Saturday, June 9, 2012

FLYING TO GOD'S RIVER FIRST NATION TO REBUILD A YOUTH BIBLE CAMP

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Early Friday morning, I headed out to Gimly to pick up four members from Interlake Christian Fellowship Church to fly them to God's River First Nation, located 540 km north-east of Winnipeg to help Pastor Marcel Okemow to rebuilt a Youth Camp, which he has built 25 years ago with his own hands. (My smiling Co-Pilot took over and gave me a 2.5 hr rest)
This task has been on the Interlake Christian Fellowship Church hearts for years.
Pastor Marcel has brought in the building material on the winter road, so the four men had a good start on Friday to get the place cleaned up first and then worked hard for two and a half day with installing walls, windows, doors, stairs and part floor in the two cabins.
Read, Lorin Hofer's story (one of the fellas) about their weekend:
Greetings from Interlake Christian Fellowship. 
On June 1st 2012, 4 married men from our church near Arborg, MB flew from Gimli, MB to God's River First Nation in Northern Manitoba (see map above). 
Our pilot was Edgar Schreiber with his Cessna 185. There is only access to the community by ground transportation a few months in winter, when the lakes and muskeg freeze enough to support vehicles or by plane.
It was a 3 hour flight with his plane. We were invited by Marcel Okomow, Pastor of the church at God's River to come help with repairs at the youth camp.
Our work started on Friday with yard cleaning, raking around the 2 camp buildings, burning trash, cutting branches and fallen trees.
On Saturday we raised walls on the newer building - used for sleeping quarters for the children of this community in summer when they make a 45 minute boat ride to this place where they will have a bible camp - hosted by Marcel and the believers at God's River.
The building had only 3 rooms - about 20'x12' each. We raised walls to split 2 of large rooms, framed doors and covered both sides with plywood. They now have 5 rooms in that building and more privacy for families.
We also moved some walls in older camp building, swept and cleaned inside.The stairs to the buildings needed reinforced as well.
It was a great experience for all of us and a blessing to visit with our native brothers. We had some encouraging fellowship with some of the believers while fishing from their boat after work. It is a beautiful wild land up there.
All our food and gear, 2x4's, plywood, tools, nails and windows were hauled to the camp by boat.  It is different to see a boat-load of lumber plowing through the water - powered by a 30 Hp outboard. 
We're all grateful to Edgar for his flying and navigation skills. He kept showing us landmarks like rivers and islands and native communities. The Lord bless you and your wife as you serve the Lord so faithfully. Lorin Hofer.

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