Makkovik - Day 80
Makkovik is a quiet-appearing community, buzzing with aboriginal and 'settler' activity under the surface. Because of the isolation from the mainland communities, school children seize opportunities to travel on special trips or competitions of all kinds. Junior Rangers is such a group that teaches life skills and holds special classes that teach the fading aboriginal skills such as boot-making.

Last week brought many opportunities to learn; building a wood stove fire, walking on snowshoes which is most helpful when there's new snow, learning to drive a skidoo on the snow (there's nothing else to drive it on). The handle bars are heated!

But more importantly, visiting those that are shut-in for the winter is the best way to learn about Labrador. They are joyed to have the visit, have experienced, and love to share the vivid stories of the 'old times'. Stories of a single trip up the coast, preparing the seal meals on the stove for the dog teams, or the boarding school stories, will hold one glued to their soft chair by the woodstove.

Here is one story header from Them Days magazine:
"The dogs saw something, and they started barking. One of them grabbed me by the coat right here [at the nape of the neck], almost choked me. I lost all my water, and she brought me home. The other one stayed behind, barking. I didn’t know what was going on. This was a bear!"
- Mary Clark
You can explore more at: http://www.themdays.com/current.html .

Sunday School is growing; 15 children this week. What a joy the kids are. Next week they will sing in worship at 4pm. They have also begun playing the handchimes - a new and beautiful way to express music for them.

This coming week brings the Jamboree; the celebration of all the talent within the community, dotted with the excitement of the Heritage Dogsledding Race; teams coming from all over Canada to compete.

It truly is a marvel to see how resilient the Labradorans are. A teenager here doesn't need a world of technology to find entertainment; they might compete athletically, or go ice fishing or hunting with family or friends. To see the komatiks come back on Sunday full of meat or furs is a common site; enough to fill one's freezer for the remainder of the winter/spring, and alot to share with family and those who can no longer hunt.

It is with complete thankfulness that I share these experiences and reflections with you as your prayers have sustained me. My hope is that this cross-cultural time with our sister Moravian congregations brings you as much enlightenment in your faith walk as mine. "Spirit of truth, and grace, and pow'r, blow through your church, we pray. Tansform us from this very hour in all we do and say." D.Bell