Catalyst for Community

As I sit here this morning I am noticing the sleeve on my coffee cup. Written there are the words, "Kaladi Brother's Coffee, Catalyst for Community." After last night I am really seeing how a mission's trip like this one is such a catalyst for community. We all got together at Dennis & Celesta's house last night and just had some time of testimony and sharing. It was great to see how open and real everyone was about how God is working in them and what he is teaching them on this trip. We were also able to spend some time praying for the Richardson family and thank them for their 20+ years of service in Alaska. It is truly a remarkable and encouraging to be part of a group committed to serving the Lord and one another. I am blessed to have each and every person on this team here in Alaska with us.

Thanks for many of your continued prayers. We have had many close calls, PJ fell off a ladder, Dad almost cut a main power line, and many other minor situations God's hand has been over. We have had great opportunities to encourage and minister to many native people and kids. Today is our last day of work and ministry. Pray that we can wrap up all our projects at the house and church. We are also looking forward to handing out clothes to more people and will probably visit the homeless shelter again. We will also be wrapping up Kids For Christ Club tonight. We have built some great relationships with the kids and many of them have opened up to us. This has been such an awesome week and we are looking forward to a fun day tomorrow as we travel as a group to Whittier to do some sightseeing. I want to encourage you today to be a catalyst for community. We as brothers and sisters in Christ need each other to pray with, laugh with, cry with, minister with, share with, and just live life with.

Alaska 8/11

What a week it has been. I am not even sure what day it is, I think it is Wednesday. We have been working hard and not sleeping much but God is so good and we are having a blast. We have knocked out a lot of work at Dennis and Celesta's house and also at the Church.

Yesterday was a jam packed day. We all started the day by serving at the Church with their Food Pantry ministry. We were able to provide food for 71 families. Some of us helped them pick out their food and others carried food to their cars and homes. Many of these people were homeless. It was great to see them smile and just to talk to them.

We spent yesterday afternoon working hard. We made a lot of progress on our work projects. Last night we started the first of three nights of Kids for Christ club. The girl's did an awesome job putting together the night and we had around 25 kids come out. We look forward to the next two nights working with the kids.

I had a little scare last night. I lost my wallet and for about an hour the whole team was searching the church, parking lot, and yard. I had my driver's license, cash, and credit card all in it so we were praying that it would turn up. When we were about to give up and call and cancel my credit card Elizabeth found my wallet in a garbage bag full of bats and balls that we used when we were playing with the kids. We were all praying that we would find my wallet and praise be to God that I don't have to go through the process. Continue to keep us in prayer. Today and tomorrow we will be handing out clothes to the poor and homeless and continuing on in many of the work projects we are doing. Pray for strength as many of us are tired, pray that God would use us to impact those who come to pick up clothes and for the kids that come out in the evenings.

Alaska 8/9

"Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

- Psalm 90:2

Good morning from Anchorage, AK! It is currently 6:30am Monday morning. I have been up since 4am. Don, Dad, and I were up early and are spending the early morning at Kaladi Brothers Coffee shop. As I am looking out the window I am looking at the majesty of God, it is sometimes hard to drive because I find myself gazing at the mountains.

Yesterday was a great first day. Our team was able to serve at both Sunday services. Some of us led worship and sang, others helped prepare food, others were able to be greeters, and Don and I were able to preach. After church many of the people stuck around and I was able to hear many of their stories. It was amazing to hear the struggles and how God has worked in their lives. One truth that hit home was to never put your hope in what God has not promised.

After church when went back to Dennis & Celesta's to debrief with the team. In the afternoon we tried to recover from the jet lag. Many of us were able to see Moose and some of the team had a close encounter. Last night we all gathered at Wendell and Judy's house for the church's prayer meeting which was actually a surprise birthday party for Celesta. It was a great night of fellowship and we were able to continue to build relationships with the people from Mt. View Baptist Church.

Continue to keep us in your prayers this week. Today we have a lot of work to do. Part of the team will be working hard today at Dennis and Celesta's new house while others will be sorting clothes in preparation for the God's Closet ministry Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Keep the food pantry, God's Closet, and Kids for Christ Club ministries in your prayers as we have the opportunity to share Christ with those who come. Keep the team in prayer as we are still adjusting to the time change and our schedule constantly changes. I have not slept much and have been running on some of the best coffee in the world (Kaladi Brothers). Flexibility is our key word this week as we are serving wherever we are needed.

"May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known on earth,

your saving power among all nations."

- Psalm 67:1-2