Kotzebue - Week 25 (39)

I hope this reaches you doing well.

Things have been quite busy here in the assignment. Continuing in the ministry remains the motivating force for our efforts and endeavors as these very long Arctic Summer days begin.

As of today the Sun "rises" (not really) at 3:30AM and "sets" (again, not really) at 2:05AM. As you can do the math you see that the day is filled with about 23 hours of light. Starting this Wednesday, the Sun will not set in the sky until August when the days get a bit shorter day by day. This will be the "midnight sun" that I mentioned previously in my writings.

As the days have gone by leading up to this time, I have been taking steps to get as much sleep as possible in view of the fact that when I would normally sleep the Sun is still shining bright in the sky. This includes covering my eyes with a small cover and trying to close the blinds as much as possible.

Still, as I mentioned before, the sun in the sky is a welcome sight for myself and others as opposed to the total darkness we lived thru for months in the Arctic Winter. What a difference 6 months makes!

Along with this increase in light, and with the kids being out of school, the residents of the village are in full swing with activity. Fishing, hunting, hiking, off roading are some of the things that they are enjoying now. It takes some adaptation on our part,  to tailor the ministry around their schedule and interests.

For example: The hunting that takes place is for Caribou, Beluga whale and Black whale, Spotted Seal. The Native Iñupiat residents have lived off of the land for hundreds of years and have an appreciation and respect for the sustenance that it provides them. This is one aspect of the message that appeals to them. So we try to make an effort to highlight that to them in the ministry in our daily conversations. The locals continue to be welcoming for the most part as we work thru the territory and meet others.

The Kotzebue Sound and Chukchi Sea are mostly thawed (See attached) and rapidly flowing. The mix of Freshwater and Saltwater make the water different colors and levels. This is quite the contrast to when I could walk across it and drive across on car and Snowmachine. Good times indeed.

Tomorrow marks 10 full months of being Isolated from the Organization and Congregation arrangement. Nevertheless, in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, I continue to be strengthened by feeding from the Table of Jehovah and by means of Prayer and daily Reliance on Him. Please be assured that each of you are precious to Him and that "he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Continuing to pray Jehovah's rich blessing upon all of you, I remain,

Your fellow worker,

M. J. Penfield

Alaska Fact of the Week: In 1880, Alaska's population consisted of 33,426, of which only 430 were not natives.

Kotzebue - Week 22 (36)

I hope this reaches each of you doing well and busy in the ministry that's been "entrusted" to each one of us. (1 Tim 1:11)

The past 2 weeks proved to be very busy ones returning from a very brief travel time last weekend in Anchorage, Thursday thru Sunday for the 2015 Service Year's final Circuit event. As well, this midweek we moved to another location for our accommodations locally here in town.

As you can no doubt imagine, the time is moving along quite fast here in the field. We are coming down the stretch with the assignment that 1st began some 36 weeks ago back in the month of September in the cruise port of Skagway, AK. Now "North of 68°" the longer days and milder temperatures along with seeing the actual dirt of the ground as opposed to the thick ice that covers the land, remind me daily that we have survived the brutal Arctic Winter only with the Aid of Jehovah.

The average temperature of 30° for the month of May while seeming at sight to be still rather cold to what some are accustomed to in the lower 48, feel closer to a 70° day coming from the average of -30°, -40° we were commonly accustomed to in the months of December - February. And in actuality it truly is a 70° difference for us along with the residents here in the village. It's not an uncommon sight to see some of the neighbors out in shorts and shortslevees in the course of the ministry in a day. While we aren't exactly at that point as far as the type of clothing we wear on a daily basis is concerned, the mild temperatures are a welcome oasis and are noticeable.

The minstry continues to remain the focus of each day. We continue to reach as many as possible with the Kingdom message. By phone, door to door, return visits and the like. The general response is good. People receive us favorably for the most part. One of the more interesting parts of the days come from the fact that with the warmer temperatures come people "on the way out" or with very limited time. So our ministry adapts accordingly, keeping in mind that a good portion of the men in town work as commercial fishermen and are able get back to work for the season.

The words of Paul in the 2 letter to Timothy chapter 4 and verse number 4 continue to be a motivating force in these days for myself. There we read: "do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry."

Imagine the strength that Timothy gained from those final words of a dear friend and companion. That same strength is readily available to you and I today. No matter what circumstance or trial you may be undergoing, please be assured that Our Father will continue to be with you in the final part of these days, making you Strong for the work that he has given us. (1 Pet 5:10)

Praying Jehovah's rich blessing on you, I remain,

Your fellow worker,

M. J. Penfield

Alaska Fact of the Week: Alaska has over 3 million lakes. The largest, Lake Iliamna, encompasses over 1,000 square miles or roughly the size of the state of Connecticut.