This is part 7 of Pastor Les's series recounting his and Ardith's evacuation from Fort McMurray. You may read the previous posts by following these links: Part 1 (Escaping the Inferno!), Part 2 (Metis/First Nations Hospitality), Part 3 (Oil Sands Camp), Part 4 (Angel Paul and the jerry can), Part 5 (Leaving the Oil Camp), Part 6 (Convoy Through Fort McMurray).
Living in-between times, blog. Fort McMurray, Alberta Wildfires. The mass exodus of May 3rd meant that tens of thousands of people were in need of somewhere to live temporarily. Shelters of all shapes and sizes were found, from massive holding centres to tiny motorhomes. Some returned to the homes of extended families scattered across Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland/Labrador. My wife and I were fortunate to have been able to crash at the home of my niece, her husband and their four-month old son. They live east of Edmonton and since we were able to drive our vehicle out of northern Alberta, we have been able to get around. Along with our pastoral staff, I have been leading our church “in exile” through services being held in a church in Edmonton and through one of our church leaders, another gathering in Calgary. A lot of tears have been shed by us all as we had many times of sharing the losses and challenges of recent events. Yet through the tears there has arisen a fresh sense of hope as we look to the future rebuilding of lives, houses and our beloved city of Fort McMurray. Love for one another has been deepened by the togetherness of common needs. Special “God-moments” have been on the lips of many. We know God has never forsaken us. As a matter of fact, it appears that His felt Presence has been more obvious than ever.
Along with our pastoral staff, I have been leading our church “in exile” through services being held in a church in Edmonton and through one of our church leaders, another gathering in Calgary. A lot of tears have been shed by us all as we had many times of sharing the losses and challenges of recent events.
Yet all has not been trial! Some are calling it not only evacuation but also ‘e-vacation’. Having been thrown out of regular scheduling and by virtue of social media and diverse means of communication, many of us have been able to visit tourist sites (most free of charge to Fort McMurray evacuees), re-connect with extended family (we have temporarily adopted our great-nephew) and have some fun gatherings with “friends in exile”. Every cloud has a silver lining if we have eyes to see.
The time is now drawing near to return. This is welcomed. Yet the actual sights of evident loss will be unsettling. Rebuilding of lives, houses and livelihoods will be challenging. Isaiah the prophet of old, has a word for us today. “You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” (Isaiah 26:3, 4). We may be shaken while standing on the rock, but the Rock never moves! Having been driven away from what was common, we are now being directed into the paths of divine extra-ordinary!