Tucked in just south of the Arctic Circle, we are starting to feel the impact of our days shortening as we head into the winter season. Currently, we are losing about an hour of daylight a week. Our town will soon bask in beautiful golden hour light before the Aurora Borealis comes out to play midday. Unlike the communities north of the Arctic circle, we will continue to have a few hours of twilight even on the shortest day of the year. For Team Arctic, this will be our third winter season here in the North, and there are a few patterns we have noticed during this time of year.
One of these patterns is that, as daylight dwindles and temperatures drop, people are forced to spend more time inside. In a town where housing is overcrowded and in short supply, this has some ripple effects. We have noticed that some of the sad and difficult realities of life up here tend to be more prevalent during this time of year.
Another pattern is that, as people stay inside more, it becomes harder for us to be around them as much. Many of our interactions and relationships are based around outdoors activities, so this presents a challenge for us. Thankfully, we have been discovering spaces and activities where we can carry on these interactions throughout the dark months.
One more pattern we have noticed is more of a personal one; the dark part of the winter is simply draining on our own energy. With the sun setting shortly after lunch, it is difficult to stay awake and motivated for the rest of the “day”. We have been thankful for God’s grace and strength for us over the last two winters, and we look forward to it this year as well!
As we head towards winter solstice, would you pray for us and our ministry here? Please pray for the people in this town, that God would protect them this season. Please pray for our relationships, that they would continue to grow deeper and stronger. And please pray for our team, that, by the Lord’s empowerment, we would be a shining testimony of what it looks like to walk in the life and hope He provides.
This is only a short season. Come the end of February, the days are longer, and the town starts to feel awake again. We are reminded of Jesus: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). We are praying for many of our friends and neighbours to come to know this light, one that doesn’t come and go with the seasons, but stays steadfast through all of eternity.
