First Hand Friday: Sharon

Step back in time with me back 2008-2009. The AFLC had just been given the Naknek mission property from LMS in 2008. This had been a mission reaching out to fisherman for many years. Now it had become a new “Home” mission work. So, traveling up to Naknek to be helpers with 6 others from our church along with my husband Loren and myself seemed quite exciting. I mean, ALASKA, the last frontier, natural beauty, wildlife, fishing, glaciers, and we were going to visit the small fishing village, Naknek, remotely located on the Naknek River that flowed out into Bristol Bay.

What was our Mission on this 1st of several mission trips that I have been on? It was simple…the Church in Naknek needed painting and the ladies of the group would teach VBS in the mornings and join the painting crew in the afternoon. Some of our group would even fly across the river (weather permitting) to South Naknek in the afternoon to the little chapel for VBS with the children there.

Our questions began….HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR OUR ADVENTURE? We were praying for our adventure to be one that honored our Lord and touched people’s hearts with the love of Jesus. Pastor Jim Johnson held a Bible study weekly to help us be sensitive about going on a mission trip to an area that would have a different style of living and to remember we were visiting them in their culture. The study gave us great insight on how to interact with people of different cultures.

Another question was WHERE DO WE STAY? Well, ourgroup would be able to stay at the KAKN Radio station whichhas 3 apartments. Pastor Brian Davidson, who managed radio station KAKN and seminary intern and pilot Jeremy Crowelland his wife Lacey would be there. Living in the parsonage were Pastor Jeff & Jane Swanson, who served the two churches of Naknek and South Naknek.

The next question was WHAT DO WE BRING? So, we began the steps to prepare for our 10 days at Naknek. We made our plane reservations, we made a menu plan for the 10 days we were staying, purchased the groceries to feed everyone, figured out what items would need to be shipped up to Naknek in tubs, which foods could be frozen and put in coolers to be duct taped shut and travel with us. And in the 10 suitcases we needed roomfor tools, VBS materials, appropriate clothing for painting and VBS along with trying to keep suitcases and coolers packed within our 50# limit.

Finally, WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW? We had been told that temps would be the upper 50’s & 60’s so sweatshirt and jeans were good choices but don’t forget to bring a hat with a bug net and pepper spray for the bears. (YIKES!!!!)

Finally, the day arrived to fly to the Last Frontier with bags and baggage. We must have been quite a group as we checked into the airport. The 1st flight went well and after a few hours of flying, we had a layover in Seattle and then on to Anchorage andthe final flight to King Salmon. The only glitch was we were late arriving in Anchorage and our connecting flight to King Salmon was already loading. A dilemma to be sure but the Lord provided the way. We landed and the Stewardess spoke to those up and preparing to leave the plane stating, “Everyone mustremain seated except for the these people…Tungseth, Erickson, Christenson, Johnson and Albertson. They need to leaveimmediately to get to their connecting flight!!!” and like the parting of the Red Sea, everyone sat down and we walked quickly off the plane frantically looking for where to find our connecting plane. Those that could, ran to our connecting flight and the rest of us came as fast as we could. How all our luggage got transferred we are not sure, but we arrived at the plane with the door still open and settled in as the door closed. Whew, thank you Lord. This flight was about an hour over water, snow, and mountains. No towns or roads were seen until we landed in King Salmon. We now had only 16 miles to travel to Naknek by car. It felt awesome to know we were almost to our destination. What would we see? Were we really going to see bear, would the bugs really be terrible, were the right items brought with?

We were met by Pastor Jeff and Jeremy and we loaded up the vehicles and squeezed in among our items. As we drove, we didn’t see mountains, we saw scrubby pines, we saw flat terrain, a few flowers blooming and off in the distance the Naknek river. As we entered Naknek we saw boats and buildings that weredormitories for the cannery workers, lots of large cargo boxes, worn out boats, some people walking. A quaint fishing village. No mountains, no snow, but well used buildings. As we settled in and worked there, we felt like we might be on an island. There was one grocery store, a hardware store, a school, and a swimming pool!! We did find bugs, we did appreciate our warmer clothes, we did see bear but what I discovered was that there were people who called this home and people who shared our love of Jesus. As we worked and taught VBS we became acquainted with members of the congregation. The highlight for me was attending Wednesday night Bible study. Oh, how they loved to sing choruses and songs about Jesus, they were so open and shared the challenges they faced as Christians, they shared their love with us. We were there to help but they touched ourlives through their faith. We accomplish our painting with the challenges of rain, we met the children at VBS and shared Jesus with them, but we left with memories that God’s people are everywhere. So, let our lights shine wherever we are planted. Listen to God’s quiet voice leading us to others that will help us grow in our faith along with helping them find and grow in their faith. 1 John 1:7 is what we experienced “…if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Oh, and no longer is Naknek a small quaint village but it feelslike home each time I return and of course we keep our eyes open for any wandering bears.