To All Our Friends in Cross Lake

Just over 10 years ago, Sterling Mennonite Fellowship and the Living Word Church in Cross Lake, Manitoba, began a partnership. For the past 10 summers, we’ve travelled up to this beautiful Cree community in order to build relationships and run several kids and youth camps. It’s grown every year, and for the past few trips, we’ve partnered with Winnipeg’s Bethel Mennonite Church and Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship because we could no longer do it on our own.

Were it not for COVID-19, we would be leaving today for our 11th summer is Cross Lake. Even though I understand why we can’t go, it breaks my heart so much. We’ve made so many great friends in Cross Lake and every time I’ve gone up I’ve left feeling like I’ve received more than I’ve given. We’ve always been welcomed with open arms. I can’t say enough about the hospitality that we’ve received.

I’ve always said that one of the most important things we do in our partnership with Cross Lake is to return to the community again and again. Presence is so important to the work of reconciliation. Even though we would have gone this year, we aren’t allowed. But that doesn’t mean we’ll forget about Cross Lake and our friends there. In fact, we’ve been thinking and praying for them more than ever. 

Leaders in Cross Lake have kept us informed about their isolation plans in order to prevent COVID-19 from wrecking havoc in their community. We’re grateful for their safety and continue to pray for wisdom and protection during this time. We know that we’ll meet again when it’s safe to do so. We will be back.

In the meantime, some of the folks who have gone to Cross Lake in the past wanted to share greetings, well-wishes, and memories, with our friends there. The mayor of Cross Lake also responded with a message for us. It’s so nice to reminisce, and it will be even better when we see each other in person again. Until then, we love you and will miss you dearly. 

God Bless!