Things have really been busy here at the Harris household.
Cassie comes back from Naknek tomorrow. We have heard some exciting things about her time in Naknek from her and from others there in the village. We are looking forward to having her home. Chelsie had a wonderful time in Tyonek. She was amazed at the way the kids in the village would hang on them, and stay with them as late and long as possible. We are hoping that the group from our church that Chelsie was a part of will be invited back to Tyonek. Please pray.
ABM and Soldotna Bible Chapel sponsored a group of Mexican nationals to come up and evangelize the cannery workers in Chignik Bay. What exciting things happened while they were there. Several workers accepted Christ, and the boost to the InterAct missionaries who have labored there for years was a real plus. These people are elders from their church in Mexico and were well received by the immigrant workers at the cannery. Next summer, we hope to have a repeat of this fine event.
ABM just said goodbye to one group from Wisconsin, who came up as a work team for a couple of weeks to help out at the same place where Cassie is ministering. (That's how I got some of the "intel" on how great a job Cassie is doing!) These folks poured themselves into working on the facilities at KAKN Radio.
Tonight, we have a group of 7 coming and staying at our home. Then, tomorrow, they will be traveling out to the villages of Egigik to do VBS and follow-up. Did you hear that? Follow-up. This same group has been in these two villages the past two years and they have bent over backwards to maintain relationships with the people of these villages in the interim. I'm excited to see their ministry increase from year to year. Pray for the Community Church in Naknek, that is helping us coordinate this effort in these two villages.
On the home front, we are smack dab in the middle of dip net fishing. What's that? Well it's where you stand out at the mouth of the Kenai river in chest waders with this huge net on a long pole and wait for the salmon to come slamming into the net. Then you flip the net over, and drag it up onto shore. Some people cut up and fillet the fish right there . . . we bring ours home. You have to be an Alaskan resident to dip net, and it's only allowed a few weeks in the summer. 25 fish for each head of household and 10 for each additional family member. We've never done that well - - - it's allot of hard work! Kris and Chelsie and a friend went last night and brought home 4 pretty good size reds. I'm not a real big fish eater - - but salmon caught fresh and cooked on the grill with a brown sugar glaze, and then served with rice? It just doesn't get much better.
We just keep hanging on, you know? God is so patient with us. Our support level is at about 50% and Kris is still working part time outside the home. We go without quite a bit . . . . but we never go it alone. Praise the Lord for his watch care and his sustainment through some difficult times.
Oh yes, I mentioned about a sheep hunt in my last update. I'm not much of a hunter . . . but I couldn't pass this up. These Dahl sheep live in a no man's land. Above tree line, in the rocks and crags. We will be dropped off in a float plane and picked up 8-9 days later. I'm not going for the hunt as much for the wilderness experience . . . and to see if I can survive for that length of time on dehydrated food!
Thanks for keeping up with us in our ministry. You know, we have been at this for 2 1/2 years now! And I just couldn't imagine any other life style right now. Both Kris and I have some very significant relationships going with the people whom we serve. It's exciting.
Thanks for being a part. Your prayers and your partnership make all the difference.
THERE or in the air!
Gary
