Northwest Where???

If you are like me, you probably have no idea where the Northwest Territories are. Even though I grew up in the United States, I continually am amazed at my ignorance of our neighbors to the north, Canada. The Northwest Territories is a huge expanse of land in northern Canada with a population of under 50,000. Originally inhabited by first nations and indigenous people, today it is a mix Canadian settlers and the original peoples. In one small town, called Behchoko (used to be called Rae on the map), there is a small Baptist church that has been laboring to bring the new hope to the Tli cho (Dogrib) people who live there. Like many native peoples, much of their culture and spirit has been broken due to colonialism and the effects of the settlers destroying their old way of life. Catholic missionaries came to this small town of 3,000 in 1859, but due to the loss of hope, unemployment, and poverty, many of the Tli cho here have turned to drugs, sex, and alcohol to escape their pain. Violence and child abuse are rampant, with drunks openly fighting in the streets, while their children are left alone at home. This small Baptist church was began by missionaries from Texas. They have labored and fought to stay through extreme winters (-40 degrees) and persecution as the only white family in the town. Wycliffe just finished translating the New Testament in Tli cho, and you can see a report of when it was in progress here:
http://www.wycliffe.ca/wordalive/archive/2003summer/index.html
The reason I am telling you this is that four of their young leaders, average age 20, are in the missions training program that I am teaching in this week. Sitting up late last night, these four shared their experiences growing up, and the challenges they face in trying to bring revival and change to this small Tli cho town. One young Tli cho woman told of how they have "girls night out" at the church, where about 30 girls from 3-10 years old at dropped off by their parents at church while the parents go out to drink and party. Another spoke of babysitting for a neighbor only to discover open sores on her baby due to neglect. She and her parents ended up taking the baby in for many months to nurse the baby back to health. One of the young Tli cho men was only recently baptized before coming to the missions school, but he is already using a local radio station to share a message of hope and play Christian music to the Tli Cho.
I was reminded again how there are churches and Christians in corners all over the world, battling against the powers of drugs and violence to bring new life to their peoples. Now I have one more people and town to add to my list for prayers!
If you want to see a slide show that the Tli cho put together about their home town and ministry in Bechoko, press play below.