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.