Broken Walls News
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Pikangikum, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
This December, we travelled to visit the beautiful people of Pikangikum in Northwestern Ontario. We had delays getting into this remote community because of weather and our mom (Jonathan and Bill’s), Norma Blacksmith was not able to join us because of severe weather in her area of Pine Ridge. On our first flight from Thunder Bay to Pikangikum, we were forced to return to Thunder Bay because of thick fog.
In the meantime, our friend, Carol Sullivan from Kotlick, Alaska presented worship in dance on her own. She did a beautiful job. We joined her the next day and did two school assemblies and an evening concert. It was an intense time of moving gear and setting up in time for everything to take place. Bill did an great job of presenting the ‘Committed to Life’ program and Carol presented amazing worship through dance. It was wonderful to see the people’s eyes as they watched her.
Bill and Carol had to leave the following day, which left Jonathan and Matthew Fairchild, a young man from Belleville, Ontario for the next couple of days.
Jonathan was invited by the principal to open school the next morning with prayer and also to do 5 different presentations to 8 grades. It was a great time to teach of knowing, growing and sharing your gifts. Later on in the evening, Jonathan and Matt shared and sang at a Youth Gathering. They stirred up the gifts in the lives of the youth and teachers alike.
After many years of visiting this community, we are beginning to witness a transformation. The school assemblies, concert outreach and other ministry that we did this year were the best attended. The students and community were kind and respectful. The students were engaging, laughing and connecting during the presentation. Several people gave their hearts to the Lord. We believe that life, hope and salvation is rising up in Pikangikum. A lot of this is due to Colleen Estes who has been a loving presence in this community for many years.
Sunday morning before Jonathan and Matt left, they led the morning service for the teachers and medical staff. We challenged them to recognize and accept the differences between them and the people whom they serve and get to know them for who they are.
Our time in Pikangikum was very fruitful. It was good to reconnect and continue to build special relationships with the people. Broken Walls has been asked to return to do a concert for the Grand Opening of the new school in the fall. What an honour! The new school with play a huge part in securing a better future for the people of this community.
Thank you to everyone who partnered with us in prayer and finances. It couldn’t have happened without you.