Near the end of January 2025, our Pastor of Missional Engagement, Samuel Sarpiya travelled North with Franz Seibel to establish relational connections, and explore what doors God might be opening for us in the northern communities of Sioux Lookout and Fort Severn. The following are some of his observations presented as a travel diary.
Day 1 |
- Redwood Park church’s vision is that “Northwestern Ontario is one of the best places to live in Canada for all people.”
What would living in this vision look like for us? This is the question that I bring to this exploratory trip to Sioux Lookout and Fort Severn. The trip is intended to start a discernment process of how God would want us to engage, primarily regarding reconciliation with our First Nation brothers and sisters.
What would living in this vision look like for us? This is the question that I bring to this exploratory trip to Sioux Lookout and Fort Severn. The trip is intended to start a discernment process of how God would want us to engage, primarily regarding reconciliation with our First Nation brothers and sisters.
- First stop is Sioux Lookout. I met with Jesse Hochstetler (former Redwood Pastor who now runs The Hub Collective - a coffee based ministry in Sioux Lookout) and we quickly identified a common theme: working together as we seek to serve the Mishkeegogamang First Nation.
- I am planning a trip for Spring-Summer 2025 to begin exploring restarting our summer camp for 2026. I have heard that Redwood ran five or so summer VBS camps in years past. This is also something that I have been talking to Chief Merle Loon about over the last few months. Perhaps I'll bring Mark & Graeme with me...
But we must continue in prayer with openness to His leading as we re-engage in ways honouring to Him. Only in this collaborative spirit will He fulfill this vision given to us to make Northwestern Ontario a pocket of heaven.
- I am planning a trip for Spring-Summer 2025 to begin exploring restarting our summer camp for 2026. I have heard that Redwood ran five or so summer VBS camps in years past. This is also something that I have been talking to Chief Merle Loon about over the last few months. Perhaps I'll bring Mark & Graeme with me...
But we must continue in prayer with openness to His leading as we re-engage in ways honouring to Him. Only in this collaborative spirit will He fulfill this vision given to us to make Northwestern Ontario a pocket of heaven.
Day 2 |
- Travelled today to Fort Severn, and met with elders, band leadership, and pastors who are passionate about their communities and willing to do everything possible to make their reserve a success story, like bringing in an fibre internet connection to each household (which they are currently in the process of making happen). We can all agree that internet connectivity has become a lifeline for many reasons. I can only imagine the difference that could make to some of these more remote communities.
Day 3 |
- Franz and I brought the schoolchildren gifts like winter jackets and mitts.
- Today I met a woman named Betty, and wow, is she a prayer warrior! As a general rule, I only took pictures of the locations, not people... but Betty wanted me to take her picture because, despite just meeting me, I am immediately her "son".
- Today I met a woman named Betty, and wow, is she a prayer warrior! As a general rule, I only took pictures of the locations, not people... but Betty wanted me to take her picture because, despite just meeting me, I am immediately her "son".
Day 4 |
- It's time to come home. A 3.5-hour flight and a 4-hour drive from Sioux Lookout back back Thunder Bay awaits, but I'm grateful for this time. I learned so much about reconciliation with the earth, based on stories of stewardship of the available resources, such as the available fisheries in the Hudson Bay and the Land animals, and how to take only what you can use and not hoard for oneself. I was reminded of the story of manna that the Lord provided for the Israelites - just enough for a day. We have so much to learn from them.
- If there is one picture that I have forming in my mind from this trip, it's that of our communities coming together. I'm not entirely sure what that looks like yet, but I think that's the point - reconciliation is not about us setting the agenda and making our plans happen, but it's about rebuilding trust as we respond to their invitations, and I have been so humbled by the openness of this community.
Lord, continue to lead us as we fix our eyes on you.
- If there is one picture that I have forming in my mind from this trip, it's that of our communities coming together. I'm not entirely sure what that looks like yet, but I think that's the point - reconciliation is not about us setting the agenda and making our plans happen, but it's about rebuilding trust as we respond to their invitations, and I have been so humbled by the openness of this community.
Lord, continue to lead us as we fix our eyes on you.