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Mission trip makes difference for local team

By: Kathy Nelson

Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:25 pm

Mission trip makes difference for local team

Roger Heiden helps Matt get his hands traced on the “Lord’s Prayer Sheet.” (Photo submitted)

Pam and Roger Heiden went to Canada this summer for a week. It was no picnic, but it was still a lot of fun.

The 30-year residents of Faribault were part of a team that spent a week teaching Vacation Bible School in South Indian Lake, Manitoba, a remote village in northern Canada, in a ministry sponsored by the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP).

Other team members were John McGrath and Stacey Nelson of Faribault.

Pam Heiden has been making the trip for 10 years. Husband Roger is not as experienced, but is just as excited about sharing his faith with the kids.

“I watched Pam come home and say how incredible it was to share her faith and talk about Jesus,” said Roger. “You just get worked up when you are working with kids.”

Although the trip only lasts one week, strong ties and relationships are built — with the kids and the community.

“It is hard to say goodbye. We don’t know if we will see some of them again,” said Pam.

Pam said she had pretty much decided before making the August trip that this year would probably be her last.

But after the week the team had, she quickly changed her mind.

“Oh yes, we’ll be going back. I did say that this is going to be my last year,” said Pam.

But she said on one of the last days there was a little boy named Cody who asked her why Jesus would have died on the cross for him. She said she told him for the same reason He died for her.

“I thought to myself ... we’re doing something here,” she said. “I wanted to share my love of Jesus Christ. And to show the kids that there is a better way.”

Kent Kaiser, chairman of LAMP’s U.S. board agrees.

“The volunteers do great work in bringing the Gospel to people in remote areas of Canada that otherwise often go un-served. We’re fortunate to have really excellent, committed volunteers,” said Kaiser.

Pam said the team may go alone on the mission trip, but they have plenty of support.

“We have some ladies who make quilts for us. Over the years, we’ve taken about 100 quilts”, she said. “This year, we made and took Pelican Pete, a hand puppet.”

When they go they have to take everything they need for the week since the village is in a remote location.

This was the first year the team had adult volunteers. Pam said there were so many children - about 70 - that the adult volunteers were a huge help.

Pam said one of the indicators of if they made a difference is if they are invited back each year. The Indian Council makes that decision.

She said the test is when you are invited for a meal.

Before they left, they were invited to a wiener roast.

“The kids have always accepted us. It is really something when the community does.”

— Reach Managing Editor Kathy Nelson at knelson@faribault.com or 333-3134.

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Member Opinions: By: Hari on 11/27/09 Well done, Pam and Roger - thank you for bring true joy to those far away, and to all who know you!
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