Team Alaska

2010-07-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

On our final day in Alaska we did some sightseeing. We saw an old gold mine, rode in a dog sled, saw some wildlife, and had our final meal together:

2010-07-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

At the church:

2010-07-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Our salmon bake:

2010-07-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

We're back but here's a look at our work:

Second Day of Work

2010-07-06T22:02:00.001-07:00

2010-07-05T23:35:00.001-07:00

Here's some of what we did:

2010-07-05T23:24:00.001-07:00

We finally went to work today!

Five stayed at Birchwood Camp to install a vapor barrier before the drywall can be hung. The other twelve went over to Turnagain UMC where a very appreciative pastor and staff showed up (on a holiday) to greet us and thank us once again. The team was dedicated in their worship service yesterday at which time everyone took the opportunity to express their gratitude for our help. Today several person stopped by to bring food and to again say thanks.

Bob and Carol Anderson's daughter Cheryl, who happens to work in the school across the street from the church also stopped by to say "hi." The moment came when a woman, who was in church yesterday and who walks (with great diffiuclty) on crutches with arthritis, delivered for our use 32 bottles of water ON ICE.

It was apparent she struggled and "suffered" with every step, but her spirit soared with the eagles in this majestic setting.

2010-07-04T02:08:00.001-07:00

What a great group --

Freezin' our "you know whats" --

Yo Ho, Yo Ho

2010-07-04T02:03:00.000-07:00

Cruisin' to the glaciers today --

Very impressive --

Reality strikes

2010-07-03T01:04:00.000-07:00

The overwhelming beauty of this place cannot be denied -- even by the locals who have lived here forever. But what a six hour flight and 3,000 miles cannot eliminate is a reality which is "real" no matter where you live (or visit) and which is impacted by the presence of God.

Dealing with death is never easy -- never invited -- but faces all eventually. Pastor Dale of Turnagain UMC (our hostess) has shared with me the agonizing story of a Matriarch not only of her church, and not only of her family, but even of the Alaska Missionary Conference here in this frontier.

She was near death when we arrived. We'll call her Francis (to protect the identity of the family). Francis, a spunky 80 year old native Alaska, was placed in an assisted living facility due to her inability to be truly self-sufficient. While there, she contracted an infection. That infection finally took her life last night. It was a moment by moment, agonizing vigil that had prevented Pastor Dale from joining us for an outing to the Girdwood Forest Fair. This was an extraordinary person. I will share more about her life as her Memorial service draws near in a couple of days.

But several "something elses" happened in the past 24 hours. While some of us were at at the Forest Fair, others chose to ride the Alyeska Tram to the top of Alyeska where they were going to enjoy lunch. While in line to purchase their tickets the noticed the line was no longer moving.

The EMT arrived first, then the police, then fire -- it seemed an elderly man, apparently on vacation with his wife and daughter, suffered a life-ending incident while traveling up the slope.

The impatient crowd suddenly became a momentary congregation as they surrounded this grieving family with sympathy, quiet prayers, and shared grief. All were moved by the tenderness of this sacred moment which touched every heart.

2010-07-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

My mom and I arrived safe and sound -- the view from the plane as we approached Anchorage was spectacular. Drat! Didn't have my camera ready. Hope that doesn't become my "refrain" as this week progresses.

Levi's -- where we're renting our vans -- is quite an operation. A little temp trailer on a lot with a bunch of cars -- "for sale or rent" -- Levi was nice. Gave us a good deal.

Finding our way out of Anchorage was easy. Just point and drive. If you don't go splash, you're headed in the right direction.

Looking out my window at midnight, looks just like dusk in AZ. They say it gets no darker during the night. And YES the mosquitoes are big -- but then so are the views. So who cares.