Mocks at Victory

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

2 weeks!

Time flies by up here in Alaska too. Especially when the sun barely sets and then is up again for another glorious day. We have had perfect weather since our arrival on June 10th. Usually the locals says it is rainy like Iowa this time of year. Our home is looking like we actually live here now. Right now there is a work team here from Federated in Pella and we have been tagging along with them in the evenings with their activities. Chris is working on improving the runway as it is a very important part of the camp. I have been helping with housekeeping and babysitting for some families. We have been to town twice and will probably go again soon to get our driver's license and truck registration. We pray each day for God to show us His will and His way in all we do. "Just" trust and obey. We have shared with many people already and hope God will grow the seeds we have planted.

Please continue to pray for God's leadership to prevail in all of Victory's endeavors. Please pray for the safety of all the campers and families living here.

Peace be with you ...

Chris, Debbie, and Liam

The Matanuska Glacier. Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States.

Hiking on the glacier

Liam throwing rocks into the hidden lake within the glacier

The glacier is over 1000 feet deep

Federated work team waiting to go gold panning in Miracle Lodge at Victory

Gold!

The ride back to camp at 10:30 at night!

The view out our windows

Lots of wild roses and rhubarb

Our home -

Chris with Brendon Terpstra working on the airstrip, Victory Peak in the background.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Father's Day

Oh, what a glorious day! We have been here nearly a week now and are settling into our new surroundings. We made the 1 hour 45 min drive to the west side of Wasilla and attended church with 2 other camp families. Afterwards, we made some needed purchases at the local Walmart before heading back up the mountain. The weather in unseasonably sunny and warm, would you believe we are in the 90's today! It is also very dry here. Some say it is like the high desert. Camp is quiet today as the kids arrive on Mondays and head back home on Saturday. Here are some snap shots from the past week. We think of ALL of you who are on this mission with us and praise His name ALL the time - Amen!

Joel Ruisch welcoming us to Victory on Monday night the 10th of June

Our "living room" - and to think we got rid of 3/4ths of our belongings!

Victory Peak and Miracle Lodge

On the drive home from Anchorage at 10:30 at night!

Liam napping with a little more order to our living room

View as we drive into town

living room

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Watson Lake, Yukon Territory

We started out today over 4 hours behind schedule because one of the trailer wheels needed bearings replaced. Fortunately, just across the street was the only garage open on Saturday and they were very helpful in getting us back on the road. God is awesome! The Canadian Rockies were breathtaking - slow going with many curves and narrow roads. The animal count for today is - 7 black bear, 2 moose, several bison, many wild horses, and a lot of Stone sheep. The pictures don't come close to the true beauty. Everyone we visit with is so friendly, too.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Fort Nelson, BC

500 miles today - up and down - 8, 9, 10% grades - so many oil fields - rainy in the morning - temp 55 most of the day. We started on the ALCAN highway after lunch. This 1200+ miles of road was made during WWII. Thankfully the road has changed a lot and is very nice to drive on. We head over the Rocky Mountains tomorrow and will have a shorter day of driving. We have about 1160 miles to go.

ALCAN Highway mile Zero

God has blessed us so much!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Fox Creek

Ok, wow, we are at a very crazy place tonight. This is an oil boom town and our hotel is being built as we stay in it tonight! Seriously, we walked between road graders to get to the front door. No place to park since there is really not a parking lot yet. We drove up a side road and stopped at the ranger station to see if we could park the truck and trailer there. It was closed, however when Chris knocked, a very nice young gal answered the door and got the "ok" for us to park there overnight. Chris dropped us in the street in front of the hotel - after we grabbed a few things we would need for the night - and then went and parked the truck! Did I say crazy! Also the hotel has a kitchenette with all the stuff you need to cook a dinner, including dishes! We walked to the local IGA and bought some food and are in the process of cooking burritos. The hotel is very nicely decorated - such a contrast to the town.

Our day was warm and sunny again - we are blessed with good driving weather! Drove past Calgary and Edmonton today. Went through lots of logging country. Flat and hilly terrain, beautiful rivers, and lots of interesting Canadian signage! God is so good - praise his name!