Sunrise in Alaska

We learned on the morning of day 1 that the sun does rise in Alaska.  This is the view out of our back window across the Kenai River at 9:00 in the morning.

On the evening we arrived Jennifer and I met a couple named Greg and Melanie.  They spent hours with us answering question after question about MARC.  Greg is a Pilot / Mechanic and they have been here for 7 years.  He and his wife gave us insight into the ministry, schools, houses, support, environment ...  We really learned a lot from them.  The next day - day 1 - Melanie invited Jen to meet all of the wives.  They get together to encourage and pray for each other and the ministries that each participates in.  Jennifer enjoyed getting to know a little about each one of them and seeing the variety of families that are here.  There are families here from all over the U.S., with various Christian backgrounds, some with kids and some without, some in their early 20's and some in their late 40's, some trained by the military and some trained privately ...  but the one thing that binds them together is they love Jesus Christ and they have all been called here by God.

For the evening of day 2 we had dinner with two families.  Our main course was roadkill moose chili.  It was really really good.  One of the families had 4 little kids and it made us really miss our kids.  We are so thankful for the Barnes and the Alexanders and their patient loving hearts with our kids.  We also thank God for our loving church family at Taylors.  We have been blessed by the families that have provided meals to those that are providing care for our precious little ones.  We have received Bodo sighting reports from several folks that have seen our kids in stores, choir practice and at the altar.  When John Doar texted us that James was at the altar with Joshua we cried.  You all - our prayer partners - are keeping us up.  Thank you for loving us and our kids.  Thank you for how your relationship with Jesus has encouraged us.

We have just finished day 2.  Today was Sunday and we visited a local church for worship and Sunday School.  The name of the church is College Heights Baptist Church and we loved the worship.  Afterward we visited a Sunday School class and engaged in a study of what is enough and when we are to be content - very appropriate.  The body of believers there is sweet.  The variety of people was really interesting - we met a game warden, as state trooper and a kindergarten teacher.  After church we had lunch with two MARC families.  Both of these families were from Georgia and one of the guys was actually born in S.C.  We should have brought them some Chik-Fil-A to go with the sweet tea - it was like being at home.  We were enthralled at hearing the stories of ministering to kids in bush Alaska.  It is amazing how little the people in the bush have - it is like third world conditions.  MARC travels to these villages and brings resources to the missionaries to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The needs are urgent and time is critical.  People in the bush are looking for joy and peace and often turn to drugs and alcohol and become empty shells.  In all too many instances this search ultimately turns to suicide.  If only we could introduce them to the author of life before they begin this desperate journey.  Just to open the pages of a Bible with them and introduce them to the peace that passes understanding that can only come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  They would never again need their drugs and alcohol and they would choose life and not death.  There is a great need for ministry here.

Tonight we visited another church with Greg and Melanie (the couple from the first night).  Their church was having a Thanksgiving feast.  It was awesome!  We ate too much and now we have the turkey sleepies (if that is a word).

We love you guys.  Thank you for your prayers.

James & Jen