Fall 2014
Greetings from the 49th state,
Fall is here - 30 degrees this morning. We are grateful it warms up to 50-60 degrees during the day. Everywhere you look the vibrant colors of yellow and orange dance together. Moose season just finished up. It goes from September 1 - 21st. It is really a big deal in Alaska because one average size moose can provide 450 lbs of meat. This amount could feed 3 families this winter. Of course, the salmon dipnetting season this summer also provides many yummy winter meals.
Our cozy home doesn’t have a wood burning stove, but most of the homes on camp do, even Miracle Lodge. So imagine along with the sound of gunfire in the woods, there is the whirring of the chain saw! The old saying is firewood warms you up when you cut the tree down, saw the wood into logs, split and stack the logs, then you can enjoy the heat from the stove - until you need to go outside to gather more wood!
This spring and summer went by quickly. Victory was blessed with many willing servants, from all over the US, who completed many needed projects. In reality, our prayers are that all who have been to Victory would return, not because of the awesome meals, but because of the soul food. Not because of the fun activities, but because of the faithful relationships made. Not because of the beautiful scenery, but because of the everlasting truth of God. Victory would be dead without people seeking God. Seeking Jesus Christ. Many kids passed through the yellow gates onto camp property this summer. What makes summer camp unique compared to going to youth group or a worship service at church? We get to love on them for a whole continuous week, away from the distractions and temptations of everyday life. That’s it. Our hope is for these children to grow spiritually, developing a loving, trusting relationship with Jesus. Victory continues to follow up with their camp kids during the school year to strengthen the bond they have made. This is so important since many kids return home to unfavorable situations and lifestyles.
God provides so many different ways we can interact with Him each day. Yesterday, I was busy helping to set up housing for our Outpost Program. I needed dishes for the kitchen. As I carefully lifted the box off of the shelf the bottom of the box broke. There was nothing I could do but let them tumble out, smashing onto the floor. It was quite a loud crashing sound too! Fortunately, just a few broke, but it was a mess to pick up and I was already short on time. After a sad sigh by me, I hurriedly cleaned it up and was on my way. Today, at home, the song “He Said” by Group 1 Crew came on. The lyrics say…
“I won’t give you more, more than you can take. And I might let you bend, but I won’t let you break. And no-o-o-o. I’ll never ever let you go-o-o-o”.
I was instantly reminded of yesterday’s broken dishes - I know today and always that He will never let me break and never let me go. Amen.
Where will God meet you today?
Family News:
Cody and Aurelie moved into their own townhouse near Kansas City and grandma Mock. Chris’ dad passed away after a long illness in April, Cody and Aurelie had been living with and helping them. Cody works from home full time for a company doing web development and Aurelie works at the local library.
Morgan is teaching full time in her first real classroom! This has been her dream since she was a first grader. She is teaching several different AP history classes. Even though her days are long - as she creates new lesson plans, she loves it. Brian continues to work for State Farm. He also enjoys his career and is ever striving to improve his knowledge in his field of work. Don’t you just love the State Farm commercials!
Caitlin has been in her grad school program - Art As Applied Medicine at Johns Hopkins - since the beginning of August. It is the most challenging studying she has ever done. She is learning a lot at a rapid pace alongside the first year med students. I am sure it will be an experience she will never forget.
Liam started his sophomore year at Glacier View School in mid August. The student count K-12 is 29! It is like homeschool and public school in one. There are 6 students in high school! He helps around camp and gets paid to clean the school busses and works in the camp dining room. He loves Alaska and is surely a bright light here.
I stay busy working the front desk, making curtains & painting interiors of housing units, teaching 3rd-4th grade Sunday school, substitute teaching at Glacier View School, and taking care of the home front. I have built many good relationships at school and praise God for each opportunity to serve Him there.
Chris’ to do list is full. He has been readying camp for the winter months (there’s just a few). He has been wrestling with the hot water boiler heat exchanger that heats the water for Miracle Lodge. The domestic hot water lines are clogged with 12 years worth of calcium scale. At this point the scale is winning! There are huge piles of firewood that need to be cut to feed the wood boiler for Miracle Lodge. So far, no water line breaks since August. Amen!
It was pure joy to have our Trinity Work team here this summer. As I told Rod V.G. - “God’s church is all His people fit together perfectly in their proper place, functioning as a whole body. We are not just randomly stuck together. The Mocks just happen to be the feet”.
Prayer Requests:
the many retreats and conferences - that’s till the end of May!
Properly functioning equipment such as wood, heating oil and waste oil boilers, snow plows, and water and septic lines.
word.
love of Jesus Christ here at Victory and throughout the whole world!
directions for our camping ministries.
We sincerely thank you for your prayer and financial support. You are the heart and soul of our ministry here at Victory. Our feet would not be able to move without you. We do miss our church family - a lot! Bountiful blessings to all of you.
In His Name - Chris, Debbie and Liam
Our landline: 907.746.3455
Our address: 64741 S Victory Road
Sutton, AK 99674
Victory landline: 907.745.4203
Chris and his friend, the wood boiler, patiently waiting for the fire to start burning the newly added wood. This is done four times a day to heat Miracle Lodge.
This is the over flow creek next to our home. The water is from the spring where we all get our drinking/utility water.Notice all the ice forming along the sides.
My Christmas Cactus is blooming!
Index Lake is icing over. In another month the ice road will be open.
This is how the sun looks on Shallow Lake as of October 26th. Notice the shadows from TeePee Ridge almost reach the north side of the lake. Soon the sun will not make it over the ridge or the mountain range on the south side of the Matanuska River and camp will not have direct sunlight
for 2 months.
This Trumpeter Swan family stopped over for about a week on their way back to winter in northern Minnesota.
Chris was able to help a friend of ours drive to Eagle, AK two weeks ago. By now the road is closed for winter travel. Eagle is located midway up the state on the Canadian border.
Their timing was perfect as they were able to witness the migration of these amazing
creatures of God.
Notice the hundreds of Caribou among the trees!
Our second snowfall this fall was on October 4th.
