A week in Ouzinkie

The first three weeks of summer have been a tremendous blessing.  Much of that has to do with the incredible people the Lord has brought to work along side each other.  This group is made up of some of the most incredible people who pull more than their own weight and are quick to help.  They have all grown very close and I love watching the Lord work through them to share His love with the island of Kodiak.  

After our second week of camp we all loaded into the boat and headed to the village of Ouzinkie.  It's a small village not far from Kodiak.  Norman and Joyce Smith spent their lives living and ministering to the people their.  Joyce has just past away in the past three years, leaving the Mission their to KBM.  It's an old 1930s home, but after spending just a little time their it's easy to see why Joyce and Norman loved Ouzinkie so much.  

The night we arrived the entire staff filled the home with load beautiful music, praising the Lord late in the night.  Their excitement to serve and worship together is infectious and it felt great to have such joy in the home again.  The next morning we had a Sunday service in the small chapel downstairs before loading up most the group to head back to Kodiak for the week.  A small team remained for the week to do kayaking, pottery and just live with the community for a week.  

Of course I had gotten a bad cold and was and still am a bit under the weather, but Stephen was their to pull most of the load.  He's such a wonderful guy!  We celebrating our anniversary there and it was extremely memorable.  Our staff had stayed up the night before cutting out hearts and writing on them all that love is.  Stephen and I know how blessed we are, but it's just good reminder to remain faithful to the Lord and see how He will work through us.  We also had a couple from the village make a very delicious cake to share that night.  Another man from the village brought us ice cream and everyone was so amazing!  

The week ended quickly and while I was so excited to take a normal shower and sleep in my bed it was hard leaving the kids and village, but we'll soon be back.  We plan on spending two and a half more weeks their this summer with the groups.