Kotzebue - Week 5 (19)

I hope this reaches you doing well in this winter over the past few days, weeks and months.

With some "warmer" temperatures (in a very relative sense, meaning anything with double digits lol) this week, the ministry proved to be enjoyable, as is always the case, but noticeably more comfortable then some of the past weeks. This may come from the fact that naturally over the course of time, I have become more accustomed to some of the rather routine and daily aspects of living that accompany an assignment in this part of the earth.

Also there is a slight notice in the length of the daylight that we are starting very slowly to get again. Upwards of about 8 mins a day. Very soon here in the month of May we will go to another complete extreme where the Sun will not set for the Summer. This is known as the "Land of the Midnight Sun."

The midnight sun is only found above the arctic circle, when the sun dips but never fully sets.

Alaska receives more sunlight in spring and summer than any other state and many other parts of the world. For example, in Barrow, the state’s and country's northernmost community, the sun does not set for more than two and a half months—from May 10 until August 2. (The contrast is from November 18 to January 24, when the sun never rises above the horizon.)

The real boundary of the midnight sun is the Arctic Circle, latitude 66 degrees, 33 minutes north and 44 seconds latitude. That imaginary line marks the lowest latitude at which the sun remains above the horizon for a full 24 hours during summer solstice (June 20 or 21) and below the horizon for a full 24 hours during winter solstice (December 21 or 22).

At the equator, the sun rises straight up from the horizon and sets straight down to it. In Alaska, the sun travels in a slanting 360 degree circle in the sky, so even if it's below the horizon, it's barely below it for a long period. This means that even though the sun isn't visible, we still receive very bright twilight that can last for hours or until the sun rises again.

For example, Fairbanks, which is below the Arctic Circle by almost 200 miles, still receives 24 hours of light for a long period in the summer. Conversely, in winter, the sun may only be above the horizon for a few hours, but there are many more hours of visible light due to the very low arc the sun travels across the horizon.

As you are no doubt aware and as I have previously mentioned, this is also the land of "Celestial Phenomena." (See Skagway - Week 11) Particularly more noticeable at this time of year and being this Far North.

When it's not cloudy, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are visible to the naked eye. I have attached a picture that a sister further south of us was able to capture this past week.

Parhelions, more commonly known as sun dogs or mock suns, appear as fuzzy rainbows or bright spots in the sky "dogging" the sun. You are most likely to see a sun dog in the morning or afternoon during the winter. Records of this phenomena date all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. Famous Ancient Greek philosophers even made mention of sun dogs.

Sun dogs are the result of ice crystal clouds called cirrostratus clouds refracting or reflecting light from the sun. The clouds form a halo around the sun that interacts with sunlight. If light refracts through it, the sun dog shows a spectrum of colors. Red is a main color because it is refracted less than other colors. White sun dogs are caused by reflecting light. Sun dogs mostly appear when the sun is "near" the earth, or below a 61 degree angle relative to the horizon. Therefore they can only be seen around sunrise or sunset, unless you are in Alaska during the winter where the sun is always low in the sky. I have also attached a diagram and picture of a Sun Dog so you know what I'm referring to.

That being said, this week in the ministry proved to be a very interesting and busy one. (See attached photos) Taking into consideration local factors, there are various ways that we approach the territory here. For example, as we are well aware, the door-to-door ministry is a tried and tested method that is a touchstone of our work as ministers in this time of the end.

In dealing with Inupiat locals in their native village, there are a few methods that work well. When working from door to door, it's not uncommon for them to invite you in to their homes right away. In some cases, they do this without even coming to open the door. They will let you know from inside the home and thru the door, without knowing who is there, to just "come in". You can imagine both my teammate and my suprise (coming from larger cities) when this occurs.

You can also imagine their surprise when they see us enter their home. They can clearly tell, that we aren't natives and this usually leads to a good intro as to why we are not only at their door but living among them in the village. Also the looks we get as we walk for miles in the rather frigid temperatures and snow allow for a good intro into our message. We are very careful to be respectful and considerate of their culture and customs when dealing with them. We are cognizant of the fact that it will take a good amount of time, effort and patience to share the Kingdom Message with the native people of this land.

The words of the Apostle Paul came to my mind this week. Found in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 9 and verse 23 notice what's said. There we read: "But I do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others."

Observe the attitude of Paul. He had the desire to share the good news with as many as possible. And he was willing to do anything, really "All Things" to help others.

What can you and I gain from his good example? The lesson for each of us is: 'Am I willing to do all things for the sake of the good news'? 'Will I do anything to share the good news with others'? Ask yourself that question honestly and really examine your feelings on that matter. Now, this doesn't mean that we have to be in a distant or foreign assignment to answer that question accurately. It's even moreso in our local congregations and territories that this is answered. When we really think thoroughly and meditate deeply about People and their Lives, we start to get the foundation and the formulation of what the answer may be.

The real answer to that question comes from the deepest, inner feeling of ourselves and our Relationship with Jehovah. That is what will reveal what the true answer to that question is.

The good news is something that people in this world desperately need and have the unique opportunity to benefit from. And you and I have the assignment to carry this life saving message to others. We must put forth effort to examine ourselves regularly. May we consider it a joy and honor to share the positive and hopeful message with our neighbors. My heartfelt petition each day is that Jehovah along with His Spirit, permit me to "do all things" for the Iñupiat people and give them the opportunity to have "a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11)

Keeping you close in mind and in my prayers on a daily basis, I trust that Jehovah will continue blessing each of you in the days ahead.

Sending you the warmest of love and greetings,

M. J. Penfield

Alaska Fact of the Day: Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle where temperatures rarely go above 50 degrees during the year. It is common for temperatures to be 20 degrees below zero and lower during the winter. Winds ranging from 20 to 50 mph push the wind chill to 60 degrees below zero and lower.