Mishaps, Memories, and Majesty in Manokotak

Last week my body thought it'd be fun to wake me up at 6:30 this week it's midnight and I'm wide awake after a week of VBS! So here we are because some of the best things written are either early in the morning or the middle of the night.

Starting out the blog can be hard. There's so much that happens in a week and trying to be catchy or clever to engage readers just doesn't always come to mind. I would love to write down all the details but time doesn't always allow. Thanks for bearing with me another week.

Mishaps.

This week we burned bacon. Locked ourselves out of the house we were staying in and had to walk across the village to get the key. I pranked myself. We had a kid throw up at VBS. Forgot to remind the kids to bring water bottles to VBS. Ran low on gas with the church van but didn't run out. Zach and Katy ran out of gas on the four wheeler on Sunday night in Naknek though!

Memories

Having a house to ourselves it didn't take long for us to have an open door until 9 p.m. policy. It didn't take the kids long to realize that. On Tuesday night we ended up with at least 6 kids at our place. We decided to walk down to the river for some fresh air and open spaces. By the time we made it down to the river we had more kids join us. We watched people put their boats in and take them out. Going out to check their nets.

Wednesday night I unfortunately had a headache that was on a verge of a migraine and Katy wasn't feeling the best either. Jessica and Zach were troopers and entertained the kids outside for quite some time that night.

Thursday is our favorite! It was chaotic, busy, and so fulfilling. We had 10 kids and 1 special needs adult over for supper! To have a moment of prayer before the meal and dish the kids up was a lovely time. That wasn't enough for us that day! We had teen night. I remember looking at Jessica and saying we're crazy. Why? We took 25 kids/youth hiking that night. Brought them back to the church for snacks, message and games. From noon that day until 9:45 at night we had anywhere from 3 to 35 kids with us.

Friday we got invited over for moose steak, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. We gladly delayed our plane for that meal! It was hard saying goodbye to the kids. Zach and Katy would take the church van to the additional part of the village that was 6 miles away. Everyday they would pick up and drop off kids. Many of the days the kids would tell about how much fun they had. On the last day many kids were crying that it was the last day. Some needed a little extra love and encouragement to get in the van to go home.

Manokotak has had 18 deaths in just over a year. Most of them their elders dying of Covid. The kid's grandmas and grandpas, great aunts and uncles. Driving past the cemetery the new graves have yet to have grass start to grow over them. On our last day of VBS there was another funeral. Manokotak has less than 500 people. Loss hits people hard.

We have memories of comforting kids in their loss. Praying over them. Asking if they needed a hug. There were moments it was hard for them to keep it in. We have memories of stopping at the cemetery to pray for a person that lost their grandma and wanted to visit her grave. In life we have to take in the good and hard too. Jesus is the resurrection and the life and he still wept.

Majesty

Manokotak translates to alongside the mountain. Every night we got to look out our window to see the glory and beauty of God. We hiked part of the mountain and sang VBS songs there about how we are the masterpiece of all created things. Which takes in more meaning when you are surroundEd by a gorgeous view. The river is also such a beautiful sight to see.

Even in the midst of a week that quite literally had mountain highs and valley lows God was constant. He gave us his strength to have more patience and endurance. Words came to our mouths when hard things arose. Grace abounded. Jesus definitely won!

Prayers

This next week we will be Levelock and get the pleasure to fly there everyday and sleep in Naknek. Yay for not having to pack our food tote!

A woman in Manokotak who is having brain surgery

Rest after a busy fulfilling week

Revival

Safety in our flights (10 next week) and good weather!

Let us know how we can be praying for you!

P.S.

This morning a building caught on fire over in South Naknek. Everyone is safe and the fire is put out. 4 people lost their home and belongings today. We live in a caring community that can help with some needs but it can take up to a week to a month for things from Amazon or Target to get here for the needs that we don't have around. Prayers for the people who lost their home Saturday.

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's and Father Figures out there!