Day 1 & 2: Thursday was my first day off from the clinic. I used the day to fully move in, unpack, and clean house. My mom may be proud to know that I cleaned out the entire kitchen top to bottom. Discarding outdated foods, wiping things down, washing all dishes, utensils, and reorganizing drawers. It was actually quite nice, even if JT does make fun of me for doing that on a day off. Had a great devotional time with the Lord as he is teaching me more about trusting big and little things over to Him. On Friday we served as volunteers for the school's track and field day. Sara Cook, the school nurse through Cross Road was the organization leader and gave us our positions. I was the starter for all of the 3rd-5th grade races. It was fun chaos of home schoolers, private schools, and public school kids. We got to see the effects of culture and race through the kids behaviors. It was quite the experience, topped off by seeing them all get sprayed by the firetruck hose.
Day 3: This Saturday was absolutely stunning! Sam, a very experienced and popular male nurse, was able to get us a discount, a personal donation towards, and able to bring the Delta girls here in order that we may all go flight seeing. We took flight at about 1pm in a 206 aircraft. It was amazing! We traveled over 100 miles in an hour over mountains, glaciers, rivers, valleys, and mud volcanoes. He even got us very close to the glacier which had puddles of blue water on them, glacier water. The glaciers are so heavy in some spots it pushes water up through itself and filters it so much that it turns it blue. It looked like anti-freeze. Seeing all that God had made from that level was incredible. A memory for a lifetime. After the flight Sam (He doesn't like to be called Mr. or Sir) took us shooting. I got to shoot a 40g pistol, but at 50yrd target I didn't hit anything. Then we left for a cook out at his cabin. He made us Moose burgers that were great! Plus he had invited most of the Cross Road staff to join us, it was a great evening of relaxation and fellowship. Day 4: We taught at Chistochina Chapel again and this week was on Joy! We used the parables of the lost sheep, and the lost coin to share with them a glimpse at the joy God has when we are returned to him. Even Cheyenne I think got it, because our key descriptor was: Happiness is temporary but Joy lasts forever. I caught her writing "Joy is something that lasts forever!" among her scribbles and drawings. Afterwards, we returned to Grizzly lake, still another gloomy day, so we ate our moose tacos inside. I was then a bit nauseated on the drive to Mantasta. We tried getting the school gym again but instead got the community rec. hall. Something was happening/ or did happen in the village and the kids were super wild. Yet, we had a large group of older kids that came and gave us their complete attention. We tried the same lesson about Joy with them, as well as playing large scale rock, paper, scissors, as man, bear, gun. It is disappointing to see that we can't do more for these kids. But, God knows what is best, and if we are here just to plant seeds then so be it. Day 5 & 6: The gang was invited to chaperone a Glennallen school, Jr. High field trip. Stephanie and I accepted, because they were in desperate need of Female chaperones or the girls couldn't go. We left for the school around noon, where we met with Nurse Angie, she had been the one to ask us because two of the girls were hers. She provided us with proper equipment and we were set. Then they needed a driver, so I got to drive a 12 passenger family van and I did so without any problem! We drove into a valley on our way to the Galkana Glacier. We got out and hiked for about 2 hrs, including a suspension bridge, which the teens loved to jump and sway as we crossed. There was no designated path so we were just hiking all-natural Alaskan terrain. Rocks, hills, valleys, snow drifts, water runoff, etc. Then it stared raining, a little sleet, tiny tiny hail, and even snow. We hiked the 2 hrs back and loaded all the kids up to go to the camp site. Boots and socks soaked we did a van wardrobe change. Then pit stop at a creek to fish for dinner, it was quite comical to watch the kids. They would dip the line in and just a few minutes later out came a grayling. Then the boys each ran around with flopping fish in their hands as they loaded back into the bus and the girls in the van. We drove to a Bed and Breakfast the teacher owned. It was such a harsh camping trip (sarcastic tone) we had a cabin, a perfect view, and a sauna. While setting the fire we looked up and 3 trees away was a golden eagle just watching us, then it took off and soared up the valley. We spent over an hour in the sauna after dinner. One of the girls wanted to tent camp and the others slept in the Cabin with Stephanie. I on the other hand wanted the true Alaskan experience and camped out by the fire. I only slept 2.5 hrs. I was fearful of a bear since there was food and stuff about the campfire site. Mr. G. had given me a shotgun just in case... but I would prefer to not have to use it. I woke up from my short slumber at 4:11am just in time to see the Alaska sunrise, it was so very beautiful. And since here I am 4hrs behind Ohio I called my mom and had a great conversation. Then helped the girls pack up camp. I spent time praying over each girl, don't know what God has in store for them. But, it was a great experience nonetheless. Day 7: Recovery day! After that trip I had the morning off to relax. I then worked evening shift. One of my patients from a different day had returned and it was good to see her and pray with her again. Sam brought dinner to the clinic from the one oriental food place in town. A hut like place called Tok Thai. It was delicious! He got a variety of many different entrees and a pizza for the picky eaters. Then I got to help with one urgent case of a young boy with an allergic reaction to cats. After some benadryl all was well. Very thankful for this week. Seeing God use us for seed planting, being in prayer with an for many many people, and growing me in my own walk.
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Day 1-2: Travels were smooth and we easily found our hosts Millie and Don Ressler in the Anchorage Airport.
Soon after us weary travels went grocery shopping then stayed the night in a rental apartment. I feel as though, out of the 5 of us, I was hit the worse with the Jet lag, it hung on terribly for the first 4 days of our trip. On day 2 we drove out from Anchorage to Glennallen stopping at the Alaskan Native Medical center which is the home of the Alaskan Native Museum. There Millie guided us through, teaching and showing us pieces of the different native lifestyles. We made it safely to Glennallen, such a beautiful mountain drive, and spent the evening unpacking. Over dinner the 5 of us got better acquainted, since Lindsay and Alison are staying with us until Monday when they leave for Delta Junction. And we also had the opportunity to do our group devotion on Patience. Day 3-4: Friday, day 3, was orientation down the hill at Cross Roads medical center. Now we patiently wait for the opportunity to jump on in. We learned all about how Hep A is a possibility in this area, which we didn't know before. Then we helped pick up trash for community trash pick up day and ended up helping dismantle an old green house. They hosted a pizza party for trash picker uppers where they also gave out foam football's for biggest, grossest, blog-gable, etc. trash items which were acquired. It was also great for the CEO of Cross Road to meet with us and explain how Cross Road is a ministry that does healthcare, not a healthcare facility that does ministry. So encouraging to hear. Over dinner on Day 3 we were able to share testimonies with one another and pray over each other. Saturday social worker, crisis manager, Laura drove us to Valdez. I don't know if I have ever seen anything more beautiful. Everything here demonstrates the Majesty of our Creator and Savior. In Valdez we got on a wildlife/glacier cruise, the boat's name was the "Lu Lu Belle," that actually hosts boating church services on Sunday's! Imagine that! Captain Fred really had a great ministry opportunity through the use of his boat and he made every moment count. We were able to see sea lions (stinky and loud creatures), playful sea otters, Dall's porpoises (they looked like dolphin sized killer whales). We also saw many bald eagles, mountain goats, and 3 humpback whales. As we approached the Colombian Glacier, Captain Fred carefully navigated through an ice field full of slushy water and icebergs. Once at the glacier we got to see it calving, that is a huge piece broke off and flipped turning into a chunk of ice as big as our ship (AKA and Iceberg). The whole trip was rather incredible. JT and I got to talk a little and he began to explain what he was seeing. He told how Stephanie wanted to focus her ministry on the pregnancy clinic in town, how he was going to be joining the EMT team and was going to focus his attention there, and he told me that with how much he had seen in me my love for camp that I should focus on the kids ministry. I shrugged him off that night, because I was sure that wasn't where I was gonna be focusing. Day 5: Sunday! We dove to Chistochina Chapel for church and it snowed on our drive. There we lead Sunday school for two kids - Ronan (curious and inquisitive 6year old), and Cheyenne ( Sassy little 10 year old). I was able to keep the lesson going as Stephanie bonded with Cheyenne and JT and Ronan become buds. There was one middle adult Alaskan native who came in and out of the service at the beginning and later we were able to hear his story. We had an indoor cookout at a home near Grizzly Lake where Millie shared about the man whom she called Erikson, a well known abusive alcoholic. He told Mrs. Millie how he had planned to kill a man in the village then got so sick to his stomach he spent the next 3 hrs vomiting in the bathroom. When he had come out a trooper was waiting for him for an outstanding arrest. Sometime during prison he remembered kids club lessons and words Millie and Don had said to him long ago. He realized his life was in a very bad place and he wanted to follow Christ instead. Now as a new believer he is ever so hungry for any form of discipleship and is delving deeper into God's word. A huge praise! Millie was in shock, they have been here for about 70 years and now they are getting the chance to see the fruits of their labors for Christ! They have been very patient and diligently obedient through their ministry here. Even when they feel as though they have little to show for it. After lunch, we drove further to Mentasta Village. Along the way we picked up some kids and we went to the school gym to have kids club. There the Holy Spirit gave me more energy than I have had in a long time! Somehow I got this rowdy kids to play a game - Sharks and minnows - which they call "Caribou, Caribou, cross my Tundra." After that I was able to get their attention to do some songs, introduce ourselves, and JT lead the Bible story. Our objective for the day was to teach them about Love, and we plan to work through all of the Fruits of the Spirit. Sure enough Sunday God made it ever so clear, that what JT had said - kid ministry - was to be my focus. God made it obvious in how He worked through me with those kids. I have been stretched and I am outside of my comfort zone, but none the less He is using me here in Alaska and it has been an incredible experience thus far. Day 6-7: We started our rotations in the clinic and have been practicing IV's on each other in order to get 5 practice patent IV's that way we will be allowed to do an IV on a patient. Much harder than I had originally anticipated. It took me 8 tries to get my 5. Have had seizure patients, A. Fib/A. Flutter patients, I have helped with triage in the clinic, and charting/running for the urgent care. I Have conducted about 6 EKG's and at one point broke one of the EKG probe clamps, which I fixed with tape and a piece of tongue depressor ( Yep, I'm practically Medical MacGyver). I have gotten to pray and/or calm down patients and patient family. Learned that not all homes out here have running water, some don't even have electricity. Learned that Alaska has over 1,000 earthquakes on average each MONTH! Also some fun Alaskan lingo: The outside refers to anywhere not Alaska ( not just the outdoors), the "Lower 48" is the continuous United States not to be confused with the continental United States which does include Alaska, and that even though many of the people here are hurt, lost, or broken - that Jesus has a plan and a means for touching each and everyone of their lives. Well that's all for now - Please continue to pray for our endurance, wisdom, God's guidance in all circumstances , and for the seed planting ministry he has for us here. The time has finally come to pack up and journey forward.
Just a few days ago I closed the chapter of my Junior year of College. Boy does time fly. Speaking of flying, I am about to head off to the airport in just a few more hours to take part in the next step of God's plan. The nerves hit a day or two ago and I have been through a roller-coaster of emotions ever since. Yet, I know that God has great plans for this trip and I have to entrust them into His hands. I pray that through our actions anyone, and I mean anyone, may see Christ through us. Anyone we meet in the airport, on the plane, our drivers, the nurses, patients, or the guy in the same grocery isle, that they will see Christ's love and hearts will be receptive/inquisitive of what we posses. For we are not packing just some suitcases, we are packing the Holy Spirit - full of peace that passes all understanding, hope for the future, and love for where you are no matter who you are. That is what Christ has packed and prepared for us to share, I am just grateful for this opportunity in which I get to travel and do so. Because as Christians we carry with us the Holy Spirit every day and is there in every situation, whether we acknowledge it or not. God is going to do great things in through your life and ministry as well as this Alaskan ministry and for that He deserves all of the Glory! So, here it goes, no turning back! As we quickly approach our departure date we have spent some time together as a team praying for our trip's travels, the work to be done, and God's will for our lives today, tomorrow, and for the entirety of this trip. Though it is finals week I am grateful for this time of reflection. As we praise our heavenly father for all He has done in our lives and through them.
As we take off on the 10th, we will be arriving in Anchorage where we will stay one night. Praying for safe travels over those few days. As we connect with the staff who are driving to meet us our hope is that God will bless us with firmly founded relationships. For our team we ask for unity when faced with challenges or annoyances. For good teamwork and flexibility. We pray that the skills we know and the ones we are still to learn are applied in such a manner that points back to him. We pray that the words we say and the things we do show that he is who is worthy of all praise. For the hearts of the patients and staff at the clinic we ask that God be preparing them to receive what he has for them. For the Church where we will be teaching we ask that God will make of that opportunity what he may to its full potential. There is so very much we have been praying about, asking God for, and praising! Some of the big praise's is that - Every team member has been fully funded! Flights have been booked, places to stay have been acquired, and God has brought together a well balanced and exciting team to be going to do His work. So very thankful and excited to see what God has for us to teach and to learn through our Alaskan experience. Cedarville just finished welcoming students back to campus with a wonderful missions conference. Hearing what God is doing all around the world through your peers can be such an encouragement. Since I was twelve missions have been strong in my heart because they give you the ultimate opportunity to serve for God's glory. For this trip in particular I have had my questions on whether or not this is when and where God wants me to go. I spent lots of time in prayer about it when I first heard about it and applied. When I was accepted I was very excited, but, still questioned if this is where I was meant to be. At this time I can't see the depths of opportunities and events this trip may contain - but God has a purpose for it all. Through each of the speakers during missions conference I prayed more for this trip to reach the people of Glennallen, Alaska. Each time saying: "God I don't know what you are doing, yet I know you know." He reminded me to trust him with the coming events, the paperwork, the financial fundraising, etc.. Each time I wanted to take a step back he reminded me where I am going and repeated to me one simple word: "Go."
This pending trip will only happen if I can raise the $2,000 and that is quite stressful if I believe myself to be in control, yet I am not. However, I know who is in control and I know he has a plan for this trip to impact me and the lives around me, just can't see the whole picture yet. I am trusting God with all of the paperwork hoops and hurdles and for each one, time and time again, He proves His provision and faithfulness. One of the latest hoops was getting Global Outreach final approval and confirmation that I could attend this trip, along with instructions on letters, fundraising, etc. So, until I board that plane, and even then further still, my heart is to trust in God's purpose, plans and provision, and just "GO." This opportunity came through campus e-mail like many other ones like it, but this one stood out for many reasons. Christ has given me 21 plentiful years of life so far and for each one past or present I hope to bring honor and glory to my God above. He has prepared me through my education, activities, and many different skills, that I may use each of these to serve in His name.
Over the past couple of years I have volunteered through many churches with their children ministries of all shapes and sizes, I taught martial arts classes to kids and teens alike, I have had the opportunity to study pieces of psychology, and have studied for three years now on a path to become a nurse. In each of these areas God has given me one task, and that is to serve Him. It is the reason I am acquainted with many of you who are reading this right now, because God had a plan for our relationship to one another, and for each of you I am very blessed to have you as a part of my life. God has done a lot to prepare me and the others of this team for a journey such as this, and my prayer is that He never stops. All in order that we may serve Him with our whole hearts while serving the community of Glennallen, Alaska. |
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