Our community was buzzing with excitement in August as the annual caribou hunting season approached. The caribou hunting season is limited to one day out of the year, but many individuals and families spend several days at their cabin or on the land leading up to hunting day. Gideon and Rob had the opportunity to help their friend on his caribou hunt. Waking up at the break of dawn, they set out in search of a caribou. The LORD blessed our friend and provided a caribou! It was quite the task to carry the large bull back to camp; they traversed steep hills, spongy land, rock fields and rivers. This time was well spent.
We have learned that the entirety of caribou is useful, valued, and important. Maybe the first and most obvious use of caribou is meat for food. The meat can be eaten raw and frozen, dried, or cooked. It has been fun for us to learn our friends’ particular preferences for different parts of the caribou. One of our friends loves the tongue while another enjoys the stomach lining. After the caribou hunt we heard people talking about how nice the caribou was based off the amount of fat found on the animal. The fat can be mixed with berries from the land for a delicious treat. Traditionally, the pelt of the caribou can be used to make tents and clothing. Antlers and bones can be used to make jewelry and tools, like a sewing needle. Sinew was used for sewing, also.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of uses for the caribou and we are eager to continue learning. Just as we are learning of the of value of the entire caribou, we are reminded that every part of the body of Christ is valuable and has a purpose. We are thankful for the way God has knit the believers together and has placed Christ as our head. Thank you for joining us in growing the body of Christ in Arctic Canada. We appreciate your prayers!
