the close of 2014

This has been an exciting year and during this Thanksgiving season I want to say thank you all for your support and prayers.  It has been awesome to see many great things happening in and around the state and I am confident that many of these happened because people like you, praying.

Exciting news in Tuntituliak- Jason Bavilla has been coordinating community members in helping to get Young Life off the ground.  Two weeks ago Jason coordinated the first ever Young Life campaigners bible study groups.  There is both a guys group and a girls group who meet in a teacher's house and share a meal and then read a story from the Bible.  Jason has also been in conversations with the priest of the Russian Orthodox Church and the pastor from the Moravian Church to coordinate efforts for youth involvement.  He has meet with the school board and city council to propose using city facilities for youth events.  So far he has had great support from the people he has talked with and on December 5th & 6th, Tuntituliak Young Life will host its first basketball tournament fundraiser!  It is incredible to see God moving and see that kids from "Tunt" will be hearing that God has hope and purpose for their lives.

The first ever campaigners gathering in Tunt!

News from Sitka: We took our first ever local MEHS weekend camping trip!  Two weekends ago 12 students and 2 adults went 5 miles from Sitka to stay at a large forest service cabin called Samsing.  The weekend was.... magical.  First off- the weather was phenomenal with wall to wall blue skies and no wind.  We arrived in the dark to a warm cabin and bioluminesence in the water (an small organism that responds to motion by emitting light so it looks like there are green sparks in the water when you disturb the water). We watched northern lights both nights, and heard humpback whales singing.  We had great camp fires, a homemade sauna, delicious meals, card games, stories, sung songs, and played guitars.  We had 4 opportunities to open the Bible and read and at the end of the weekend, 8 guys made commitments to walk closer to God.  I was able to hear from several students about the things they face at home and how they see God bringing them hope and giving them strength to stay away from negative influences.  Today we had  most of those guys come for morning campaigners breakfast and our numbers continue to grow.

The guys before we played ultimate Frisbee on the beach

Other great news:

• Chevak is having weekly prayer meeting praying for the youth of the community.  People are volunteering for leadership roles and we hope to have a training time at Chevak in the early part of the year.

• Leaders in Sitka: during our fundraising banquet, several people expressed interest in becoming leaders and are now in the leader training process.  This, combined with the crew that is helping with campaigner breakfasts, means that we have a greater capacity to grow.

• Campaigner groups have both set records for attendance during this last week.  I saw several of the kids who have recently started coming and they were so excited about it and said they don't want to miss future breakfasts. p.s.- the guys group went camping, and the girls group is planning a Friday cookie decorating hang out time next week.

• 

  The girls campaigner group last Friday

Prayer requests:

• Keep Jason in your prayers as he focuses and coordinates efforts to encourage students and young people in their faith.

• Please pray for the young men who went camping. Many of these guys have renewed or started a relationship with God. 

• Pray for wisdom and guidance as leaders enter into the lives of kids.

• Pray also for Sitka Young Life's financial situation as my primary funding grant has diminished and will be going away in the next year.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers.  I am thankful to partner with you.

Village Updates

Tuntituliak:
Tutntituliak is down river from Bethel about 40 miles and it has about 400 people living there. Jason Bavilla (MEHS class of 2009) is the first ever Alaska Native on Young Life staff and he is working there in his home village!  He learned about God at Unalakleet Bible Camp and then grew in his faith through involvement with Young Life at Mt. Edgecumbe. Jason was one of Brent's guys and they have been connected in since then.  The past years Jason has worked in the village and coached Jr. high basketball, however, this summer God opened doors for Jason to come on to Young Life staff.  He is now in the beginning phases of youth work and is working on building a team of adult volunteers.   He has already met with the leaders of both churches, and the principal of the school. He has met with some teachers, and he has met with other young adults who may become volunteer leaders.   Jason substitute teaches and hangs out with kids a couple times a day.  He and the other leaders plan on doing things with kids that serve the community; such as getting drinking water elders and help people clean their houses.  It is rare to find a young man who lives a clean life and who invests in the community in positive ways.  Please remember Jason and the Tuntituliak team in your prayers.

Ferdie, Jason, and Andrea from Tuntituliak

Chevak
Chevak is a village of 900 and it is located far west on the Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta. The people from Chevak who came to the all-state Young Life conference were all awesome.  Elders John and Teresa Pingayak are regional cultural leaders and they came with their daughter Nicole.  They love Jesus, and they are hilarious.  They shared their wisdom, singing, skits and perspective with the Alaska Young Life family. After the weekend John and Teresa volunteered to lead the Young Life committee (support team) in Chevak.  They will support the youth work through praying (they have already talked to 40 people about the need to pray for the youth in Chevak).  They will support the youth through recruiting help from other adults for youth functions.  They will also help support the youth by finding ways to raise money for the youth ministry.  During the all-state conference, the Pingayaks shared that the conference had inspired them to go  be with the kids of Chevak. Teresa shared with me a great story of their first ride four-wheeler ride around town greeting all the kids.  The kids were all surprised to see elders coming out to visit them!  One of the Pingayaks daughters snapped a picture of them on their community ride and said "aren't my parents so cool."  That is a great picture of what one couple is doing to demonstrate that kids are worth it.

Morris, Nicole, John, Teresa, Grant, Nate, and Heidi

Morris is a worship leader in Chevak and is passionate about kids.  After the weekend Morris was re-energized and he felt led to take action right away.  When he returned to Chevak, he organized a weekend gathering of singing and preaching in order to help raise support for kids.  The gathering will happen this weekend and will include times of prayer, worship, and preaching. People will be coming from 3 other villages to share music a words of inspiration.  Morris and others are now working on the final plans, but as John said " our plans need to be vague enough to give room for the Holy Spirit to work."

The Kellars were also able to come to the all-state conference and and help share the vision of what Young Life is to people from rural Alaska.  The Kellars have experience both in Young Life and in the village, and they are therefore able to help relate and translate concepts and ideas.  The Kellars are instrumental in what develops for youth ministry develops in Chevak.  Please pray for wisdom and for God's leading during this exciting time in Chevak 

Sand Point
Sand Point is a village of 1,000 people and is on an island near the start of the Aleutian chain.   Austin and his wife Cheryl have been working with the Baptist church youth group in Sand Point for the past 4 years and in July Austin contacted me with interest in Young Life.  Cheryl grew up in Sand Point and they both she and Austin have a huge hearts for the kids in Sand Point. Both have felt a desire to be connected to other believers who share their same passion for God and kids. Austin, Cheryl and their family were able to join Young Life staff in August for a training weekend in Palmer.  They left very encouraged and better equipped. Since then Austin has been working on recruiting people from the community who will support the kids.  Austin is also interested in Young Life to help provide some training and structure for the youth ministry in Sand Point: he wants to be more effective in dealing with different types of kids.  Please pray for wisdom, unity, and God's timing as they move forward.

Galena
Galena is an interior village on the Yukon River (about 1/2 way between Fairbanks and the ocean) that is home to one of Alaska's 3 statewide boarding schools.  Galena Interior Learning Academy has 225 students from around the state and they have a great Young Life program.  They have 14 volunteer leaders- who work in the dorms in the evening, and five volunteers who live in the community.  Galena was home to a USAF base during WWII and the cold war. Galena has since then become a hub for regional aviation including missionary aviation efforts.  SEND North has just chosen to place a 6-seater plane permanently in Galena.  This is great news for Galena Young Life because for the past few years, they have been dreaming of doing club in the surrounding 5 villages that are only accessible by air or water.  A partnership between Galena Young Life and the mission organization could make it possible for teams to put on monthly clubs in 5 rural villages. Please pray for connections and that God raise up the right people to be a part of the team.  Also pray for Galena as they are looking to hire a full-time area director, another factor that must be in place in order to put on club in these other villages. 

Galena's Pitka Airport on the banks of the Yukon in the winter.

Tragic deaths happen all too frequently in rural Alaska, but in the past week students at GILA have experienced a lot. Tuesday a local Galena student's dad passed away due to subsistence abuse.  In Shagaluk, a former GILA student's parents were murdered by a family member who was under the influence.  Also, this Wednesday in Marshall, a four-wheeler accident involving alcohol resulted in death. Please remember these villages and the Students in GILA in your prayer.

Kodiak:

There are eight communities on Kodiak Island:  9,000 people live in Kodiak and another 1,000 are spread out between, Ouzinki, Port Lions, Old Harbor, Ahkiok, Karluk, Chiniak, and Larsen Bay.  Steve grew up and taught school in small villages and he has always had a heart for people in rural Alaska.  25 years ago Steve and his family moved to Kodiak and 10 years ago he became involved with leading the middle school Young Life group in Kodiak. Steve has organized leaders and youth functions for middle school kids in Kodiak since then..  He also has helped put on camps for kids from the surrounding villages and has made numerous trips to each community.  In the past few years, many of the smaller communities have requested help from Steve to get their youth programs going.  He has felt stretched to maintain what is happening in Kodiak while helping these other communities.  Great news: this year people in Kodiak are volunteering to help Young Life like never before and Young Life will finally start in Kodiak High School this year.  All these new volunteers have allowed Steve time to better help the rural villages initiate their own youth programs.   Please pray for wisdom for Steve and for the start of Young Life in Kodiak High School. 

Savoonga
Savoonga is a town of 500  people located on St. Lawrence Island, which is in the middle of the Bering Sea. The community is very isolated and very traditional- whaling is still a major part of village life.  We had 4 people come from Savoonga.  Three of these people are currently working with the youth, and one is completing her doctorate in counseling. The all-state conference was a great chance to see these sweet people and to hear what they are doing for the kids of their community.  God is all about relationships and it was great to build a relationship with these folks and encourage them in the great work they are doing.  It is easy to feel isolated and alone and these times together are extremely life giving and encouraging.  At the conference they were able to brainstorm new ideas on ways to help kids and they were able to connect with others doing similar work. Right now in Savoonga they are looking for a facility where they can hold regular youth gatherings.  Remember these guys in your prayers too.

Nick, Amy, Jen, and Tiffany... so fun.

There have been so many great things to report.  Thanks for your time and support.

He restores my soul

"The Lord is my shepard, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me besied the still waters.  He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."  Psalm 23:1-3

These words have be especially meaningful during the busy times of fall.  So many things crowd in and make time go fast (school begins, programs start, summer projects need finishing, subsistence hunting and fishing for winter).  Even among the busy times, God wants rest refresh us and restore our souls- what follows are a few snap shots of what God has been doing around the state.


The All- State Young Life conference was held at the end of September in Wasilla outside of Anchorage.  It was historic as well as AWESOME!  We had 17 rural native people attend and another 12 who work directly in villages.  We had native elders attend, as well as young people.  We had a team 7 people come from Chevak, 4 people come from Savoonga, 3 people come from Tuntituliak.  All three of these communities have indigenous leadership teams. We also had 11 come from from Galena Interior Learning Academy (a state boarding school much like Mt. Edgecumbe), 2 from Bethel, and another from Kipnuk and Buckland.  Our goal during the conference was to describe Young Life and have the communities figure out how these principles could be applied to fit their community. We had great resource people at the conference and each community was able to go home with some strategies that some folks have already applied.  The conference speakers were great and the messages fit perfectly with what is at the core of Young Life: Jesus and the value he places on people.  Elders from Chevak (on the right in the 2nd picture) opened the conference  prayer and many native folks shared their perspective with the large group.  For the first time- it felt like Young Life Alaska represented the people in all of Alaska.

We had most people for the photo here... but our elders are in the next picture... can you find them?

Having the native people from rural Alaska attend the state retreat has been an answer to prayer.  For the past two years our regional director has been really moved that Young Life Alaska is to encourage the whole state of Alaska, an not just the urban centers.  People all over the country have been praying for things happening in western Alaska and even small places like Tutntituliak.  I was able to share with the people from rural Alaska that they had been prayed for for years and that there are people who really care about what is happening in their village.  One woman said "wow, we never knew there were so many people who love God and who care about what is happening in our little village."  One man said that this weekend encouraged him and his faith in a way that he didn't think was ever possible again.  Another said, that he never thought that he would fun like that ever again.  This past weekend was exhausting, fun, encouraging, and restorative.  The people who came desire that people in their home villages find the hope and joy that only come from God.  Please remember the youth workers of Chevak, Tuntituliak, Savoonga, and Sand Point in your prayers.

Young Life Alaska

The Kellars trip to Chevak was awesome and they made a lot of great connections, however, upon their return to Washington, a tragedy hit to the village. First off, let's hear about their visit - The Kellars brought their three boys to Chevak and were warmly greeted by many friends and previous students. They walked the roads and played basketball at the school and were invited to many homes. They met and prayed with many folks and were able to share with a few about their experiences with Young Life.  They attended the house church meeting and experienced great love from the community.  The Kellars gave many hugs and took many photos and returned home. For the full story please visit http://loveforchevak.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/were-here/   (Password:Chevak)

"Heidi and the boys getting a ride on a Chevak minivan"

One day after the Kellars' returned home a 19 year old Chevak woman was murdered and her naked body was found behind Chevak health clinic.  There have been two suspects identified and the case is still open.  Heidi said, in the village you can expect accidental deaths or suicides, but things like this don't happen in Chevak, and it really has people shaken up. (The young lady was one of Heidi's former students and the Kellars had been able to see her just days before).  For the whole story please read Heidi's blog entry at http://loveforchevak.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/terrible-news/         password Chevak.)  Pray that God can bring some good from this situation - even if it is just a greater awareness of the need for action.


The Giving Grandmas:  During the past six years there have been two faithful women volunteer leaders at Mt. Edgecumbe: Elise and my wife Emily.  During their time as YL leaders they have hung out with girls, invited girls over, had sleepovers, cooked for prom dinner, been to school functions, brought kids to camp, cooked breakfast and hosted the Bible study weekly.  They have invested in the girls of MEHS faithfully.  Last school year the need for more leaders was apparent as we had over 50 girls regularly attending Young Life Club.  Both Emily and Elise have full-time jobs and families and so they needed help.  Through prayer we decided to ask a population of people who have time and energy.... local grandmas!

We are missing a few and not everyone is a grandma

Twelve women attended our first interest meeting, and there I found out that several of these women moved to Sitka to work specifically with Mt. Edgecumbe kids. So far we have had 2 breakfast Bible studies and these ladies have been awesome!!!  Now our large group of girls can now grow to include even more. These ladies have come at the right time to restore energy to other volunteers and to encourage girls from around the state.

My next email will include the great things happening around the rural part of the state in places like Tuntituliak, Galena, Sand Point, Chevak, and Savoonga. 

Living Biographies

The Kellar family

I like to read biographies because I like to see how ordinary people become extraordinary when they follow their convictions. Through my job I have been able to encounter just this, ordinary people who have extraordinary faith, who experience God’s fullness.  Today I want to share one of those stories and ask for your prayers as their journey has only just begun.

Last year I introduced to you a Nate and Heidi Kellar, who had previously lived and taught school in Chevak for 5 years.  (You can read their post “Wet pillow Theology” here).  As I have talked with the Kellars this past year, it was easy to see that they still had a heart for the community.  It was like their memories of Chevak had been renewed: memories of all the kids, all the laughter and pain.  Nate and Heidi began sharing conversations with family, on their blog, and even presented at their church of the large need for youth outreach.  I mentioned in a previous email that several people in Chevak have also been wanting to start a youth program. God has been moving in the hearts of the people in Chevak as well as in the Kellars heart for something for the youth.

During one of these conversations, their pastor Geoff Taylor told them that they should consider making a trip north again.  Through lots of prayer and support Nate, Heidi and their three kids decided to go.  Pastor Geoff even came along too.  In fact the 6 of them are there right now, meeting with old friends, encouraging young people, connecting with elders and talking with folks who are interested in supporting the youth.  Please pray for the Kellars and Geoff on their trip. Pray for their conversations and for their travels, pray for Chevak, and for people committed to reach out to the youth in the community.

I have spent only a few paragraphs describing a great story that is more fully detailed in the Kellar’s two blogs.  They have a personal family blog that starts the story, and then a blog specifically for this trip (password: Chevak). I hope they encourage your faith as they have mine.

Club Malibu 2014

For good reason, camp is one of the most important parts of Young Life! It has been so awesome to hear how God used camp in the lives of our teens this year and  here are 4 simple quotes from our kids who attended camp this summer.

 
Quote 1: "This week was the best week of my life. The experiences I had are
unexplainable. I thought I came to Malibu to have fun but it was more than
fun, it made a closer relationship to God. This week meant so much to me and
I will remember it forever."

Quote 2:  "This week had a heavy impact on my life because I accepted God into my
life. This was the best week of my life!"

 
Quote 3: "I learned so much about God this week. I didn't have to deal with
alcoholics and I just had an amazing week. I really gave my life to Jesus
when we had our 15 minutes of silence. I gave Him my whole life. I loved the
fact that I felt so loved at Malibu."

Quote 4: "I am no longer mad at God and I will try to get a closer relationship with
Him. Honestly, this week has been the BEST WEEK I've had in a long time. It
made me remember that people care about and that I can find hope in a
relationship with God."

This year Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe Young Life took a grand total of 30 kids and 5 leaders to Club Malibu, the Young Life camp in British Columbia Canada.  I wish you could be there to experience it and see it firsthand.  I wish you could have seen the giant smiles on kids’ faces. Kids went boating, water skiing, swimming, and played big group games.  Kids ate great food, saw funny skits, heard thought provoking messages, and were treated like royalty.  Kids' walls came down, bonds were made with between peers and leaders, and kids stepped closer to God. If you were to visit a camp, you would first think that the reason why kids love camp is because you see so many fun things for kids to do.  But if you stayed the whole week, you would see the reason why kids love camp is because kids experience honesty, love, and companionship. Kids most commonly report back that their favorite part of all of camp is cabin time. Cabin time is a chance for kids to discuss, with their leaders, the message the speaker presents nightly.  Kids share, their thoughts, experiences, and hopes/fears during these times. Camp is about more than just having a good time, it is about sharing life together and it is about sharing about the source of life.

Praise: This year all the kids who wanted to go to camp were able to go!

•         For the first time some of the MEHS parents solicited and received funding from Native Corporation to help pay for the cost of camp.

•         Alaska Airlines had good deals for mileage tickets from remote Alaska to Seattle Washington for 25K miles.  There were several people who donated their miles to purchase a ticket for 4 of our 8 MEHS kids, saving the kids thousands of dollars

•         Many people gave generously to help supplement the cost in order to keep the cost more affordable for families. If you would like to give toward kids going to camp, click this link.

Prayer request:

•          Pray as the kids return home from camp that they would not forget the things they have learned at camp. 

•         Pray also for their safety as many of them return to home situations that are less than ideal.

•         Pray that kids would be encouraged and faithful in the summer months.

Young Life camp’s slogan still lives up to its claim to “be the best week of your life.” Thanks for supporting Sitka Young Life.