Camp Mac

This Spring break will be different, carpentry and landscaping in Cen. Indiana instead of disaster response. They're no openings at any of the four response sites run by our denomination, so we will work at our camp. This will be a different type of work for the Lord, but work just the same. Our youth spend so much of their Summer learning there so we will help with this effort then Penny and I will fly to Seattle for a few days

Arctic Village garden project - 2011

Soon Bill will be heading back to Fairbanks, first to spend a week helping at risk teens do greenhouse gardening, then off to Arctic Village. We're told as long as Arctic Village continues to grow gardens the other forty-one will follow. The villagers travel back and forth so much we end up sending not only seed, but growing plants to so many places from Arctic Village. We would so enjoy a Summer at home with timely get aways and more money from working in the peek of the construction season. That would be easy, doing the Lord's work is NOT about us and what we want. So, we will go live in a tent ( which I dislike ) in a place with brown bear, wolves, and now polar bear will be near because we believe in the path God has for us, and we will like it .

Sharing at ST. Luke

Again, we had a time of sharing and our friends were happy to hear from us, we were joyful to share how their caring hearts are a part of this success story. We know the reason that all forty - two villages north of Fairbanks have some form of gardening is all the people praying, and supporting this effort. We're told we are a part of Alaska' history, that means ST. Luke is a part of Alaska' history.
We will again be visiting ST. Luke on April 2. They will host a five state district conference with reps. from some eighty congregations attending. We feel so humbled to be a part of this special day.
Thank you so much for caring enough to show you care year in and year out!!

Thanks to ST. Luke

It is such a blessing to meet people who are passionate about helping others. The prayers and good wishes given to us was just wonderful, yet Penny's friends wanted to do more. Without being asked, the congregation gave us 700.00 and a study group added 50.00. Penny and I were surprised and, well, we just laughed at how we are used as tools and how caring the nice people at ST. Luke were to us and so many others. Our friends did their part to change a culture in Northern Alaska.THANK YOU Mike, and to all.

Service Work in Fairbanks

One of the ripple effects to our Alaskan garden project is meeting Candy. Mark is right, his mom is a Godly person who gives to those who have so little. This year she purchased a greenhouse in hopes of learning gardening as she shows at risk teens a hobby that brings food to their tables. The 2011 trip will begin in Fairbanks as usual with several meetings. Also, as part of the first leg I will spend each day helping prepare gardens as we start plants in Candy's greenhouse and have fellowship with the teens under Candy's leadership.
A second ripple will be traveling to Circle and begin thousands of plants to be distributed throughout the village. The villagers has told our friend Mary Grout if we will help start the plants as we prepare home gardens, they will follow through and take ownership.
Then, by Mid- May head back to Fairbanks and fly north to our home away from home, Arctic Village. With the addition of the four large scale greenhouses, plus all the home gardens, we will have our hands full. Penny will also lead a woman's group, and then there's the unknown that makes each trip so eventful. Pictures to be posted soon including one of the most unusual bear video's I've ever seen.

Tom's Death

What a joy it is to be a part of God's plan, even if it means enduring the pain that comes with it. Tom's death was a shocker, his family has endured so much, now this. To give them comfort as a result from months of working with Tom in such a setting is wonderful. Pam's hunger to hear about her husband's transformation at the FT. Wayne Rescue Mission is one of the reasons why I was called to this act of service. How he came to call Christmas Day of 2009 the most meaningful Christmas speaks to Penny's loving heart. Because of my reservation to Penny being there Christmas morning speaks to how I need to trust and not bring my feelings and fears as part of my service life. Jiggs Miller pointed this out to me in Halem, Neb. in 2004 as we built a house for Pat. Pat's house was destroyed by a tornado. Penny also worked on Pat's house three years before we met. What a joy it is to be a part of God's plan.

Garden Project, Alaska 2010

What an incredible trip!! We will soon share how wonderful it is following God's plan for our lives. Arctic Village now has a reputation throughout Alaska for growing gardens and so many villages say "If gardens can be grown in Arctic Village,we can grow them here". We were told by the Ag. Dept. of the Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks and the Northern Alaska Envir. Center that we have changed history. That Bill and Penny are now a part of Alaska' history. How great it is to follow God's plan.