|
Ministry Trip to Nain, Labrador – December 2-10, 2007 |
|
|
|
This is
a brief report of a weeklong ministry trip to Nain, Nunatsiavut (Northern
Labrador) to work with Ray & Juanita Whalen of Shining
Light Ministries. Ray & Juanita are now starting
their fourth year living permanently in the community after ministering there
whenever they could over the past dozen or more years. The main purpose of
going there was to see what they are doing and to find out how I can bring
awareness to others that ultimately will bring needed resources to their
ministry. The
ministry they do in Nain is to bring the Gospel and in the name of Jesus,
provide food and clothing to dozens of people living in the most Northerly
occupied community on the Labrador Coast. Nain is
located about 250 air miles North of Goose Bay Labrador and has a population
of approximately 1200. Unemployment is very high and a lot of the jobs are
seasonal. Many in the community work for the various local, regional and
provincial governments and in schools or other community infrastructures.
There is a small group of stores and other commercial enterprises as well as
a Health Clinic, and RCMP detachment. |
|
|
|
Youth
find it particularly frustrating and somewhat hopeless as the availability of
work is very limited and all post-secondary education takes place in the
south (Newfoundland mainland and elsewhere in Canada). Many families are
fractured with the breadwinner being out of town most of the time working at
such large-scale projects as the Voisey’s Bay mining located many miles from
Nain. Regardless
of the reason, the end result is that on any given day, Ray & Juanita are
asked to provide food parcels to several families and even feed individuals
in their own home. Periodically they provide warm clothing to the community
through large-scale distributions held in the local arena. In addition, they
provide bulk food supplies to some of the local resource centers and other
social outreaches. All
this is supplied free of charge through the large amount of food and clothing
donated to their ministry from individuals and corporations in the south of
the country. Most of the goods are stored in their home and around town in
various buildings. They must cover the cost of shipping to Nain and have
relied on donations from other ministries and individuals. Twice a
week they have services to youth and adults in a beautiful sanctuary created
in the basement of their home. They offer corporate worship and individual
counseling and Bible studies. The ultimate dream of Ray & Juanita is to build a Christian Centre that offers not only spiritual food but practical helps such as a youth centre, food and clothing distribution centre and more located on an adjacent lot that they own. |
|
A few weeks
before going to Nain, I met with Mr. Norm Cheng of the Bible League
in Burlington who provided me with several information kits and some resources
to deliver to the Christian leadership in Nain. I was amazed at the interest
by lay people though, especially with such material as the Manga
Messiah Bible. I left three copies there to serve as examples to show
people. The reception especially by young people was overwhelming. Their main
comment was “.. is this really a Bible? ... wow, I would show this to any of
my friends!” Even youth as young as eight years old read it and thought it
was “neat”. In the
end I asked the League to send up a dozen more and Ray said he will use them
as a “Bible study” for his Thursday and Sunday night groups, having the youth
keep the Bibles and “show them off” to their friends. He also said he will be
taking copies to the school and ask to have them displayed there. I
personally believe that this Bible will be a major tool and key to reach the youth in the community and by
extension, the parents. A
husband and wife team was also staying with Ray & Juanita. Pastor Mike and
Flora Mason from Scotland have spent 7 weeks in Nain seeing what is going on
and learning first-hand about the Inuit and ministry in the North. They will
be returning to Ottawa where they are affiliated with Bill Prankard and his
worldwide outreach to aboriginal people in Arctic Canada and Arctic Russia. Pastor Mike said that he firmly believes that this Manga Messiah Bible will be well received by the ministry in Ottawa and is praying for an expansion of its use in Inuit and First Nation communities. He is personally impressed with the quality and the method of presentation of the Gospel through the Manga Messiah Bible. |
|
Although
the general socio-economic situation in the community is low in terms of
southern-Canadian standards there are several
‘lights’ of hope shining through community based outreaches and
individuals who are able to minister to the spiritual and social needs in the
community. The overall wellness of the community is very dependant upon the
working, hunting and fishing conditions that can vary from season to season
and year to year. In times of lack in these areas, the community can face an
increase in social problems that can only be alleviated by outside
intervention. The greatest spiritual need is a renewal of hope only to be found in a relationship with Christ. This will come about as people in the community shed their bindings of religiosity and tradition and individually seek Christ. Practically of course the greatest need is food, clothing and shelter that is presently not provided by government to the degree needed. Secondly, the greatest need is to address the social evils of alcohol, drugs, abuse and abandonment found in the community. |
|
|
|
Here
are a few photographs of Nain and the ministry activities that I was involved
in. |
|
View of part of the community of
Nain Overlooking the Bay –
still not frozen over Pastor Ray Whalen of Shining
Light Ministries The
Moravian Church in Nain
Ian & some of the kids
outside the Arena Unloading
Supplies for the Resource Centre
Sunday night Worship gathering
at Ray’s Praise &
Worship with Ian & Mike |
|
© Three
Cord Ministries – 2007 |
