It was our pleasure to spend two weeks with the Barnetts ministering in Alaska and seeing the wonderful sights our God has created as a senior missions trip for seven of the nine graduated seniors from Tabernacle Baptist Academy in Virginia Beach, VA. The Barnetts are an energetic couple who really kept us hopping for the entire two weeks.
We started our journeys by flying into Anchorage late Tuesday night, May 31, 2011. The Barnetts picked us up from the hotel in Anchorage on Wednesday morning and we headed to Higher Ground Baptist Camp with some sightseeing along the way. We enjoyed our time at Soldotna Baptist Church that Wednesday night as well as our fishing and clamming on Thursday and a tour in the Gulf of Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula on Friday. On Saturday, we went back to Anchoarge to prepare for ministry at Marantha Baptist Church on Sunday morning. We enjoyed fellowshipping with Pastor England and his family and church people that morning. We spent the evening service in Palmer with the folks at Immanuel Baptist Church. We had opportunity to give testimonies, sing, play instruments, and preach for those churches. We sought to be a blessing to them, but we were blessed in return.
Monday and Tuesday were packed with work details at Pilgrim's Baptist Church in Wasilla. Pastor and Mrs. Tucker kept us busy with carpet cleaning, window washing, minor stage remodeling, and anything else they could think of. We had a wonderful time working together. The long days with so much light led us to long working days, but that just meant that we got more done! The team commented on what a blessing it was to see the joy in Pastor Tucker's face every time we asked for another job! We spent those days at Pilgrim's studying the Book of Titus together as a team in our team devotion time. That was a blessing for all of us as well.
Wednesday came and we loaded up the van and headed for Camp Challenge and Fairbanks. On the way to Camp Challenge, we saw Mt. McKinley and got to visit with the Hudsons from Talkeetna Baptist Church. Now Mr. B had been telling us what an interesting time we were going to have at Camp Challenge since the Hilton was full up out there! ;-) I know that there was some apprehension, but we knew that we could do it! The road into camp was long and dusty, but praise the Lord the van and trailer made it back to camp with no problems. We had dinner that night with the Grahms and the work team that was there from Front Range Baptist Church in Fort Collins, CO. We took the night off and retired somewhat early to rest up for our work days at camp. We spent the next two days doing various jobs around camp. The girls did a lot of cleaning and picking up from all the work that had been done over the last few weeks in an effort to help get things ready for camp. We got to help with inventories and whatever else they needed us to do. The guys worked on some minor finishing jobs in the new bathrooms in both the girls and the boys dorms. We all had a good time out in the wilderness bathing in bug spray and swatting mosquitos as we worked! Mr. B introduced us to the necessary "FOB" at Camp Challenge and I know that all the seniors eagerly waited to hear his call for our daily "Flat on Back" break!
On Saturday, we packed up all our stuff and headed to Fairbanks. We all enjoyed our hot showers and beds in the hotel in Fairbanks after our stay at Camp Challenge! The Barnetts showed us around Fairbanks. The Alaskan Pipeline was impressive for those of us from the east coast! On Sunday, we had the privilege of ministering at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church with Pastor Hamilton and the wonderful people there. We got to meet the people in the church as well as fellowship with the folks with whom we had been working at Camp Challenge. We heard some great preaching and were challenged to hold nothing back in our service for our great Savior.
Monday was a long day since we had to travel all the way back to Anchorage from Fairbanks. We took the scenic route along the Alaskan Highway and even got to walk on the Matanuska Glacier before we rolled back into Anchorage late Monday night. After a good night's rest, we packed our trailer for the last time and took a short tour of downtown Anchorage. We got to eat that afternoon at the Sourdough House before we had to go to the airport.
The airport brought bitter-sweet feelings for all of us. Our team had grown to love Alaska and the beautiful sights it holds. But even more than that, we were sad to leave the Barnetts. They had become part of us. Although all of us were excited at the prospect of seeing our familes again, we were sad to see the Barnetts drive away in the white van. At least we know that we didn't have to say goodbye because whether we get to see the Barnetts again on this side of heaven or not, only the Lord knows, but we will one day fellowship along with them for all of eternity.
These two weeks will not soon be forgotten by any of us. We have an enlarged vision for the ministries and needs in Alaska. The Lord taught us many wonderful things through which we have grown closer to the Lord and closer together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. B, for giving your time to lead us around and show us the need in Alaska. The Lord only knows all the things you did for us. We love you and look forward to fellowship with you again when the Lord leads our paths to cross.
Amanda Baker for the 2011 Senior Class Alaskan Mission Team from Tabernacle Baptist Academy in Virginia Beach, VA
See Facebook for pictures of all the fun we had!
m our tr
ips, and getting to know one another. The Barnetts took us sight seeing a little bit by taking us to see the Iditarod headquarters. It was neat to see the old dog sleds and trophies, and we even got to ride on a dog sled (on wheels, since it's summer) and hold some newborn puppies. Needless to say, I enjoyed myself. :)
and were able to meet some of the members of the church, and friends from the surrounding area. Today we joined our host church for services, and performed the special music.
