When I was 19, the camp where I was serving visited an elderly man who lived on an island by himself in the middle of Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We cut firewood, did some cleaning and set up a barrier to keep driftwood logs from collecting under his house, which hung over the water at high tide.
That began a friendship with Nelson Dunkin of Copper Island that spanned the next 20 years. Sarah and I were among the many visitors who were drawn not only to the serene and gorgeous setting where Nelson lived, but the man himself. I am sure that much of who I am today was formed by his quiet, godly example of generosity, hospitality and genuine personal interest. His legacy includes the camp that has now operated on Copper Island for the past 35 years.
My next project is to write Nelson Dunkin's story. I have already interviewed several of the people who knew him well, and my list of eager contributors of stories, photos, letters and memories grows daily. I expect the gathering will take most of the spring, so I should be able to start writing this summer.
Nelson lived entirely off the grid, and to honour his values I have decided not to publish this book on Amazon. Instead, I plan to run another Kickstarter to pay for a local printing of as many books as the campaign supports. That way, the book will be paid for, and all future sales of the book will go to a new Nelson Dunkin Camper Scholarship for children who could not otherwise afford to go to camp.
I'll keep you updated, and will appreciate your continued support and prayers!
That began a friendship with Nelson Dunkin of Copper Island that spanned the next 20 years. Sarah and I were among the many visitors who were drawn not only to the serene and gorgeous setting where Nelson lived, but the man himself. I am sure that much of who I am today was formed by his quiet, godly example of generosity, hospitality and genuine personal interest. His legacy includes the camp that has now operated on Copper Island for the past 35 years.
My next project is to write Nelson Dunkin's story. I have already interviewed several of the people who knew him well, and my list of eager contributors of stories, photos, letters and memories grows daily. I expect the gathering will take most of the spring, so I should be able to start writing this summer.
Nelson lived entirely off the grid, and to honour his values I have decided not to publish this book on Amazon. Instead, I plan to run another Kickstarter to pay for a local printing of as many books as the campaign supports. That way, the book will be paid for, and all future sales of the book will go to a new Nelson Dunkin Camper Scholarship for children who could not otherwise afford to go to camp.
I'll keep you updated, and will appreciate your continued support and prayers!
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| Copper Island, 1986 |