Overwhelmed in Manokotak!

Alaska VBS Blog.

Manakotak, AK

Wow, what a week. We flew in Monday morning about 11 and had to get all ready for VBS. The first day we had 32 kids. It was a rough start, but we felt God working in us. It was very cold and bitter. There was some clouds and a pretty gray day. We met Pastor Arthur Coolige and we stayed at his house. The native language is Yupik. Tuesday we had 48 kids. It rained almost all day and so it made for very close quarters with no where to go. By Wednesday we had 60 kids and we felt as if we had lost all control within the first 1.5 hours. We were very frustrated, so we prayed a lot and God gave wisdom in what to do. Jeremy, Pastor Jeff, Les and Rhonda flew out with more supplies and more snacks. It was a real boost, and a real encouragement. Thursday we only had about 50 kids and the sun was out most of the day. We still had no control, but God is working and we are leaving the results to Him. He has called us to obedience and that is what we are trying to do. Randy was invited to go steam with the older men and made some connections there. I guess it’s a lot like a sauna. The evening was absolutely beautiful. I walked around town, played with the kids and took pictures. It was the first time I felt truly warm since we set foot in Alaska and felt as if the kids were starting to connect to me. The sun was out, and the temperature switch had been flipped. I gotta admit this sun staying out till almost midnight is a bit weird, but really cool at the same time. Friday we had about 45 kids. We had a program at the end of VBS and were very encouraged as the kids seemed to remember many of the things we had shared. We also had about a dozen adults that came and heard the word through songs and snippets of the lessons. The kids also said their memory verse, so the gospel was shared. There were a few lengthy goodbyes and great hugs as we departed from Manokotak!! Praise be to the Lord for His faithfulness to all generations.

Ephesians 4:1-6 says: (My paraphrased version) Live a life worthy of the calling. Be completely humble and gentle: be patient, bearing with one another in love. Keep the unity of the Spirit. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.