Alaska Mission Team Week 1 Update
Dear family and friends:
The BJU Alaska Mission Team has survived training week! All the team members arrived on time or early and with all of their luggage! Kudos to the airlines on this! (by the way, what is a “Kudo?”)
Camp training week went well (despite a head cold bug going around). Training on critters, Counseling 101, first aid, camp procedures, and camp policy were a few of the subjects covered. Extra time for personal Bible study and prayer was also set aside. Preparing for camp work is in large part a preparation of the mind and character to focus fully on Christ and others for four weeks — not exactly a first response of human nature!
The Higher Ground Baptist Bible Camp staff is made up of the 2008 BJU Alaska Mission Team, an individual from the lower 48, several Alaska resident youths, and two of the 2007 Alaska Mission Team who came back on their own to serve.
The grueling five-hour hike in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge was accomplished again this year at the end of training week. The trail is one mile long, rises 1,800 feet, is much like a stair climb and is rated as “Very Strenuous” in the park visitors’ guide. The hike teaches everyone about endurance, teamwork, pacing oneself, personal limitations and the incredible beauty of God’s creation. Mr. Zukowski is beginning to think that “Very Strenuous” is a Park code word for “not for teachers over 45 years of age”!
Camp training week has been a great start to the camping season here at Higher Ground Baptist Bible Camp. Discipline, unity, teamwork, vision, and a heart for God and others were taught by precept and example by the Cravens.
During the weekend that followed camp training week the BJU Mission Team visited Calvary Baptist Church in Ninilchik, Alaska, about 1.5 hours south of camp, under Pastor Kit Phearson. Saturday afternoon was spent canvassing neighborhoods and campgrounds, passing out tracts, inviting folks to church and sharing the Gospel.
On Sunday morning the team sang, and Mr. Zukowski preached. After a delicious potluck meal and visit to a shut-in church member the team spent the afternoon in the beautiful town of Homer, Alaska. In the evening service back at Ninilchik several team members shared testimonies of how God was working in their lives, and team member Robbie May preached. The team lingered for fellowship after the service, gathered some campers from the church who needed a ride back to camp and headed for Sterling. The church, team and youth were all encouraged by the weekend fellowship! Thank you, Pastor Phearson, for going out of your way to make this weekend possible!
Campers arrive Monday!
For the team, Mr. Z.