The Compass - Harvesting Hope Edition

MISSION CORNER

Julie Bellrose

The last few months have brought many changes for myself within the BC Mission Boat organization. Since Rhonda’s departure, I have taken on some additional responsibilities to ensure the mission of our organization continues to be carried out. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to learn and step out of my comfort zone. Although I prefer being the one helping behind the scene, I had to trust that God would give me all that I needed to prepare the teams that were planning to come this summer. Hebrews 13:21 was a strong foundation for this time: “may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

The board has been a great support in the transition. Sonja, one of the board members who lives on Quadra Island, helped with the last team’s orientation and debriefing so I could get some holiday time as my daughter was getting married. She also helps with some office tasks. Everyone on the board has been helping in the areas they can.

Summer staff

I had the pleasure of working alongside Immanuel Zhang, for the summer. Though it was not a regular routine for our summer staff, Immanuel was able to move with the different challenges and adapted to situations as they came up. I really appreciated his skill with computer design. His creativity shined through a new journal cover for the volunteers along with many other computer projects.

I want to thank Pastor Alex Timm and his wife Marion, who opened their home to our summer student! It was such a blessing and a comfortable place for him.

Immanuel had the opportunity to join in two of the three mission trips this summer, the NRG and Kyuquot. He was also able to help with the VBS at Bethany Lutheran Church in Campbell River. He is now off to Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, I am looking forward to see how God uses him in this next chapter.

NRG / MMFN Camping

Through the summer we had the opportunity to join in the Northen Regional Games, (NRG), visit the communities of Kyuquot and Ehattesaht, and more! I was blessed to work with faith filled volunteers who had a heart for sharing God’s love and serving.

The team led by Pastor Wilch at the NRG was invited to join in the Gold River Nation (Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nations) camping trip at the beginning of August. Pastor Wilch, his wife Tingyu, son Jonathan, and a friend Elizabeth, joined the Nations for their week-long camp-out at Yuquot where they were able to do 4 days of VBS with the kids and help chaperone the children on a day hike, connecting with them and sharing the good news of Jesus with many others.

On Saturday they took part in a festival attended by government dignitaries that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Yuquot's designation as a national historic site, sharing the history of the region and the culture of their Nation.

Kyuquot

The trip to Kyuquot was led by Sylvia and Dale Scheetz from Alberta. Their two children, Anna and Elijah, our summer student Immanuel, and Clara, last year’s summer student, completed the team. There was some apprehension going into the community without an experienced BCMBS staff member, but we were able to meet online a few times as a team and had a good orientation at Youth for Christ ‘s facility in Courtenay. This helped to ease some of the concerns. As it turned out, Theresa, their key contact within the community, was not there when the team arrived.

God showed the team over and over, that we can make our plans but it is the Lord who directs our steps.

As they put their trust in the Lord, they saw the community come to their aid and were able to witness of His love from a place of humility.

Dale had conversations with some of the leaders in the community about their youth learning agriculture. The thought that maybe some youth from the community could travel to Alberta to learn was planted!

This was the second time the Sheetz family traveled to Kyuquot. They got to reconnect with people they met last year, in particular the elder, Chris, whom the team stayed with and whom Sylvia had cared for the previous year. Chris’ faith in God brings hope to many.

Ehattesaht

I continued learning to plan and to hold it loosely as God finalizes the steps. The team from Walnut Grove had been preparing to go to Kingcome. The leader, Michelle, has been to Kingcome several times since 2015. Three days prior to departure, we had a change of direction, as Kingcome could not provide the team with accommodations. We joined in prayer and trusted that God had a plan for the team, if not in Kingcome then perhaps somewhere else. After many emails and phone calls, Darlene from Ehattesaht confirmed that they would love to have the team come to do kid’s club and other activities. They had accommodations and a place to run the activities. This change of plans allowed for the team to be at Bethany Lutheran church in Campbell River for Sunday worship. At the end of service, last year’s summer student, Braeden, came to greet the team. I jokingly asked if he wanted to join them as they had only one boy on the team. To my surprise he considered it and 2 hours later he was going to Quadra Island for some team bonding time before leaving for Ehattesaht early the next morning! God is so good, and we can hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.

Reflection from the NRG Pastor Gerhard Wilch, Leader and Facilitator

Our team included a diverse group of 12 individuals from the lower mainland and Alberta. By God’s grace our team was able to work reasonably well together even though we were unable to all meet in person before the start of the mission trip. We were invited to join in the Northen Regional Games, a gathering of 4 Nations: Kyuquot, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht-Muchalaht (Gold River) and the organizers this year were the Nation of Nuchatlaht (Ocluje). The NRG organizers were very helpful in finding us tasks to do which mostly included work in the kitchen, helping whichever group was responsible for preparing meals and cleaning up after. This is the area the “older” adults mostly busied themselves with. The youth were mostly outdoors, helping with the games and participating in the games, connecting with the other youth and children.

A particularly meaningful learning experience for our team was when John from Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nations took us to the forest to have us participate in the indigenous custom of cedar bark harvesting.

On the last full day, we were able to make an announcement to the participants, expressing our appreciation for inviting us to join them for the NRG and to get to know them, and helping us to appreciate their customs and culture. Then we also distributed the gift bags we had prepared for the children and adults, about 200 in all were distributed to a very eager and appreciative group of participants.

On the final day our team experienced a very moving ceremony when we were asked to come forward and each one was “invested” with a blanket placed over our shoulders. One community member shared with those gathered that this was the “best” NRG he had experienced, thanking the organizers for their great work.

It was a real pleasure working with the indigenous kitchen “staff” and organizers. They were so calm and took everything in stride with a great sense of humour to spare. Though frustration did rear itself at times, I think our presence really helped smooth things over and make it an enjoyable experience for all involved. A sign they respected our involvement was that there were a couple of times our team suggested a change to their plans, which they gladly accommodated without any question to my amazement.

It was my pleasure to serve as the team facilitator and I thank the Lord for the opportunity he gave us to show forth the Gospel through our acts of service and friendship with our indigenous neighbours. We are thankful for the many opportunities we had to share Christian love and concern and offer prayers for certain needs individuals shared with us. It is also my prayer that many hearts were opened and drawn closer to the Lord through this service.

Reflections form Kyuquot

Anna Scheetz

Our trip to Kyuquot was a new experience for me, and if I’m honest I was quite anxious beforehand. I was worried about how some of the logistics of our trip would work out, and the impact we would have in Kyuquot. But it was soon clear that my fears were unfounded- God provided us with what we needed and so much more.

We were blessed with an amazing team: my parents, my brother, BC Mission Boat summer student Immanuel Zhang, and volunteer Clara Fenske. We were blessed with a welcoming, open, and friendly community with people willing to help us where we needed. For example, when we arrived at the dock in Kyuquot, a family that my parents and brother knew from a previous trip was waiting there to welcome us- they even helped us find our apartment and get settled. Even when things didn’t go to plan, the grace of God and the kindness of community members helped us to adapt. But above all we were given the opportunity to share God’s love, to teach and learn, and to participate in the life of the community- through Kid’s Club, through activity nights, through visiting with people, and so much else. Clara and I would often play games with kids from the community even outside of Kid’s Club, and it was cool to see the enthusiasm and energy the kids in community possessed. Even though our group came to teach Kid’s Club, a lot of the time I was the one who was learning something new. These experiences were a blessing and an honor; they made me glad I had come and excited for the future. This trip was incredible, and I thank God and the people of Kyuquot for making it so.

Reflections from Kyuquot and the summer Immanuel Zhang, summer student 2023

This August, I had the privilege to go on a mission trip to the small village of Kyuquot that is only accessible by boat. I was touched by the contagious energy and joy from the children that we were serving in Kid's Club that week. Despite the tragedies and losses that those children had experienced in their families and community, there was a sense of unmistakable hope and joy in the way that they carried themselves. Witnessing Jesus work through the lives of those kids firsthand was one of the most impactful moments for me during the trip. As I met new people and made new connections, I better understood the significance of the BC Mission Boat Society's mission, and the importance of the ability to reach out to the same Indigenous communities every year. This consistency and dedication is a good imitation of God's persistent and unfailing character. I am very grateful to God for all the opportunities that He gave me this summer.

Reflections from Ehattesaht

Michelle Penner, Leader & Facilitator

We had a great trip to Ehattesaht, there were challenges of course, but God’s hand was in it all.

Leading up to the trip, I was very worried about being the facilitator and I felt like I wasn’t mature enough or adequate enough for the task. I tried to plan things as best as possible and I stressed about the trip in the weeks leading up to it, then 3 days before we left we learned that we weren’t able to go to Kingcome.

I realized that it didn’t matter how much I stressed or planned about the trip, God had his own plans, and He was the one putting things in place. God has shown me that it doesn’t really matter what my abilities are. He is the one in control and He is working everything for the good.

Our time in Ehattesaht was wonderful! We played with kids, we hosted a well-attended community dinner, we went swimming in the river, we went for walks and visited with people. We got to know one lady quite well and had the opportunity to

pray with her one morning. By the end of the week, it was hard to say goodbye to everybody. I am so thankful we got to visit this community and get to know some of the people. I am also so thankful for the amazing team members that God brought together for this mission trip.

PRAYER WINDOW

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18

 Pray for BCMBS Board as they look for a new leader

 Pray for Volunteers and teams that are to join the BCMBS the summer of 2024

 Pray for all of those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones, for healing for those who are ill and for those with addictions.

 Pray for the seeds that were planted this summer, in the communities and in the volunteers that took part in a mission trip.

Seeking Mission Teams for 2024!!

Interested in joining us to share God’s love with one of the communities we serve?

Please contact us to start planning, fundraising, and to receive support as you create a team to come. We have how-to plan, a mission trip brochure to help you along the way, and some training guides for you and your team. We are starting to book mission teams for summer 2024. We would love to book your team!

Yes! I want to partner with BC Mission Boat Society to share God’ s love to remote BC coastal communities.

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