That's what we have been doing - having fun! The special meetings are only in the evenings, so our days are free to explore and get to know the people here.
The village we are in is Mistissini, population of about 4,000. It is one of the larger reserves in Canada. It is located right on Lake Mistassini (google it if you want!). Unlike many other reserves in Canada, a large percentage of the population are "Christian." At one time, this village was about 80% Christian, though I am not sure what it would be today. Now, just as in any other part of the world, just because they say they are Christian doesn't mean they live like it.
The gospel reaching these Cree people can be attributed in large part to a man named Larry Linton. He was a bush pilot who felt called to bring the gospel to these people. So, over 40 years ago, he and his wife, Peggy, used any means of transportation they could to get to the Cree. They used plane, canoe, whatever they could. He first went to the village of Nemeska, then came here. Nemeska is where Matt and I came three weeks after we were married to run a Bible camp. Anyways, Larry and his wife brought the gospel here, and now many know the Lord as their personal Saviour. I guess we could say that the Christians we are meeting this week are his spiritual children and grandchildren! What a legacy!
This missionary, Larry, is truly a man who loves the Lord. If you were to meet him, you would know that he is cut from a different mold, but it doesn't matter to the Cree. By the way, he and his wife still live here among the Cree. They have given their lives to these people, and are accepted as one of the Cree. Something that also speaks volumes about what kind of man Larry is is how he takes care of his wife. Peggy was always very involved with the Cree, and the people very much love her. But Peggy became very sick many years ago, and is unable to do anything on her own. She does not speak, move or eat on her own. She is what many would call in a "vegetative state." But instead of sending her off to some "home" where she would spend the majority of her time all alone, Larry takes care of her in their home. Ha bathes her, feeds her, moves her when she needs to move, dresses her - he does everything for her. Now that is love. How many people would do that? Many would send them away and pay someone else to take care of them so that they wouldn't have to. I cannot think of a more beautiful display of a husband loving his wife through thick and thin, "in sickness and in health." By the way, he has been doing this for over 10 years.
Coming to this village, you really do step right into another culture. I don't know how many of you are familiar with any of the native culture. Although their modern day "tee-pee" are houses that are most often nicer than our house, and everywhere you look they have cell phones and nice big trucks and SUVs, they still stick to their roots in culture in many ways. They still love to live off the land. They hunt and fish as a way to provide food. The still use their ancient native medicines for many things. They still do some of the traditional ceremonies, although they have changed them from worshipping their false gods to using it to worship the true God.
Yesterday Matt and I were able to see some of this firsthand. Every year, for about a week or maybe two, many of the Cree, especially the elders, travel to the other side of the lake to where the old site of the village was. Over there is like it used to be. No running water, and they live in shack-type buildings. They do have a generator to run some appliances, but they generally cook over the open fire. They have a smoke house set up where they smoke their fish to eat. So during this time, they go over there to relive these times. Many of the elders love this time. That is what they know best and love.
We took a boat ride over there to see it. I was a little nervous at first getting on the boat with Libby, but reminded myself that they all take their babies over, so it should be no different with me! It was only a short ride anyway - maybe 3-5 minutes. Well, we got off on shore, and I look up and what is the first thing I see? Yup - a black bear laying on a picnic table. The bear was killed the day before by one of the nephews of the pastor we were with. He killed the bear with his bow and arrow! They had already removed the intestines, and when we got there they were beginning to skin the bear while the ladies were taking care of the intestines. How they do this reminds me much of when you buy sausage and squeeze it out of the outer casing. That is exactly what they were doing with the intestines, only it took them a lot longer since the intestines are so long! I sure am glad that I don't have a weak stomach! By the time we left a few hours later, then had completely removed the skin, and most of the fat, which they cut up and cook almost like popcorn. They were all describing how good it was! Also, they smoke the intestines then cook them in water and then eat them. They utilize everything they can to eat! Waste not, want not!
While there we walked around and saw a lot of neat stuff, one of which was the pastor's uncle who was making paddles out of wood. He did each one by hand and only with an ax and knife. Very cool. I really enjoyed yesterday and seeing all the things that we did. It is an eye opener to a whole other way of life.
I will close this post with one of the funniest things (to me at least!) from yesterday. We were sitting down talking with a couple of the people when, somehow, the topic of food came up. And somehow, I can't remember how, the topic of eating monkey brains came up. The Cree lady said that a missionary from India told them that the most expensive meal there was monkey brains. And that they had holes in the table, the monkey's head was put there, they smashed the head with a hammer and then ate the brains. We all agreed that that was pretty gross. Then the lady said, "At least we cook them before we eat the brains of any animal!" And then she went on like that was nothing. I tried not to laugh, because to me, the thought of eating BRAINS at all is gross, but to her, only the thought of eating them uncooked was gross. Ha! Oh, the different cultures we have....
Well, that is about all for now. I hope I didn't ramble on too much. Not exactly sure what is in store for today! The meetings are going well. Please continue to pray. By the way - I am taking pictures of everything, but forgot the cord to connect to the computer, so I will have to wait until we get home to post them!
Until next time...
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