Makkovik - 60 days - and transitioning . . .

With spring officially here, the week following Easter was almost the "perfect storm" - a series of fronts that moved in to create a week-long heavy blizzard; over a meter of fresh snow with winds gusting above 100 kmh. That was followed by some serious spring weather when the thawing officially began. Large surface cracks in the harbor ice are appearing, snow gets a little slushy, and there seems to be a mad rush of everyone for wood for next winter before skidoo conditions break down completely.

As we do in the spring, the windows are opened to let fresh air in. The only difference here is it's still minus 2 celcius outside, but nontheless, it is refreshing to the soul. Spring signals the end of caribou hunting season, but small game dinners now include arctic hare, goose, cod tongues, and partridge; all delicious. Finally, spring brings the Boil-up; a favorite tradition - to pack some food and drive off to a pond or lake, build a fire, & eat. Sometimes, one will eat what they catch when they drill a hole in the ice (only 4-6 ft now) and drop their line. You can watch the fish swimming by. Quite a wondrous site!

Opportunities to meet people and share in Makkovik have included:

• My Moravian Radio Hour on Thursday mornings. People are calling in with questions & lovely comments about the Daily Text study and the music I play - so I know somebody is listening.
• Sunday School ages 4-14. The kids are listening to Bible stories, singing & playing handchimes, and working on a crafty service project.
• The community band practice - tonite!
• Youth drama practice - tonite! They'll present this in worship on Sunday.
• Womens Sewing Circle - what a wonderful group of incredibly talented women, and love to sing and pray.
• Visitation and home Communion.
• Bible studies.
• Attending youth rec volleyball.
• Hymn sings in peoples' homes, and finally,
• Teaching Bible songs with the handchimes to the youth and children in the school.

My heart is a little heavy right now, as God has worked in a mighty way in my heart and soul for the past 4 months. The people of Labrador have been such a blessing to me and it grieves me a bit to move on. Christ is my foundation, my rock, my salvation. I will look forward to moving back to Happy Valley next week as I love all I have met, most dearly. Your prayers have surely sustained me through this time. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am for your active involvement in this ministry. Thank you for your notes of encouragement as well. Talk soon - love, glenna