We’re Still Thriving

Hello, hello!! It’s been a while since I last updated you. Our first group was here and gone already and we are expecting another group tomorrow. The first Doulos team that came up was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We expected to pick them up on Saturday, the 12th of June, but due to high winds and weather warnings, their flight to Chicago was re-routed and they ended up missing their connecting flight to Anchorage. Thankfully, all 33 of them were able to book the same flight the next day, but they were stuck in Chicago for 24 hours. Many of the youth said that it felt like they already had their trip before they arrived here because of how long and exhausting those 24 hours were, but also because of all the fun memories they made.

Once the team landed in the airport, we met them with the bus to drive them back to camp. They were able to see the sunset as we stopped at the store on the way home around 11:30pm and then the beginning colors of the sunrise when we dropped them of in the housing aroud 1am. So I guess you could say that no matter what time you fly into Alaska during the summer (especially so close to the summer solstice) we can be sure to have you back to camp before dark.

The first project that we tackled on Monday was the rock garden that is at the enterance to camp. One of the first areas that you see as you approach the main building was covered in weeds and in need of attention before parents came to drop off campers. At this point, the summer staff still had nearly a week before their first campers showed up, and another one of the ways our first Doulos group was able to serve was in the kitchen. During orientation while the counselors were in training, we were able to relieve the burden of dish crew and help with a bit of the meal prep. It was a joy to work alongside all the youth and start learning names and personalities.

This first group consisted of 23 youth as well as two lead couples who brought their children along as well. In order to best accomplish the tasks we had, each day Aaron split the group into different projects. The three main projects this week were: starting the trail around shallow lake, splitting the existing wood pile, and serving in the kitchen.

As the week continued, we found ourselves working along a very excited, but very tired group of workers. Something I haven’t thought about in a while is how the continual light affects each person differently. Even though I have spent many summers up here in Alaska, I don’t know if I had ever stayed up long enough to see how dark it actually gets. I really don’t think that “dark” is even the right word to use. Maybe we reach a “dim” state? This particular group spent long evenings enjoying beautiful campfire weather, often until 1am without realizing the time. Knowing that we are here all summer and not just for a week, Benjamin and I rarely stayed up for the late night campfires, but it was fun to see them enjoying the beauty of God’s creation even if it did result in a tired group the next day.

By the end of the week when we drove them to Seward, nearly every moment on the bus many of them spent sleeping. They had scheduled a rafting trip in Hope on Sunday and that evening we spent in Seward at a local church. After spending a week working alongside them, it was fun intereact with them outside camp before taking them back to the airport. By very early Tuesday morning, they were on their way back to Pennsylvania, and we were back at camp ready to sleep and reset for the next group.

A few general prayer requests as our next group comes:

• For the health of the counselors and summer staff – a head cold has been making its rounds

• The next group will be here for a shorter time – that they would learn what God has in store for them

• For continued safety as we start taking down more trees

• For wisdom and decernment for Benjamin and I in all that we do while we are here

In between groups, we are free to take the time we need to reset for the next group. But we also have enjoyed spending the time with local friends, helping in little ways around camp, and I (Mikaela) have also enjoyed spending time at waterfront – even getting a few boat driving lessons.

– Mikaela (June 25, 2021)