By Jon Wyminga
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them . . .” (Matthew 9:35-36)
Jesus’ tours of teaching and preaching took him to many remote places about the land. As we seek to follow him so does ours. Many of my journeys end with a knock on a door and a visit in someone’s home. It might happen here in Nazko. It might happen in Quesnel or Trout Lake, a remote ranching settlement about a half hour north of Nazko. And it might happen in the remote Carrier village of Lhooskuz, or Kluskus to the untrained tongue. When I knock on the door sometimes there’s no answer at all, even though I clearly hear something going on inside; sometimes there’s a brief chat at the door and sometimes I’m invited in for a cup of coffee. Sometimes we just talk and other times, quite often in fact, we’ll open up the Bible, reflect on what God is saying through it and then pray together. Often I try to read a verse or two in Carrier, the Dakelh language. It gives people an opportunity for people to hear the Scriptures in the language of their heart and it gives me an opportunity to see if my reading has improved. When I ask the response is generally polite but I suspect I still sound like someone with a very thick foreign accent who doesn’t understand what they’re talking about . . . because that is in fact what I am! In my case I can read the language – barely – but in order to understand I have to read the corresponding verses in English.
Aside from visiting I also try to be aware of the major community events in Lhooskuz and schedule my trips around them. Sometimes they are occasions of grief. In October I was asked to help with a funeral of a young man who died quite unexpectedly . . . unexpectedly at least to most of us including his family. Their last memories of him carried hints that he in fact knew he was quite ill and was quietly saying his goodbyes. Sometimes the community events are occasions of celebration. I was privileged to attend the Lhooskuz School’s Christmas pageant and feast. When I came I was able to deliver Christmas gifts to each of the children in the village; gifts that were made possible through the generous contributions of many of you, our supporters.
As we travel to these remote communities and villages in the name of Jesus; as we pay visits and develop relationships we hope and pray the message of Christ’s good news and his healing finds its way into people’s hearts and lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.
