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.. :(
Friday, May 30, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
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
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--All Sons & Daughters
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
Monday, May 19, 2014
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
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
Saturday, May 17, 2014
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!!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
HONEY!!! I'M BACK
Well everyone, Praise the Lord!
I seriously cannot believe that it has been just about a year since I made my first journey to this beautiful place, and now, I see it as home.
I truly have no idea what the Lord has in store for my life, but I earnestly pray that it involves this area and these people. Alaska has my heart, and I am not sure if I am getting it back!
So, for those of you who are unaware, I am not spending the entire summer in Nome. This summer I am interning for a ministry call SMAK (Skilled Missions Alaska), and through this ministry I will be traveling to many villages and areas around the state of Alaska, sharing the Gospel and creating relationships.
I will be based here in Anchorage, but my team and I will be flying out to various villages throughout the summer.
I am so excited to be working yet again with Aaron Brown and Brian Whitson. These two guys head up SMAK, and it has been nothing but a HIGE blessing meeting them. I always enjoy every second I get to spend with them. Thank you Lord.
Overall, this summer is going to be jam packed full of wonderful moments, and instead of telling ya'll everything we will be doing, I will fill you in as the days progress. All I can say is, it is going to be the hardest moment of my life leaving after this summer.
"The Lord is so good, and He will provide a path for you...you only need to be willing to walk it"
Praise you Lord for creating a way that connected me to this amazing place. I would not trade my time here for anything.
I seriously cannot believe that it has been just about a year since I made my first journey to this beautiful place, and now, I see it as home.
I truly have no idea what the Lord has in store for my life, but I earnestly pray that it involves this area and these people. Alaska has my heart, and I am not sure if I am getting it back!
So, for those of you who are unaware, I am not spending the entire summer in Nome. This summer I am interning for a ministry call SMAK (Skilled Missions Alaska), and through this ministry I will be traveling to many villages and areas around the state of Alaska, sharing the Gospel and creating relationships.
I will be based here in Anchorage, but my team and I will be flying out to various villages throughout the summer.
I am so excited to be working yet again with Aaron Brown and Brian Whitson. These two guys head up SMAK, and it has been nothing but a HIGE blessing meeting them. I always enjoy every second I get to spend with them. Thank you Lord.
Overall, this summer is going to be jam packed full of wonderful moments, and instead of telling ya'll everything we will be doing, I will fill you in as the days progress. All I can say is, it is going to be the hardest moment of my life leaving after this summer.
"The Lord is so good, and He will provide a path for you...you only need to be willing to walk it"
Praise you Lord for creating a way that connected me to this amazing place. I would not trade my time here for anything.
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