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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Two travelling ministries brought a double dose of the Christian message to Fort Simpson recently.

Both On Eagle's Wings and the New Testament Outreach Ministries International arrived in the village during the week of July 14 to 20 bringing their unique programs and messages.

Sue McDaniel, left, a volunteer with On Eagle's Wings helps Jeremey Larter string together a bead necklace during a summer Bible school program offered in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

At Bompas elementary school three volunteers with On Eagle's Wings, an interdenominational Christian ministry, offered a five-day summer Bible school. Sue and Chase McDaniel and Hedy Lyles, all from the United States are among 58 people from the United States and 60 from Canada who are offering Bible schools in communities across the NWT, Nunavut, northern Alberta and Saskatchewan this summer.

"We have people who come up here year after year after year," said Sue McDaniel from Philadelphia.

This was McDaniel's fifth year coming North with the program. At each community volunteers present a curriculum prepared by On Eagle's Wings staff.

In Fort Simpson the three volunteers presented this year's program called CHEER, Caring Hearts Encourage Everyone Right Away, to an average of 11 children a day ranging from ages three to 12.

"We really enjoy it," said McDaniel.

"We want to leave the kids with a good remembrance of what they've done in Bible school."

Every day activities included crafts, games, Bible readings and a skit.

This year's program was focus on the book of Exodus and the story of Moses.

Tiffany Larter, one of the participants, said she learned a lot about Moses and how he helped God with the Israelites.

"He was very helpful," said Larter.

In addition to learning about Moses, Gabriel Day said he enjoyed the crafts and activities offered during the program.

"It's fun," he said.

While the Bible school was taking place in Bompas, the New Testament Outreach Ministries International was set up in their distinctive white and yellow tent at the Papal site in the village.

Led by ministers Lori Byers and Dorothy Carbert the ministry was travelling with a team of 19 people this year to spread a Christian message.

Starting in mid-June the group had already visited Dixonville and Meander River in Alberta before reaching Fort Simpson for six days and then moving on to Valleyview and Red Deer, Alberta. They plan to finish the tour in Kawacatoose, Saskatchewan in mid September.

This was the 10th time the ministry has visited Fort Simpson with their tent.

Each day the group offered an evening service as well as a time of prayer and teaching. A children's rally was held on Saturday.

"We just pray whoever God wants to come will come and be blessed," said Byers.

When they aren't travelling both Byers and Carbert live in Fort Providence. For the past 11 years Mary Isaiah of Fort Simpson along with her children have also been travelling with the ministry.

"It's awesome to go and see what God does in the different communities," said Isaiah.