NOME, ALASKA...  Mission Trip...

O Lord, how manifold are your works! From your lofty abode you water the mountains. Psalm 104.24,13a

I have never been to Alaska before. Everything is grand: nothing small. It takes my breath away. We went on a glacier tour today with Brad Philips. He is not only the founder of this company, he also was one who brought Alaska into statehood 50 years ago this year. Brad is also terminally ill. Even though he has seen these sights thousands of times, seeing it today as if it were the last time brought the sights if God's creation into an entirely different perspective of awe. What if we looked at God's creation each day as if it were the first or last times in our lives? Just think about living with that kind of gratitude and appreciation? Everyone is well. More to come.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. To him alone does great wonders..who spread out the earth upon the waters.. who made the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. Ps 136.1,6,8

Last week I spent a day with our church children at Camp Lucerne. Every morning before breakfast they have a chance to swim. They call it the Polar Bear swim. They even have a song they sing. Knowing I was headed to Nome and having a chance to participate in the Polar Bear swim in the Bering Sea, I asked them if I should do it. They, of course, said YES! So today I went with the former mayor of Nome and 5 others from our team, locking arms and went into the sea. The water temperature was 33 degrees. Needless to say I did not spend much time in the water. I did what I needed to do to get a certificate and be able to buy this patch. To be eligible for these items I had to be wet head to toe. The Polar Bear swim is an annual event that takes place during the Midnight Sun Festival. There is no darkness in Nome during these days, only sunlight.

Let the children come to me, do not hinder them for such belongs the kingdom of God. Mark 10.13-16

It was the very first time these children had ever been to a church. They had been recently taken from their families. There is significant poverty in Nome which leads to many things including physical and sexual abuse of children. While these children did not know how to sit in church quietly, they were precious. there was bit a children's moment planned, but we added one. I was surprised at the children's willingness to join me. They were quiet and attentive. With their eyes wide open they participated and helped hand out Father's Day pins to the congregation. What a blessing. The United Methodist Church has several mission ministries in Nome. One of the mission interns who we met works with these children and others. One of the goals is to reunite the children and families. The United Methodist Women also sponsor a ministry in Nome: the Youth Center. We will be doing some work there. Pray for these beautiful children and others who are not able to be cared for properly, their parents and those through the church who minister to them.

Jesus said, Someone gave a dinner party and invited many. Luke 14

The church organized a potluck dinner for us. Young and old came. As United Methodists the food was spectacular. We ate salmon, moose and black seal along with fresh breads and berry desserts. The church thanked us for all that we are doing for them and the community. The elders ate first. The children helped those older and younger than themselves. We heard the story of native 80 year old Esther who finished picking enough greens and covering them in seal oil for the winter and will do anything to get out and fish. Or the story of Caroline whose mother was the first white woman born in Nome. Or Nancy who runs the Thrift Shop. It is open on Tuesday evening and several hundred people came tonight. We United Methodists may be great in distance, but are certainly bound by the Spirit. Our biggest project today was priming and painting the Youth Center. It was raining outside. We primed it and then organized the children and youth in the afternoon to paint it with us. We met several on the street this evening and they want to come and help paint outdoors tomorrow. If they come at 9 am, they will get to have lunch with us in the church. By the way, their evening curfew is midnight. They play on the church playground and ride their bikes until it is time to go home. No street lamps - it doesn't get dark. Speaking of dark, I'd like to stay up and see the sun dip below the horizon around 1:30am and then dip back up at 4 am. I'll let you know if I can stay up that long to experience this 24 hour daylight