Disaster Response:Bill

Church of the Brethren now has three disaster response site opened nation wide.The most recent opened in Arab, Alabama.Storms ripped this area apart last April while I was in Ashland City, Tenn. volunteering We opened the Tenn. site after the storms in May of 2010. Before leaving for Arab,Al. in Dec. 2011, I learned from directors at PleasantDale that we had a site in Arab in 1996. That the folks in Arab were so welcoming and friendly, and a converted church was a wonderful and comfortable place to stay. Upon arriving in Arab I found that we were using the same church cost free. It is a large and comfortable place for each group to call home while doing the Lords work.
There was so many positives to speak about during this time that will get posted but what really jumps out is meeting and working on the home of the cousin of Taylor Swift's. To find what humble beginnings this Pop/Country star came from. I know I walked away joyful to have been used as a tool to help others, plus receiving a true life lesson by hearing why Miss Ham took on the name Swift. I am so amazed at how I return from mission trips feeling like I'm the one who benefited from the experience. I will again travel to Arab in March as part of a group from PleasantDale.

Arctic Village: News Team from New York

Scott Sternbach ( Director of Photography) led a three person news crew to Create a documentary on Arctic Village. Also they hope to take protraits of all the Gwich'in in the village for an exhibit in the Museum of Natural History in New York. They will also be submitted to the National Museum of Natural History. Their plan was to include us before they traveled to Alaska. In fact they knew all about us, our blog plus other writings that we knew nothing about.Spending time with Dora, Scott, and Que was wonderful as we were interviewed, went through photo shoots, shot hoops, and plenty of fellowship.

Research-Learning Center

The day after arriving in Fairbanks I payed a visit to Carol Lewis' office. Carol is the Dean of Research and Ag. at the Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks. As I waited I read an article from the Fairbanks News Miner posted in the hall outside Carol's office. It spoke of phase one of a large grant the Ag. Dept. had received which brought a complete new building to the campus.Phase two would begin after the first of the year. Phase two involved research-learning centers to be built in remote regions of the state. Because of the relationship between Penny,I, and Carol the Ag. Dept. has a five year head start if Arctic Village should be chosen. We knew when we met Carol that we would keep her updated, just in case a situation like this arose. Making connections and seizing opportunities to help people is how Penny and I are used as tools.

Thanks to Mary and Todd Groat

We really don't know where the project would be without the help of Mary and Todd. In fact there might not have ever been a second year of gardens had we not been invited to camp in their yard. Albert (rest in peace) wanted me to pack and leave and later said he is glad that we stayed. Even then it was later that day Todd came to me and asked if I wanted to put the greenhouse in their yard. I was camped at the runway until June 8th when Penny arrived. I moved camp to Todd and Mary's at 5AM so not to be seen by anyone.
For four years Mary has allowed us to camp and have the large scale garden at her home. We have been so welcome and have stayed in her house from time to time. We were told to stay in their home as soon as we arrive, but no, more important to be as far out of our comfort zone as possible. What a lovely home they have.

Onions from Rural King

Most of the seed used we buy in Fairbanks because it's made for colder climates. One of the few from home is onion bulbs from Rural King in Decatur, Indiana. For five years we have shipped thousands of their bulbs to Arctic Village that have been enjoyed not only in salads, but cooked with caribou, moose, fish, duck, and sometimes even bear. By bringing these bulbs it's like having a small piece of home with us. It may not seem like much but when your so far from home, living in a tent, we take comfort in eating onions from home. This years onions grew so big and tastey, and the Gwich'in so enjoy having onions. It's great having fresh grown food from home when were two hundred ninety miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Teaching in Arctic Village School: Penny

Penny accepting Mary's request to teach math opened the door to new relationships with the youth that helped build trust by one on one conversations. The youth saw another side of not only Penny, but Bill also. They learned so much more about us and why we would travel so far to help them. The youth learned that we have other occupations than gardening. This led to so many different topics to talk about. They learned to trust Penny and to Love Penny. This prompted the youth to show Penny their trust with many, many hugs of affection. It opened the door to tell them so much more about us, what's important in life and how it's up to them to find a more self reliant way to live and support themselves. The youth with gardens at home asked their friends why they didn't have gardens at their homes. This led those children to go home and ask their parents why, why don't we have a garden and will we have one next year?

Arctic Village: 2011 Garden Project

We have now returned home to Indiana knowing this year is by far our most successful year in so many ways. Over the next days we will share the impact of mission work and the effects on people both directly and indirectly involved. We feel so humbled to be used as a tool this way as people around the globe now know of this effort, and hopefully are inspired to help others as they are led.