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| The muskeg country of interior Alaska |
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| Flying over a glacier |
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| Mountains between Antiok and Soldotna Alaska on Aug 22, 2010 |
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday Aug 22 Anchorage
Some pictures of the flight from Antiok to Soldatna
Sat. Aug 22 Kenai Alaska
We had a great flight from Marshall to Soldatna yesterday. Part of the way it was clear sky and flew over the soggy muskeg country of west central Alaska. After fueling up in Anaitok, Alaska we climbed into the mountains for some spectacular scenery. We were looking thru holes in big fluffy clouds at snow covered peaks, glaciers, and some high altitude beauty. We landed in Soldotna and stayed at the Samaritan's Purse base camp there.
We got up early this morning , had a light breakfast and made it to the airport. We are all checked in and waiting to board our plane. See you all at home soon.
This sunset in Marshall was at 11:30 pm
This sunset in Marshall was at 11:30 pm
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fri Aug 20 Marshall Alaska
We finished our final work day today. The inside of the small house is completely painted, the outside has one of two stain coats. The Big house has part of the interior painted and some stain on. The Church has all the roofing and siding completed. On the interior the storage room and kitchen have fiberglass panelling on them. The small house is ready for the flooring and electrical fixtures. Soon the big house and the church will be similarly ready. From the shells we arrived to up to the nearly completed interiors and exteriors we have accomplished a lot in two active weeks.
Tony, Al, John B and I went to the house Pastor George is staying at to deliver the outreach, craft and other supplies we did not use during our time here. We had some kites, games, pencils, coloring materials for his use in outreach. His three children were there, and we had a brief conversation with Kevin ( the oldest). In this culture you can get two or three questions answered, then they just do a shoulder shrug that means I do not know. Long conversations with outsiders do not happen much.
There are distinct differences in cultural norms here regarding child rearing, interaction between adults who do not know each other, and time of day for various activities. It seems a bit puzzling to us. Fortunately Pastor George is of this culture and can understand and relate. It would take an outsider longer to understand and be accepted I think. I think God called the right man for this church.
We look forward to returning home with our pictures, experiences, and stories. See you all soon.
Tony, Al, John B and I went to the house Pastor George is staying at to deliver the outreach, craft and other supplies we did not use during our time here. We had some kites, games, pencils, coloring materials for his use in outreach. His three children were there, and we had a brief conversation with Kevin ( the oldest). In this culture you can get two or three questions answered, then they just do a shoulder shrug that means I do not know. Long conversations with outsiders do not happen much.
There are distinct differences in cultural norms here regarding child rearing, interaction between adults who do not know each other, and time of day for various activities. It seems a bit puzzling to us. Fortunately Pastor George is of this culture and can understand and relate. It would take an outsider longer to understand and be accepted I think. I think God called the right man for this church.
We look forward to returning home with our pictures, experiences, and stories. See you all soon.
Thur Aug 19 Marshall Alaska
Well those of you who have been praying for good weather, keep it up because we have actually had a couple nice days. The morning started with a cool misty rain, but cleared by 9 to a sunny pleasant day. The roads are no longer completely squishy mud, just mud. We are grateful for the pleasant weather.
The buildings are really taking shape. The two houses are having paint or stain put on both the inside and outside. The drywall finisher has moved into the church building. Dave and Don have the last of the roofing material on the church entry, and are about to finish up the siding there. Tony's crew of Phil, John Hood, nand Al are finished fiberglass paneling in the storage area and moved into the kitchen. Soon all the buildings will be ready for interior finishing work.
This evening Pastor George took Phil, Tony, John B, and Howard (our drywall guy) over to one of his church members house(James). We took some family pictures and printed them, and had some conversations with James and his brother Tom. James and his wife do not have any children of their own, but are raising two nieces, a cousin, and a nephew. God granted their wish for children in and indirect way.
Tomorrow is our last work day. There is a mixture of sadness and excitement in the team. Excitement to go home after quite a long trip, and sadness to leave a project we put so much into before it is completed. We all have a hope that this will become a community center for Marshall Alaska. A center that proclaims the gospel and brings hope to those who need it. After spending some time with Pastor George I think he is really a man well positioned to reach the people of this village. Please pray for his ministry, and that he would bear fruit in this village.
Please continue to pray for health and safety for the members of our crew. Both during our last day of work, and on the long ride home. Pray that the seeds of encouragement and outreach we planted in Marshall will be followed up with by the later teams, and Pastor George.
Thank you again Woodlands for your support and prayer. We really could not do this without your blanket of prayer.
The buildings are really taking shape. The two houses are having paint or stain put on both the inside and outside. The drywall finisher has moved into the church building. Dave and Don have the last of the roofing material on the church entry, and are about to finish up the siding there. Tony's crew of Phil, John Hood, nand Al are finished fiberglass paneling in the storage area and moved into the kitchen. Soon all the buildings will be ready for interior finishing work.
This evening Pastor George took Phil, Tony, John B, and Howard (our drywall guy) over to one of his church members house(James). We took some family pictures and printed them, and had some conversations with James and his brother Tom. James and his wife do not have any children of their own, but are raising two nieces, a cousin, and a nephew. God granted their wish for children in and indirect way.
Tomorrow is our last work day. There is a mixture of sadness and excitement in the team. Excitement to go home after quite a long trip, and sadness to leave a project we put so much into before it is completed. We all have a hope that this will become a community center for Marshall Alaska. A center that proclaims the gospel and brings hope to those who need it. After spending some time with Pastor George I think he is really a man well positioned to reach the people of this village. Please pray for his ministry, and that he would bear fruit in this village.
Please continue to pray for health and safety for the members of our crew. Both during our last day of work, and on the long ride home. Pray that the seeds of encouragement and outreach we planted in Marshall will be followed up with by the later teams, and Pastor George.
Thank you again Woodlands for your support and prayer. We really could not do this without your blanket of prayer.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Some pictures from week 1
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| Cross on top of church on a clear day |
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| Inside view |
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| Project area including sleeping tents and bath house |
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| Village of Marshall from roof top |
Wed Aug 18 Marshall AK
Today started out blustery and overcast, but turned into one of the most pleasant evenings we have had here. By mid afternoon it was mostly sunny and comfortably cool (mid 50’s). Many of us went out for walks after supper to enjoy the weather and scenery.
Today was a day where visibly significant progress was not obvious, but a lot of work foot done. Many of the projects were at a stage where each piece has to be cut and fitted, or two steps have to be done before the next piece can go on. This is true on the siding, inside the church, and under the buildings. Late morning we got word that we had to plane loads of materials coming in. We loaded the van and pickup up with people and headed out to the airport. We got in a good amount of food, critical drywall compound, materials for an exterior deck connecting the church and the pastor’s house. A fuel oil tank, and various parts and pieces.
These materials were critical for the drywall finisher to continue on his task. It looks like the pastor’ house will be finished in about 3 weeks.
We have wanted to do the photo ministry with families, or at least get some adults in the pictures. Pastor George arranged for us to go over to 2 families houses for photos this evening. The first place was at Richard & Nancy’s house. Richard is a believer and plays the guitar for worship services and gospel sings. We took pictures of the whole family, then some of the children, and the parents . They were genuinely glad to get the pictures, and I got a little chance to talk to Nancy about why we were here, and why we do mission trips.
The second family we went to visit was not home. I do not know if they forgot, or if it is impolite to say no so they were just not home when we showed up. Walking through the village a lot of people come up and speak with Pastor George. He says hello to even more as we pass by. The village really does not become until after 7pm.
We have two more work days left. We are committed to finishing strong, but most of us are thinking about home some. We miss both our families and our church family. Being is such a small rural, poor setting makes us realize how rich our lives are. Not so much in wealth, but in blessings of a dynamic worship experience done with excellence. Resources like a library and coffee bar, and heated bathrooms. (ok ours are heated evenings during shower times). We came to be the hands and feet of Jesus and are doing that with dedication. But we are also coming home for an appreciation for the struggle our fellow Christian workers like Pastor George in under resourced parts of the United States.
Today was a day where visibly significant progress was not obvious, but a lot of work foot done. Many of the projects were at a stage where each piece has to be cut and fitted, or two steps have to be done before the next piece can go on. This is true on the siding, inside the church, and under the buildings. Late morning we got word that we had to plane loads of materials coming in. We loaded the van and pickup up with people and headed out to the airport. We got in a good amount of food, critical drywall compound, materials for an exterior deck connecting the church and the pastor’s house. A fuel oil tank, and various parts and pieces.
These materials were critical for the drywall finisher to continue on his task. It looks like the pastor’ house will be finished in about 3 weeks.
We have wanted to do the photo ministry with families, or at least get some adults in the pictures. Pastor George arranged for us to go over to 2 families houses for photos this evening. The first place was at Richard & Nancy’s house. Richard is a believer and plays the guitar for worship services and gospel sings. We took pictures of the whole family, then some of the children, and the parents . They were genuinely glad to get the pictures, and I got a little chance to talk to Nancy about why we were here, and why we do mission trips.
The second family we went to visit was not home. I do not know if they forgot, or if it is impolite to say no so they were just not home when we showed up. Walking through the village a lot of people come up and speak with Pastor George. He says hello to even more as we pass by. The village really does not become until after 7pm.
We have two more work days left. We are committed to finishing strong, but most of us are thinking about home some. We miss both our families and our church family. Being is such a small rural, poor setting makes us realize how rich our lives are. Not so much in wealth, but in blessings of a dynamic worship experience done with excellence. Resources like a library and coffee bar, and heated bathrooms. (ok ours are heated evenings during shower times). We came to be the hands and feet of Jesus and are doing that with dedication. But we are also coming home for an appreciation for the struggle our fellow Christian workers like Pastor George in under resourced parts of the United States.
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