LAMPlighter - Lutheran Church

The
LAMPlighter
L.A.M.P.–Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots Inc.
Volume 40, No. 2
Fall 2009
Focus on British Columbia
by Jeanne Johnson
This LAMPlighter highlights the summer ministry in B.C. The Winter edition will contain exciting updates
from Steve Dreher, Pastor-Pilot in Manitoba and Ontario and news from Saskatchewan.
T
acoma, Washington to Hazelton,
British Columbia – 909 miles. The
trek from Tacoma to Hazelton has
been made for the last dozen years by
volunteers Derwin and Ardyce Dressler
and their family. Over the years, more
and more youth and leaders acquainted
with the Dresslers and others have
become involved in the ministry in
British Columbia. This summer, the
‘Ksan Campground in New Hazelton
was filled with more than 75 young
people and adults, the largest number
ever. The campers taught VBS and
led afternoon sports programs in the
communities of Old and New Hazelton,
Kitwanga, and Kitsagukla. Two teams
that initially traveled to and from the
campground to their village now spend
the week in the community, camping at
the local schools.Andrea Gehrke leads
the team from Beaverton, Oregon that
works and stays in Kispiox, and Nathan
Schmidt’s team from Clackamus,
Oregon, ministers in Gitanyow.
Ministry in B.C. is a little different
from LAMP’s work in other areas of
Canada. Because of the proximity of
the campground to the villages, teams
experience a camping atmosphere,
(sleeping in tents, showering in
campground facilities, etc.) in addition
to working with the native peoples. All
of the LAMP teams in other provinces
stay in the communities in which they
minister. There are advantages to both
methods.
As representatives of LAMP, Judy
Wolfe and I had the honor of visiting the
teams in B.C. the second week of July.
We arrived at the ‘Ksan campground
on Sunday afternoon, and were greeted
by a flurry of activity. Ardyce and her
crew were preparing supper for the
75 campers … no
small feat, as you
might imagine!
But, years of
experience have
served her well.
The campsite
included a rented
truck complete
w i t h f r e e z e r,
refrigerator and
enough food to
prepare over a
w e e k ’s w o r t h
This rental truck became the “home away from home”
of meals for the
kitchen, complete with refrigerator and freezer.
www.lampministry.org
troops. Although the organization was
impressive, the best part was watching
how everyone became involved in
some way, from preparing the food,
to serving, to cleaning up. (Okay,
truthfully the best part was being
considered “guests.” We got to be first
in line for supper!)
In addition to making supper,
teams were busy getting ready for the
upcoming week of Bible School. They
were practicing skits and songs, making
posters, and preparing for the onslaught
of excited VBS-ers that they would
meet the following day. This routine
was repeated every evening. Teams
used LAMP’s curriculum, “Teach Us
to Pray.” They shared Bible stories such
as, “Daniel and the Lion’s Den,” “Jesus’
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem,” and
“Hannah Prays for a Child.” Lessons
taught the children that prayer is
worshiping, talking, listening, trusting
and loving God.
Although each team in British
Columbia spends less time in the actual
community, the B.C. ministry is ideal
for youth, because it includes time
for additional fellowship with other
Christian young people and adults in a
close-knit, God-centered environment.
(Besides, the campground is beautiful—
surrounded by mountains, with the
Skeena River running alongside!) Each
evening, team members gather around
the campfire to share their testimonies,
continued on page 36
Fall 2009 The LAMPlighter
35 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November 2009
continued from page 35
to sing, and to pray. It is easy for an
outsider like me to see that, over the
years, this special time has become
revered. The things we saw and heard
during “campfire time” were indeed
some of the most special moments of
our trip.
As the week drew to a close, more
and more children, youth, and adults
from the nearby communities were
drawn to the campground, which added
yet another dimension to the time we
spent together. Guests were asked to
join in dining, and many stayed for
the time of sharing. Some even shared
their own testimonies. Thursday
night (Family Night) was a special
time of celebration. Initially begun as
“Youth Night,” “Family Night” is a time
when people from the surrounding
communities are invited to eat with the
teams at the campground. This year saw
the largest turnout ever: over 200 people
Above: 75+ team members gathered for the annual photo
shoot. Right: Ardyce Dressler not only prepared the meals,
but was in charge of all the crafts for the communities!
joined the LAMP teams, including a
busload of families from the village of
Kitsagukla! Many brought dishes to pass
around, or salmon to cook. Hats off to
the cooks again,
w h o p re p a re d
enough sloppy joe mix, salads, and
other dishes to serve the multitudes.
Sports ministry – British Columbia and beyond
T
his was a year of transition
for the Sports Ministry
team. In years past, the Sports
team spent a week with
each community it served,
helping with soccer skills
and modeling the Christian
faith. This year, existing VBS
teams in the B.C. area were
encouraged to incorporate
a sports program into their
week of teaching. This would
enable the volunteers to spend
Playing in the shadows of the mountains.
more time with the children
and youth of the village. All of the teams worked very well together, and there
agreed. They discovered that spending were few conflicts. Each team member
more time in the communities helped came with a mission in his or her
build stronger relationships. In addition, heart: to love and serve the Lord God
the teams were able to relate to so many passionately. Their passion extended to
more people within the community.
all the children and teens they visited.
The transition for the Sports Throughout the summer, the team
Ministry team worked out as well. The faithfully shared testimonies, taught
team was very flexible and adapted soccer skills, built and re-established
to the many changes that were made relationships, and (most importantly)
throughout the trip. A special thanks saved lives by sharing God’s love with
to those who prayed for unity: the team others genuinely and faithfully.
LAMPlighter
Fall 2009
36 TThe
HE C
ANADIAN LUTHERAN
November 2009
by Tim Dressler
The Sports team
ministered this year in
Kitwanga, Moricetown,
Gitanyow, and a new
community: Glen Vowell,
all in British Columbia.
After a short break, the team
traveled to Buffalo Narrows,
Saskatchewan. The time
spent in this community
proved to be very special to
the team. The Holy Spirit
was obviously at work,
giving each person renewed
strength and energy to interact with the
children and youth there. An RCMP
officer from Buffalo Narrows shared
that the community was very happy
and excited to have an organized sports
team come and spend time with the
young people. I and each member of the
Sports Ministry team thank God for the
opportunities we had to share God’s love
with others, and for the growth that we
experienced in our faith. We are eagerly
looking forward to returning next year!
www.lampministry.org
Derwin Dressler – 12 years of ministry in B.C.
by Jeanne Johnson
M
that we don’t come up here
ission leader Derwin
to try to change the people of
Dressler has been
the Hazelton area. We can’t
coordinating the ministry in
change them, we can just
the Hazelton area for many
love them. We can bring the
years. During my week in
Gospel to them and we can
B.C., I saw him do everything
love them. It’s so interesting
from cooking salmon over
how the youth are changed
the open fire, to squirting
when they do this. They go
Listerine on bug bites, to
back into their communities,
staying up through the night
and their lives will never be
with a sick youth. Derwin
the same because of this
and his wife, Ardyce, are
experience. To be a servant
both teachers at Concordia
Derwin Dressler, at home around the campfire surrounded
of Christ completely changes
Lutheran School in Tacoma, by young LAMP volunteers
their lives. Some changes are
Washington. They have four
children, Julia (14), Joel (18), Tim (21), “Every minute was worth it.” In the midst tremendous, some are not, but each one
and Laura (23). He graciously took a of that, though, there are some trying will be impacted when they touch the life
few moments during the busy days of times for our family. There’s so much of a little one up here.
planning to be done, so much organizing What do you see in the future for the
“Camp ‘Ksan” for this short interview.
When did you first start coming to – three or four trips to Costco before the BC ministry?
trip even begins – to make sure we have
The most important thing that
Hazelton?
My father-in-law invited me to the food for the whole group. This year, the happens up here is continuity. For 51
Hazelton area, so my family and I came stress level was higher, because it was the weeks of the year, we are not in the
communities. For just one week, we hope
up for two years. Then I was placed in largest group we’ve ever brought up.
Just
to
give
you
an
example
of
how
to make an impact that lasts for a year.
a leadership role in one of the villages,
Kitsagukla. I was asked to lead the groups this Hazelton mission has touched our It’s a wonderful thing that Bart Metcalf
after that. I and my family have been family, our oldest son Tim (LAMP’s (LAMP BC Mission Partner) is up here
Sports Ministry Team leader) was married to keep things going during the dark,
coming up for about a dozen years.
What changes have you seen in the just about a month ago. (Tim married cold months of winter. It’s essential to
Rebecca Anderson in June. Rebecca was have someone up here for people to call,
communities over the years?
The biggest change I’ve seen is in also a member of the Sports Ministry someone who can continue to preach
the acceptance of our group. At the team.) In the words that Tim and Rebecca the Word of God. A spark is struck when
beginning, I saw a lot of hesitation shared with each other, “mission” was we come for that week, and then that
with the people we came into contact mentioned in both of their vows. They spark needs to be kindled. Bart is doing
with. They were looking to find out pledged to be “mission-minded” in their a wonderful job with that.
who we were, what we were about, and married life together. The summer for What else would you like to say?
I would encourage
if we could be trusted. I think, over the us as a family would be
people to become
years, I’ve seen the trust level climb a completely different,
involved and join
little bit more. They trust us not only if we didn’t come to
a LAMP Ministr y
with staying in the area, but they trust Hazelton. It would
be
one
that
would
be
team. Your life will
us with their children, which is huge.
b e c h a n g e d . We
We seem to make an incredible impact lacking.
How have you seen the
need to continue to
as we share the Gospel.
spread out. There
How has coming to Hazelton changed youth workers’ lives
change
as
a
result
of
are so many places
your family?
that are untouched
My family has developed a mission coming to Hazelton?
at this point. If we
attitude. It’s a tough undertaking to The biggest change we
could spread out a
bring a huge group up North. This year see is when the youth
write
a
“reflection”
little more, the Word
we had a record number of 75 people!
of God could touch
When it’s all said and done, and we are following their trip. I try Rev. Bart Metcalf leads opening
even more lives.
completely spent, we look back and say, to help them understand devotion with the teams.
www.lampministry.org
2009 The
LAMPlighter
THE CANADIAN Fall
LUTHERAN
November
2009 37
LAMP’s 40th Anniversary Banquet
Edmonton, Canada
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Save the Date!
The year 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of LAMP. To celebrate, LAMP will be
hosting a banquet on Sunday, April 25, 2010 in the Edmonton area. Please mark
the date on your calendar and watch for more information in the next issue of
the LAMPlighter. A date for celebration in the U.S. will be coming soon.
LAMP resources highlight B.C. ministry
“Jesus did many other things as well. If
every one of them were written down,
I suppose that even the whole world
would not have room for the books that
would be written.” John 21:25 (NIV)
s Director of Communications
for LAMP, this verse often comes
to mind. There are so many stories
of God’s work through volunteers
in communities, that I am often
overwhelmed. This summer was
more amazing than ever! From
British Columbia to points east, the
Holy Spirit was at work in the hearts
of those ministering and of those
receiving God’s love.
LAMP has written a new women’s
Bible study highlighting some of the
A
prayers that were answered while
ministering in the Hazelton area.
This resource is available online on
Enclosed is our gift of $___________ to help share the
gift of Jesus with people in the North.
Name
Address
E-mail
Donate online at www.lampministry.org
Fall 2009
38 TThe
HE LAMPlighter
CANADIAN LUTHERAN
November 2009
Advent Devotions
‘09 Special Delivery
Now there are more ways than
ever to receive LAMP’s popular
Advent Devotion Book.
• Download online anytime:
Devotion books can be
downloaded in print-ready
format so you and your
congregation can print as many
copies as you need. Go to www.
lampministry.org/Devotions
and follow the instructions to
download your copy. (Available
online October 15.)
• Daily Email: Simply click on
the link on our website or email us at office@lampministry.
org to receive a daily, full-color
e-mail every day during Advent.
• Single copies by mail: Receive
a copy of the Advent Devotions
Book by mail. (Contact us
using the address information
below.) All supporters will
automatically receive a printed
copy of the Advent Devotion
Book.
our website: www.lampministry.
org/Devotions. You can receive it in
printed form by phoning LAMP at
1-800-307-4036. In addition, a short
video clip featuring a testimony of
how the ministry of LAMP continues
through generations can be viewed
by visiting www.lampministry.
org/Videos. If you would like a copy
of this DVD, contact us at the LAMP
office.
Please send me information on:
P
P
P
The Prayer Partner Program
The Volunteer Program
Fueling the Mission for Children
LAMP
4966-92 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 2V4
Phone (780) 466-8607 or Fax (780) 466-6733
www.lampministry.org