A one-week dance camp in Shamattawa somehow became a full-time job for one Youth for Christ staff member.

Ashley Hall was a staff member with Masterworks Studio at YFC Winnipeg when they travelled to Shamattawa in August to teach a one-week dance class. The remote fly-in only community is about 750 km northeast of Winnipeg.

While she was there she was told about Shamattawa's lack of teachers. The community is currently short 11 teachers, and classes still have not begun while the community tries to recruit more teachers.

"The more I asked questions, the more my heart said this is where you're going to be this year," Hall said. "Within 72 hours, my life had done a bit of a 180."

That 180 came in the form of a job offer, to be the nursery school teacher in Shamattawa. Hall says that she left the decision up to God.

"I will go, but you need to open all the doors," Hall said. One by one, they all opened.

"I came out here because I love the kids," Hall repeated.

Hall says that she came home from the initial trip and within the first five sentences, told her parents she had a job offer. Her family and friends remain concerned, as Hall has already had a stretch of 48 hours without water and has seen a few houses on fire. But they also fully support her.

"So many people have told me they are praying for [me]," Hall said. 

The news has portrayed Shamattawa as a place people are fleeing, with no one staying anymore. However, Hall doesn't like that narrative and thinks that only one side of the story has been told. Yes, life in Shamattawa has been very different so far, she says. There is no cell service and spotty internet connections. She also says her patience has been and will continue to be tested in many different ways. But, there's plenty of good about both the community and its young people.

Yes, life in Shamattawa has been very different so far, she says. There is no cell service and spotty internet connections. She also says her patience has been and will continue to be tested in many different ways. But, there's plenty of good about both the community and its young people.

"I have kids knocking on my door for a hug," Hall said. "I've experienced kids that just want to be loved."

She admits that there are troublesome kids and that many are coming from rough situations, but she is in this to love them.

"They are children, and in the gospels, Jesus says 'let the children come to me' so that's what I'm doing," Hall said.

Along with her teaching, Hall is also trying to start a youth drop-in program, which is fitting considering she used to work with YFC. She says a building is already there, but there are a lot of steps in making sure that it's physically safe and secure, and making sure that it's going to be a safe place for children to gather. She hopes to have it running by October, where she will be able to host dance nights, art nights, as well as guys and girls nights.

Hall says she loves her job and the community and is very happy that she chose to accept the job offer. She encourages people to take the leap and come help teach in the community.

"Just do it," Hall said. "You're never going to learn how to be more patient, you work with every single kind of child," adding that "[you'll never] be loved more."

Follow her journey by reading her blog.