Thank you Jesus....Thank You

Well, I left my home of Nome this morning, I spent the day Doing ministry at camp Lavern Griffin in Wasilla, and I got back from the village of Gambell safely three days ago. Honestly, words cannot CANNOT express what The Lord has done, and how He is changing me. He has put people in my path this summer that will forever have an affect on my life. He ha put children in front of me that crave love and He has allowed me to share with them the love He wants to give them, he has taken me to the end of the world (16 miles from the international dateline and 35 mile from Russia) and back, and let me tell you; HE IS ALIVE AN HE IS MOVING! Praise all tht He has done! I ask for prayer over this ENTIRE state and these people! 

Please Lord, bring me back here!

I love you all! I am currently boarded in anchorage, and I'll be in phoenix by 8:30. Praise be to God forever and ever......amen.

(These pictures are so precious to me, please pray hard for this place that has become my heart and my home)

*God will place you, you only need today yes. When you do, You will only them truly understand the UNDIEING love that He has for you! Fall on your knees, and praise.... For He has overcome, and we can all now share this great news!

(Village of GAMBELL)

(LORD YOU ARE ALMIGHTY AND TOO GREAT FOR WORDS TO EXPLAIN)

❤️

I'm Home!!!

I simply love it here! Praise you Lord Jesus for all you have done! You place us right where we need to be! I pray for the village of Gambell as we prepare to depart tomorrow, and I pray for softened hearts tht are hungry and ready to soak up the Gospel! I love you all!!

:(

I just always hate leaving.... Even If it is for three days ;( 

Lord willing..... I'll be back! Thank you Almighty God for the adventures you send us as your children on. You are ALL, you are EVERYTHING, and you are AWESOME! I pray that you continue to open the door to Alaska! Continue to pray for all of the people calling this Northern Place Home!

I love you ALL!

Praise out a lord Jesus Son of God!

Thank you Lord..... Just Thank You

Well, after leaving Nome and being away for a few days now..... My heart is aching to be with my kids again. It is aching to be with the people of Western alaska! As many of you know, I am headed back to AZ for my best friends wedding this Saturday, and I am so excited for her and her fiancé. But, right after the wedding I am flying straight back to Alaska and getting on another plane to go back to Nome. From there I will fly to the village of Gambell on Saint Lawrence Island. Please pray for the people there. The people group on that island are Siberian Yupík Eskimos, an they are absolutely incredible people. Please pray tht their hears be softened and that they are receptive to the Gospel message. 

 The Population of Gambell is about 700, and their village sits about 35 miles from Russia, and 18 mile from the international dateline. These people are in total isolation, and with that isolation comes tough living and sustaining circumstances. Pray hard for the children that call this village home. Pray that any alcoholism or drug abuse going on is wiped away by the hand of our Lord. Please pray that these people will come to know Jesus as their savior and redeemer. Pray that try understand an fully grasp that they are special and worthy and beautiful in the eyes of our Father. Pray that they feel loved and accepted by us, but that they realize that that love and acceptance is coming straight from Jesus. And pray that our Lord is vividly seen in this village! amen...

I love you all so much, God is moving mountains. He is opening doors and showin me His creation. 

OVER AND OVER again, God reminds me about what ministry is really about. It is about love. It is about compassion. And most of all, it is discipleship. You ALL, no matter who you are, are missionaries under His great commission. You ALL are told to share who He is through your lives!!! So Do It!!! Don't wait around for others to, share Him! Think about this, ...... After you accept The Lord and make a decision to love for Him, you take on the responsibility of being His ambassador: ALL OF THE TIME. But, do your actions, words, and Love accurately express our Lord? 

Are You Unable to answer "yes" to this question? Because the fact of the matter is, we will NEVER be able to answer yes to this question, we will only be able to constantly realize the lengths to which we must go to make His name great! We realize just how urgent and important it is to share the good news of Jesus! And because we are ambassadors for Him, We MUST live a life worthy of the calling He has placed upon our hearts! Why should our lives be full of hate or distrust or anger if the God of all creation has already cleared our path!?!?! We should be showing others who have yet to see that cleared path, the amazing journey that is ahead if they follow Jesus!!!!!! Through His people, He will be heard. And through His people, He will be seen...

The Church in Nome is doing great, and Aaron, the pastor, is actually currently with me here in Anchorage. I picked Him up today front the airport in order to assist him with some city business. Please keep praying for Nome! Pray for the people of the entire region! For All of western Alaska! 

I love you guys, I miss you, and I pray that God is moving mountains in your life! And of it doesn't seem like He is......He is!

As always, let's know how ican pray or you! <3 

email me at ejfoster94@gmail.com

Love His People by Loving Him

Hey y'all, alright...... First off... Let me just tell you all that I apologize for not being on top of my blogging like I was last year. With that being said though, there is reason behind that. This summer has been a tornado of ministry, emotions. And opportunity. It feels as though the second I wake up to start my day, it is already 1 in the morning and the day is gone. This summer, I have seen and experience things that are too much for words! God has moved mountains this summer, and it's not over yet. I have seen people come to Christ, I have been faced with discomfort, I have been in a constant state of prayer, and all the while The Lord is doing all the work and it makes you realize just what it means to be a VESSEL for HIM! So if I don't blog everyday, or for two weeks, please keep praying and please understand that God IS MOVING, and that it is a privledge and a blessing to even have the opportunity to share what He is doing through this relatively new technology! 

So, let me start off by saying that The Lord is speaking loud. He has put this region of western Alaska and the Eskimo people residing in it so heavily On my heart that I can barely stand the thought of going home! God has been shaking hearts and bestowing blessings in the short time I have been back home, I mean Nome. I have gotten to spend a lot of time at the children's home with the kids that stole my heart last year. These kids come from situations incomprehensible. After what these kids have been through, I woul not expect them to be able to show love and trust the way that they do. And yet, that is The Lord. Their senses of purity and youth exert The Lords love in ways you would not expect!!! I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with them, and gain a valuable relationship with the children's home director! God is absolutely incredible, and through His sovereignty, He places people In our path that can mentor is through pieces of life, and the director is one of those people! Praise Our amazing God!

SMAK has been able to perform some great work for our God! We painted the entire Children's home, while they went out to a camp sight. We put in windows, and repaired roofs, but in the end none of that matters. What matters are the relationships that come through those actions. Personally, the people that I have met this summer and have been able to continue discipline from last summer are what this ministry is all about. It is about meeting people where they are, showing them the love of God, and allowing The Lord to take the reigns of those relationships! 

I was able to participate in the Fourth of July outreach again, and we had our annual Nome Community Baptist Chirch barbecue at the mouth of the Nome river. (On Fourth of July, countless people are out fishing, and so we do the barbecue out there to reach all of those people). It went great!!! We served countless people, and got to talk to people that we can continue to walk with even after that holiday!!

Overall, words simply cannot paint a brilliant enough picture of what God has done over the past couple weeks... It's almost a "you had to have been there" thing. But, it is apparent that this ministry and these people are being prayed for!!! God is working to reach these people!!! And it is the most beautiful thing!

Tonight, myself and Aaron were sitting downstairs and I was messing with the guitar.... And before we knew it the entire copperas Cove Texas team was downstairs and we were worshipping and praising our God. Thanking Him for all He has done and for allowing the Family bond between us all I become so strong! 

Something that I have learned lately is this: when we meet people who are following the same Jesus, we have an immediate connection. And that connection often times feels like a relationship that has lated Ten years!! And that is how it works around here. I can spend a week with a group of people on a mission trip, and those people have become my family!! And our foundation is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness 😊 . 

Thank you everyone for your continued prayer! It is felt and it has been felt in full force!! Please keep praying for SMAK, and for Brian and Aaron! Please pray for Nome Community Baptist Church and for Aaron Cooper! Please Pray for all of the people in alaska serving missions! Please pray for the residents of western alaska and for their hearts and salvation! I ask that you pray for Sarah Miller (SMAKs new communications director) as she flys home to Texas for a brief period of time before moving up here! Please pray for the children of Western alaska, and more specifically for the children at the Nome Childrens home! They could sure use a lot of prayer, and a lot of love!!! Please pray for a women's Bar ministry that is taking place tomorrow afternoon. Some women on the SMAK team from Texas ha it on their hearts to host a luncheon for women workin on Front Street! They desire to share joy and hope and love with these women and the promise of Jesus! Pray that their ministry is recepted by these women, and that hearts are changed!! Overall, please pray for these people and people everywhere that are hungry for something, and pray that they realize that what they are hungry for is God!

I love you all!!

PS I got to talk to Pastor Fred yesterday ( my pastor from Winslow AZ), and it was awesome to be able to Talk to him, and share some amazing stories with him!! I love you all so mch, and I pray that God leads your heart in His direction!!  

Please let me know how I can pray for you, ejfoster94@gmail.com

Yes, it says ALL STAR GRANDPA!! Happy fourth!! Praise Jesus!

This is a picture of our beach reach Fourth of July barbecue at the mouth of the Nome river! We had hotdogs and coffe and hot cocoa for the whole beach!

MUSKOXXXXX!!!!!!

Me and my best friend from Alaska, ANDREA!!!

My great frien Beth taking a selfie while 3 kids dog pile me in the back of the Nome fire truck!!! LONG STORY!

Me , And my two buddies!! Cody and Jon! These two are LEGIT!! I love 'em to death!

My baby shopping cart experience in AC grocery!

Ran into an old friend, Madeline! She is so grown up now!!!

Me and my Bro Cody hangin by the Snake river! This is one cool Kid, let me tell you! Tough as nails he is!!' 😃

And yes, I caught two salmon this morning! I have them to an elder in the village, but I was SO excited! Two pink Salmon! 🐟(pink, not blue)

I'm Home.... I mean Nome 😊

Wow..... So God is so good! First an foremost I just want y'all to know that! He is doing some amazing things with the people of Western Alaska! It is currently 1:30 AM and we have a BUSY day tomorrow, but I just can't sleep before updating everyone!

So, while interning for SMAK this summer, I knew I would be going back to Nome at some point.... But I didn't realize just how much I missed it, or how excited I was to come back! I kid you not, when I was on the plane to fly back to Nome, I was giddier than a 4 year old going to Disneyland for the first time!!! I seriously CANNOT explain to you guys in words how my heart feels in western alaska. I mean, it is literally where The Lord needs me right now. My prayer now is simply that I have the courage and exciting desire to walk through ALL doors The Lord prepares to open for me! He will always lay out a pathway for us, it is simply up to us then to take the steps!

So immediately when we got back to Nome, I knew I needed to go to the Children's home, where I spent ALOT of time last summer. I feel In love with those kids immediately last year, and i was excited to see how The Lord has moved there over the year. 

Well, I come to find out that 4 of the children that I worked with last summer had returned to the home because of unhealthy confidential circumstances. My heart is literally breaking for these kids, but at the same time I know that God has me here for a reason.... I mean I wish I could just move here tomorrow.... But I just have to trust Gods plan an be here for them NOW. God has actually opened some really cool doors recently too regarding this Children's home, and I am stoked to see How The Lord uses these mission teams to impact these kids and all involved here for His kingdom!

Aside from the children's home, we have been preparing for our first team to land in Nome. Our team of 17 landed today from Copperas Cove Texas. 10 of them will be leaving bright and early to fly outto the village of Golovin, and the other 7 and myself and Will and Sarah(SMAK communications director) will be heading it up here in Nome. It just so happens that through the connection with the children's home, we have arranged for the Children's home to be painted. We will be working on that on Tuesday. I know that through various projects done this week, The Lord will work through this team and truly impact these people. Praise Him for this amazing place.

Ya know, being back here just makes me remember how I got here.... And how this entire chain of events that has happened between last June and now..... Is LITERALLY Gods Han perfectly arranging The puzzle that is my life, an I am so excite to see what He does next. His sovereignty is beyond incredible. Please keep my team, SMAK, Nome and all of western AK , copperas cove TX , the children of Nome and western ak, and all people back home in times of need or praise... Lift them and these situations up to The Lord. I miss an love you all. Thank you for your continued support. Y'all have assiste me greatly in being able to minister to the people of western ak. This people group is the people of my heart, and I am so excited to serve them in a way glorifying to our savior. I love you all... Please let me know how ican specifically pray for you.... ejfoster94@gmail.com (don't hesitate to ask)

He helped me lead worship at church this morning. He's got a set of pipes on him, let me tell you!

I missed we!!!! Little sister savanna! No.... There is no hesitation when giving each other a hard time! I sure missed this one!

Aaron (pastor in Nome) and I being our "normal" weird selves. Gosh I missed this dude! I love him so much!

2 o'clock AM....... God is good❤️

Can I get a WOOT WOOT

 Wassup everybody!!' Well, I am finally back from Soldotna, and I am exhausted, but I have some highlights I would like to share and a few pictures to follow!!!!

So this week, SMAK had a team up here in AK from Liberty Mississippi! This team was in fact the FIRST youth group to work through SMAK, and Let me be the first to say, these guys were SO MUCH FUN! We became a family in a matter of hours, and it was amazing! I enjoyed each and every person on this team because they each brought something different to the table!

During the week we built a deck about 17 feet in the air. That project was completed, and Ms Debbie ( the elderly woman we were working for) was definitely so grateful to have us there! I continue to pray for her, her health condition, and her salvation! God is SOO good, and He has it all covered! Plant the seeds, and He will reap the harvest!

Also, while we were there, we got to do a project at First Baptist Church Soldotna. We painted a suday school room, and a bathroom! I was a lot of fun to watch the young ladies on this team have a great time blessing this church and the people who would use that room. 

In the middle of the week, we took a day to catch our breathe, and the team really wanted to go fishing, so we went on a halibut charter out of Homer alaska, and yes everybody, I did catch fish. I actually ended up catching the largest of the halibut pulled in that day! We had a great time, but I did get a tad sea sick.... WARNING, THE REST OF THIS PARAGRAPH IS NOT FOR THE LIGHT STOMACHED......So the weather while we were out caused the waters to be EXTREMELY choppy. The boat we were on rocked unnecessarily high, and let's just say that it stirred something up inside of me..... Actually I be more specific, it stirred up the gummy worms and caramel latte I had during the day, an caused it to be projected back out of my mouth and onto the ocean surface where hungry seagulls feasted. But, through that first experience of throwing up in AK, I can honestly say that it was SO much fun, and I enjoyed every minute of it (the fishing trip part, not the throwing up part hahaha).

Really quick, I absolutely LOVE when people ask me what I am doin in ALASKA, because it opens the door for me to be able to share my beliefs with others. There was a woman working in a gift shop in Homer, and she and I got to talking, and she asks me why I am here. I explain to her what I do, and who I work for , and what the ministry I work under focuses on..... And she say to me" I am not going to lie, I am not religious at all, but I do this that it makes people... Better people". I then go on to ask her about what she believes, and I ask her if she would like for me to pray for her. And he told me not there, but she asked me if I would be praying for her simply because she doesn't really know where her life is headed.... And she needs guidance..... 

God Is that guidance....

So be praying for her! And be praying for times like that. Times when the door is open, and The Lord is telling us to walk through, and although it may be scary, if we listen to Him, it's all worth it!

Overall it was a gret week. I gained a bunh of new family from Mississippi, I got to spend time with Brian and Aaron, which is time I cherish.... And most importantly, The Lord has moved mountains!!! And He continues to do that all the time!!! Not just here in AK, but everywhere!!! Don't ever forget that!

Before I sign off, I want you all to pray with me! Pray right now! Pray that The Lord will use you for His glory! Surrender your desires for His! And pray that your willingness to listen to Him would take flight! 

I love you all! Continue to pray for SMAK, and all working within it. Pray for the areas we have been to, and those still unreached, and pray that the rest of the summer for this ministry can be overflowing with God's love, and that that love can be seen and felt by all! Pray for our travels to Nome on Tuesday (I headed Nome!!!!! I can't wait), and pray that hearts may be softened to absorb the Love of our savior!!!

1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

I love you all! Please let me know how I can pray for You!

This is me...... Being me..... By a Glacier on our way back to Anchorage! Praise out God!!!! Am I right???? Can I get an AMEN???

I am gonna miss these guys like crazy! But I'll see y'all again someday 😉

It's been a while! So sorry

Hey everyone, so I know it has been a while since I have posted. We have been SUPER busy over the last two weeks in preparation for the rest of the summer. I am currently in Soldotna AK, and after leaving here we go straight to Nome, and after Nome we go straight to Gambell..... And then my summer is over.... So needless to say, things have been pretty crazy, but pretty awesome!

So, first I just want to touch on some highlights from the past two weeks. Let's start with last weekend. So Aaron and I were volunteered to help cater for a festival call "Love Alaska". This festival was put on by the Luis Palau foundation, and it was a two day Christian music and faith festival. Toby Mac, Kutless, Lincoln Brewster, Thousand Foot Crutch, Trinity..... And more were there to perform and share some love with this great state. So, last weekend I was backstage not only getting to cook the food they were going to be eating, but getting to sit down and have lunch and great conversations with them! It was SO much fun! Toby Mac is a really cool dude, but to be honest, it was hard for me not to ask him a bunch of questions about Mandisa ( for those of you who don't know, I LOVE MANDISA!!! don't know here? Look her up (season 5 American idol)). So needless to say, that was pretty awesome! And all the while I got to become really close with a bunch of people from first baptist Anchorage, and that in itself was a blessing! Church family means EVERYTHING to me, and it is priceless! So, praise God for that most of all! 

But, something very special happened that weekend that I would really like to share with y'all... So first of all, let me just say that growing up in Winslow, AZ , people who are drunk and walking the streets are nothing out of the ordinary. Typically, they will ask you for money because unfortunately, they want more alcohol. Growing up, my dad has always had a heart for these people, and his love for them through Christ has been implants I my heart too. So anyways, my fried Sara and I really wanted to get some coffee during this all day festival, so we starte walking to the grocery store about 3 blocks away. We get to the grocery store and BEHOLD, they're closed. So we decide to walk to the store down the street that has a coffee shop inside. So we start walking and about half way there, this really tall guy walking in front of  us turns around and says "are you guys Christians?" And we replied "yes". He then proceeded to tell us that he was a scottsman named Paul John that came to AK after he left the military. He also told us that he has been binge drinking for 7 days. And then, to my surprise, he changed his demeanor, and broke down and asked us for help. He said that if he keeps doin this he is going to die. I had him clarify to me what kind of help he wanted, and he said he really wanted to go to the hospital. And, before I go any further, this guy could barely walk and he was about 6 foot 5. So Sara and I helped him walk to the grocery store and all the while he kept saying "why are you doing this for me. You are nice people." And I just kept telling him, that we loved him because Jesus loves him. 

We got him inside, and he told me he was really hungry and thirsty and wanted to a coke. So I grabbed him a coke and sandwich, all the while, Sara was talking to a group of people, who after some conversation about the festival, happened to have emergency transits number. So, we called the emergency transit to come get this guy and take him to the hospital. They came quickly and there was an officer with them, and Paul John got really upset with us because he thought they were comin to arrest him. I assured him that he was going to be okay, and that we were getting him help. So the officer came in, and he had Paul take a breathalyzer test.... Paul blew a 3.3. I have never heard of a reading that high. He was right. He was going to die if he didn't stop. Before the transit company drove him away, Sara and I asked him if we could pray for him. I prayed that God would change him, and remind him of how much He loves him. When we finished praying, Paul asked us again.."Why are you doing this?" And I responded by saying "Paul, we love you because Jesus love you. You are SO important to us, and Him." And Paul started to cry. Now, you can argue that he was too intoxicated to be conscious and coherent enough to really process what I had said or the prayer, but I saw Jesus touch his heart. I ha asked him earlier if he was a Christian, and he said he was. But obviously, he had taken a backstep or two. So, After that, Paul was transported to a a hospital..... And I haven't seen him since...... But I know God is watching over him. Loving him always.

I have been prayin for this man since that happened, and I ask that you all would do the same. He is loved, and through prayer to our Lord, let him know that! You know, this instance was different than any I have ever had before: he didn't ask for money or food.... He asked for help. Please continue praying for Paul John.

I mis you all! God is too good! Please pray for this mission trip in Soldotna, and for the woman who own the house we are working on. Pray for her salvation and her health. Please pray for this team, and for The Lord to bless their hands and feet through the work they are accomplishing. And please pray for SMAK as this summer of mission teams continues to roll on. Pray that this ministry can accomplish more than construction projects, but that discipleship can be our focus with construction as our track!

I love you all. Say Yes to The Lord always!!

PS.... I went fly fishing for the first time.... And I caught a fish!!!!!!! (HEY, it still counts ;).  )

Catering crew with thousand foot krutch!!!!

Mamma bear!!!!!

look at the little fishy 😊

TFK

Me with a "love and light sister"

His desires become Your desires

I made it back to Anchorage after a FANTASTIC week in Kotzebue! As all of you can tell from my blog's title....I LOVE NOME! But, Kotz definitely has a special place in my heart now!

Our week started off great! We left Sunday after church, and honestly I had no idea what to expect! Ya see, I was working with a group putting on an FCA (fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp... and I don't play basketball. . . enough said.

So, at the beginning of the week, I was a bit nervous simply because I knew that due to the fact that I was not a coach or a huddle leader (person working and talking directly with the kids at camp), it would be unavoidably harder to build relationships with the kidz of kotz. So on Sunday night, I was a bit stressed and prayed the Lord would let me know why and where I am needed in this village...And man is God Good!!

So Aaron and I were the cooks and cameramen for this team. We would take all the pictures and videos of camp activity, and we would also cook all of the meals for the camp staff. The meals were cooked in First Baptist Kotzebue's kitchen, and served in their dining room. So, when camp was over at the local school, the staff would head on over to the church for meals. Well, while Aaron and I were cooking, I got the opportunity to meet the pastor of First Kotz, and for some reason I really wanted to talk to this guy, and understand how the Lord got him to this small village above the arctic circle. So I asked him, if he had time this week, if we could just sit down and talk for a while.

So the next day, I got to meet up with pastor Matt (pastor at FBC Kotz), and just talk about serving in the northwest arctic region. I found out that he and his family are missionaries under the MSC (Missionary Service Corps.) through the North American Mission Board. They have been in Kotz about 7 years now, and the only reason they are there...is because God prepared the way for them to get there. He said that never in a million years would he have guessed he would be living in the Arctic of Alaska...but the Lord's plans are better.

I shared with him that I have such a strong desire to reach the people of Western Alaska. I am similar in saying that I would have never guessed God would place me and connect me to this area. And I also told him that when it comes down to it, wherever and whenever the Lord says "GO"....ill go. At this specific moment in my life, I have a desire to be here. And when I shared that with him he reminded me of Psalm 37:4...

"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

This verse has been skewed and misused TOO many times. It does not mean that if you want it the Lord will give it to you.... Far from it.... It means that IF YOU SEEK THE LORD first and foremost, and you have dedicated your life to serving Him...then His desires BECOME your desires. You no longer desire worldly things, you in turn desire kingdomly things that are eternal compared to things of this earth.

It was awesome to be reminded of that, and apply it to my life right now. I can try and try and try to build my path and walk it.... but my plans are just not good enough, and not as exciting as God's. But, I do know that If I devote my life to our Lord, and constantly seek Him....then What He desires becomes what I desire. I give up MY life to live the way He wants me to. Wherever that takes me, I am excited to go. And whatever He say to do, I am excited to pursue. It is not about what we want.....it is about what He wants. It is about selflessness and humility on a level that allows Him to take full control! :)

This lesson was seen throughout the week as a total of 6 kids made professions of faith to follow Jesus. The leaders and coaches had the Lord's desire to share the great news with them!! And Praise God for the outcome. Praise God for using His people as vessels to direct the lost toward His glory! Overall the Camp was incredible, and yeah I don't play basketball....but myself along with the FCA staff first and foremost play for the Lords team, and we are ready to attack any play He calls out.


The people of Kotzebue are amazing. Unlike Nome, it is an almost entirely Native village. Because of that, their beautiful culture is more prevalently seen. One night while we were in Kotz, we were invited over to the home of a native family pursuing ministry in Kotzebue. They run a house church and put on camps throughout the summer in order to continue to reach the people of Kotzebue and surrounding villages. While we were there we ate native food, witnessed beautiful Eskimo dancing, and played traditional Eskimo strength games. It was a great night of fellowship that reminded us of all that the Lord is doing in that village for his name's sake.

I was extremely sad to leave yesterday, but if the Lord wants any of us to go back, He will provide a way! Please be in continued prayed for the village of Kotzebue, and the people residing in it. Please pray for the Kramer family (house church planters and ministry leaders in the community). Pray for the the Hoke family (pastor and family of First Baptist Kotzebue) and all of their ministry endeavors that the Lord leads them on! Please pray for the hearts of people in this community. Pray for the kids that professed their faith in Christ. Pray for them to continue growing into disciples so that they may disciple others. Pray that those kids stand firm in their faith and get connected to a local church. Please pray for the staff of FCA as they leave Kotz and go in different directions. pray that they can apply what they learned in Kotz to their everyday walk with the Lord, and that they can keep contact with those that touched their hearts this week. Please pray for SMAK as we prepare for our next team and trip over the next two weeks, and continue to pray for Brian and his family while they are away on vacation.

I love you all! <3

P.S. I didn't want to share this........but if you read my blog last year you very well know that I am cursed and CANNOT catch fish to save my life....they just don't like me I suppose...Well, I will have you know that I got to go fishing one night while in Kotz and......still nothing.. :(

Be Stretched...Be Vulnerable...Be Open :]

Why hello there everybody!!!!! I am super-dee-duper sorry I have not posted in nearly a week. My reasoning behind that is loss of all communication when I left Anchorage. I am also sorry to say that I am leaving Anchorage again tomorrow, and I wont be in reach until Thursday. But, I will post as soon as I return!

Anyways, This last week has been INSANE!!! As stated in the last blog, we have three girls who flew up from Houston that play on the Rice University basketball team. THEY ARE SO COOL! When they arrived here in Anchorage, we were in preparation to leave for a basketball camp in Tok (Pronounced like "toke"), Alaska. Tok is in far East Alaska about 85 miles from the Canadian border, EH. Myself, Aaron, The three girls (Maya, Elena (Pronounced like "elaina"), and Christal), and their BSM (Baptist Student Ministry)Director left on Monday to make the 400 mile safari.

Now SMAK does not typically lead these types of missions, but through divine intervention, and links built by the Lord Himself, this team came up through SMAK in order to share the Gospel through their (Incredible) baller skills. You have to understand, In Tok (And Much of Alaska), the temperatures during the Winter are FRIGID, and more or less unbearable. This means that there is literally nothing for people in the villages to do during these months, so, typically the school gym is opened up and the kids play basketball ALL THE TIME! In other words, they are a bunch of little ballerz!!! So, when we went into these villages, they were more than happy to play some ball with these fantastic ladies.

When we arrived in Tok, we headed up the MRTC, or Missions Resource and Training Center. This facility, that was a Baptist church in its past life, is currently used as a place for missionaries to stay and train that are stationed or traveling in the area. It also serves as a place of study, fellowship, and GREAT COFFEE to anyone; doors are always open. But, with all of that going on, their prime focus at the MRTC is to act as a makeshift seminary for men in rural Alaskan villages.

----Quick sidenote: Why would these men need seminary??? Well, lets be realistic... no matter how hard we try, what tactics we take, or even how deeply hearts are changed.... the gospel message is almost ALWAYS going to better penetrate these people's hearts if it comes from someone of their own culture. So, basically what they are doing is scoping out potential candidates to possibly undergo their training and discipleship courses in the hopes that they will further lead these villages to Jesus. ----

The MRTC is directed by an AMAZING family. Allen and Babs Dial are former African Missionaries that have dedicated their lives to following the path of the Lord. They, along with their two adopted African boys (12 yrs old, and are the coolest cats around), have heavy hearts for the Lord. They told me that "never in a million years did they plan to be sharing the Gospel with the native people of Alaska" (I mean, who would actually plan that?). They welcomed our team with open arms and smiling faces! I am going to miss them, and I cant wait to see them again!

So when we got settled in at the MRTC, we were told that we would be further traveling to two different villages outside of Tok to put on camps. Then, we determined what we were to do with our down time away from camp ministry. We shortly after noticed that the Dial family at the MRTC was running low on wood to burn in their home, and they had a HUGE stack of trees waiting to be chopped in the backyard...so for the next three morning before camps, we were out there (chainsaw in hand) pretending to be lumberjacks. When it was all said and done, we had about 8 cords of wood chopped and ready to burn. In the winter, that would last about a month AND a half or so. We were excited to prep the family and the MRTC for future temperatures. I even wore my flannel shirt for the occasion!!!

The camps on the other hand were incredible. Our target people were the Athabascan Natives of eastern Alaska and western Canada. The first village we pursued is called Tanacross. This is a village of about 150 people. The kids were really receptive to everything the Rice girls taught them, and they were also eager to try their luck at competing against some division 1 athletes! It was a great experience, and the love of Jesus was definitely exerted upon those kids.

Two girls in particular made such great relationships with the Rice girls that they desired to join us the following day in the other village. The second village we hosted a camp in is called Mentasta. this village has a population of approximately 200 people. For some reason, this village was a bit more of a success in terms of gospel sharing. The camp went great, and the 25 kids that showed up (GREAT NUMBERS BTW) were stoked to play ball...but were also quick to raise their hands when asked "do ya'll know who Jesus is" (SIDENOTE: these kids though the word Ya'll was HILARIOUS!! they mocked us for using that word the entire time!!!)?

To be completely honest though, I did not spend a lot of time at this camp..... what I mean is, Aaron and I went walking the one road through Mentasta in order to knock on doors to let people know about the camp that was going on that was free to the kids. Well, we went to the last on the street, I entered their home told them about the camp, and that was it. That was honestly the extent of our conversation. So Aaron and I go back to the school for the start of the camp, and for some reason...the Lord was telling me to go back to that house. I DIDNT EVEN CATCH THEIR NAME!!! I had no idea why the Lord was tugging my heart to go back to that specific house, but He was.... So I went and asked Ms. Babs to come with me.

We walked down the street to the house I had entered, and the two people I had originally met were gone, but their daughter was home, and she told us that her parents were next door. So Babs and I went next door and briefly talked with the people I met, but then it was revealed to me why we had to come back. The two people I met left the home, and we were alone to converse with two other guys sitting on the couch. These two guys told us their life stories...and they were incredible people. One of the guys has Faith like a Rock and became a potential candidate for the MRTC seminary... and the other guy really confirmed why we needed to be there at that exact time. He shared with Babs and I that he was relapsing into alcoholism and drug abuse. He knew who Jesus was, and He had previously dedicated himself to living his life for Him, but he fell off of his faith platform, and he desired to get back up. He expressed to Babs and I that he feels as if he had fallen to far this time, and that the Lord has turned His face from him. He said he felt too filthy to be accepted by the Lord.....

Yet, 1 John 3:1 states "See what great LOVE the father has lavished upon us, that He should call us Children of God; and that we are!" This means that Yahweh has literally ADOPTED, and just like adoption today, if you are adopted, you can NEVER BE DISOWNED!!! Babs and I shared with this man that hope is present, and that because he is drenched with the blood of Jesus, He is Beautiful and pure in the eyes of the Father. And, through the Father, he will find the strength to turn from substance, and focus on his relationship with God. We got to pray with him and encourage him, and laugh with him, and just show him that he IS worthy... that he IS beautiful...and that he IS a child in the ONLY family that matters. The family of God.

That was my Mentasta experience, and I pray that everything that was a said and done can continue on. I pray that seeds were sown in that village. May they reap great harvest.

Also, as we were leaving the Mentasta school (15 students total (k-8)) the Rice girls gave their jackets to a couple of kids that were straggling at the school. Their faces lit up, and the girls from Rice were touched because for them....a jacket is always present and almost meaningless (especially if you are from Houston)...but for those kids......that jacket meant THE WORLD! Well, we were just about to leave when a little girl pointed at my t-shirt (that read RICE BSM) and said "Your shirt says Rice just like their jackets (pointing to the boys that received the jackets....can I have your shirt?" I looked at her....went to the truck....and gave her my t-shirt. And I don't say that to prove righteousness, humility, or ANYTHING about myself.... I share this simply to demonstrate their need. They have nothing. These villages, although on American soil, are far from what we would deem as livable. They are foreign places, full of amazing people that long for direction....a direction that can only be found in Jesus. There are no stores, no businesses, no form of work, no ANYTHING. Yet they live.....they survive.

Since returning to Anchorage, Aaron and I have been preparing to fly to Kotzebue tomorrow with the FCA (fellowship of Christian Athletes) team. The Rice girls are still here and they are going with us, and so are three guys from different universities in the northwest. I am so excited to see all that the Lord has in store in this semi-familiar place. I have been there once before, but extremely briefly. I know that He has some great things in store for my team and I, and I cannot wait!

Please PLEASE pray for the people of Tok, Tanacross, Mentasta, and Kotzebue in particular. Pray that their hearts can hunger for the message we share. Pray for safe travels, and for divine opportunity. Please pray that the kids have fun this week, and that the FCA athletes are blessed by the kids just as much as the kids are blessed by them! Pray for Brian and his wife and kids as they travel to Maine to visit family. Pray for the SMAK ministry and all those working through it. Pray for this state. Pray for courage to listen to His plan, even when we don't want to!

I love you all so much... <3

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all your goodness
Hope to feel your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel you
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But you have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you lead me Lord
Where you lead me
Where you lead me Lord

And I will be Yours
I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy light the path before me

--All Sons & Daughters

Launch Sequence Commencing

Alright ya'll, today's blog is going to be a tab shorter than usual, simply because it is 2 AM here (Meaning 3 AM back in AZ); I am exhausted! It sure has been a long one! Today started with church at Grandview Baptist which was great... but then the rest of my day was spent preparing for our second mission team to fly in today at 8:30 PM.

The team from Louisiana is still here and they have made INCREDIBLE progress on the church at Gilead. The framework is nearly finished, wiring is done, plumbing is underway, and sheetrock is goin up on Tuesday! It is amazing the way the Lord works (and gives us the ability to complete tasks for His glory)!

Anyways, after church Aaron and I spent the afternoon packing, prepping, gathering, and honestly kind of stressing about this team that came in tonight. We had a few bumps in the road today. The Harvest for Hungry team out at Prince William Sound came back a day early due to bad weather and choppy water (the second group will go out Tuesday morning). This meant that we needed to figure out sleeping arrangements for not only the 8 guys that are currently at the church, but also for the team of four that flew in tonight, and the 4 guys who came back from hunting.

With that being said though, the Lord presented ways for us to solve the road blocks and achieve all that needed to be done today! We picked up the team, the church at Gilead is far ahead of schedule, and Aaron and I are prepped to leave for Tok in the morning.

That brings me to the team that flew in tonight. SO SMAK is collaborating with the Alaska FCA (fellowship of Christian Athletes)to put on basketball camps within the rural Alaskan villages. So today, a group of three Rice University women's basketball players and their BSM (Baptist Student Ministry) director, Andy Dennis, flew in from Texas to lead a few camps over the next two weeks in Tok and then in Kotzebue. So tomorrow, Myself, Aaron, Andy, and the three girls are headed east to the village of Tok (lies right at the Canadian border). I am super excited to see and experience what the Lord has for us, and I pray that His glory and love is efficiently expressed to His people.

Please pray for this endeavor, the Rice University team, the Louisiana team (continuing this week with the church at Gilead and H4H), Brian, Aaron, and all those in between seeking to further the Kingdom of the Lord in this northern place.

I love you all so much, and let me know how we can pray for you...
ejfoster94@gmail.com

And So it begins... :)

Hey everybody!!! Whelp, throughout this whole past week my team and I have been eagerly preparing for our first mission team to arrive, and today was the day. Our first team arrived from New Orleans, and they are excited to get to work on the couple of projects we have going on here in Anchorage.

Skilled Missions Alaska is currently pursuing a project called "Harvesting for the Hungry". Basically, this a ministry where food is harvested and sent to Western Alaskan villages that otherwise don't have much to eat. This past week we sent out two guys to prep for a black bear hunt that is taking place this week. Half of the New Orleans team got off of the plane today and headed straight for Whittier, AK where the boat picked them up to head to their hunting area in the Prince William Sound. They will be hunting and fishing all of this next week, and days following that will be spent processing and packaging bear meat that will be sent out to villages on the west coast.

The other half of the team stayed here in Anchorage with Brian, Aaron and myself in order to work on a construction project. A pastor living here in Anchorage bought a house that totals about 7,000 square feet. The Lord put it on his heart to pursue a church plant, and so with that being said, we are turning his 3,400 square foot basement into a church complete with a sanctuary and missionary housing. We are in the process of reconstructing this huge basement so it may be used as a place of worship, fellowship, learning, laughter, and love. We will be pouring concrete tomorrow, and beginning this transformation process. I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Please keep this team, SMAK (Skilled Missions Alaska), and these projects in your prayers. Also, pray that through it all, eyes can be opened and truth can be shared.

On a side note, I would like to share with you all that the drive-through line at Taco Bell at one point this evening was 22 cars long. I would also like to share with you all that I sure did sit in that line with Aaron, and it was the best burrito I've EVER had! (But seriously, we have no idea why Taco Bell was so busy.... Oh Alaska). :)







1 Peter 1:8 - "Though you have not see him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that it is inexpressible and filled with glory."

Jesus is, and always will be. Enjoy this life you have been given by giving it back to him <3


I love and miss you all!

P.S. headed to villages in t-minus 4 days!!!! CANT WAIT!!!