Over the last few months, we have written about various ways the team living in Arctic Canada is “becoming”. We are “becoming” like the Inuit as we learn and participate in daily life activities and learn to understand and speak Inuktitut. We are “becoming” more like Christ as He shapes us into His image, trusting it is Him who the Inuit see in us.
We also find ourselves “becoming” part of a community. The community at large and slowly but surely, being welcomed into the personal lives of our friends as our relationships grow. Close-knit relationships with family and friends are an integral part of life. Sharing space and a way of life allows us to connect with others. We are noticing small things that communicate to us that we are being welcomed into others’ lives. We are thankful for invitations to sew, hunt and visit. As individuals greet us or share their country food, we are reminded of these important connections. Most recently, we celebrated Nunavut Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the Nunavut Act. Community wide events are a fun way to see many people and bond over shared activities while making memories to recall together in the future. As we have been integrating into community here in the North, we are beginning to recognize just how important “your people” (those closest to you) are, as cultural nuances unfold in our relationships.
As we are becoming part of the community here, we are also growing our connections to the surrounding communities through our relationships. There are many communities across the north and Ethnos Canada is looking ahead to see what ministry opportunities may look like in other locations. Lord willing, in the coming year we would like to start doing a ‘Ministry Opportunity Assessment’ in several other communities in our area to see where else we can put a branch of our team. Please be praying for the Lord to provide for this expensive endeavour.
This ministry would not be possible without the support of the community of believers. The Lord beautifully designed the body to be united under Christ, who is our Head, with the purpose of growing more like Christ and sharing the Good News. Thank you for engaging with Ethnos Canada and supporting the Great Commission. Our hearts are filled with gratitude when we consider how the LORD works through the body. Thank you for praying! We are thankful to have many individuals, whom we may not even know, bringing the ministry in the arctic before the throne of grace. Thank you for supporting Ethnos Canada through financial support. Your generous gifts allow us to continue engaging with the Inuit community.
Learn more about the ministry of Ethnos in the Arctic at ethnos.ca/indigenous-ministries
