Jon, Lisa, and Rachel with Matt Zeigler, Joel Caldwell, and Rodney Sawyer in Alaska...

With Matt Zeigler, a missionary pilot with Arctic Barnabas Ministries (left), and Joel Caldwell, founder and director of ABM (center), and Rodney Sawyer, the director of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska (2nd from right), this photo was taken prior to our going to Scammon Bay for the first time.  It was the end of May 2005 and the congregation had just invited us out to speak as the next phase of "the candidate process."  It was so sweet to be back in Alaska!

With Sister Thelma leading the way, we walk toward the chapel and parsonage in Scammon Bay...

The Scammon Bay Covenant Church chapel (left) and the parsonage (right) are right up the road from the 3000' airstrip where we landed.  Still waiting upon the Lord for His guidance, we soaked in the view of what would soon become our new home.

Scammon Bay in May...

This is a view of Scammon Bay from the southwest foothills of the Askinuk Mountains.  Rodney Sawyer snapped this photo during our May 2005 visit to Scammon Bay.  That's the Kun River in the middle of the picture.  The Kun River would empty into the Bering Sea just about a mile to the west (left of photo).  The large yellow building at the middle right of the picture is the old school where the Traditional Council currently have its offices.  The new school facility is not in this view.  It would be to the east of the village (right of photo), about a half mile away from the village.

Jon and Lisa pray with the Elders of Scammon Bay Covenant Church...

With Pastor Wassilie and Jean Mute, Monroe Kaganak, Irene Kaganak, and Rodney Sawyer, we prayed that God would lead us all in our decisions; that if He was indeed calling us to Scammon Bay, we would all be sensitive to His plans.  After 10 years of service in Scammon Bay, God had called Pastor Wass and Jean back to Koyuk Covenant Church, their first pastorate.  They would depart for Koyuk in August 2005.

Jon, Lisa, and Rachel with Pastor Lon Murata and family at Generations Covenant Church in Torrance, California...

With God's call clear upon our hearts and upon the congregation at Scammon Bay, we set off to meet with California churches who might be interested in partnering with us in discipleship among the Eskimo of Alaska.  We met with Pastor Lon and Jenna Murata of Generations Covenant Church, one of the very first congregations we were able to visit.

With Gayle and Ada Erwin at Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley...

God blessed us with a most tremendously sweet treat!  Gayle D. Erwin was invited to be guest speaker in Moreno Valley, California as his schedule opened up.  Pastor Gayle is one of my favorite teachers of God's word and his book, The Jesus Style, impacted my life and ministry immeasurably.  One of Gayle's trademarks is the suspenders he ALWAYS wears.  No, we didn't catch him in a rare and awkward moment.  His suspenders are underneath his Hawaiian shirt.  The Erwin's ministry, Servant Quarters, is headquarted in Cathedral City, California.

Pastor Joey and Carol Joseph in Joshua Tree, California...

Through our dear friends Jeff and Marilyn Mabus, we met Pastor Joey and Carol of Jesus House of Prayer in Joshua Tree, California.  Following the Sunday morning service, we enjoyed their fellowship over brunch in Yucca Valley.  Their testimony of God's faithfulness was truly the main course.