The artic is more than ice and snow

Posted November 23, 2022

Dear Praying Friends,

During my 12-day trip to Nunavik, I had significant conversations or prayer time with at least 40 people!

Sending off a quick prayer email was not possible but I was comforted knowing many of you were praying. Flying home, this scripture came to mind…

“…but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.”
2 Samuel 23:10

Throughout my time there, I was very aware of the spiritual forces that want to hold people captive. This scripture was often on my mind:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish agruments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Aani, who was drunk for two of the three days I stayed in her home, shared this story. “We did not know about alcohol in our family ever until my dad went to guide white prospectors in the 70s and they taught him how to make moonshine. After that, my father became a drunk and angry abuser of the family. Now, most of my family are alcoholics.” Aani was not blaming anyone, just stating a fact of how that ‘demon’ gained access to her family. Makes you want to cry. 😢 Please pray for Aani.

🙌🏻 Praise

• Safety in the air on land and on the water. One weekend we travelled 70 miles by canoe (pictured below on the left) including 10-12 sections of rapids. Three other canoes, that were not traveling with us, hit rocks and had damaged motors.

• Two young adults, Diane (pictured below with her arctic char) and Tommy Mark said: “This weekend of camping helped us a lot.” To model how to bring the Lord into everything we do, I encouraged the regular sharing of devotions and prayer, something they don’t usually do.

• Tunu and Lynn, whom I had not seen for three years, shared with me: “We turned a corner last year and are doing much better!” About five years ago when I flew into town, Tunu, who was the mayor of Kuujjuaq (the biggest town in Nunavik) took me to his home. As he introduced me to his wife Lynn he said “It seems we will divorce…sad for our six kids but maybe God had you come.” Praise God He rescued them. So encouraging!

• Lucas, Derek, Tommy Mark, Janivan, and Charlie are no longer on suicide watch. These young men attended Christian camps and stayed in our home. They have seen and experienced true Christian living. I had prayer with 4 of the 5, some with positive responses. Unfortunately when another young man took his own life recently, many turned to the drink.

• At the men’s meetings with Tommy, Zack, Edua, and Jaani made fresh commitments to follow the Lord.

• As I was about to leave Nunavik, Ilissapi ran into the tiny airport weeping and exclaiming, “we all need help” as she pointed to the others. “Our marriages are under attack” she continued. I had 35 minutes before I had to return for my flight. Ilissapi, her husband Zac, myself, and the others left the airport. We joined one of the other wives as we prayed through each home, declaring God’s protection, and laying hands on each of the couples. Praise God for this amazing send-off!

🙏 Prayer

• The Inuit pastors and leaders, that they follow the Biblical model of caring for people with personal contact whether in their homes or on the land and especially after a tragedy. That the pastors and leaders would spend time with those wanting to go straight. This is one of the BIGGEST needs in the North as it seems their culture does not naturally do this. This is a clear example—when your culture doesn’t work but the way of the scripture does.

• Tunu and Lynn as they make good choices—that they would put the Lord at the center of their lives

• The young men noted above to reach out to the Lord and for the men leaders to care for them—many are fatherless

• Three young couples: Johnny & Vanessa, Ilissapi & Zack, and Edua & Lucina have all felt a wave of oppression come over them and their marriages these past two months. Some in town seem possessed as they literally scream curses at them or their children whether sober or drunk.

• The team of six women, pictured below, who go into the villages as grief counsellors after a tragedy.