God's Call - Spring 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

We pray this letter finds all of you secure in the word and hope of the Lord!  He is our true and solid foundation, without Him, our lives would surely crumble and fall apart.

This newsletter is full of information and you might want to hang on to it for a bit to refer back to.

First of all, Chris’ mom went HOME to be with her Creator, our heavenly Father, on Tuesday, April 4th. We will have her funeral/memorial service in Leawood, KS on June 3rd. She was a faithful servant of God and will be remembered for her love of God, family and “old things”. You see, Carolyn was a collector of primitive antiques and each piece had a story to tell :)  We can hear her saying now, “Do you know what they would use this for?” We will cherish the memories of a life well spent and be sure in the fact that we will all be in God’s heavenly realm together one day.

We had already planned an April 7th Minnesota trip (before Carolyn's passing) and so moved our departure up a few days so we could travel first to Kansas City to help Chris’ brother and sister-in-law with details regarding her home and funeral service. Unfortunately, we got caught up in the Delta Airline mess - not once, but twice! You just have to roll with it and ask “what does God want me to take away from all this?” or ,“How can God be glorified through this?”. To make a long story short, we went without sleep Wed. night and Friday night while traveling to our needed destinations. We finally rented a car in KC and drove all night to Minnesota. At least we didn’t have to watch for moose on the road (we only saw one deer)!

So, why were we travelling to Minnesota? God is changing our base of operations. We have served faithfully at Victory Bible Camp since June of 2013. In mid May, we will begin our journey back down the Alaskan Highway. We are being called to serve at Camp Lebanon in central Minnesota http://camplebanon.org/  and https://www.facebook.com/CampLebanon/. Interestingly enough, Camp Lebanon began the same year as Victory - 1947. Chris will again be serving in the Maintenance Ministry. We are looking forward to how God will use both of us at camp. Camp Lebanon is dedicated to providing “A Meeting Place with God, to help the Church do the work of Christ”. By providing the “funnest fun”, loving relationships, beauty inside and out, and Truth declared and illustrated, Camp Lebanon guests - both young and old - will taste the delight of being desired by their Creator, God!

Here, in the 49th state, we are in the midst of “break-up” season. It is not called spring! During the winter, the snow becomes packed on our camp roads. When it starts to thaw, it breaks apart into big sloppy chunks and with greasy, silty tundra soil underneath, it is a recipe for troubled driving (and walking). The Matanuska River does the same thing as it comes back to life. Ice jams and flooding are a common problem. Three years ago a large ice jam basically destroyed much of the village of Galena. Victory has sent work teams up there to help rebuild. God has used this opportunity to open the door to share His word and put God’s love into action!

Victory, again has been honored to host several guest groups since January. These range from the Girl Scouts, to the Alaska Fish and Game venue BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman),

to the Alaska Baptist Men’s Retreat. This last one, men even travelled from as far away as Canada. Maybe that isn’t really that far! Ha! We truly find joy in serving the variety of groups that we pray will find God waiting for them here or are renewed in their walk with Him.

In the past weeks Debbie helped proctor the local homeschool kids with their required yearly state testing. We know that serving God at camp does not stop at our yellow gates. Debbie is also very thankful for the privilege of substitute teaching at Glacier View School. With only 28 students in K-12, she has gotten to know each student well. God truly opened a door for her by serving at school.

Speaking of school, enclosed is Liam’s graduation announcement! We know it is highly unlikely that any of you would be able to attend, but we absolutely want to share with you the joy we are celebrating with Liam’s achievements. Next fall, Liam will head off to college, studying physics, aerospace engineering, and maybe a minor in youth ministry. This summer, Liam is looking forward to serving as the sole member of the AV/Media ”team” again at VBC. Many of his friends from past summers will be returning. Liam will then join us at Camp Lebanon for the remainder of the summer.

As, like Abraham, we will follow God’s leading down or up the next road. We take great comfort in a Bible passage shared with us recently:

                    Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be

                   discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

As we answer God’s call for us to change our base of operations, we cannot deny our joy at being closer to our family and our home church. Hopefully, many of you will come “see and serve” and experience the “funnest fun” at Camp Lebanon!

To our wonderful loyal and faithful supporters:  While serving at Camp Lebanon, we will no longer be dependent upon your financial contributions for our sustenance. Therefore:

✞   If you currently donate to us via automatic banking, please contact Elainea@vbcalaska.org to
stop/change payment as of May 31st.

 ✞   We would joyfully encourage those who wish to continue supporting us and our efforts, to do so
via Camp Lebanon. Again, once there, we are not required to raise our own support, but
prayerfully hope you will continue serving alongside us by supporting our new ministry base:

    Camp Lebanon                                

              1205 Acorn Road                               

               Burtrum, MN 56318

          Phone: 320.573.2125

          Email: info@camplebanon.org

Prayer Requests:

⭐ For God to provide us with wisdom and organizational skills as we gather up our things and pack them again in our 16’ trailer.

⭐ For VBC to experience the Holy Omnipresence and guiding of God for summer camp and work teams.

⭐For safe travels, 3000+ miles, to our next BASE.

⭐ For Camp Lebanon - whose motto is “A Meeting Place With God”, please pray for Biblical Truth to transcend through all the people through all the weeks of camp and beyond.

⭐For a smooth transition for us at Camp Lebanon and Liam as he travels another God-given path to college.

As we end this letter and reflect back on our years of service here we are soberly humbled by all your outpouring of love, prayers, encouragement, and financial support.  Thank You.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4:14-16

It is obvious to us that we were led here by God’s calling. Nothing else. Now God is pushing us again to follow and trust Him on this new path. We must act on it!

As a side note, Chris undid the bolts and changed this sign on Victory road near the entrance gates last month. We pray people will reflect upon these words daily!

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

Serving in His Name - Chris, Debbie, and Liam
64741 S Victory RD.  Sutton, AK   99674      

Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW)

Hi,

Starting this Thursday, BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) will be here at Victory. It is sponsored by the state of Alaska Fish and Game Department. It is a great opportunity to witness to non-Christians! I (Debbie) will be helping in the dining hall a lot so I am hoping for some chances to share God. Here is a short explanation of BOW:

The workshops span a weekend, beginning at noon on Friday and ending around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The weekend is divided into four instructional sessions, that are three and a half hours each. Participants choose from a variety of classes such as big game hunting, field dressing, spin and fly fishing, snow machining, archery, dog mushing, kayaking, skijoring, cross-country skiing, canoeing, canning and smoking fish, wild edible plants, survival, map and compass, tracking and trapping, and outdoor cooking. Classes are hands-on and include time outdoors.

Evenings at a weekend workshop are filled with fun and camaraderie. There may be activities such as campfires, "round robin" skill stations, fish and game tasting opportunities, BOW Olympics, outdoor clothing fashion shows, or special guest presentations. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the social side that comes with outdoor activities and to make connections with like-minded individuals whom they may be able to enjoy outdoor activities 

Please be in prayer with all of us servinging at Victory to be "The Light" this weekend!

Thank you - blessing on your day - Chris, Debbie and Liam

Almost March!

Dear Friends and Family,                                                                                   

     We are so happy to report that the sun has returned to our windows and we are able to bask in its warmth once more. Two months is a long time to be without direct sunlight! Even one day of gloomy weather in the Midwest has one hoping for sun the next day - who wouldn't want to go on a vacation in the winter to anywhere warm and SUNNY! This brings me to my point of writing you this letter today. Is your heart warm or cold for God? Just a simple question but how will you answer it?

I have been reading through Acts and Romans and I am surprised at how many times Paul gives the new Christians warnings to beware of complacency and worshiping idols. He has to keep encouraging them and give them the tools to stay Hot for the Gospel. Do you need to be encouraged and need some new tools, too? I bet you all have the most important tool already. No matter how many times you have picked it up with good intentions, please try again. Pick up your Bible. Pray for God to lead you to the passages you need to warm your heart back up for Him.Your Bible is the inerrant Word of God!  The whole truth and nothing but the truth...wow! No exaggerations, no story telling, no fairy tales, no fake news - just the truth. The Bible informs us how to live right with God. Your salvation depends on you believing that Jesus paid our ransom with His blood by being nailed to a cross. Jesus went to hell and rose again to sit on the right hand of God so ALL sins would be forgiven and we would be able to have everlasting life with Him!

This happened over 2000 years ago in Palestine. At first, just a few in that corner of the world were touched and warmed, but the fire spread and could not be put out. Christianity quickly went from Jerusalem and Judea out to the world and its people. If it wasn't for these courageous early Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, teaching, preaching, healing, and demonstrating love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, courtrooms, ships, and desert roads - wherever God sent them, our lives and history would not be the same. So reach for your Bible of Truth and warm up with it - today! Enjoy the sunshine! Amen.

Acts 2:36-41

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God had made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brother, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of  you, in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Merry Christmas

The Joys of Christmas    The Joys of being a Christian    The Joys of Serving at Camp

So many thoughts flood our minds at this time of the year:

    🎄 How did December come so fast? It seems we just finished summer camp.🌼

    👍 Are we taking the right direction when we get up each day to begin our tasks at

          hand?

    💟 What is God’s purpose for us here? Our lives are but a vapor and is loving on our

          neighbor meaningful enough to make more disciples?👪

Christ mas absolutely brings all these questions into focus during this advent season. God did not call us to Victory by accident and we often wonder are our works producing fruit for HIm? But, of course they are… besides, it is not our job to change the hearts of man, only God himself can do that. However, God asks us to join in and help! So we serve faithfully knowing His plan is perfect! We will get up each day and continue to be still and know that God will give us the instructions we need to carry on in His name. Amen. 🙏

Victory had another busy fall hosting a variety of youth through adult programs. One of our favorites is Arctic Barnabas. Check them out at http://arcticbarnabas.org/  As you know, we live in the arctic zone and Barnabas’ message was one of encouragement. Victory Bible Camp hosts the many missionary families living remotely, in the bush of Alaska, to a week of being refreshed and restored. Arctic Barnabas provides dentists (from western Michigan) for free dental work - even crowns and root canals, free haircuts by a professional hair stylist, and a pediatrician is available for wellness check ups. We serve them a 5 star dinner, with childcare provided! The best part is there is a lot of time for worshipping, playing, praying, and sharing together. Many of these families probably have “dry” cabins. This means no running water and some with no electricity, either. These are hardy people and they know God is truly their Living Water. Please be in prayer for the indigenous Alaskan people (who are served by these missionaries) who desperately need to know of God’s love and salvation.

Our Christmas card this year is a reflection of the Barnabas’ in our lives. We are so thankful for each of you. You restore and refresh us in our daily walk to share God’s love to all with your prayers and financial support.

Merry Christmas to all - Chris, Debbie and Liam

64741 S Victory Rd.  Sutton, AK  99674  •  CDCMCL@hotmail.com • mockstovictory.blogspot.com

A Look Back at Summer 2016

 Denali in the background

Here is our latest newsletter. The season of fall, which is approximately 2 weeks long here in Alaska, is on its way out. Snow is sticking and staying on the mountains across the river. We could have our first snowfall anytime. However, we do live in Alaska and even we have to remind ourselves how far north we live. This morning it was 30 degrees out!

We were able to take a short trip up to Denali National Park at the end of August. We tent camped with another family. We really needed the R & R. Autos are not able to travel past mile 14 into the park so you have to take a shuttle bus. We did this to mile 66 and back. Our driver was very informative and stopped to let us take pictures of the Dahl sheep, caribou, ptarmigan, moose and the best part, 12 grizzly bears! One was bold enough that it walked right down the road and passed along side our bus. The mountain of Denali sits at over 20,000 ft and the weather was perfect for viewing it. Although tent camping when it is 25 degrees out in the morning is really cold!

Denali at sunset from our campground

Mr. Grizzly Bear as he quickly passes our bus!

God has been working in us more each day and is continually showing us as it is written in
 Isaiah 55: 8-9:
                     For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
                           neither are your ways my ways,”
                              declares the Lord.
                 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
                           so are my ways higher than your ways
                              and my thoughts than your thoughts.  

We are foolish to act as if we know what God is thinking and planning. We are foolish to fit God into our mold - to make Him conform to our desires. Let go and let God!

Bountiful blessings to all.

Mocks at Victory - A Look Back at Summer 2016

This photo  is a moment in time we will never forget. We praise God for His unrelenting command on our lives to serve at Victory Bible Camp. Through our experience serving here, He has opened our eyes and hearts to the importance of being faithful and obedient disciples in this life. It has certainly not been an easy life, but one that challenges us each new day. If we hadn’t answered His call - afraid of change, or the unknown - we would have missed out on the work God had planned for us. If all was good, we would not cry out to God and become dependent on Him. We are grateful our Savior continues to rescue, transform, and deliver us from evil!

Summer Camp:

      It always amazes us how much energy and enthusiasm that the summer staff brings to Victory. After a long Alaska winter, they seem like endless sunshine. Maybe that is why they come to Alaska! God provided, once again, a variety of personalities who all came together for one purpose - to share the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ. They come from all over the US and devote their summer to planting seeds of faith, truth, and love in the hearts of the children that attend camp. These special people are not paid, so it is a big deal for them to give their time to Victory. Praise God for all their works. I wish you could just sit in on one meal, or even better, one Chapel time. God is certainly alive!  Visit Victory Bible Camp on Facebook for lots of pictures and videos.

Chapel time

Liam helping with chapel time

Work Teams:

     These individuals are probably more important to our ministry here than they will ever know. Without work teams Victory would be without newly painted facilities, without new green metal roofing on the leaky Alpine cabins, our much needed large road grader, wheel loader & dozer would still be sitting broken along the fence row and our roads would be in terrible shape, tree limbs would be overgrowing the power lines, our flower gardens would be sad and overgrown with weeds, the waterfront docks would be a hazard with large splinters waiting for tender feet and even floating apart, the Adventure camp would not have showers, and our Frontier bathhouse would be moldy and very outdated. This is just part of the list! There are not enough of we full time staff to go around to fix and take care of the camp.  Plus, their financial donations make it possible for us to have a beautiful, safe, and up to date facility. God is so good and provided, once again, everything VBC needed. If you are interested in being on a work team, it can just be you or a group of 14 people, just get online and check out www.vbcalaska.org or give a call at 907-745-4203.

           Painting with Trinity work team                               Re-plumbing our kitchen

Painting the outside of Ranch Lodge

Re-roofing Alpine Cabins

Chris & Debbie:

    We praise God for a bountiful harvest this summer, 660 campers, 8 work teams from across the US, several private family outings, hockey camp, and numerous couples and singles stopped by from a few days, to a few weeks, to all summer to lend a hand!

    Chris’ role at Victory changed this summer and he was able to concentrate on the grounds plus all his regular maintenance duties.This made for a really busy summer but we finally have roads that drain off the rain water and lagoons that are protected by a higher dyke so the lake is not contaminated. We even have some nice grass areas for outdoor play. Grass does not grow well here! Debbie pitched in most days painting her way across camp. She has also made lots of curtains, cleaned housing over and over again, mowed the grass areas, and helped serve guests in the dining hall.

God is Love:

    This message is the reason this camp exists today. It is the reason why we need to be here tomorrow and many years to come. Just take a few moments and listen to the news. It can be an ugly and mean world out there. However, God is in control. We are His children.  “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”.  John 15:5

    Victory Bible Camp stands firm in the presence of every adversity. God says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.  Isaiah 41:10

Home Front:

    Liam has started his senior year at Glacier View School. He hopes to find the right college fit for his interest in physics and engineering. Any college recommendations are welcome. (Liam.mock@outlook.com)  Liam spent the summer as the only member of the audio and video department. Last summer there were 5 people! He was also the official camp photographer. He spent countless hours helping with Chapel time and capturing the moments and memories of camp life. Liam had the great opportunity to make lifelong friendships with the summer staff, many his same age. This is a big difference from how he spends his school year. Just 3 other classmates his same age!

    Caitlin is now a resident of the state of Minnesota. She is working in her field of medical/biological illustration in the Creative Media Department at the Mayo Clinic. She hopes to be there a very long time as it takes 17 years to get an up close parking space! It is very nice to have her back in the midwest.

    Brian and Morgan moved to Bloomington, IL in June. Brian continues his career in the headquarters for State Farm. Morgan was blessed to get a high school teaching job in the history department.

    Cody and Aurelie have moved also, back to Pella! Cody is the IT Administrator for the Pella School District. Aurelie is busy with their 1950’s rambler (ranch house). For all you Pella people, please give them a hug when you see them for us!

Prayers:

    For God to receive all the honor and glory through the work we all do at Victory.

    Please be in prayer for all the people who attended Victory this summer. May they hear God’s word now from other fellow Christians and continue to grow and follow after Him. His path is narrow but God’s blessings are wide!

   Our thoughts are frequently with you - all of you who make it possible for us to serve here. Thank you seems so little a gift to give back for all your prayers and support monies. Please know that we appreciate ALL you do for us and Victory. Camp EXISTS because of your faithful prayers and financial partnership.

We love email & snail mail, so if you have time, please send us a letter and let us know how we can pray for you!

Mocks          64741 S Victory Rd.  Sutton, AK 99674              CDCMCL@hotmail.com

PS

We have had questions on where to send donations if you are not blessing us monthly already. You can just send them to us and we will hand deliver them. This way we can be more timely in sending our humble words of thanks! You will receive a receipt back in the mail for your tax records.

May trip

Hi Everyone,

We will soon be traveling "outside" as they say in Alaska. We are all busy here getting camp in order for the summer staff and camp kids to arrive. A truly very exciting season for Victory Bible Camp.
It all started in 1947 with 75 campers came for a short stay with tents and a few picnic tables. Although we have grown enormously since then our mission has always been constant. Share the LOVE and word of God. SHOW what truth, grace and mercy really look like. VBC fills a unique place within the needs of Alaska's Christian and non-Christian communities. Our ministries touch thousands of lives each year with the goal of leading guests towards a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through quality programs and top-notch facilities. Come and see for yourself!

The white areas in the center of this photo are Shallow Lake and Index Lake with camp in between the two and to the right and left of the lakes.

Below is attached our latest newsletter sent out in March.

SPRING 2016

Today is March 8th, 2016 and as we write this letter we are reflecting on ALL God has done for us here at Victory! Before this missive continues, here is a portion of our first blog written on September 8th, 2012:

All I can say is, Wow, we never thought we would be moving to Alaska 2 years ago. But God knew and knows all beyond our understanding. "Be still and know that I am God". We are all created to give God His glory and share the Gospel. That is it! Our story will hopefully be a faith walk with God. We really don't know where God is leading us through our mission work with Victory, so it is like a leap of faith for us - even as we are jumping, we do so with the knowledge that even though we may not be able to "see" our Father's arms, He sees us, and that's all that really matters!

This is not earth shattering news. We have all heard it so many times before. Oh, so maybe you did hear it, but did not receive the message of the Gospel into your heart. It all sounds so incredibly easy to “know” the Gospel. But to grow in HIs word and feel the pull of the message is another thing altogether. To not be able to do your normal day to day living because this message in your heart keeps telling you with an unstoppable force to act on God’s divine word. Wow, what does a person do with that? His voice is alive in you and it is like a water faucet that you cannot turn off. It is like a hunger you cannot satisfy.  Matthew 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This is what happen to us. This leap of faith was hard, fearful, uncomfortable, inconvenient, divisive… well the list goes on and on. However, the incredible reality of following after Jesus has placed us on the most joyful, truly amazing, life changing path we could have ever imagined.

We desperately want to thank each of you who has faithfully prayed us along this path each and every day. We humbly want to praise you also for financially blessing us. We are all a team on the scrimmage line together. The plays cannot be called if we don’t all know the moves we are to make. A beautiful dance indeed!

Victory has seen a very mild winter and spring break-up is already upon us. We still do have snow covering the ground. This is a big deal because most of the people who come to Victory are from “the Valley” and Anchorage and they have not had enough snow to play in this winter. We would like to think the white snow is a reflection of God’s love on this place and all who enter through it’s gates.

Please be in prayer for all of these people who come to Victory so they may hear and know God is in their hearts.They are from all walks of life and all age groups. May His word be an unstoppable unbeatable force that keeps them on His narrow path of righteousness.

Anchorage and Alaska have the worst statistics per capita for a failed family unit, hard core drug use, sex trafficking, child abuse, alcoholism and depression. More languages

are spoken in Anchorage than any other city in the USA. Please pray that God will lead many to Victory to feel His love and forgiveness. Then they, in turn, can go out and share the Gospel. Amen

On The Home Front

Liam is on a 10 day mission trip with 9 other people from our Glacier View Bible Church. The organization is called Reach Beyond - The Voice and Hands of Jesus Together. Their group is focused on assisting indigenous people in a village near Chillanes, Ecuador with potable water and sanitation. They have been working on digging a meter deep trench that is 0.8 of a mile long from the spring source. In addition to digging, they carried 40 lb. bags of gravel up to this same mountainside spring to add to cement to create a concrete dam. Then, in the afternoon, they are sponsoring and teaching vacation Bible school. Entire families from the village come to hear the Word. So awesome!

Caitlin graduates from her Medical and Biological Illustration graduate program at Johns Hopkins on May 16th. She is very, very busy finishing up her thesis project.

We just recently bought our tickets and will be able to be a part of her big day! We will then move her back to Marion, IA where all the rest of her belongings are and she will job search from there - if she does not have a job already!

As for us, we will be in Baltimore for probably a week then head to Iowa and stay with Debbie’s mom. We hope to be in Pella May 22nd for the day. It will be an open house/Mock potluck at church after the second service. Our desire is to just be able to sit down and visit with everyone at church.

Bountiful Blessings on each one of you - Chris, Debbie, and Liam