A Note from June 19th

 

Summer is upon us here in Alaska and the change in seasons can be felt here in the most dramatic ways.  Temperatures go from -40 to 90 degrees in a matter of months.  Parkas a mukluks are replaced by t-shirts and flip-flops.  Kids aren’t in school and it is time for hunting, fishing, and staying up until 3 in the morning (mostly because “night” is an arbitrary time right now). 

 

This summer the students from Mt. Edgecumbe have gone to their homes and Emily and I are preparing our home for our new baby.  Painting, deck building, and stocking the freezer are top on the list of priorities.  As I have started my new responsibilities to help expand Young Life to rural Alaska I have learned of many wonderful ministries to partner with.  There are many people who have invested their lives into the people of Alaska.  This has been going on for generation, but the surprising thing is that most of the ministries I have read about are mostly staffed with people who are not from these villages.  In order for these ministries to be sustainable, native leadership will need to rise up and take ownership.   

 



Me and some friends at Covenant Bible Camp in...

Over the last few years I have been learning what face the native people of rural Alaska and I will be discussing some of these issues in future emails.  (These problems include a cultural clash, loss of identity, self-efficacy, and drug abuse.)   Right now I am writing to request prayer for wisdom.  We need God’s wisdom to move forward as we start reaching out to people around the state and building relationships. 

My other prayer request is for the summer camps currently in session.  Camps are a wonderful place where kids find safety and where kids find people who love them.  This is a place where many of the kids who come to Mt. Edgecumbe first come to know about Christ.  Emily and I have worked at Covenant Bible Camp for 3 summers and have seen the important role that camp plays in the lives of kids.  I called the three camps that are in session this week and asked for a list of things that people could be praying about.   

• Kako Retreat Center (In Russian Mission) has 38 campers from 14 surrounding villages.  There has been a shortage of counselors and so many people who have filled in need wisdom as they handle issues caused by abuse and broken homes. Pray for the physical health as it has been in the 90’s (very unusual there) and several kids have had symptoms of heat stroke. Pray that kids would be receptive and for wisdom for the interim camp director.  Pray for health for the camp founder Dave Penz as he is fighting cancer and has been unable to help out in the capacity he would like.  Also, pray for someone to come forward and adopt the ministry, so Dave Penz can pass the baton. 
• Covenant Bible Camp (in Unalakleet) request wisdom to help in transition as many staff are leaving this week and leaving them empty handed.  Also, wild fires from the other side of the mountain may bring smoke that would make traveling into camp impossible so pray for clear skies and good flying conditions 
• Tanalian Bible Camp (in Port Alsworth) requests that campers learn to keep growing in God as they go home.  They would have us pray that kids would hear the word of God and come to salvation.  They pray that kids would be drawn to God and not only to the fun games. 





Bible camp in Unalakleet Alaska