news

Ministry in the Far North

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

It is a little cloudy, but overall we have a clear view the last 30 minutes. Four people are squeezed into the Cessna 182. Our destination, a native village, should be already in sight but clouds are covering the area. Our pilot circles the area and finally finds a gap. A few seconds later we land on the snow covered airstrip. At the end of the runway are two men waiting for us on their snowmachines. Everybody is finds a seat on the machines or in the sled. A dozen people in the small log house church are already waiting for us. I start preaching right away.

The little congregation has no pastor and for weeks we had planned to go there once a month but there were two blizzards the last two weeks and the minimum temperature for flying with the Cessna is -25° F. But now we are here.

After the service we have a potluck together. We have moose stew, salmon sandwiches and dry fish. The people praise our coming out to their village.

It´s after noon and the first teens show up in front of the church. We invite them for lunch as well. The next two hours we have a teen program. In the beginning we play some games, later on we talk about the first Christmas in Bethlehem. The circumstances were different compared to today. Instead of yummy smelling food there is probably a rather strong smell. Later on the magi's bring some meaningful gifts, a prophetic hint, gold (for the King), frankincense (for the priest) and myrrh (to anoint the dead body). How can I honor Jesus this Christmas?

It is shortly before three, so we gear up again in our warm winter clothes before it is getting too dark to fly. A tail wind gives us a quick return home. Our mission for today is accomplished. In the evening we get another foot of snow.

-A village missionary

HOPE Center Construction: Finishing Strong

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 04:35:00 EST

The last three months have been awesome. We rejoice and give praise to the Lord for all that has been accomplished in constructing the new HOPE Center. His provision has been amazing. It has been a physically draining three months, but encouraging to see how the Lord has supplied the people and resources to see the HOPE Center to where it is today. As of this morning we have two rooms that have paint on the walls. We have the pine up on the ceiling of the main meeting room and we have a good share of the outside work complete. While we still have another month of work at least we feel blessed to see how this project has come together.

Another blessing of this summer has been the fact that we have been around here for most of the summer instead of travelling for various camps. While we miss these programs very much, it has been a pleasant change to see Ross River in the summer and be able to continue our church services. While attendance has dropped over the summer, we have had several regular attendees. We praise the Lord for Robert's growth in the Lord. He continues to have a great hunger for fellowship and talking about the scriptures.

As we near the end of the HOPE Centre project, we would ask that you pray for us that we would have the strength to finish strong. We are all feeling quite worn out. Please pray too that the Lord would supply the funding needed to finish. We have no doubt that He will supply as He has already.

Small Miracles in Ross River

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:43:00 EST

It has been two weeks since our big construction teams have left and things are still moving along on building the Ross River HOPE Center. We have to admit it's a bit slower now that there have been fewer of us. Each day we usually have between two and six people working. We praise the Lord for the way he continues to help us with this project. The other night we had a big load of material come in and needed to be unloaded. We prayed that the Lord would send some people along to help unload. Within minutes of the truck arriving we had 6-8 people who stopped by to help. The community is excited to see the project complete.

Another big item of praise is that the Yukon Community Development Fund has reevaluated our application and have noticed the progress on the HOPE Center and have agreed to help us with the cost of the completion. PRAISE THE LORD. God is at work. Thank you all for your part in this project.

We are taking a break from building this week and heading off to Kamp Klondike for a week of teen camp. Please pray for the teens that come that they will be attentive to the Bible lessons and that the Lord would open their eyes to the truth. Pray also for Mike from New York who will continue to work on the HOPE Centre while we are gone. He will be working on the job most everyone hates and that is insulating the attic. He will definately need our prayers.

Hope Center Construction Underway

Tue, 17 May 2011 04:01:00 EST

It's official. Ross River has started building the Ross River Hope Centre. Well, more than just started. By 8pm this evening, the entire frame was in place, thanks to volunteers from Windsor and Conklin, NY and Sarnia, Ontario. We praise the Lord for what has been accomplished in just two weeks. We are so thankful for the servant-hearts of those who have come. Sunday we had our first service. It was an open air meeting but words cannot express how it felt to be there. Please pray for saftey and strength for each of the workers. Tomorrow we start roofing and hope to have it waterproofed by weeks end.

Hope Center Info Page

Trusting God Through Trials

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

Her words were simple, but they made such an impact—"Your project was not approved." While we thought we were trusting God, when something like this happens it makes us realize sometimes how little our faith is. We have no doubt in our minds that God has asked us to go forward with the HOPE Center for His honor and glory, but having this answer come on the brink of our beginning to build has hit us quite hard. As we have sought the Lord out in the hours since that phone call, we have heard that still small voice saying "Be still and know that I am God."

It is easy to ask, “what if the Blue Building had not burned,” but the truth is God is still on the throne. In every aspect of this project, God has provided exactly what we needed. We think back to doing the gravel pad in October. The roller sprung a high pressure hydraulic leak. There "just happened" (by God's divine provision) to be a temporary Police officer who used to work as a heavy duty mechanic. He was able to diagnose the problem and fix us up with losing very little time on the job. There have been so many other examples of Gods provision along the way.

With the monies that we have available right now we are able to proceed with the construction of the shell, enclose the roof, put in windows and doors, and do some of the interior work. So our plan is to continue as planned in faith that the Lord will continue to provide.

We would appreciate your continued prayers in behalf of this project. Please pray that as we share the work around the community that we are able to use this as a chance to show to others our trust in Christ our Living HOPE.

Youth centre burns down in Yukon -- a Centre of Hope need to rise

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:18:00 EST

It was just after four in the morning when the fire alarm rang through town. It did not seem to be a false alarm this time, but the real deal. I threw on my boots and coat and took a quick glance at the thermometer as I headed out the door. It was -42 degrees F. As I headed to get the ambulance, I heard the fireman say it was a fire up at the other end of town. As I drove the ambulance to the center of town, I realized what it was. Our hockey arena, youth centre, and weight room were in smoke and flames, the downstairs fully engulfed in flames. As I sat there the fire trucks pulled up and began to try to keep the large propane tanks on the far side of the building from blowing up and making a bigger disaster, all the while having trouble keeping water running through their hoses with the sub-zero temps. There was really nothing they could do except keep the flames from causing damage to other things. The building was too far gone. When it was all out around 8:30 AM, everything was lost.

Folks from the community mourned the loss of that building, for, while it had been an eye-sore and a pain to keep going for 22 years, it was the one place where our youth could go and play and be kept out of trouble. It was the one place that "brought our community together." For many in our town, having recreation for children means having a healthy community. Of course, we know that to have a truly healthy community we need people whose lives are right with God.

We do not believe in coincidences and we believe that God is Sovereign over all. Could He possibly be making the need for the HOPE Centre even greater? Other Christians in the community have stood with us the past week and a half since the fire and said, "We need the HOPE Centre even more as a place where people can gather -- a place that brings our community together."

Since the fire, we have been opening our Friday coffee house more evenings. The kids are coming and hanging out, playing games, talking about life with us. Not only are they coming out, but so are some parents and other adults. It has been neat to see this happen! Our little log church is almost bursting at the seams. While we are saddened by what has happened, we rejoice at how God is already using it for His glory.

We would ask you to pray for us as we prepare to start building in May. At this point we have only about half the money needed to complete the facility but we are confident that the Lord is moving us ahead. We have written a proposal for a community- based grant and would ask you to pray about this. Today (March 21) the proposal goes before an advisory committee. A final decision will be made on April 12. Please pray that God's hand will work mightly in those who are making the decisions. If this grant goes through, we would be very close to having enough to have the whole facility completed by fall. Our God knows the need and He also knows how He is going to provide.

You can contribute to Ross River Centre of Hope at:
https://www.send.org/donate/?cat=3

Franklin Graham endorses new book on Dwayne King, SEND bush pilot

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST

Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse, says, "...The advance of the Gospel in much of Alaska today is due to men like Dwayne King and others who have sacrificed to take the Good News to the ends of the earth..."

On September 1, 1991, Alaska bush pilot Dwayne King spearheaded one of the first missionary flights into the crumbling Soviet empire. The historic mission climaxed the transformation of a wild child from upstate New York into a selfless servant. The saga continues at Kingdom Air Corps, where he's training the next generation of young missionaries to fly the Word beyond where the road ends and wilderness begins.

Award-winning journalist Mark Winheld, Dwayne's friend and fellow traveler, spotlights the turning point. When Dwayne, a teenage hot-rodder, read Jungle Pilot--the story of missionary Nate Saint, martyred in Ecuador in 1956--his heart turned from drag-racing for fun to flying for God. From that moment on he followed a higher calling, armed only with faith, humor and chutzpah--and the reflexes that had kept him from wrecking cars on the hilly roads of home.

In "Open the Sky," you'll see, through Dwayne's eyes, the ravages of loneliness and alcohol in the Alaskan bush. You'll feel the courage of Russian believers surviving in the ruins of a destroyed civilization, given new hope by recent aviation freedoms. You'll sense the forces that hammered a thrill-seeking adolescent into a mature servant who lives out the words he says and believes: "There's only three things that are eternal. Only three. God, God's Word, and people."

To order copies of the book, call 1-866-909-2665 or go to www.xulonpress.com

Winter camp in the frozen north

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:00:00 EST

Today a high school camp begins in Alaska that will last all week. Several SEND workers are counselors and teachers for this event. Many of the teens who come will not know Christ. The SEND leaders ask for prayer that these young people will recognize the amazing love the Lord has for them and commit their lives to Him this week. Pray also for safety as teens are flown back and forth to camp and as they are outside in very cold weather for activities.

SEND reports, "We're only getting a few minutes of direct sunlight a day... due to the majestic mountain ranges to the south of the village. Temperatures have been hovering between zero and 20 below in the region over the past few weeks. Thankfully, it may be warming up towards the end of the week.Activities for the week will include a trail hike, sledding, a fun video project / skit, and hopefully fireworks on New Year's Eve (they usually launch them off of the frozen lake... very impressive in the midst of the mountains here)will be coming for Tanalian Bible Camp's Winter Camp."

"Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer. We have a lot of kids coming from our region this year. We long to see these youth transformed by the Light of the World... encountering His grace and truth in every aspect of their lives."

The suicide cycle doesn't stop for Christmas

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

I struggle to find words to describe life in the village over the past few months. We are in a season of death. Since June there have been four suicides, numerous attempts at suicide, several elders have passed away, one young boy died from huffing gas, and one young man was brutally murdered while outside the village. In our two neighboring villages, where everyone in this village has relatives, there have also been four suicides, if I remember correctly, as well as several other sudden deaths, including a suicide and murder that occurred just over a week ago now. To borrow the analogy from a friend, it’s been like rafting a river with class five rapids all the way, never a break, and no time to recover or process what you've just been through.

For me, the feeling is helplessness. I have never lost someone really close to me, and I have not been close to any of the people who have died here. How do I grieve alongside my hurting friends? How do I comfort them when I don't know how they feel? Our fears that the first suicide back in June would start a domino effect have been confirmed and with each subsequent death the anxious feeling of “who will be next?” increases. I find myself trying to pay attention to everyone I know, looking for signs, making sure all my friends are okay, afraid I'm forgetting someone, and always the questions nag: What am I not doing that I should be? What more can I do to help? What am I missing? Could I have done something for that person?" It’s overwhelming, and it keeps me on my knees. I guess that one word, "prayer," sums up what a large percentage of my "ministry" has been over the past months. I have been learning a lot about my lack and God's sufficiency.

And there are others here who are learning the same thing. The village is a mess right now, but there are a handful of people who have lost a close loved one and are finding God in their sorrow. They are finding that He is there and He is real and He fills that emptiness inside them. And there are many people who are seeking-- looking for answers rather than hardening their hearts. I see this in the new faces at church, in the conversations during our coffee shop time, in the parents who stay to watch their kids at Awana, in the words shared at Bible study, and even in the casual small talk at the store. And by God's grace I have been allowed to talk with several people in the moment of their need, when they were on the brink of doing something to hurt themselves. It's almost too much, and at the same time just enough, to know that God is using me to prevent suicide here in this village. I praise Him for that.

The need is so deep here, and holidays only make it worse because so many people just use it as an excuse to go on a drinking binge. Please pray with me that many people in this community will find hope in Christ and freedom from slavery to alcohol and drugs this Christmas season.

Awaken -- northern youth

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST

“It was the best weekend of my life!” wrote S on her Facebook page. S was one of about 50 teens that attended Awaken, the regional youth retreat hosted by our church two months ago.

Our desire with this overnight event is to see a spiritual awakening amongst the youth. The weekend kicked off with lasagna and a photo scavenger hunt. After some time of worship, the teens watched an amazing movie called To Save a Life. Before and after the movie I explained the gospel and posed the question, “what do you want your life to be about?”

Afterwards, we broke into small groups to discuss the issues portrayed in the
film. The next morning, thanks to generous donors, the teens had a blast playing paintball; we know that this was a big draw for many of the kids. The retreat ended with more worship and a closing message from a pastor.

My mom told us afterward that the Lord kept putting on her heart to pray that many seeds would be sown for the Kingdom during the weekend. With both the pastor and I giving messages, the gospel was well presented. We know there were quite a few kids who came who do not know the Lord. One of our Leaders for Life girls, T, has a heart for her unsaved friends and was influential in bringing at least one girl we had not met before.

Please pray that the enemy will not snatch away seeds sown from the weekend but that God will water these seeds until they grow into a great harvest!

A Bit of Discomfort

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:10:00 EST

Uncomfortable:
• feeling slight pain or physical discomfort
• causing or feeling unease or awkwardness

Uncomfortable is not a feeling we like to experience. It makes us, well . . . uncomfortable. It seems that this is a theme confronting me frequently over the past year.

Our family experienced it firsthand as we arrived back on the field with a new family member, a new ministry position and presently, a new home. Though I wouldn’t change anything about it, hardships and all, it made us uncomfortable. And we are not the only ones experiencing this.

There is the new family who just arrived in Alaska from Germany, here to serve in a remote village. The husband and wife speak fairly fluent English, but their young son speaks very little. They arrived with nine suitcases: the sum total of their belongings. They are embarking on their God-mission in a new country, with a new language, a new ministry, a new life.

Then there is our dear fellow missionary friend, staying in Anchorage instead of her village as she receives treatments for stage three breast cancer. She’s been very sick from the chemo. Her husband must travel back and forth by plane between Anchorage and the village and she must go it alone many days. She is learning to accept offered help as a bit of dependence interrupts her independent spirit.

It is estimated that there are over 140 million orphans in the world today with no family loving them, no moms or dads tucking them in at night, no one telling them about Jesus. 140 million. This staggering number makes people uncomfortable – me in particular (and possibly you!).

Uncomfortable. As Christians we are not in love with comforts . . . we are in love with Christ. He told us: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) Sometimes we must lay down our comforts and take up our cross. Often it’s our decision, and other times the decision is made for us.

I want to encourage all of you who are currently uncomfortable: God is right there in the middle of your discomfort. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He will overcome the cancer, the orphan crisis, the challenges to new ministry. He will overcome whatever you and I are facing.

Honestly, would we really want to live every moment in complete comfort, relaxed and free from pain, stress, fear, worry? Free from watching God work miracles through our challenges? Would we want to miss seeing God heal? Watching a ministry bear fruit? Having an orphan placed in our arms?

You know, I think I’ll choose to be uncomfortable just a little longer.

Many come to Christ at Seaman's mission in Alaska

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Seaman’s Mission season in Alaska ended in late September. The last 2 weeks of the season saw 10 decisions for Christ. Many seafarers think all summer about what they have heard and then make their decision just before their ships go south for the winter. Through the faithful witness of many staff and volunteers, there were a total of about 35-40 seafarers who put their faith and trust in Christ for their salvation this summer. Many have already returned home for a month or two—then back on the ships.

Sandcastles Along the Way

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

In the book Walking His Trail, Steve Saint writes of sandcastles. Making note of those events and situations in our lives where we clearly see the hand of God, we build sandcastles of remembrance(similar to the altars of the Israelites). Tomorrow morning as I am commissioned at my home church, I will see the finishing touches put on the sandcastle of my partner development process. God has been faithful in bringing a team of prayer and financial partners around me; tomorrow we celebrate His faithfulness.

Take time to consider the sandcastles in your life. How has God been faithful to you?

30 Seafarers Saved!

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:15:00 EST

The 2010 cruise season is quickly winding down to its conclusion. There is just one more ship to go—this Saturday. What a season it has been! About 30 seafarers from all over the world—places like the Philippines, India, Peru and St Lucia—put their faith and trust for their salvation in Christ and Christ alone.

Some of them had a Christian wife or family member but had never trusted Christ themselves, so you can imagine all the people that had been praying for them for a long time.

Most who made decisions were in their 30’s and 40’s, some in their 50’s! A lot of those decisions for Christ came near the beginning and near the end of the season.

What a joy to see the light in their eyes and a bounce in their step after receiving Christ. Many of them had been carrying heavy burdens before they put their trust in Christ, but then…. The problems didn’t go away, but there is a new hope, confidence and trust that God will work all these things out for the best. God’s promises, when believed, always bring joy to the heart.
-George and Cheryl Reichman

Flying, a van, and Jesus conversations

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

This summer we took a bunch of young people from a village on the far west coast to the biggest air show in the world in Oshkosh, WI! We took eleven, ranging in age from 14 to 20, all who are involved either in the aviation classes or who had helped work on the kit plane they've been building. It was an aviation trip for Jesus. Counting the four of us as leaders, 15 people flew to Soldotna, AK, and then set out in a 15 passenger van for Oshkosh, WI. 15 people in a 15 passenger van, thousands of miles in increasing heat and humidity, and essential border crossings where not all had the proper individual identification papers. It was an adventure, for sure.

For several in our group, this was their first time to travel outside Alaska. I had so much fun seeing this group have new experiences! Before we set out from Soldotna, we gave everyone two of the objectives of this trip: "to learn things and to meet people." From discovering grasshoppers to free refills to car washes to hotel etiquette, everything was new and exciting and everybody soaked it in. Whenever they had an opportunity to talk to people they did it: bikers at rest stops, campground managers, the kids of people we stayed with, the photographer for a kit plane company, pilots, etc.

Highlights of our travels included Laird Hot Springs, Alaska Christian College (ACC), School of Missionary Aviation and Technology (SMAT), the Creation Museum, West Edmonton Mall, and of course, the Fly-In Air Show at Oshkosh. Our hours in the van were filled with journal writing, singing, story-telling, Scripture memorization, and drooling over all the nice cars and bikes that passed by us on the road.

The fact that this was an aviation trip made it different from the other trips we’ve led. Several in the group have little or no involvement in church but to my surprise, these were the ones who were most open and receptive during our evening talk times. I know of one decision that was made for Christ, and I am looking forward to seeing other fruit grow out of the seeds planted and nourished on this trip.

SEND North missionary

Positive Parenting Taught in Russia

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST

Dr. Eileen Starr of SEND North took a team to Far East Russia this summer to present Parenting Workshops. They presented eight of the nine lessons in Vladivostok to 60 parents, 50 parents in Khabarovsk, and some of the lessons to 20 parents in Ussurisck. The parents were pastors and church leaders and members who wanted help with their children. Their response was amazing. So many questions and such excitement about the potential to teach their children positive character values and self-control through discipline and positive communication.

Eileen writes, “We know that these parenting materials work well in other cultures because they are based on the way God created us. Our positive approach to parenting is not the traditional approach of Russian parents. However, the parents and leaders who participated in the workshops could see how it would help them overcome some of the negative results they have seen in their children. When we showed them that the principles are consistent with the way God, as our Father, deals with us, they were ready to embrace the concepts and eager to put them into practice.

“We had lots of invitations to return and do family camps, church meetings, and more training. We are committed to training a few leaders who will be able and willing to carry on the ministry in many communities in the Far East of Russia. With that in mind we hope to return next year to the same locations and do more training. We pray that many who attended this year will come back, learn more and then be ready to teach others.”

Native people stand to protect children

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

David Flamm reports, "The Wrangell Mountain Bible Conference in July had as its theme “The Lord is My Shepherd” which was perfect for our hurting valley after many deaths in recent months. Ahtna Chief Ben Neely, 96 & still going strong for the Lord, spoke of a wall and how the white people were on one side and the native people were on the other, but Jesus broke that wall & we can all come together at the feet of Jesus"

"The conference also brought a needed call to invest in the lives of children. God’s heart is with children (Is 40:11) & we are called to protect, defend, & guide children. (Matt 18:5&6)The state of Alaska continues to be a leader in the nation concerning child abuse. But that night men & women in this valley made commitments before God to be warriors & protectors for our children."

"The following night’s testimony by a young college-age man was even more powerful when he shared how he was pretending for years until he finally committed his life to Jesus. God convicted him to be a warrior for his nieces and nephews and he proclaimed it in front of everyone. He set a date for very next night."

"Faith in action. That’s what it is all about. Sharing Jesus in every way!"

Late Night Evangelism

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:30:00 EST

Recently after coming home exhausted from a second week of camp, I still had to prepare for a memorial service for a young man who was killed in an automobile crash in June. I was just about to get ready for bed when the Lord laid it on my heart to go up and visit with the family even though it was close to midnight. Sleep was sounding real good. Following the Lord's direction I went.

When I got there, the mom and the girlfriend of the man bombarded me with all sorts of questions about death and end times and how they were grieving over their loss. God gave me a great opportunity and words to say as I shared the gospel with them. The girlfriend says she accepted Christ at a young age, but is living as she said "a sinful life."

Please pray for these women that they will think on the scriptures that were shared that night and that the truth of God's word would change their hearts.

Leaving at around 1:30am, I rejoiced that the Lord had led me there that night and He was working in their hearts long before the visit.
-Tim

A New Church Is Born!

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:40:00 EST

Two weeks ago the Aniak Community Church officially came into being. Barry Rempel, SEND North Director, can still remember his first visit to this village six years ago. He didn’t know a soul but had a few names scribbled on a piece of paper. And now there is a growing group of believers meeting in a leased building.

God has been at work in this community for many years and through many organizations such as Interact Ministries, Assemblies of God, and SEND North, and through many godly individuals working here as teachers, mechanics, station managers, and more. Each one lived their life for Christ and in turn impacted the growing body of believers here in the Aniak region. Some tilled, some planted, others watered—God gave the increase. This budding regional church is largely due to a willingness of believers to set aside prejudice, assume nothing, and grow and work in a team unity in Christ.

SEND North at this juncture has been uniquely gifted with resources and personnel, and with this great supply of resource comes a great and serious responsibility. Kingdom responsibility demands that we pick up the torch where others have begun, and continue meeting the spiritual needs of the scattered believers in tiny villages, no matter their introductory denominational ties. We must run the race in a way that we can build on, and Lord willing complete, what others have begun for the glory of God.

Please pray for maturity and leadership development in this newly formed church family.

Chapel ministers in western Alaska Village

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

Last week a group from Glennallen Chapel, AK, went to a western village. They put on a basketball camp for the kids, some of the ladies ran a sewing group, and they did odd jobs around town. They had a great time and the turnout was good.

Six years ago when a group from Glennallen Chapel went to the same village, they could not say anything overtly Christian as the ministry was just beginning. Today, the new fellowship is bursting at the seams. Now that the Glennallen group have earned respect, they did an evangelistic skit each day. They are praying the Lord will use their words and deeds for His glory.