When it's spring time in Alaska... it's 40 below :-)
Actually we can't sing that song very honestly here on the Kenai Peninsula, but we're just now starting to see grassy patches appear again around the house amidst the snow. Since we still have nearly two feet of snow in some parts of our yard, it'll probably be late May before the snow is completely gone... but we have been enjoying some incredible sunshine lately.
So tell us again about how cool your spring has been?? :-)
We've been prepping MARC's next newsletter, which will go out soon; but today was a very busy ministry day at MARC, so that also reminded us of the need to send out our own ministry update. Today we have three MARC aircraft and five crew members out across Western Alaska transporting more than 90 youth involved with the Alaska Moravian Youth Fellowship. As often happens, we're picking up the youth from many separated villages and bringing them together to a central location so they can enjoy a few days of good Christian fun and fellowship. When you come from a very small village that may not have very many Christian teens to hang around with, these types of events are important to strengthen and encourage the youth. It's always a great time for the kids, particularly at this point of the year where it seems like winter has stayed around F-O-R-E-V-E-R!
But we've had a great winter! In early March, MARC supported the annual Carry the Cure event, transporting a phenomenal ministry and music team along the Iditarod Trail to reach the youth in seven different villages with a message of hope to help break the cycle of teen suicide and addiction in remote Alaska. Through the school assemblies and evening concert outreach events in seven villages during the trip, more than 100 people began a new relationship with Christ this year! Suddenly, it doesn't seem so cold after all, does it?!
Now we're gearing up for Kids Bible Camp season... it's just around the corner beginning in May. If you have a chance, please consider making a donation this year to help MARC support the hundreds of kids we'll fly to camp this summer. As you'll read about in the upcoming MARC newsletter, we're really praying lots of people will see the need and help pitch in this Bible Camp season! It's a critical year for churches and individuals to become involved.
Otherwise, we're both doing well. Karin has one more week of school this semester and then will be enjoying a summer with no classes. She'll only have two more semesters to be complete with her psychology degree. In May, Karin will be traveling back to Michigan and Indiana to visit family and for her dad's upcoming wedding! David is heading to Dallas this weekend for a professional conference and is looking forward to seeing old friends again from when we lived in San Antonio. The consulting work David began last year hasn't showed the necessary financial progress yet, so please pray with us as we consider future options that will likely impact our ministry efforts here in Alaska.
On a final note, please take a moment to read about David's sister Sandra's ongoing battle with stage IV breast cancer... and please keep her in your prayers!
God bless, and thank you for staying in touch with the needs here in Alaska.
Love,
David & Karin
