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.