Unalakleet Bible Camp

June 12, 2018

Hi friends, family and supporters!

My first week in Alaska was spent in the village of Unalakleet attending a Bible camp with young adult leaders from around the state, and out of state as well. The camp was held 10 miles outside of town on a dirt road, so we were hauled out in the back of pick up trucks.

The camp was a really unique experience. I didn't go into it with many expectations about native village life, but I came out of it with a much clearer perspective on what Alaskan culture is like. One thing I was especially struck by was the stillness of the culture. One Alaska native at camp said, "we don't have the need to constantly fill the silence with words." And I thought, that is exactly how we are in busy, Western cities. We fill any silent moment we have with more noise, and we don't give each other our full attention. In having conversations with Alaska natives, I realized that listening well to others is one of the best ways that we can love each other.

After having just come out of a busy and full season at Whitworth, the reality of my lifestyle and the potentially detrimental effects it has on me became 100 times amplified. I go so fast each day that I forget to stop, listen, and just be. At camp I learned the value in just existing as I am; as God created me to be. We can't be anything more than the people God has made us. I realized that I had been believing untruths about who I was, and viewing myself in a negative light, which inhibited me from being able to love others well. I learned the value of stopping and asking God how he sees me, and then really letting those words resonate in my heart, in order to truly believe them.

Another really special part about camp was being in small groups, which we met in at least once a day. We met to share aspects of the sermons that stuck out to us, and each shared our testimony of areas that the enemy has stolen from in our lives and how God has faithfully showed up and brought reconciliation, life, and healing to those same areas. It was eye opening to hear tough life stories from people in my group and at the same time have aspects of God's character reaffirmed in my mind when hearing how He has so consistently shown up in their times of need.

Now we are back in Anchorage, and getting our feet under us. I am starting up some weekly events for college age people to attend, and planning a backpacking trip for this upcoming weekend.

I will post about every week, so stay tuned for more news from AK coming your way!