gospel in small ways. The second weekend was, in ways, much more difficult due to the hard heartedness of some of the campers. Although the Gospel was shared in Chapel and through cabin talks, we also had to remember that this age group (and this demographic) was in tune with what you do more so than what you say. Through our interactions with some of the kids, we were certain this was true.
During the week, it was our goal to concern ourselves with how we could be a blessing to the camp and those local Christians around the area. We spent some time cleaning, painting, and organizing things around camp in the shop, lodge, and craft store among other places. We helped a local farming family cut and gather wood to heat their wood burner heated house for the entire winter. They told us that the job we did in 4 hours would have taken them more than a week to accomplish, and they didn't have the time to do the work themselves. We had gym nights encouraging kids to come to camp for the weekends and, through our time there, had the opportunity to share the gospel with them through a skit and with a small message that explained what we had acted out.
Each thing that we were a part of seemed to give us the impression that the Lord was at work throughout the trip. We felt blessed to be a blessing to the people that we served alongside of and we were humbled that the Lord would choose to use us for that purpose. It was a great experience and I thank you from my heart that you were able to support us with your gifts and prayers.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 says
What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
We're thankful to God for satisfying us through the work that he provided us.
By His Grace,
Andy Hodges
LCM Director
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