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!!!!
Catering crew with thousand foot krutch!!!!
Mamma bear!!!!!
look at the little fishy 😊
TFK
Me with a "love and light sister"
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