Circle, Alaska: Blessings resulting in a dilemma.

For years the prospect of staying in Fairbanks to spend the summer with the truly hurting Native sisters and brothers has been on our hearts. We decided to see what help we could be at The Soup Kitchen, to start.
After just an hour or two it's like God has put so many people and opportunities before us, that this must be what we're to do. During this time we were asked to pray with a director, a business owner and eight homeless natives as they shared the life decisions that put them where they are, homeless and drunk at 10:30 AM . The only reason so many opened up to us, we shared about our last twelve summers along with the Gwich'in people we know and love.
We left Alaska thinking we knew where we should spend next summer. That is until we heard about the two accidents on the Steese Highway and who died and who are injured.
The people in Circle have lost so much and are really hurting. We know this isn't the time to tell them we're not coming back.
We do feel a few more trips on the Steese next summer could result in helping out in both regions. There's so many opportunities to be a real blessing next summer in both Fairbanks and Circle   

The beautiful gardens at the soup kitchen could be more than tripled if they had a couple more volunteers next summer.

Circle, Alaska: 2018

This summer's time in Circle was so extreme on every level. It's going to take some time to rap my mind around how to share. The important thing is we are knee deep into next year's effort as we plan for the October trip to Puerto Rico.

Groups from BDM headed to Puerto Rico

More photos from Puerto Rico

New friends from Puerto Rico

More photos from Puerto Rico

New Offer at the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission

When doing the Lord's work new opportunities come about in many forms. I pitched the idea of installing a wood shop in the new building that will be completed in 2020. This would give the men a chance to learn a new skill that's in demand not only in FT. Wayne, but nation wide.
I've been asked to come on staff six times over the past eight plus years. I've turned down taking a staff position because it just wasn't a good fit. Working at the mission teaching cabinet and furniture making would be something that fits my work experience and my personality.
Only the good Lord knows who will take a leadership role in this position three years from now, but the opportunity for men staying in the mission to learn a skill in such high demand is a win, win situation. The important thing is there will be a wood shop in the new rescue mission.