Please pray for Kris, and our daughter, Cassie, who have left today to travel to the village of Port Alsworth to help with ABM's forth annual Ministry Family Retreat.
This event is the "flagship event" so to speak of ABM's ministry, bringing people in from all over remote areas of the state and parts of Canada (fly in , non "road system" villages). Last year there was almost 190 people there. Kris and Cassie will send out a full report after they get back.
Unfortunately, I was UNABLE TO ATTEND this year due my own family's financial situation. As I have shared previously, I have needed to find some work on the side to help supplement our support received. It's really frustrating to me not to be able to attend this event. But at the same time, I am happy that my tent making role is allowing our ministry to go forth and Kris and Cassie get to attend. Kris will be involved with the ladies and Cassie will be working with the kids and Child Evangelism Fellowship. Please pray. It's a very unique thing that happens at this retreat - - folks who don’t often get to see a BIG PICTURE of what is happening in the state find themselves fellowshipping, praying - - laughing and crying with others in similar situations. "IRON SHARPENING IRON" and of sharing spiritual gifts to make each other strong . . . It's simply amazing.
I will be traveling out onto an Oil Platform in the Cook Inlet today, doing some work for a Christian friend who has a service contract with one of the Oil companies here in Alaska. It will be technical in nature, working with remote close circuit video systems and computer equipment. This friend has a real heart for our ministry and is trying to see if I can do some work for him on and off in a way that would supplement our ministry income and still give me great latitude and flexibility in terms of when I can and can’t work. It wouldn't be full time. But a few days a week at a real good wage would allow me to continue to focus more on ministry with ABM. All of this is in the "let's see how it might work out" stage right now.
I have also been doing some driving for the public transportation service here on the Kenai Peninsula (CARTS). On days when I say I am available for work, I receive a manifest to pick up passengers and take them back and forth. It's sort of a cross between a cab service and a chauffer service. I drive a Subaru outback and meet all sorts of folks, including many natives. It's interesting - - here on the Kenai Peninsula there is a rather large native population, but you just do not see them around that much. What I love about this job is that I drive all over the area to some pretty out of the way places, and I have incredible opportunities to share my faith and make a difference in someone's life. This is no exaggeration, I probably have shared the Gospel message a dozen times in the past 5 weeks of driving. People know that we are under a confidentiality agreement with the service, or it least it seems like they know this. Because they treat me (a make shift "Cabbie" I guess) as a cross between a psychiatrist and a pastor!
So, as you can see, we are pressing on in our ministry the best we can given the circumstances. I even got to travel a few weeks ago, down to Kodiak, to spend time with a brother who needed some company, and there are some exciting possibilities on the horizon. We need your prayers now more than ever. After being an intragal part of the ABM team for such a long time ( Kris and I have been called co-founders by Joel, who started the ministry six months before we came along) it's hard for me to be somewhat on the sidelines looking in. But, as Rick Warren points out so well in his book "Purpose Given Life" we so often , God uses circumstances in our life to build that Christ likeness in us.
Specifically:
1. Ministry Family Retreat will go well. People will get in and out safely (a lot of flying) and God will use the week to refresh and encourage.
2. My income opportunities that can supplement out ABM income. (Computer work, CARTS driving, Platform work)
3. Decisions regarding future ministry opportunities and our financial support
4. Cassie has a Shriners Appointment in Anchorage on Saturday. The retreat ends on Friday. Pray for good weather to get them home and up to Anchorage on the weekend.
5. Opportunities I have to share Christ
6. Our oldest daughter Chelsie - School and work and priorities. I'm proud of her. She needs a reliable vehicle of her own. Pray
7. Our son, Tyler, still in Indiana, working and trying to save up money for a vehicle he can use to continue his wonderings
8. Kris and I both - still burning the Candle at both ends. We need to take time out for each other.
THERE or in the air!
Gary Harris
