Dear Fellow Workers, Board of Directors and BC Conference Church Family:
Greetings from Kelowna! I pray that this message finds you and your beloved ones well, by God’s grace.
I wanted to follow up on my message regarding the situation involving the Lytton First Nation (LFN) and Camp Hope (CH), which was sent to you last week. CH has been officially selected by the LFN and the Emergency Management of British Columbia (EMBC) to become one of the destinations for the displaced LFN people who suffered the loss of their homes because of the wildfires that devasted their village on June 30. The BC Conference, through CH, is part of a pool of humanitarian agencies which will have their presence and “booths on the grounds” to help to alleviate the suffering of our LFN brothers and sisters. ADRA Canada was also officially requested by EMBC to assist easing the distress experienced by the LFN. Peggy Caesar, ADRA Communication specialist released the following statement that encapsulates the function of our humanitarian agency (ADRA Canada) and the BC Conference (CH):
“Following the great work done by our teams in response to the Fort McMurray fire in 2016 and the tornadoes that wreaked havoc in Eastern Ontario in 2018, ADRA and the BC Conference of SDA was approached by Emergency Management British Columbia (EMBC) to lead in organizing and establishing the In-kind Donation Management for the Lytton fire and possibly other wildfires throughout the province.” As a consequence of this terrible situation faced by the LFN, the BC Conference Administration and CH Management decided to cancelled their summer activities at our campgrounds until further notice.
The BC Conference Administration is very proud of our CH Team and Youth Staff present on the CH grounds for their humanitarian spirit and committed service to facilitate this emergency transition and service in order to assist the LFN during their time of need. We knew that we could on them but they have already gone beyond their call of duty to practically reveal their love for God and being the “hands and feet of Jesus Christ” for their fellow human beings. Also, our next door neighbours, the Chatwathill First Nation (CFN) have been directed involved in this situation and have offered their help for the LFN and shown their desire to work cooperatively with the CH and Youth Teams. There have been constant communication between CH Management and the CFN for that effect.
Latest information:
1 – Nearly all CH accommodation capacity has been made available to the LFN, except those occupied by our CH and Youth Staff and a few rooms which were designated for overflow for some guests who will be assisting with this matter, except those occupied by our CH and Youth Staff.
2 – The LFN has moved their office and Management Team to CH.
3 – An internal Management Emergency Committee has been selected for the operations, logistics, and communication between the BC Conference and CH Management.
4 – There are already nearly 150 LFN folks at CH. This number is expected to grow very quickly to reach the safety capacity of CH.
5 – An official document between the BC Conference (CH), the LFN Management, and EMBC is being drafted to address the needs and responsibilities of all entities involved. The priority has been given to work on the logistics of placing LFN people and serve them during their immediate needs. However, some parameters have already been established and there is a high level of trust between the organizations mentioned above for this operation.
6 – Pastor Campbell Page, the SDACC indigenous Ministry Director, has spent about a week in our campgrounds to train our CH and Youth Teams to better understand and serve the needs of the LFN people.
7 – Internet Fibre Optic has been brought to CH to facilitate the communication between the entities, the management and the placement of LFN folks at CH.
8 – The CFN Management is being informed on a daily basis and they have been very cooperative and proactive in this operation.
9 – A welcome sign to the LFN (attached) was placed at the entrance of CH and a welcome letter from the BC Conference Administration was sent to the LFN Management (attached).
10 – A plan is being designed to identify areas of need for volunteers from our churches to assist in this operation (a new ground for us!) and the logistics for recruiting and placing them in real needed areas for such tasks.
Above all, we kindly request your prayers! This opportunity for service and assist a hurting nation knocked at our doors and we want to respond to it with our hearts, minds, and hands as Jesus would!
Thank you for your amazing leadership for God’s children and your powerful prayers! We need God wisdom to unveil His face and serve our LFN brothers and sisters to the best of our abilities.
Happy Sabbath!
On behalf of the BC Conference Administrative Team, CH and Youth Team, and in His Service,
Wesley Torres
Wesley Torres, D.Min.
President