Alaska Christian College June Team Aug 8 2019

We are home! What a week we had! Thank you for your prayers and support of our team! We would love to share more about our trip! So, please ask.

The next team is traveling August 3-10!

Alaska Christian College June Team Aug 7 2019

It’s Friday! 
We worked a half day this morning and then said our goodbyes and thank you to the team of volunteers who have led us so well. They have been our example this week, of loving, and sacrificial servants who give of themselves selflessly and know that relationship matters more than the task at hand. We have been blessed. 
After lunch the student ambassadors joined us on a trip to Homer. We visited Light on the Hill and the Wilkinson’s, the site of our 3rd Alaska short term mission team in late August. Then we spent a little time on the spit followed by dinner together.
We were blessed again by gorgeous weather, time to share our stories and great fish to eat.
After we returned home we each shared 1-2 things that has been important for us this week. When it was my turn to share my praises were:
1- Alaska Christian College is a place where students are committing their lives to Christ. Nothing matters more.
2- ACC is a place where students are supported and growing in their relationship with Christ.
3- Our team was known here by our love. That was my biggest goal for them. And they got a lot done!
I could not have asked for a better first experience with a short-term team, in Alaska. It is what Pastor Mike described when he set a vision for a regional location that our whole church could go to. I’m returning home to Sunset excited to see what God has in store for our church as we minister with the Ristow family and Alaska Christian College in the years to come. Thanks for following our journey. Please invite us to share our stories with you.
We return at PDX at 7:55pm Saturday night on a direct flight from Anchorage.
See you in church Sunday! Janet for the ACC June team

Alaska Christian College June Team June 6 2019

Each day when I report to work and get my instructions from Dan, I’m continually amazed by him and his excitement to make this place the best it can be. All of the “full-time” volunteers here at Alaska Christian College are totally dedicated to the joy of making this institution all it can be. What a dedicated team they all are. Each of them have an amazing story of how they decided to dedicate themselves to full-time service to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Working along side of these energetic souls is a comfort alone knowing that you are appreciated in whatever skills you bring to the game. I’ve had a thrill in enhancing the appearance of the college in many areas this week: rebuilding picnic tables, repairing walkways, hanging fire extinguishers, repairing the eye wash station in the science lab, repairing an exhaust fan in a bathroom shower, installing over 180 chair glides on the feet of the dining room chairs, then steam cleaning the cushions of the soiled chairs, repairing holes in walls, sanding and texturing and painting, cleaning a 50’ x 100’ shop/garage, and still more jobs to come tomorrow. It’s a blessing to do many of these jobs with my fellow mission team from Sunset Presbyterian Church.
What a joy this experience has been because God has blessed me with a great team to work and fellowship with, along with the team of God selected volunteer staff here at ACC. I know that our labor is not in vain. The students who will return this fall will feel how special this campus is and how it is the place that will change their lives forever. God is at work here in the staff and faculty of ACC.
Wow! What an experience. Yes, I’d do it again.
Rick A

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Alaska Christian College June Team June 5 2019

Our Alaska June Team has had another busy & productive day serving here at A.C.C. ( Alaska Christian College). In the midst of all our hard work, we have been blessed with gracious hosts & perfect weather - sunny & mid - 60’s. This morning the staff surprised us with donuts from Moose On The Loose (a local favorite bakery) as a mid-morning break. They have reached out to each of us individually & we have felt very welcomed.

Today is Wednesday & many of us are feeling tired & are experiencing a few aches & pains. Please pray for continued endurance & strength as we serve the rest of the week. Isaiah 40:31 - gave us encouragement at our morning team meeting.

Some of the things we accomplished today included: finished refurbishing 5 picnic tables, continued cleaning the yurt & prepping the entry ramp for tread paint, detailed the interior of 2 vehicles, installed fire extinguishers, repaired exhaust fans, painted the water room with anti-mildew paint, installed a drip irrigation system, & continued to create more beautiful kuspuks.

We are so thankful for you, our home team!! We can feel your prayers.

In Christ,
Patti Dilworth

Alaska Christian College June Team June 4 2019

Today Donna and I are working on our garments that will go to a fund raiser for ACC students. It is called a Kuspuk aka Qaspeg an outer garment with a large pocket worn by both men and women, that are colorful and festive. Originally worn over animal skin parkas to keep it clean. Worked on them yesterday and today, then it was time for lunch. 

We have 4 student ambassadors with us for the week; two young men and two young women. Each day a different student tell us their story.

Today is Danielle's turn. She is a little nervous as this is the first time she shares her story of being fearful and afraid of her Dad who is an alcoholic, then her Mom begins to drink. Her days are full of dread and worry. Then a short time is spent with an auntie close by and things get better but only for a short while. Then auntie begins to drink. Now she is back home with her parents who have quit drinking. No rest now because so called friends at school begin to bully her with ugly texts and hateful words. A few years go by. Danielle tells us she feels worthless, so much so one night in tears she finds the largest knife in the kitchen, crying and praying to God to help her. A quiet voice tells her to turn around, yes turn around. Daniellle turns around and sees her favorite baby cousin sleeping sweetly, softly on the couch like an angle. This is Danielle's angle sent from God to save her. She puts away the knife and knows God loves her because he sent her an angel in the form of a sweet cousin that she loves dearly who upon seeing him at this moment in her life reminded her of hope. Danielle knows God answered her prayer that night.

I had the honor and jumped at the opportunity of praying for and over Danielle after she spoke. I praised God for her courage to share her story, yes trough tears and long pauses because it is not easy to share deep dispare. Rejoicing over the fact those days are gone, giving thanks her future is secure in Gods loving embrace of this dear child of His.

This college offers a safe place for young adults to start healing from their past and then begin to learn, achieve and build a foundation for their future through education. Danielle's testimony today is part of her journey of healing from deep hurt.

Join me in praying for Danielle. Please add her to your prayer list.

Oh, I did it, finished my first Kuspuk (did a small happy dance for that one). 😊
Hugs and God's love,
Judy

Alaska Christian College June Team June 3 2019

First day of work here at Alaska Christian College. We split up into work groups today and were led in tasks around the campus. Painting, lawn mowing, weed whacking, moving and organizing, putting new feet on chairs to save carpet, cleaning the big yurt, repairing picnic tables etc. A few of us were paired with someone we didn’t know very well and that gave us a great opportunity to continue to grow together. I love seeing how God brings people together on a mission team!

For the most part our work is overseen by volunteers who serve as the project leads. Many have been coming for years. I figure that as a team we worked ~60 hours today!

It’s very inspiring and rewarding to begin contributing to the college that is doing such remarkable work in the lives of Native students in Alaska.

Thanks for your prayers for our team. We are doing well! Janet

Alaska Christian College June Team June 2 2019

Day Two was intended to be Alaska immersion day and boy was it! We spent the whole day in God’s creation and I’m sure that the team will be excited to share their pictures and stories with you when they get home.
And we met our “Ambassadors” These are students who the college hires for the summer to shepherd the serving teams. We have four of them and today two of them were celebrating their 21st birthday. The college hired well, these native students are warm and welcoming and have quickly integrated into our team.
My highlight for the day was something one of the students did instinctively. When I pulled the deck of cards out of my backpack to play a game with them, they suggested a game I hadn’t played before and when Keola learned that, he immediately asked “what are some card games you know?” It was so instinctive for him to be kind. And it is a simple thing. But it taught me how to have “eyes for others” and reminded me to set aside my own agenda to be inclusive.
As we drove back to the college we were playing worship music and this one really hit home after a day in Alaska.

This is my father's world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is my father's world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their maker's praise
This is my father's world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought
This is my father's world
Oh, let me never forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
This is my father's world
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
This is my father's world
He shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass
He speaks to me everywhere
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass
He speaks to me everywhere

Tonight we are praying for friends at home who are in the hospital and that Dave Dilworth will see a bear in the wild, in Alaska.
Thanks friends! Janet for the June team

Alaska Christian College June Team June 1 2019

We are in Alaska!
We checked in at the airport at 6am and by lunchtime we were at the top of Mt Alyeska in Alaska!

It’s been a good day of getting to know one another better, spending a little time with the Ristow family, our missionary partners and an incredible drive from Anchorage to Soldotna. Along the way we read a Psalm which came to life as we looked out the window!

“Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. How many are your works, Lord! IN wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. May the Lord rejoice in his works—Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord” excerpts, Psalm 104

We have arrived and are settling into Alaska Christian College. It is a beautiful facility and we can see the work that so many other volunteer teams have accomplished over the years. We are excited to be part of the work and ministry here.
Here are some team highlights from today or the team send off

Team Send Off – breaking into smaller groups to prayer with people one at a time
Team Send Off – I didn’t know who to expect most our home team couldn’t come, many are out of town, but my brother came and it meant so much to me

This morning when the alarm went off (so early) my wife immediately began to pray for me and continued to pray for me and the team on the drive to the airport
We had a few encounters along the way today that helped us think about being “on mission” even on a travel day. A few of the men had the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with Prospector John at a stop along the way. 

We were joined by Steve Ristow, his wife Audrey and their girls this evening. It was good to continue to get to know them and to strengthen our bonds as ministry partners. At the end of our team time we had the opportunity to pray for them before they leave to return home.

Prayer requests:
One member is having trouble with her ears after the flight, she is having a lot of ringing. Please pray for relief overnight.

One of the student ambassadors couldn’t fly in at the right time today due to weather so she will arrive late and sleep overnight in the Anchorage airport. Please pray that she is given miraculous sleep and rest!

Steve Ristow- new ministry position for he and Audrey. Village missionaries often have their “walls up” and it takes time for them to open up. He requests prayers that God will supernaturally help the Ristows break down the walls and give them credibility with the village missionaries they ministry to, so that the missionaries can be increasingly encouraged and effective in the village.

Audrey Ristow- praise that she was able to meet the team, see the faces and how encouraging it is to see God working in individuals lives to care about the people of Alaska and to come and serve here.

The team is tired after the day, so please pray for rest for us!
Thanks for being our home team!
Janet for the ACCJune Team

Sunset January 2019 Uganda Team is ready to go!

Paul Schaefer, Julie Sherrill, Dave Camp, Gail Hildenbrand, Mike Hildenbrand, Sheri Schlief, Brad Schlief

The Sunset January 2019 Uganda team leaves Portland on Wednesday January 23 and returns Tuesday February 5. We will be camping in the Nakayot Peace Village.  While there we will finish work of the nurse's house, train 20 pastors and discipleship group leaders, encourage the Micro-enterprise leather team, show the Jesus film, and hold a daily children's Bible story hour. A very full schedule.  We can't wait to see what God does in us, and through us.