Survival not Sport
On the first fall morning in Alaska, where the leaf tips are a bit frosty and yellow, the ripe blueberries are ready for picking, and your breath hangs in the air, there is a common, unspoken message sent to every Alaskan resident: hunting season is here. For many, this is an exciting time in anticipation of the hunt and an excuse to be outside, but it also means the impending winter is coming, and access to other food options will not be available until the following spring.
Hunting season spans late August through mid-October, with some openings in November through January and March or May, depending on the animal. Some animals that are commonly hunted during the fall season include black and brown bear, moose, caribou, and sheep. In the winter months, seals and whales are often hunted and trappers harvest fox, wolves, and beavers. Some summer openings allow for people to take whales, walrus, or seals as well.
Our members and locals alike rely on these animals for sustenance throughout the year, but especially in winter. The meat from one moose could feed a family of four for a year! In addition to the cost savings of meat from hunted animals, many use the hides for warmth and other body parts for sewing, baskets, hunting implements, and crafts, just as Alaskan and Canadian natives from years ago did.
Hunting is not just a means to an end for subsistence; it is a way of life passed down from generation to generation, especially in more remote areas. Using traditional and modern technology for the hunt, village members raise up their young adults on the importance of a clean hunt, utilizing all parts of the animal they are able to, and providing for their families. The wild, and the chase of hunting, teach many important life lessons including patience, fortitude, gratitude, and technical skill. It also facilitates an excellent opportunity for discipleship as hunters work together and spend time in the quiet of nature together. Removed from distractions, being on the hunt cultivates a natural time for discussion on the bigger elements of life and gives a time for honest conversation and growth and who God is and why He cares for us.
We recently spoke with a woman who had the opportunity to witness a traditional whale harvesting. She was fascinated and humbled by how the whale was brought in to shore, and the whole village partook in systematically processing the whale so each piece was used and each family had a portion. In Alaskan and Canadian native culture, it is especially important to share what is hunted with the widows and elders of the community. Timeless traditions such as this spark greater questions and conversations about how God cares and provides for His people, as well as how His security is greater than any obstacle we may face, be it a harsh climate, difficult circumstances, or otherwise.
It is easy to take for granted the rhythm of the natural world around us, but part of the beauty of living in rural Alaska and Canada is that you can become a part of that rhythm every day. In Genesis, God calls us to be stewards of the land, but He has given us the land for our use and dominion. In the Far North especially, this is a daily calling where His provision and safety are relied on heavily. It takes communities to support one another and be sure everyone has enough—a sacrificial mindset Jesus calls us to when He teaches us to share the bounty He has given. Still, hunting and gathering can be hard and grueling work, so join us in praying for the safety of our community members in the Far North as they enjoy God’s wild splendor and learn of relying on Him more during this hunting season.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10
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Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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