Well, we have gotten lots of questions of how Alaska came about. It all started as we were waiting, praying, and searching for an open door to Asia that Alaska came up on our radar. A friend encouraged us in December to look into Alaska. So out of curiosity, in January, we contacted the Alaska SBC and they sent us loads of information. After reading the long attachments, we freaked out!! Everything just seemed more extreme and intimidating than Asia. Also, at the time we were not totally sold out for Alaska yet, we were still in love with Asia (and always will be). So basically we replied back to the Alaska Director - Mike and here is our actual respond via email:
"Thank you so much for all the information. It certainly made the decision easier.
We pray that God will provide the workers best fitted for the needs of Alaska."
After deleting everything we thanked God that we were not going up there. Well this was in January and as we looked out the front window at all the snow we were glad to erase any notions of Alaska. We said to ourselves, "Whew that was close, glad it wasn't for us and it's over!" (little did we know, it was just the beginning) Anyway, we had seven closed doors to Asia and three closed doors to stay in Virginia, and no leading to go back to Florida, or anywhere else. We got to re-thinking maybe God has a different plan for us. We were aware of a persistent quiet voice whispering to us to give it a chance. With much prayer, we just couldn't ignore it anymore. So, just two weeks ago, we recontacted the Convention. They resent the info., we filled out the application, and this time we didn't freak out. Then the convention forwarded our resume and application to the Association Director of Mission - David. When we first skyped with him, he asked us if we were coming up to just look around and do a vision trip?? Our reply to him, was "No, we're coming up with one-way plane tickets." Of course he was speechless and said, "Well, I've never had anyone do that before?" So on September 18, 2010 the five of us flew with our one way tickets and all we had was 10 huge trunks of our families belongings. We realized we would serve The Sweet Lord anywhere even to the ends of the earth! (which is practically Alaska, right ;) We are in Alaska to stay until God tells us otherwise!
What are we gonna be doing?? We are not 100% sure, really! No major experience, but just a willing heart to be used by Him. We are totally dependent on our Lord to guide us on His Gig. Accountability?? Yes, we will work together/team with Alaska Convention/Local Association. Will we get paid?? We will be bivocational/tentmakers. The association will help us to get on our feet and provide a temporary housing/van for the first few months. Basically they will take us under their wing, more training, and mentoring. Of course, we will find out more when we get there. Winging it and trusting God to come true at the last minute seems to work for us, when we make plans it doesn't.
"Thank you so much for all the information. It certainly made the decision easier.
We pray that God will provide the workers best fitted for the needs of Alaska."
After deleting everything we thanked God that we were not going up there. Well this was in January and as we looked out the front window at all the snow we were glad to erase any notions of Alaska. We said to ourselves, "Whew that was close, glad it wasn't for us and it's over!" (little did we know, it was just the beginning) Anyway, we had seven closed doors to Asia and three closed doors to stay in Virginia, and no leading to go back to Florida, or anywhere else. We got to re-thinking maybe God has a different plan for us. We were aware of a persistent quiet voice whispering to us to give it a chance. With much prayer, we just couldn't ignore it anymore. So, just two weeks ago, we recontacted the Convention. They resent the info., we filled out the application, and this time we didn't freak out. Then the convention forwarded our resume and application to the Association Director of Mission - David. When we first skyped with him, he asked us if we were coming up to just look around and do a vision trip?? Our reply to him, was "No, we're coming up with one-way plane tickets." Of course he was speechless and said, "Well, I've never had anyone do that before?" So on September 18, 2010 the five of us flew with our one way tickets and all we had was 10 huge trunks of our families belongings. We realized we would serve The Sweet Lord anywhere even to the ends of the earth! (which is practically Alaska, right ;) We are in Alaska to stay until God tells us otherwise!
What are we gonna be doing?? We are not 100% sure, really! No major experience, but just a willing heart to be used by Him. We are totally dependent on our Lord to guide us on His Gig. Accountability?? Yes, we will work together/team with Alaska Convention/Local Association. Will we get paid?? We will be bivocational/tentmakers. The association will help us to get on our feet and provide a temporary housing/van for the first few months. Basically they will take us under their wing, more training, and mentoring. Of course, we will find out more when we get there. Winging it and trusting God to come true at the last minute seems to work for us, when we make plans it doesn't.
