Catch up!

Sorry about the delay in updates! I haven't had much internet access for the past 3 weeks, and when I did have access, other things took priority. It's hard to believe, but this is my last week in Alaska. The last three weeks have been great. There is so much I want to share, but I don't have the time to tell everything. For now I'll just sum up Valdez and Big Lake Baptist's VBS. I'll do a separate post about JAM Camp.

Our week in Valdez was incredible! By the end of the week, we had 18 kids at the Back Yard Bible Club. This is an amazing number for Alaska and an exceptional number for the first BBC in the area. We didn't have any decisions made that week, but we could see the impact that the stories were having on the kids. They were learning something new every day! It also feels great to know that we helped to lay a firm foundation for future Bible Clubs they want to do in the area. This year's club was more about getting established and developing relationships than anything else, and that goal was met! We also got to see a lot of God's creation while we were in Valdez. We got to take a sea life tour where we saw puffins, sea lions, seals, otters, and whales! It was amazing! The scenery was also breathtaking. Of all the places we've been this summer, Valdez is my favorite. Not sure that I would want to live there (the nearest Walmart is almost 300 miles away), but it's a really cool place.

We spent the next week at Big Lake Baptist Church. I helped Rachel and Ericka in rec and I taught the kids missions at the end of the day. It was loads of fun getting to play with the kids each day and then drive home an important point at the end of the day. I really got the best of both worlds that week: play with kids and teach them valuable lessons about sharing Christ. I also got to pray with a little girl named Sophia on Thursday. She and one other young girl accepted Christ that week! Not only did we have 2 kids accept Christ, but the kids brought in a huge offering for missions! Less than 60 kids brought in over $300 for the Cooperative Program! How neat is that?? Everything about that VBS was awesome!

I know that's a very short summary, but know that those two weeks were among the best of the summer. For my next post, I'll talk a little about JAM Camp. JAM Camp was a very special time for me (the BEST week of the summer) and it needs a post all its own.

Keep praying! I only have 1 week left in Alaska; only 1! Emily leaves tomorrow, Rachel leaves on the 7th, and Ericka and I fly home on the 9th. Please pray that we will finish the summer strong and pray that the kids at the Montana Creek VBS will be open to God this week. THANK YOU!!!