Lucinda J Kinsinger

children in Deer Lake

Photos of Deer Lake: Summer 2019

Deer Lake. Second only to Rusk County—and now Garrett County, Maryland—as home of my heart. I cannot write a fraction of what I know of her, but with you I share your beauty, so that maybe you will love her, too.

I traveled there in July with the first six people in this plane. This was my fifth summer visiting, Norlene and Will’s second, and Elizabeth’s third. Trevor, in the red hair and plaid shirt, and Jeff, in the wrinkled forehead and stripes, are the newbies. They are both outdoorsmen who seemed to take naturally to the wide outdoor beauty and relaxed atmosphere of Deer Lake. And no, we don’t know the two photo bombers in the back.

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.

I will give few words in this post. Pictures are really all you need.

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.
Photo credit to Will Mast.
Photo credit to Will Mast

Northern strawberries may be tiny, but they are flavor bombs that explode in your mouth.

Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

This little one is kept safe and secure in a tikinagan.

Photo credit to William Mast.
Photo credit to Trevor Kiem.
Photo credit to Will Mast

Almost every time we parked a vehicle close to some water, Trevor and Jeff jumped out with fishing poles already in hand. These fish were caught at the dam, at the end of a long rutted road.

Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

We all took turns helping with the cooking.

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.

Dora and Jonny took us fishing and invited us over multiple times for cookouts and brunches and friendship.

Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

Yes, you can fit 9 people in fishing boat with a 30 hp outboard motor!

Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

Inukshuk: a structure of rough stones stacked in the form of a human figure, traditionally used by Inuit people as a landmark or a commemorative sign.

Our inukshuk didn’t approach the shape of a human figure, but a few of us humans had a lot of fun making it. You can watch the time lapse video below. Video credit to Norlene Shirk.

More fishing pictures:

Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.
Photo credit to Trevor Kiem.

My absolute favorite food in the world is fish, bannock, and potatoes cooked over an open fire on an island in the middle of a huge lake.

Photo credit to Jeff Miller.
Photo credit to Trevor Kiem
Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

When you’re away from home, the neanderthal comes out in everyone, Trevor said. Actually, I just needed a spoon.

Photo credit to Jeff Miller
Photo credit to Trevor Kiem

This year, I experienced something I’d never before experienced in Deer Lake: smoke from the forest fires 7 miles away. Riding back into town after being out on the water one day, the smoke was so thick it was hard to breathe.

Photo credit to Jeff Miller.

We were worried the children would be evacuated, leaving us without Bible school students, but thankfully, after a few days it cleared off.

Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.

We attended the funeral of a young man from Deer Lake. In a Deer Lake graveyard, colorful “houses” takes the place of the headstones we use in the States, though some houses include headstones as well.

Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.
Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.

Here, we discuss summer Bible school plans with Elaine, our organizer and supervisor.

Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.
Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.
Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.
Photo credit to Will Mast
Photo credit to Jeff Miller.
Photo credit to Jeff Miller.
Photo credit to Jeff Miller.
Photo credit to Jeff Miller.

A video snippet of what it sounds like when a bleacher full of children sing “My God Is so Big!”

We could never have done Bible school without the help of Elaine and her grandchildren. The whole gang of us pictured below.

Tent meetings are a beautiful experience. Drums and guitars boomed over loudspeakers. Gospel songs belted out in nasal country tones. Preachers who teach the Word of the Lord like they mean it. Dancers and shakers and people slain in the Spirit. And if a dog happens to wonder up on stage, he is accepted with laughter and made a part of the service.

Photo credit to Will Mast

Molet, who loves the Lord.

Photo credit to Norlene Shirk.

Elizabeth, imitating the call of a loon.

Spirit, with arms raised to sky.

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.

A Sunday afternoon drive to find wildflowers. That’s Dora, Elizabeth, Norlene, and me.

Photo credit to Will Mast.

And here is Janet.

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.

Good-bye, Deer Lake!

Photo credit to Elizabeth Miller.

Lord willing, I will be back.

Photo credit to Trevor Kiem.

7 thoughts on “Photos of Deer Lake: Summer 2019”

  1. Wow… This is so awesome to read. Deer Lake will forever hold a special place in my heart. My grandparents lived there for nearly 50 years. I spent every summer there as a young girl. I came to know the Lord through the Mennonite missionaries there. Thank you for sharing these. The lord bless you… Sonja

    1. Lucinda Miller

      That’s wonderful, Sonja. It gives me hope that the many Bible schools and kids clubs I’ve taught, both in Deer Lake and my home state, will actually bear fruit. Would love to meet you sometime.

      1. Lucinda, I truly believe it will. it makes my heart glad to know that there are missionaries there again. The need there is so great. My grandparents ran a fish camp there years ago, and then a store before retiring. They stayed there until my grandpa needed to be near the hospital in Red Lake. At that time the Northern Light Gospel Mission was operating throughout Northwestern Ontario. Many people came to Jesus through the ministry. Sadly, it seemed to stop for many years. What a blessing to hear that there are people that have heart to reach out to the people there again. I would love to be able to meet you as well. Praying for you. The Lord bless you… Sonja

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