Pray for Paulatuk
Today we get an update from Michelle. Enjoy!
Paulatuk, “on top or the world,” as our daughter Jennifer remarked is a quaint community of about 330 people situated on the Beaufort Sea about 200 miles east of Tuktoyaktuk. As we flew in over the beautiful blue-green water that surrounds Paulatuk on three sides, we could pick out the Catholic Church building which was originally built in 1934. In the 80’s the original was replaced by a Quonset hut built directly behind the original structure. From the people we met as we walked and prayed, we learned that the priest does not live there but visits periodically. Most people in Paulatuk consider themselves to be Catholic.
The people were extremely friendly and we were able to learn many things about the community. We learned that Paulatuk means ‘Place of Soot” because of the coal found there. We also learned that the people are looking forward to a diamond mining operation beginning in a few months because it will bring much needed jobs for the people. (Current unemployment at 60%)
Historically, the people lived off of the land by hunting for caribou, fishing, whaling and seal hunting. Today, each family gets the majority of food and supplies by barge that has traveled down (northward) the Mackenzie River and across the Beaufort Sea. Other than that, all supplies are flown in because there are no roads, not even an ice road in winter.
As you can imagine, prices are very high. At the 1 store in town, the Northern, the prices were extreme: a 12 oz. can of soda - $5, Breyers ice cream - $16.99 to $18.39 depending on flavor!!, this makes our prices in FL seem really low.
We enjoyed our time in Paulatuk meeting the people, walking along the shore and putting our hands and feet in the cold ‘Arctic’ water.
Please pray for the folks we met there – Debbie & Stanley, Ann, Audrey, Charlie, Jim, Dale, Greg, Cathy, Veronica…as well as their families.
Also please pray specifically that God would raise up a consistent gospel witness in Paulatuk. Currently few people attend the Catholic church, though they consider themselves Catholic. The few who do know Christ get encouragement either online, on TV or by personal Bible study. Pray for God to sustain them. Pray that God will establish Pulatuk as a light of His righteousness at the top of the world.