Winter 2016 Newsletter

What has been going on….

Wow is all we can say about the last two years!  It is hard to believe that it has been that long since our family first left for Alaska to do a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM. It is amazing to reflect back and think about all that has happened. Our lecture phase of the DTS was such a great time of spiritual growth for us. It was such a blessing to be able to just spend so much time in studying the Bible, praying, and in worship. It is really hard to be in a relationship if you do not spend time with people. It is the same way with our relationship with the Lord. The second phase of our DTS was two months of missions in Alaska. The first place we visited was Savoonga, AK which is located on St. Lawrence Island. We had no idea what would be in store for us seeing that none of the students or staff had ever been there before. We all were a little nervous after hearing about all the alcohol use, sexual abuse and issues that happen in the villages. Our fear was quickly removed through a dream and reading Psalm 91 one morning at devotions. Our first opening was the chance to do some construction work on a house for a native family. Mark was the first to go and see what needed to be done. Upon arriving the family told him the story of how the oldest son had shot himself in the house five years earlier and that moving back into the same house was going to be mentally and spiritually difficult. We spent the first day at the house praying and ministering to the family. The first week at the house felt dark and cold but as we continued to work and pray over the house you could feel the atmosphere change. The family was able to move in before we left and it wasn’t long after that they started having church in their house. This year when we were there it was a blessing to worship with them in the house and see what the Lord has done with the house and the family. After two months of outreach we knew that the Lord was calling us to make a longer commitment in YWAM but didn’t know how we could make it happen financially. While in Homer, Mark was asked if he would be interested in working on a commercial fishing boat for a few weeks in the summer of 2015. We had no idea what the outcome would be, but felt that it was a door the Lord wanted him to walk through. It turned out to be a huge financial blessing that was needed after a DTS that was not cheap for a family of six. One airline ticket from Anchorage to Savoonga is $1,100. In October 2015 the owner of the boat called and asked if Mark would be willing to captain the boat for a month and then work as a deckhand for the 2016 season. This confirmed that the timing was right to make the move up.We started selling out, literally both our things and our will.

            The last year has been a roller-coaster ride, but only in human terms. It is like getting on the ride, being blindfolded, and having the Lord ask, “Do you trust me?”. Our response is “YES” but as the ride starts you hear the devil next to you describe what is happening. And, as you can imagine, he tells you the worst possible scenario. You start crying out in prayer, “God, help me! I am going to die!”  But about the time you are going to die the ride stops and you take off your blindfold and realize that it was a kiddie ride and that you had nothing to worry about. Not only was it not dangerous but you look over at the operator and see Jesus smiling with a grin that says, “I was in control the whole time.”  Looking back, there have been a lot of rides.  Renting out our house in Ohio, finding a place to live in Homer, submitting to leadership at YWAM, leading the two-month outreach, and the one that gets us all the time: MONEY. The Bible says that money is a root of all kinds of evil. This year has been a year of learning to trust the Lord instead of the almighty dollar. Looking back after the blindfold has been removed we can see how the Lord has provided in so many ways. Testimony time!! The house the Lord provided is a thousand dollars less that most houses in Homer. We sold all the toys in Ohio (ATV’s, dirt bike and boat) and have had all three given to us to use for free. Not a big deal to some but to the boys it is huge. Our electric bill has been under $50 a month with an average of 8 people staying in a house that has electric appliances, two freezers, washer, dryer, and water heater. Every time the money is going to be short a donation is made. In the end the greatest thing that I can ask is, “Are you willing to trust the Lord?”  If you are, get on the ride!  He is asking you to trust Him.  If you do, why worry?

What’s Next?

       We are looking at making a two to five year commitment in Alaska with YWAM. Our current focus is to build a deeper relationship with the people of Savoonga. We have been asked to move there by many of the families and elders. We are planning to make a trip in late winter for two weeks. It would be the first time that we would not be with a DTS team. It will give us an idea of what it would be like to live there without the support of a team. The Lord is leading us to minister with the intent help the people grow in their relationship with the Lord. Most of the missions that are done in Savoonga are short term. Two to three days is normal. People accept the Lord but then the missionaries leave with no real discipleship. Our goal is to be able to live in Savoonga for three to four months at a time with the sole intent of teaching and walking beside the people. We would love to see God raise up a native pastor in the village of Savoonga. It has always been white people that have led the churches there. Please pray that God would raise up a leader for the people.

Our Needs

Fundraising is not one of our strong points, but if we are going to make this happen we are going to need the help of others. The cost of everything in Alaska is expensive so when I talk about a budget of $50,000 a year don’t be offended. Every time we travel to the island it cost our family $7,000.  Our budget includes three trips in the next year ($21,000). Food is very expensive in the village. A can of fruit is over $5 at the store. To help save a little bit of money, we try to purchase most our food in Anchorage and then use the post office to ship it in.  Another expense we have on the island is lodging. Heating is done by fuel oil that costs $7 - $8 a gallon. Commercial fishing covers our non-missions cost of living (cars, insurance, utilities) while in Homer. We need your help to cover the high cost to do missions in Alaska. We are in closing a contact card with information on how to give. Our church, Apape Christian Fellowship of

Marysville, is receiving our tax deductible donations.    We would love to talk to anyone that would like more information about what the Lord has called us to. If you are ever in Alaska stop in for a visit!  If you are interested in a short term mission trip and would love eat some mangtak (whale) feel free to call us. Thanks for all the love and support that has been given!                         
Mark, Megan, Ethan, Elijah, Josiah and Charity