Surrounded by Faithful People Serving a Faithful God

We were so blessed to be at two retreats back to back where we left knowing God's goodness.  The trip to Seattle and then to Victoria, BC was an awesome time to connect.  Connecting with longtime friends, Crossroads Bible Church, and Julie and I together.  

Crossroads invests a huge part of their resources and influence into missions.  On Sunday they announced all of their missionaries and had us stand up front with flags representing the countries that each missionary is in.  The humbling part to us was the reception we received with people applauding.  I felt like shouting out "its not us!" but I know, or hope, they were not applauding us but the King whom we all get to serve.  Monday morning after the service we boarded a passenger ferry and spent 5 very relaxing and filling days in Victoria, BC.  Great time to be with other missionaries from around the globe; life giving to be surrounded by faithful people serving a faithful God. 

Coming back to Anchorage we had a couple of days getting supplies and food for the next four months or so then met the kids coming off the plane from Port Alsworth.  Some of you have asked and yes, its normal to fly; almost like getting in a shuttle van, well its way cooler than a van...but it is normal for life out here.   

We drove 2+ hours to a camp East of Anchorage where an awesome ministry called Artic Barnabas hosted a retreat for missionary families working in Alaska.  It was a key time for us to connect with people from bush communities across Alaska.  Its amazing what the Lord is doing in drawing people to himself but also a reminder of the hard work it is to reach villages off the road system with the Gospel.  Many families have invested decades and are still waiting for the Lord to move.  Faithfulness and perseverance, with great joy.

I'm making an effort to get across the lake on Tuesdays to work at what we call "the house across the lake" which is where I am at now.  The quiet is good for my soul...it also allows me to make coaching calls to our ministry leaders with fewer distractions.  As I meet with men on the phone some 6,000 miles away I am in awe of God's great power.  This morning the sun streams over the mountains into the windows and we are a part of His work!

 Life in the bush is becoming normal.  There are still times when it is surreal; like yesterday.  Julie and I have enjoyed time together working on firewood. The whole experience of using the boat to get wood is different...  Its hard work to get firewood anyway, but having to move it into and out of the boat adds some sort of strange workout to the woodcutting.  Someone somewhere could make a million on a "P-90X Alaska Wood" workout video.  Last night I took 800mg of ibuprofen...bush candy.  

Please be praying for us as we continue to learn how we can best minister to our community and the others around us.  We love it here and we love being in Port Alsworth...the spiritual battles are real.