Lands of the Long Summer Sun
InterAct missionaries make the most of their days
By Erin Bruzda, with InterAct missionaries and staff
Have you ever wished you could have more hours in your day to accomplish everything on your to-do list? Barring necessary sleep, that wish could come true if you live in the North Pacific Crescent. Summer days are significantly longer and winter days significantly shorter as you head toward the North Pole. No wonder our missionaries in Siberia, Alaska and Western Canada are drawn to make the most of extended or in some cases, endless summer days.
The State of Alaska is nicknamed “Land of the Midnight Sun,” and is the only U.S. area where northern lands rest within the Arctic Circle. In Fairbanks, the sun never seems to set between April 22nd and August 30th. It’s common during this time to find people out in the middle of the night hiking, biking, golfing, and even going to baseball games. Every year since 1906 on the summer solstice, Fairbanks hosts the Midnight Sun baseball game. It begins around 10:00 pm, ends about 1:00am, and is played entirely without artificial light.
Even the more southern areas of the state experience 24 hours of sun during some portions of the summer. Gardening during these long light days in Alaska can produce some rather incredible plants. 100-pound cabbages are not unheard of and flowers plus all things green often dwarf those from the lower 48 states.
Missionaries find this an interestingly effective time to plan activities or connect with all ages of people while “just doing life.” One Alaska missionary states, “Hours of added sunlight provide so much more visiting time and everyone wants to be outside enjoying the warmth after the long, dark winter. We’ve had many good conversations while going for hikes or a walk or sitting outside and enjoying some ice cream late at night. And, going camping? No need for the Coleman lantern or flashlights. Those get packed away until fall.”
Summer connection opportunities are found by some while setting their salmon nets in the river late into the evening and still being able to clean their catch in daylight. One family hosts a First Friday Fire on the Deck gathering at their home each summer month. They find that “the long light hours lend themselves to stories, S’mores and laughter well into the night. Over the years these gatherings have led to deepened friendships, encouragement and lots of great fun.” Other Alaska missionaries have enjoyed hosting short-term work teams during the summer, showing them the sights all night while wearing sunglasses. The only thing they couldn’t do was watch the sun set!
These experiences apply to some far north areas of our Canada field as well. Yet, even in the more southern regions where we do much of our ministry, missionaries are keenly aware of the value of lingering summer days. One of our InterAct staff reminisces:
“Not only is this a time for people to move about more freely, but wildlife takes advantage of extended daylight as well. Activities like berry picking can necessarily become a group activity. Huckleberries, cranberries, saskatoon berries, chokecherries and many more delightful berries grow wild in the north.
On one occasion I joined a group that went out to pick wild blueberries. As we jostled along the dirt road we were warned that the bears were just as determined to get the berries as we were. It was decided that one person would stand in the back of the pick-up truck holding a rifle and scanning the landscape for furry intruders, while the others picked berries. There was only one bear sighted and I’m happy to report no animals or people were harmed, but it did foster deeper relationships.
Long warm days signal picnic weather anywhere. But in the north country, there is a sense of urgency to gather and bask in the sunlight well into the night. First Nations picnics could include game meat or fish but most often it would be a wiener roast. Any Canadian knows that wieners are not hot dogs until they are hot. Makes sense to me—now. Laughter, practical jokes and banter fill the hours. But it’s interesting how a fire (though it isn’t dark), a lake and camp chairs encourage genuine conversation about the joys and struggles of life. More than one serious discussion turned into an opportunity to share the gospel for the first time or to apply God’s healing words to a discouraged Christ-follower."
Summer also opens the door for Canadian First Nations churches to host family camps drawing people from near and far, many attending several in a summer. During one camp, two young boys discovered the outhouse hole as an inviting place to throw their clothing and shoes one piece at a time, accompanied by peals of laughter with each deposit. Their families were attending the morning service and unaware until the little guys, in all their bare-bodied freedom, streaked into the open-air tent. As the families had come from a distance with limited clothing, the items were fished out with a contrived tool and taken to the local laundromat for cleaning. Though one could not hold back a chuckle, those families were thankful for the long daylight and community to help them.
Spring and summer festivals and gatherings are plentiful all over the North Pacific Crescent. But, in Siberia some have nearly or literally become an art form. In Buriatia, during the Night of Yokhor, an orchestra plays on stage at an open-air museum, while circle dancing goes on well after dark. Hundreds of locals representing their familial clans and visiting tourists join hands and stomp the ground, sending dust and mosquitoes into the air for hours.
One of our missionaries explains other Siberian traditions and how they use the seasons.
“Shashlik is a summertime must in Siberia. Some may just see it as another form of grilling, but for men in Siberia it's an art-form. It involves the quick grilling of kebabs loaded with meat close to a high-heat bed of charcoal. Unlike traditional American grilling, in Russia, the grill master must always have a water bottle in hand to squelch any flare ups as the meat grills so closely to the coals. But the real joy of shashlik is the company with which you share it.
Also in our area, many families own a small plot of land, called a dacha, outside of town where they grow impressive gardens every summer. God provided our family with a dacha (small, rustic plot of land and house) an hour outside the city. It has been an amazing place for our family to go to for refreshment, sabbath, and focused family time.
Over the years we've often felt that our ministry has seasons. Summertime provides an opening to meet new people. Folks come out of their apartments and flood the parks, hiking trails, and outdoor venues, which allows us to meet new people and build basic relationships. Then when the cold months come around, we can invite them over to have a cup of tea and spend an evening with our family indoors, where deeper relationships can be cultivated.”
In all areas of ministry, prolonged days of summer mean more occasions to connect with people. It’s also a time for personal refreshment and renewal ... a time to connect to our Creator. As one of InterAct’s Canadian missionaries points out, “Things take time in the North. You could be out fishing, patching a cabin or having discipleship conversations as the sun begins to set.” In the shorter days of fall and winter, that discussion might suddenly close down for folks to get home before darkness sets in. Yet during spring and summer, the sunset can linger for hours opening the door to continue a conversation that might morph into deep heart sharing.
The concept of making the most of our days is nothing new under the sun. The Apostle Paul shared similar thoughts in Ephesians. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV)
For InterAct missionaries, extra-long summer days provide multiplied opportunities to apply this verse. Discipling starts with relationship. Just as plants flourish more abundantly with extended daylight, relationship building activities abound during the long-light days of summer in the North Pacific Crescent. Our missionaries strive to be in tune with God’s intentions for their time … to make the best use of it, whatever season they are in.
When God Presses Pause
Surrounded by clutter as I sit down to write, my soul longs for order. I miss having my own place where all my belongings have a home … where our pictures grace the walls and my clothes are stored in a dresser instead of a suitcase. But I’m living temporarily in someone else’s house.
Many of our belongings have already been sold or given away. After packing and moving everything four times last year, we’re just waiting on paperwork before our little family can make one last big move and finally settle into a home of our own again. Why? Because Christ has called us to live among those who don’t know Him, in order to make Him known.
Sometimes, worn out with all the uncertainties and hardships of this season of transition, my mind wishfully envisions us finally packed and being dropped off at the airport. But then I remember the painful goodbyes that will accompany our long-awaited launch. I picture myself tearfully clutching my parents before pulling myself and their newest granddaughter away. It’s likely to be at least three years before we can hug them again. I grieve that my obedience to Christ is costing them so much, even though we all agree that He is worthy. And so, somehow I both look forward to and dread our inevitable departure.
Yet I know that Jesus is with us in this season. He is with us in this space that is not our own. He is with us in the waiting, in the unknown, in the transitions. He will be with us as we say those goodbyes, giving us His sustaining grace. In the same way, He will be with us when we face uncertainties and hardships in our new home. And He will be there as we take the Good News to people who don’t know Jesus, so they can experience Him in their trials and joys too. (InterAct missionary in waiting, Georgianna Costanzo)
Receiving God’s call to the mission field can be exciting and fulfilling. Then come the challenges of raising support teams, along with cross-cultural training and language acquisition. It takes months and often years before the Go part of the process is reached. In some cases, the next step seems more like a jolting halt. God has pressed pause.
At this point, it’s critical for mission appointees, supporters and prayer partners to remember that God’s plan has not stalled. He wastes nothing. He will use this time to continue accomplishing His purposes in and through these missionaries and their teams, in more ways than can be imagined!
Here are some specific ways to pray for missionaries in God’s waiting room:
- Pray they can rest confidently in the sovereignty of God.
- Pray for fulfillment of God’s purposes in the waiting.
- Pray against discouragement.
Update: This family is now on the mission field!
The warm and extended days of summer in the North provide an abundance of relational opportunities. As missionaries, we are in the “people business.” The earlier stages of making disciples and gathering them into local churches is especially enhanced by the greater “dwell time” provided by leisurely summer schedules. Campfire smoke, fishing and berry picking sound more like the stuff of holidays or vacations than the work of missions. Ministry to people requires trust, a commodity that is greatly enhanced by enjoying life together. Despite the seeming casualness of the long days of summer, investing in these relational opportunities is both intentional and strategic.
I was privileged to spend many enjoyable hours with First Nations friends as we worked together toward establishing an indigenous church. Although it was fun to share life with these families, there was also an element of purpose behind our social gatherings. Trust was deepened as we talked and played, trust that allowed us to go more deeply into discussions of eternal import. The relationships that advanced during the fun of summer became the foundation for time in the Word which resulted in spiritual growth—for all of us!
Being a missionary is enjoyable! Even so, it should always have in mind the purpose for engaging a new culture—making disciples who disciple, who then gather as church! Leveraging the protracted days of summer into gospel advancement is about as good as it gets. Seeing people come to Christ, grow in Him and begin to worship together is the joy of missions ... a joy closely connected with the long days of summer in the North.
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." II Timothy 2:2.