Alaska Missions

The mission trip is going great! Sorry that we have not had time to keep a consistant update but it was hard becasuse of computer and internet problems.

  We arrived in Anchorage on the 23rd and enjoyed doing some sight-seeing on that Thursday and Friday. We went to Portage Glacier and then on Friday we drove down to Seward and saw Exit Glacier-we were able to hike right up to this glacier. We had a perfect day for sight-seeing; everyone just loved all the sights of Alaska.

On Saturday we went to the store to get groceries and supplies for the upcoming week. We then headed to Copper Center and arrived here at Mt. Drum on Saturday evening.

Sunday, we went to church here at Mt Drum and talked with the people of the congregation. After church, we went around to homes in the community to tell them about the VBS. When we returned, Maria, Cathy, and her two girls-Hannah and Esther-were already here. (Maria and Cathy came from Colorado and Alaska to help out with the VBS).

Monday through Thursday we worked on the VBS. At first everyone was a little overwhelemed because the kids have a lot of energy, but after the first day everyone was ready to go. It was so great to see kids come back from previous years and be excited about being there. As the week has progressed, I can really see the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of these children. We have had teenagers opening up to us and asking us questions about Christianity. Also, I asked a little boy, Anthony, what he had learned this week. He responded with, "God loves me!" Another little girl, Christian, came up to me with her two pointer finger making a cross and asked me if Jesus died on this for her. These were both great examples of the Holy Spirit working in these kids. Sometimes during the day it gets so crazy that you do not think the kids are hearing what you are saying; this forces me to remember that it is not about us, but it is God working in the hearts of the children to spread His Word.

All in all, I think that this VBS is going great; it is probably the best of the last 2 years. I think that this comes from the experience that we have had the past 2 years and we know better what to expect and more importantly we have built relationships with the people here and they can trust us. It is so important for us to make every effort to continue to return to work with the Roeskes here at Mt. Drum Lutheran Church; they had told us multiple times that they we were so happy we were able to return and get everything back together to make this trip a possibility. Most of the children and teens that come to the VBS and not churched and the VBS is the only time that they come to church throughout the year and hear about God. We are SO blessed to be able to be servants of God to share His love with the people here in Alaska!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! Please continue to pray for us as today, Friday, is our last day of VBS and for safe travels home tomorrow. I look forward to sharing pictures and stories when we return!