It is now less than a week from our departure to Alaska. This week, we will be packing and making final arrangements. As I imagine this year's experience and the beauty of Alaska, I also think of other missions experiences of which I am aware. A group from Riverview Baptist Church is in Cleveland now. A large group from the same church is headed to Guatemala this summer. Other missionaries are headed to Brazil for the Olympics.
Similarly, I ponder an opportunity I considered years ago. My wife and I drove to Newark, New Jersey, to consider being part of inner-city ministry there. At some point, I became aware of World Impact, a ministry devoted to the urban populace, particularly the poor. Since God showed me an understanding of inner-city life and related socioeconomic realities, I had an interest in inner-city ministry. We began to support World Impact financially. Later, we decided to check into an opportunity to serve in Newark. It did not work out.
Nevertheless, I value people who make significant sacrifices to reach people, whether that is in Alaska, Los Angeles, or Newark. While we eagerly anticipate an exciting opportunity on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, I remember our visit to Newark. I appreciate all who serve in urban or cross-cultural missions. Your devotion and sacrifice is making an eternal difference!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Alaska 2016 - 2nd Update
We are about a month away from departure, and last night we had an orientation meeting. It was a chance for members to meet each other, go over travel information, and briefly discuss projects. We had pizza, prayed, and discussed different aspects of the trip. I believe we have a good team, and our work is important.
We will be making final preparations for fish camp. Pastor Will indicated that last year more than 1000 pounds of salmon and approximately 2000 pounds of halibut were processed there. The meaningful effects of fish camp are chiefly two: helping folks catch and process fish and building relationships with them in a camp-like setting. This has led to opportunities to speak about Jesus. Pastor Will indicated through Rod that a very significant part of fish camp is time spent after a long day around a fire pit talking and singing. It allows for ministry through relationship.
Fish camp begins July 5. We will be there the week prior to that. Our team has the maintenance/construction/production experience and guidance we need for our projects. Some of the work items include the following: installing soffit, exterior painting, spreading gravel, putting in a couple windows, beginning build out of a mobile kitchen, making wooden toys for an outreach in Anchorage, placing "blocks" or something on rafters, and others. The list may change slightly.
We will experience a beautiful part of Alaska. While it won't be Virginia summer weather, we are prayerful for a few sunny days. We have seen quite a few pictures of sunsets behind Mt. Redoubt. I look forward to that. We will be prepared for cool, wet conditions as we work. There will be a leisure day, but there aren't specific plans for that, yet.
For those of you who have supported us by donations or buying gift baskets, thank you so much. Our trip is paid for. You have been very generous. We want to give you the opportunity to see what we are doing. I may put one more update here before we leave on June 24. We will try to offer brief updates on Facebook while we are there. That depends on cellular service availability. If there aren't Facebook updates, then it will be because of limited cellular service. Following the trip, I will again provide a report or two here about the trip. We are one of more than 10 teams supporting North of Hope projects in Alaska this summer. You can see other pictures and updates on the North of Hope Facebook page. Thank you again for your support.
We will be making final preparations for fish camp. Pastor Will indicated that last year more than 1000 pounds of salmon and approximately 2000 pounds of halibut were processed there. The meaningful effects of fish camp are chiefly two: helping folks catch and process fish and building relationships with them in a camp-like setting. This has led to opportunities to speak about Jesus. Pastor Will indicated through Rod that a very significant part of fish camp is time spent after a long day around a fire pit talking and singing. It allows for ministry through relationship.
Fish camp begins July 5. We will be there the week prior to that. Our team has the maintenance/construction/production experience and guidance we need for our projects. Some of the work items include the following: installing soffit, exterior painting, spreading gravel, putting in a couple windows, beginning build out of a mobile kitchen, making wooden toys for an outreach in Anchorage, placing "blocks" or something on rafters, and others. The list may change slightly.
We will experience a beautiful part of Alaska. While it won't be Virginia summer weather, we are prayerful for a few sunny days. We have seen quite a few pictures of sunsets behind Mt. Redoubt. I look forward to that. We will be prepared for cool, wet conditions as we work. There will be a leisure day, but there aren't specific plans for that, yet.
For those of you who have supported us by donations or buying gift baskets, thank you so much. Our trip is paid for. You have been very generous. We want to give you the opportunity to see what we are doing. I may put one more update here before we leave on June 24. We will try to offer brief updates on Facebook while we are there. That depends on cellular service availability. If there aren't Facebook updates, then it will be because of limited cellular service. Following the trip, I will again provide a report or two here about the trip. We are one of more than 10 teams supporting North of Hope projects in Alaska this summer. You can see other pictures and updates on the North of Hope Facebook page. Thank you again for your support.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Alaska 2016 - 1st Update
As of May 2, I am thankful to report that we have provided, earned, or been given just over $2400 toward the total trip cost. We are very close to paying for our amount owed. While this does not include some extra costs such as baggage fees and food for travel days, we have been amazed at the provision. Again, we thank each of you who have donated. Also, thanks to those who bought gift baskets and those who will be praying for us and the team.
We will have a team meeting later this month. This will be a good time of fellowship and getting a little more information about the work we will be doing. I think we all are aware of the special opportunity we have. To be able to do missionary work in a location of tremendous beauty is a treat. This will be my third such opportunity to serve people on the Kenai Peninsula, and I am so appreciative and humbled by the opportunity. May God amplify our impact and grow us spiritually!
We will have a team meeting later this month. This will be a good time of fellowship and getting a little more information about the work we will be doing. I think we all are aware of the special opportunity we have. To be able to do missionary work in a location of tremendous beauty is a treat. This will be my third such opportunity to serve people on the Kenai Peninsula, and I am so appreciative and humbled by the opportunity. May God amplify our impact and grow us spiritually!
Monday, April 11, 2016
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.
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.
Baptism
We had an inspiring and emotional baptism service yesterday. More than ten people were baptized in the Sunday service. This was truly moving, a time more impacting than I would have expected. It was a great way to follow the Easter service of two weeks ago. The baptisms revealed the sincere beliefs of these people; it represented a commitment and acceptance of the mercy and grace offered by Jesus Christ.
I extend these thoughts not because I want to enter into a discussion about the meaning and history of baptism. Obviously, the act is important--foundational--since there was a John the Baptist who baptized Jesus before his public ministry. The effect for me yesterday regarded the individual's willingness to be immersed publicly, emerging soaked and chilled, and desiring to move ahead spiritually with God. It is, simply, obedience. And it is trust. There was a singular focus on doing what God directed them to do.
Each person has a unique story. There was a range in ages and life experiences. The commonality was the arrival at a point of acknowledgment. It is a public act. It is mostly done among those who love and support them, yet it is such an individual moment. I really enjoyed seeing these baptisms, but I was mostly caught by the power of God in this unique symbolic act.
I extend these thoughts not because I want to enter into a discussion about the meaning and history of baptism. Obviously, the act is important--foundational--since there was a John the Baptist who baptized Jesus before his public ministry. The effect for me yesterday regarded the individual's willingness to be immersed publicly, emerging soaked and chilled, and desiring to move ahead spiritually with God. It is, simply, obedience. And it is trust. There was a singular focus on doing what God directed them to do.
Each person has a unique story. There was a range in ages and life experiences. The commonality was the arrival at a point of acknowledgment. It is a public act. It is mostly done among those who love and support them, yet it is such an individual moment. I really enjoyed seeing these baptisms, but I was mostly caught by the power of God in this unique symbolic act.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Fellowship and Accountability
Last night I had a meeting with some guys I have gotten to know quite well over the last couple years. We had worked through an in-depth study about an aspect of Christian living for about 18-20 months. This required a commitment and honesty for this process to really impact my life. Recently, our study ended and our regular meetings ceased. It had been a few months, and we made a plan to get together and chat. After that time, I realized how much the fellowship time encouraged me and strengthened me.
I had missed this fellowship time, but I had especially missed the discussion and the spiritual fine tuning. A few weeks ago, there was a men's meeting at church. The meeting was informal with the agenda being open discussion and prayer. Once again, I really enjoyed being around these other people who had a desire to fellowship, grow spiritually, and share a little of life with each other. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 27:17. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." This applies to men and women, although interactions will vary according to personality, the matter at hand, emotions, seriousness (and honesty), and motive. In other words, there has to be a purpose for improvement.
The bottom line is that focused fellowship and accountability definitely help lead to encouragement and progress in areas of weakness in our lives. The question I revisited last evening was this: How serious am I about this matter? This can apply to a myriad of things. Yet even the mere act of being in the presence of people who are positive, encouraging, and caring is helpful. When a focused intention is added and deliberate attention is given to the matters of the heart, such fellowship is an environment for breakthrough or advancement.
I had missed this fellowship time, but I had especially missed the discussion and the spiritual fine tuning. A few weeks ago, there was a men's meeting at church. The meeting was informal with the agenda being open discussion and prayer. Once again, I really enjoyed being around these other people who had a desire to fellowship, grow spiritually, and share a little of life with each other. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 27:17. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." This applies to men and women, although interactions will vary according to personality, the matter at hand, emotions, seriousness (and honesty), and motive. In other words, there has to be a purpose for improvement.
The bottom line is that focused fellowship and accountability definitely help lead to encouragement and progress in areas of weakness in our lives. The question I revisited last evening was this: How serious am I about this matter? This can apply to a myriad of things. Yet even the mere act of being in the presence of people who are positive, encouraging, and caring is helpful. When a focused intention is added and deliberate attention is given to the matters of the heart, such fellowship is an environment for breakthrough or advancement.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Birthday Reflections -- An Occasion for Worship
As I am always blessed by birthday greetings and some gifts on my birthday, I am grateful for great family and friends. As I age, though, my birthday is not the occasion for excitement it once was. This year, I thought of my birthday in a different way. I have been given an existence, and I am fortunate enough to have a life of much abundance. I was so glad and thankful for having the opportunity to be an influence, to try to glorify God, and to behold all He has done.
I realize I am more fortunate than so many people, and I hope I do not take that for granted. I should be appreciative of who I am, since God had something important in mind allowing me to be. Rather than this being a time of selfishly getting "mileage" out of it, a birthday can be a time of being thankful for oneself. Each life has the potential to be a brilliant reflection of Christ. Further, each birthday is a marked occasion to praise God for the opportunity we have to know God and be in His presence.
I realize I am more fortunate than so many people, and I hope I do not take that for granted. I should be appreciative of who I am, since God had something important in mind allowing me to be. Rather than this being a time of selfishly getting "mileage" out of it, a birthday can be a time of being thankful for oneself. Each life has the potential to be a brilliant reflection of Christ. Further, each birthday is a marked occasion to praise God for the opportunity we have to know God and be in His presence.
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