Nelson's Memorial Poem

In addition to the funeral held for Nelson in Burnaby on April 1, 1989, Dave and Inger Logelin arranged a memorial for Nelson on Copper Island and invited locals to attend. Madge's family and friends took the Lady Rose from Port Alberni, a few came up from Chemainus and Victoria, and others arrived by boat from around Barkley Sound, including Mary Scholey of Bamfield. 

One of the Copper Island Camp staff members, Charlene Baldwin, wrote a poem that was read at the memorial, and Inger recently sent me a copy:

Honoring the Life and Memory of Nelson Dunkin

The disciple of a Jewish Carpenter

Hewing a home out of an island hillside 

Laying an axe and adz or awl to wood 

Hammering, digging, smoothing, sanding edges 

Carving words—the Word—in truth, for good.

Sinking pilings, floating docks and barges 

Anchoring structures suited to storm and tide 

Building a strong foundation as a shelter 

Embracing the scripture's grace in place of pride.

Tending the family flock as faithful shepherd 

Praising a living God with hymns that ring 

Opening heart and home with warmth and welcome 

Watching the wounded soar on eagles wings.

Providing—blessing—an outpost for Christ's kingdom 

Building believers and servants for all the earth 

The life of one faithful man is a priceless treasure 

His handwork a door, through Jesus, to new birth.

A host of memories fashioned in wood still bless us 

The legacy of a gospel lived and preached 

In the simple life of a man with an eye for eternals 

Giving glory to God for the many still to be reached.

This note accompanied the poem:

In keeping with a long tradition of hospitality and camping, Nelson Dunkin made his property on Copper Island available for a Bible camp targeting native youth from the area in 1987. Dave and Inger Logelin became directors in 1990 and were offered the property to build a camp. The Wilderness Retreat Society, a Canadian non-profit organization directed by a board of missionaries and pastors, including Mary Scholey of Bamfield, was then established to receive Nelson Dunkin's donation. Church work parties have labored with Dave Logelin to build a solid and efficient facility to accomplish the work Nelson intended: preaching the gospel, training ministry, transforming lives and touching nations. 

A verse from Copper Island Camp's song, written by a guest in Nelson's home years before the camp existed, says:

Copper Island is where you go

To seek the Lord so you will know

There is a place where you can be

Happy, joyful, and totally free.