About Hope for the First Nations

History of the Minnesota Mission Trip
In 1997, nine high school students and one adult met the challenge of a mission trip to Minnesota to work with the Indian children for Vacation Bible School.  Through All Nations Mission, they started at a small church on the edge of the White Earth Indian Reservation, not really knowing what to expect.  They went on this mission totally in faith that God would meet them there.

And He did.

The week proved to be a life-changing experience for one and all.  By the end of the week, 18 children came to VBS.  They had wonderful experiences at the Bible school.  So did the team.  In the evening, they praised God, sang songs and prayed together.

Harry, a medicine man of the tribe, named them "Ogibchidaquey" (warrior  women).  The team members knew they had made a difference...or maybe it was that God had made a difference in them!

Every year, a new team journeys to White Earth.  We have watched so many children grow.  They are our friends and part of our hearts.  Many have accepted Christ over the years.  Many have come and gone, and our hearts ache not knowing what has happened to them.

Our mission has grown as well.  What started with a few girls now includes over 50 students and adults from all over the country.  So many children attend our Summer Day Camp that it has grown too big for the tiny church building.  We've moved into the reservation's community center and expanded our ministry to teenagers and the community. We are now having Summer Day Camp in three different locations with more requested in the future.

Our experiences over the years could fill pages.  We have laughed, cried, prayed together and seen God move in ways we could never imagine.  Where the darkness is, His light shines brighter.

We who have gone share a bond, the bond of Christ in action.  We are blessed to be a part of His work on this earth in such an extraordinary way.  Our prayer is that the seeds that we have planted and that have been planted in us continue to grow.  We are His lights and we have shined in Him.  We look forward to what He has in store for us and for the Anishinaabeg people!