2006 Lower Yukon  Annual Conference in Hooper Bay, Alaska...

The elders of the Lower Yukon are pictured here, representing the villages of Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, Mountain village and other outlying communities.  This year's conference, held April 6th through 9th, was hosted by Hooper Bay.  It was standing room only for most of the ten services.  If the Lord should tarry, the 2007 conference will be in Scammon Bay.

Pesach with Matt Zeigler and family in Scammon Bay...

When we returned from the Lower Yukon Conference in Hooper Bay, Matt Zeigler (ABM) flew in with his wife, Natalie, and their sons, Zach and Mason.  They brought out a whole lot of groceries, including lamb, horseradish, and grape juice for this year's Passover Feast (Pesach in Hebrew).  We observe Passover every year, commemorating the Redemption we receive through our Lord Jesus Messiah.  We have even celebrated in large gatherings for the church's we've ministered to.  We were so blessed that Matt and Natalie wanted to spend this special time with us.  As usual, I made the Matzot (unleavened bread) and prepared the Maror (bitter herbs).  Lisa says I need to apologize for my hair... I didn't just wake up-- I needed a haircut.

Scammon Bay Ladies' Youth Fellowship...

It was upon our hearts that the Lord was going to move among the youth.  We didn't know how God wanted to do it so we just waited upon the Master for guidance.  Some teen ladies' approached Lisa in February with a desire to get together.  Since then, young ladies from ages 13-19 have been meeting weekly in the parsonage for prayer, praise and worship, Bible study, and fellowship.  At times the living room has been packed with as many as fifteen teens.  At other times the gathering has been a smaller, more intimate fellowship of five ladies.  No boys allowed!  Including me.  My only participation is to prepare and serve the ladies refreshments.

Springtime fun!

Felicia, Jasmin, Reaman, Tristan, Reichel, and James take a break from their playtime for this photo opportunity.  This picture was taken April 26, 2006 while the kids were playing between the parsonage and the city office.  There's still plenty of snow as it has been a long, cold winter this year.

Tomcod and Ptarmigan!  Spring is here...

Even if there's still alot of snow on the ground, a sure indication that Spring has arrived are the fish and birds put up to dry.  Nearly every home in Scammon Bay have their tomcod and ptarmigan on display as they dry.  Rachel and I just learned how to skin and dry our ptarmigan (known by some as the arctic chicken).  Pictured here is the home of Daniel and Freida Tunutmoak.

Native Dance during Scammon Bay School's Culture Week...

Students learn the Yup'ik culture and language all year long in Scammon Bay School.  The school year ends early in May so families can get ready for fishing on the Black River and along the Bering Sea.  Near the end of the school year, the students participate in Culture Week, learning many skills still used by the Yup'ik people today.  The activities and festivities conclude with a native dance performed by staff, students, and village elders.  Rachel is in the top row, third from the left.  The last day of school this year is May 8th.

A Beautiful Day! just two days before May...

This is the southeast quarter of the village, as viewed from the parsonage.  The U.S. Post Office is the gray building at the far left.  The mound of snow in the foreground is about five and a half feet deep.  Eighteen to twenty hours of sunlight should make short work of melting it... at least Lisa is hoping that it happens soon. And since our snowmachine (also called a snowmobile by our friends and family in the lower 48 states) is not working again, I'm also hoping that it thaws soon. Brrrrr.