Alaska Preview - 2016

I am so excited to have the opportunity to return to Alaska to serve people there.  The beauty of the land is almost beyond description.  With the popularity and proliferation of various television shows about life in Alaska, many people now know life there has numerous unique challenges.  In two previous trips to Seward, Alaska, we had the opportunity to help Seward City Church prepare a building.  In doing so, we met and partnered with local people who welcomed us and shared with us.  It was memorable, and we know God was giving us an opportunity to sow into the community.  Thus, it is a blessing and joy to get to know some of the people.  Further, it is an honor to try to help them.

This year, we will be on a different part of the Kenai Peninsula near Homer.  We will be very close to Anchor Point.  Our team from The Bridge church in Christiansburg continues to partner with North of Hope and Rod and Teresa Koop.  Other teams from the "lower 48" will be working on other projects this year.  Much work has been done on Prince of Wales island.  On the Kenai Peninsula, we will be supporting an outreach with which the Koops are personally involved in their community.  It has been called the Redemption Fish Camp.  The outreach in July helps those who need assistance catching and processing salmon during the salmon runs.  We will be doing final projects and finishing touches for this year's fish camp.

In addition to that, we will be talking to people involved in a church plant in Homer.  This will be an opportunity to discuss ideas about the different aspects of ministry in a local church.  I don't know very much about this yet, but I am looking forward to it.  Church planting is very challenging but exciting.

This is the third time in four years The Bridge will be sending a team.  It is good continue this partnership.  I consider it a privilege and special opportunity to see such awe-inspiring natural beauty that is Alaska and, in addition to that, serve the people of Alaska.  I am thankful my wife and father are planning to be part of the team.  This theme of family is repeated with other team members.  It is a great possibility of missions.  I will be posting additional blogs about this upcoming trip (June 24 - July 2).  I likely will provide one more update before we leave.  I will follow up with one or more blogs after we return, as well.