MX North Journal Entry

Hello World.

Here is the second entry of my journal on my recent trip North. Enjoy!

January 12, 2012. Travel to Split Lake.

            Already this trip has been interesting, challenging, frustrating, growing, stretching, and adventurous, along with a few other ‘ings’ I’m probably forgetting. Today we packed up our bags at the Thompson Bible Chapel and hit the road for Split Lake Cree Nation. After a brief stop to shop for food we were on our way just after lunch. The drive was about an hour and forty five minutes, mostly over gravel road, highlighted most significantly by impromptu pee breaks and an icy breeze blasting through the front of the van every time the lever moved to the defrost position. Upon our arrival in the community we were smacked in the face with the culture of the North. With no road signs to speak of and directions that went like ‘When you get to the community center you are about a kilometre from the house’ it took about an extra hour of driving around in the community before one of our hosts came and flagged down our van and lead us to the right house. Talk about being baptized by fire. This was a great icebreaker for the team in the community though.

            After dropping off the girls at the home of their host, Jeff and I headed to our own host’s place, Winston Roulette. We were made very welcome and most of the evening was spent having conversation. Right away its easy to see the emphasis placed on spirituality in Native culture and the effect that has on the Christian message here. Within three hours of our arrival we were watching a documentary on evil subliminal messages in popular media. The devil and his minions are a fearful reality here. It seems to me that maybe too much credit is being given to the devil, but that’s a first impression.

            I’m finding in myself an overwhelmedness and a worry that this trip will feel wasted because our time is so short in a place with such great needs. It’s going to be challenging to remember that we are only here for such a short time and because of that we will play a different role than we would in the South. My prayer tonight is “God free these people. Give me strength and love.”