As we experience Alaska, we experience creation. God didn't have to make this. He expresses His love in the quintessential beauty of what He creates and what He does for what He creates. God as a creator starts painting on the canvas of space out of the beauty of His own nature. He gives us the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, earth, mountains, flowers, and all kinds of different creatures. When you look at nature, flowers, insects and the animal world, you see this huge array of creatures that manifest His infinite wisdom and power. This is the beauty of His nature. Except mosquitos. Mosquitos are of Satan, just sayin'.
Much of Alaska is magnificent. Moose and Buffalo, Bald Eagles and Bears. The Mountains and Glaciers are huge and impressive. The air is refreshing and invigorating. He has provided this for His creature. What did we do to deserve this? How do we respond and give back with the work we do today?
90% of the 18 year old girls who come to the Alaska Christian College and sleep in the beds that we are currently sleeping in have been sexually abused for years in their own homes say this is the first place they feel safe.
Although the villages have electricity from generators, they still use honey pots for toilets (buckets) and carry the waste to a communal dump. This is United States, folks!
So they come here to college - many leaving their village for the first time. Here to Alaska Christian College and this summer, we help prepare the way.
We cleaned the library
Weeded the grounds
Cleaned the basement out
Cleaned carpet in the basement
Cleaned carpets in the dining hall
Sorted thru all the excess wood piles and construction piles, burned excess wood
Organized construction & maintenance sheds
Painted tables, chairs and benches
Stained outside wood cabins
Cleaned vehicles
Painted outdoor trim
.... and I'm sure I'm missing stuff.
But here is what's impressive. The people here. Alaska Christian College runs on donations and minimal tuition. A year here is only $16K - yes parents listen up! 16K! So money is tight - yet ... In their community of Soldotna they reach out.
We went to Cook Inlet School. They needed help, we were sent. We cleaned up the grounds, classrooms, office, prepped for painting. When we mentioned painting, Alaska College said Oh! They have no money, we'll pay for paint. The principal said because we came this will be the first time she can take a real vacation as we got so much work done and took worry off her plate.
Our first work day, six of our guys spent splitting wood and cutting trees that will be donated to Love, Inc. who provides fire wood for low income families who otherwise wouldn't have it. Last year they only filled 25% of the requests.
Amundsen Educational Center (AEC) is a faith-based non-profit, educational and vocational training school. A team was sent to help with repairs, paint and cleanup ... it quickly moved from minor to major. The team caught the vision and moved into a full "weekend of service overhaul" committing North Coast monies and Alaska Christian College funds. The Director said she'd never seen a team serve with such heart.
So God creates beauty, beauty in the land, beauty in people and beauty in these kid's hearts as they serve. And we give back by serving His people. Where He asks us to. Where He provides. As I write this we are driving an hour to the Russian River for a four-mile hike because, yes, when it doesn't get dark until 4am ... you can hike at night after working all day. We are headed up to a waterfall and to watch native Alaskans hoop net fish for salmon. Only Alaska residents are allowed to fish this way and the limit is 25/day! We have two students hosting us, both Eskimos from whaling villages and the kids are loving getting to hear about their culture and traditions.
Subnote: Mosquitos pollinate the cacao plant. Without Mosquitos there would be no chocolate. We think this is a myth created by the Alaskan tourist bureau.
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