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The Sanctuary, Oakville returns to Big Trout Lake
By Dan Evangelista
BIG TROUT LAKE, ON—In July of 2007, our Lord led a group from diverse backgrounds on a 2400 km drive north to minister to children in an isolated First Nations community called Kitchenuhmaykoosib (Big Trout Lake) in northern Ontario. The 15 team members included a mix of junior and senior high youth and adults from The Sanctuary Church, Oakville, Ontario. There were new believers of eight months serving along side long-time believers of 15 years. What an extraordinary way this was for God to show us unity within His church.
This was The Sanctuary’s fourth summer serving this community through a morning Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children, ages four to nine, along with an afternoon sports camp targeted at those ages 10 to 15. VBS included crafts, Bible reading, drama presentations, outdoor games and meals. The sports camp involved indoor ball hockey, basketball, juggling practice and, of course, Bible verses.
The team ministered to the community outside of the camps through recreational swimming and a pancake breakfast. Over 80 children attended both camps combined and God gave us many opportunities to spread the Good News. We began relationships with several adult community members as well.
More and more children in Big Trout Lake are asking “spiritual” questions. Labourers are being raised up in the community—a 13-year-old girl offered to help us with Bible School next year. Long-term relationships are forming. My wife and I now speak on the phone with some of the children on a regular basis. The chief of the community has already invited us back. Praise the Lord for that.
A trip like this doesn’t come cheap. It costs $18,000 to deliver a camp to this community. This includes airfare, car rentals, VBS materials, supplies and food—including food for the campers. God has provided financially every year and the CCSB has been part of that financial support, and for that, we are very grateful.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?”
Romans 10:14-15