Posts

August 2025: Fires, Festivals, Friends, and Family

Image
 August 2025 represented a continuation of the problem with forest fires that I discussed in last month's blog. Three LAMP trips to the communities of Lynn Lake, Brochet, and Marcel Columb needed to be cancelled due to forest fire evacuations and related problems. There were two churches in Winnipeg who were able to pivot and host their evacuated communities in Winnipeg instead of going north to visit. Children evacuated from Leaf Rapids, Manitoba were hosted by the LAMP team and some friends at St. Aidan's Anglican Church for some learning and fun. Children evacuated from Cormorant, Manitoba were hosted by the LAMP team at Nassau Street Church for some learning and fun as well. Here's some pictures from St. Aidan's and Nassau Street. My last LAMP trip of the summer was way up north in Lac Brochet, Manitoba. Here's some pictures of the plane that I flew on to get there (Perimeter Air), the LAMP team and their local helpers, a group photo, and some other pictures. It...

July 2025: Fires, Smoke, Faith, and Flexibility

Image
I want to begin my post this month with a note from my coworker and friend Andrew, who is the Director of Flight Operations and pilot for LAMP. He posted the following... I have less experience than Andrew does with these situations and I'm very struck by his observation that this is the worst fire season he's seen in 13 years. This has had and continues to have a huge impact on so many of our LAMP communities. Many have been under threat from nearby fires...many more have had to manage very smoky conditions and very poor air quality. It has also had a huge impact on so many of our LAMP teams and their plans to serve this summer. My month started in Easterville, Manitoba with the LAMP team from Wisconsin. They worked well together and had a wonderful turnout of kids from the community. I enjoyed spending some time with them and watching them do great work in the community. Here's a few pictures...team leader Debbie with our local contact Michael C and a photo of the team.  ...