In ministry it seems each week is different. It has certainly been true this time around too. This week we got to celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday. Sundays can get pretty busy here with four church services in three different villages. We had additional celebrations as we had a birthday that day of one of the grandpas at church. We also got to welcome Josh Fish to his new home in Naknek. Josh is from Washington and has joined the Naknek ministry team. He'll be doing maintenance and flying.
On Thursday I got a text from a friend saying, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns." Isaiah 52:7." Going to Manokotak which is alongside a mountain it seemed very fitting. Due to many factors we weren't able to do a whole week there this summer. We got one day which was Thursday.
There's certain things about ministry that will never get old. One of those is getting to share the Gospel. Making eye contact with the kids for the first time in a year or more to see the smile of recognition spread across both of our faces never gets old. Praying for those souls never gets old either. Thursday was filled with all of those things that I love about ministry.
Pastor Jeff, Josh, Jeremy, Katy and I went to Manokotak. We loaded up the Cheerokee 6 with bags of prizes, crafts and small gospel books for the kids. One of the churches had sent up supplies for the prizes earlier this fall. It was a joy to see the kids get excited to see what was in their bag. To pull out a new set of crayons is always exciting!
Even though we were just there for one day it was still hard leaving. As my friend texted me today saying, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is MY WORD that goes out from MY mouth: It will not return to ME empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11." As I sit and listen to the rain continue to fall I can't help but be reminded of the Lord and what he is able to accomplish even in one day, one summer, one lifetime. It brings me comfort knowing that in the little time we are in places God is able to use it.
Today marks Katy's last day in Alaska. She'll be flying into Minneapolis today after being up here for 5 weeks. She'd love to share with you what the Lord has done both in and through her this summer. We'll miss her sweetness, gentleness, and genuineness and are thankful for the time she has spent up here.
This next week Dave and Laura Perkins from Washington will be up here to do a couple days of VBS with myself in Levelock (pronounced leave lock).
Heather, it's obvious you love sharing the gospel message and Jesus has filled your heart with ove for Alaskan kids. Your blog is so interesting and encouraging. GOD continue to bless you.