"And the greatest of these is Love.." Alaska Through My Eyes.

Towards the end of my junior year of high school (2009-10), I felt God calling me to go to Alaska to share His love with the people up there. I don't remember how it happened, but I knew~ I needed to go. Many obstacles arose. And my heart broke as I watched my plans fall through over and over again. We went through a good four or five different trips that I was going to participate in to get me to a place where I could minister in Alaska. See, the problem was, they were human plans; they all fell through. God had greater things in store than I ever could have imagined.

On July 7, 2010, I was on my way to Kodiak, Alaska, with a group of people that I barely knew. Long before we departed a week later, I would consider those people - along with many people I met in Kodiak - my family. While I was in Kodiak that first time, I grew tremendously in my faith, grew closer to my brothers and sisters in Christ and observed what it means to act as one body, developed a huge heart for the people I came in contact with who had no knowledge of the saving power of Christ, and fell in love with a place called Alaska. Here are just a few of my pictures I would like to share~

I have never seen a more beautiful place! Surrounded by God's incredible
 creation, and yet still so many people who know nothing of His love for them. 

Our team :) July 2010

"All around me Your creation, brings me to my knees in adoration!"
        -- Life is Good, Eternal Life is Better!

"And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that
are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He
more surely care for you?" - Matthew 6:30

I wish I had more pictures of the people I have had the privilege to meet and the kids I've gotten to play with and love on.. However, I do not regret for a single second the time I spent playing and interacting with them that prevented or distracted me from taking those pictures.

Pictures don't even begin to do justice to this place or to the experiences I have had there anyway, but for this purpose they will have to suffice.

These are some of the Filipino kids that came to VBS,
performing the songs on the last day. :)

Some of the most well-behaved kids I have ever worked with! They were great listeners, worked hard in making their crafts each day (even the boys!), followed instructions, and had the most beautiful smiles. Please be in prayer for these kiddos, their families, the Filipino Bible Church, and their pastor!

I can't wait until the day I get to work with them again. :)

Surfer's Beach

I left with tears in my eyes, desiring to come back as soon as God would allow. Thankfully, He didn't make me wait long! During Spring Break the following March (2010) I headed to Nome, Alaska, to minister to the people there during the Iditarod Dogsled Races.

Our team held a Kid's Club (Vacation Bible School) for the kids during the week. Many of the kids would just walk to the church on their own each day. Once again, they were so eager to participate - something that is so common where many of us grew up is such a treat for them to experience. You can see their longing for someone who genuinely wants to love on them and spend time with them. They desperately need people who are willing to invest in their lives and build relationships. It broke my heart to learn that the reason our attendance was so high on one particular day was because the winner of the Iditarod had finished that morning - the parents wanted to celebrate, and we were the perfect child-care while they went off to get helplessly drunk. There was no way of knowing what we were sending those kids home to that day. Please pray for these kids as they grow up in this community. There is darkness and utter hopelessness surrounding a great part of Nome, but God is moving! My prayer is that they will find the one true Light and depart from the generational chains that have bound families in Nome for countless decades.

Bible stories!

Craft-time :)

This is the reason we go: 

These people are exactly like us. 

They need Jesus just like we do.

They need HOPE.

But they don't think it exists.

They are isolated and secluded.

They need HOPE.

We can help to give them that-

You can point out the people who are different,

Who have a smile on their face

And a twinkle in their eye.

That is what we are to them- 

Something different.

Something they don't know.

HOPE.

Helen!
A precious sister in Christ :)

Native drummers at the finish line
I loved listening to the music they were making as the mushers came in.
As I stood there in that moment, my prayer became this:
That one day, those chants and that music would not simply be
them cheering for their fellow brother, but instead
a song of praise to our God.

A ladies' luncheon - breaking down barriers
Forming relationships and sharing food,
loving on and encouraging our neighbors.

Kirsten, myself, & Julie
If those kids can wear shorts, so can we!
Well, at least for a few minutes :)