Catch the Buzz in Igiugig

Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. NLT Psalm 92:14

A friend emailed this text message with words of support this past week. We are the couple now serving on the VBS team this summer. We consider ourselves the senior members because of our age and physical abilities. But our hearts are open and willing to take on the role of the grandparents on the VBS team.

The Sunday before we left for Igiugig we attended Hilltop church in Naknek. A small group came together to accompany George and Heidi do music, Debbie on keyboard, Sean on guitar and John on harmonica. All volunteers working in Naknek. Darcy was also on hand to do translating as Pastor Jeff lead us in worship.

Monday mornings departure June 20, started out with a mix up on the coffee and roll order we traditionally get before we take off. Then after a 30 minute flight to Igiugig we were forced to turn around as it was too foggy to land. We tried again at 2 pm. And landed safely, but no VBS that day.

We stayed in a quaint house that Randy and Sandy Alvarez so generously made available to us. It was a rustic cabin that held mounted trophies of a moose head, deer head, mounted hides, a stuffed Puffin, and a trout catch. Randy and Sandy stopped by on Monday night to clean a 20 pound King salmon before flying back to their second home in Naknek. Sandy cut off a hunk and gave it to us. What a yummy dinner.

On Wednesday morning we awoke to no water. We took on the camping mode once again. We hauled water to flush toilets and filled jugs for drinking at the school. Randy, the owner, flew over from Naknek to find out the pump on the well was broken. Igiugig has a community center here that is small scale. They have a laundry, restroom, and shower. But God provides and we all went home feeling 100% better after showering. While at the laundry room we met a man from an Oklahoma tribe visiting here. None of us can remember his name. Tribal names are very different. He taught language at St Olaf the year we had the Halloween blizzard back home. Are any of you old enough to remember that bizzard? He was very a interesting person to visit. God’s world is so small. These incidents reaffirm His presence in our lives.

Igiugig provided the library of the school to hold VBS. A perfect setting with natural lighting. A corner was provided to learn how to play checkers. During game time many of the older children gravitated to this area. The average attendance each day was 15 children. One little girl about 2 years of age on up to some students 11 to 12 years. The group was not as exuberant with singing as the week before and less knowledgeable about the simple Bible stories. Two of the brothers that attended looked like twins. In fact we thought they were. They were visiting their grandmother for the week. As the saying goes the proof us in the pudding because as they stood up the older brother was a foot taller than the younger. This was not the case with Ruth and Olivia. They are twins. We were shocked to learn that as Ruth was a head taller than Olivia. We were told they were the exact same height last year, but it was apparent that Ruth’s growth spurt came earlier than Olivia's. Leif was a boy soon to be 12 years old. He preferred to be on the fringes. He rarely participated in singing, yet his mother told us when he was at home he was constantly singing the songs from VBS. He was very good at making paper airplanes. When we were outside he would fly them and they would dart or make circles like we’ve never seen paper airplanes maneuver before. He was very gentle with Teagan, the two year old. He carried her, and watched over her while she attended VBS. So did Shea. If Lief was busy, she took over. Actually we have experienced all the the children in the villages are very aware of each other and always polite and respectful to each other. People caring about people. This village had a very large crowd that came to the program on Friday. They are interested and genuinely care for each other. God’s love demonstrated everyday in their actions.

The main verse that the children are to learn for the week is “God said, but I am with you.” Exodus 3:12. For us, God’s presence has definitely been with the 2 of us as we have navigated being on the VBS team. His grace has provided the things we need and He has strengthened us with energy and compassion for a place to be servants. Everyday we pray that our lights shine and that the seeds planted will sprout with the knowledge of Jesus.