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Volume 7, Issue 3

A Messenger of the Kodiak Baptist Mission

Fall 2006

In This Issue

A Great Reunion In Heaven

(Transcript of the address given by KBM Executive Director Trevor Jones on September 5, 2006 in the village of Ouzinkie)

There is without a doubt a great reunion going on in heaven right now. I’m very happy for Joyce Smith; it’s a real gift to die among the people you love and in your own home. I know that is how Joyce wanted it and I’m thankful

God granted her that desire. It’s also very good to be here in Ouzinkie, for this memorial. I’m thankful to celebrate Joyce’s life here, where her heart was.

I guess I’ve been around long enough that I’ve experienced quite a few memorials but this is the first one I’ve been asked to speak at. It feels like a big responsibility especially since it's for Joyce Smith. So I’ve done a bit of thinking about what is important about today. Memorials are often about what we’ve lost and we indeed lost something significant this past Wednesday but I think the most important thing about today is what we’ve gained.

I would not be the person I am today without Joyce Smith and I know that is true for many people in this room today.

I have a lot of images of Joyce. Some of you have seen me come and go over the years bringing various groups from the lower 48 to Ouzinkie. I remember one time in particular when Joyce was with us. I had that old blue and white bow picker then and I used to pull it right up to the gravel ramp below the store and let people off. So in this particular case there we were sitting with a boat load of people who were all fearfully contemplating how to slide off the bow to the ground about five feet below, when finally Joyce makes her way gently past them up and over the gunwale and down to the ground. Joyce was in her eighties then. The amazing thing about that is Joyce grew up as a girl in poor health. She apparently had about a third the respiratory capacity of a normal person but her life just didn’t reflect that. It’s that spirit that opened the door to come and work in an unforgiving environment like

Kodiak and do things like travel from village to village on the Evangel with Norman.

If it were not for the adventurous spirit expressed by Norman and Joyce traveling around on that boat, I know I would not be in Ouzinkie today. There would be no yellow Diakonos and I would probably be just working in an office at KBM. My whole outlook on ministry and life would be much smaller if not for the influence of this wonderful woman. Ministry is changing today. It’s becoming more about business plans and marketing strategies. People take planes not boats. But that doesn’t always work in a place like Kodiak. The times that I’ve come by boat to Ouzinkie when planes couldn’t fly is piling up now. I credit Norman and Joyce for that inspiration in my life.

Joyce was not just an adventurer for Christ but also a real servant, filling in for whatever role the people needed. When the village had no Health Aid, she took on that role. When there was no kindergarten teacher, Joyce started a kindergarten. Joyce and Norm were instrumental

in getting a Christian Camping program going in Kodiak and we now have Camp Woody. She was ready willing and able to fill in the gap wherever people needed her.

If there could be a shrine that most reflected the true nature of Joyce Smith it would have to be her refrigerator door. The interesting thing about that is it’s not about Joyce Smith at all but about everybody else, just as her own heart was. Her heart has been for her neighbors, for her family and for her friends. If you have ever been on Joyce’s refrigerator let me tell you something you’ve been prayed for. Did you ever sign Joyce’s guest book? Did you ever not sign it (that was probably a more serious matter) man that was an important thing to her! Every time I brought a group here everybody had to sign the guest book including me it didn’t matter how many

times you had visited before, you had to sign the guest book.. So what was the big deal about that guest book? Well it’s this, you were important to her. Your name was important to her, where you were from was important to her and she remembered those things because she really cared about people. Not what they did but who they were. People like that pray for you and if you ever signed Joyce’s guest book let me tell you something, you’ve been prayed for in an earnest and powerful way. I suppose that the only greater honor than signing Joyce’s guest book was to be someone who wasn’t required to sign it. That meant you weren’t a visitor but a true neighbor, a belonger, someone who’s name didn’t need to be written down to be remembered, you were probably the ones she prayed for most.

Joyce really prayed for us and listened to us. She often told me that she didn’t know why God was keeping her here but then she’d answer her own question as she expressed this great sense of mission to listen to people and pray for them. I know that Joyce is in heaven right now continuing her ministry in this respect. I know that she is there praying for you and me right now, interceding on our behalf personally with Jesus Christ. In calling Joyce home God is also calling us to pray for each other all the more.

Knowing Joyce was a great gift, one that I have been honored to accept and one that I’ve accepted with a sense of responsibility. God has been accomplishing something in us through our friend. She is someone who has stood in the gap for a long time now. The past couple of days I’ve heard a lot of people say: “I wonder what is going to happen now?” Most of us weren’t ready to see her go yet because she was standing in the gap for us, we were wishing we could have just a little more time.

God was using Joyce to equip us. One of the things that the Orthodox do a better job of understanding is how the saints reflect Jesus Christ and show us a real world example of what it means to be Jesus in the world in which we live. Joyce was an awesome example to us, someone we can emulate and in doing so be more Christ-like. I think that Joyce could have been just as happy to go home a long time ago but we needed her and God knew that. Joyce told me about a year ago that she was planning to will the Ouzinkie Mission to the Kodiak Baptist Mission. In response I wrote to our board of directors: “May God uphold His servant Joyce; she is so greatly needed now! May He also grow a vision for the new calling He is placing on us! God is preparing the way in Ouzinkie.”

Last Wednesday that all changed. By calling Joyce home I hear God proclaiming to all of us who needed and loved Joyce, “You are ready, you are equipped, I have desired to have my servant at my side, but I kept her in the world until this moment, until you were ready.”

ished, but brightened as we carry on, reflecting the very qualities she has demonstrated to us.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, ³eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Joyce Smith was an amazing woman who left a legacy dedicated to serving Jesus Christ. With her passing Joyce willed Baker Cottage, in Ouzinkie, to Kodiak Baptist Mission. This is a great honor and responsibility. We ask that you pray with us as the Lord directs our steps in the future at Ouzinkie.

Leah Rodman: My Greatest Example

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

My greatest example of faith and prayer comes from my grandmother, Leah Rodman. As a child I would come in to eat lunch with Grandma in the summers; she was a great cook…but that’s not what I remember most. Every time my brother and I sat down at her table, we held hands and gave thanks. We prayed together, as a family. It left a seed in me that she would begin to take care of. As I grew up, Grandma nurtured that seed, fed it, watered it, and prayed over it. Her faith is what got me to where I am today.

As the years passed and I was the one out working in the summers, I saw a lot less of Grandma. I knew she was still there though, always praying for our safety as we worked with the equipment on the farm. It was about that time that I began to understand a little bit more about her and God. When I was little we were always talking to a man I couldn’t see. As I grew older, I saw that she had a deep relationship with Him, not just conversations. Her faith in God grew more and more apparent; it was like fertilizer for that minute seed that she had sown so many years before.

I accepted Christ as a child, but I still didn’t get what He was all about. Thanks to Grandma, I had an example that led me down the right path. Proverbs 22:6 says: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. For me, that holds true. When Grandma passed away in September of 2003, I felt like a little part of me went too. It was only natural to feel the grief and pain, until I saw what a life she had led. As the people massed inside the funeral home, I saw the countless lives that she had touched. She and God had affected lives from everywhere you could think of. As I stood there getting hugs and handshakes, it was apparent that I wanted to lead a life just as she had.

Within the last 3 years she has changed my life even more then she had while she was here with me. This past winter as I thought about turning in the application to come to work at the mission I thought about what she would tell me. The one thing that I knew she would have done was say,” Ryan, Let’s pray about it.” After a lot of prayer and thought, I finally mailed the application with one thing in mind. I was 100 percent sure that I would have a chance to plant a seed in the children, just as she had done. I knew for certain that I was leading a life much like hers, a Godly life. I was positive that I would become a more faithful and dedicated servant for Christ.

As I sit back and look at it now that I am here, I smile and think, “Wow! It is amazing what a tiny little prayer can do.” It can set one child closer to God, and through him Christ’s words spread to more children, and more tiny little prayers. After all, look where it has brought me in the service of Christ.

Have You Lost Your Identity?

Identity theft has become a growing concern throughout the resent years. There’s 24/7 Credit Monitoring, Alerts & Status Reports Protection, and good deals on paper shredders. Society has gone to great lengths to make it impossible for your information to fall into the wrong hands, and virtually impossible for you to get your own information. With the world’s great fear of identity theft, it is a marvel to me how so many individuals gave up their identity and traveled to Kodiak Baptist Mission this past summer.

Doctors become painters, teachers are transformed into landscapers, college students are teachers and pastors actually fish for fish. Their identity was no longer masked with titles, numbers, codes, and suits, but their true identity was revealed. This identity was deeper, purer and perfectly fulfilling. For many, it was always there, but KBM helped expose what it meant to be a blessed servant of God and share that with those not only at KBM but also the island of Kodiak.

Lovina Pruitt was one of these individuals. She left her home, family, and life to share the gifts the Lord gave her. Lovina served as Thrift Store manager, but more importantly she served Jesus Christ by showing His love through her fervent effort to not only do the huge job of running the Thrift Store, but minister to all she came in contact with. Ryan Gorectke, KBM’s Food Bank Director was one of many impacted by Lovina’s faithful heart. He recalled her explaining to him how she would pray for the people that would wear the clothes and use the things she was sorting. Each of her daily responsibilities was a sacrifice of praise given so graciously to the Lord.

Lovina interacted with a wide range of people each day: natives, immigrants working in the canneries, Coast Guard families and of course children. Lovina shared one story about a young boy that came to the Thrift Store throughout the summer. His mother would let him play with the toys on one condition, that he would clean the entire toy section before they left. One day when the young boy was playing with the toys he posed a question to Lovina. “Have you ever caught anyone stealing?” Lovina in her calm, loving voice explained that she never saw anyone steal, but was sure it had happened. The little boy then asked, “What would you do if you caught someone stealing?” Lovina looked down into the boys eyes and explained that this was God’s house and that He doesn’t like it when we steal. Lovina continued to say she would probably invite that person not to return to the store. The boy looked intently at Lovina and stated confidently, “Jesus loves me Ms. Lovina!”

Lovina Pruitt’s identity throughout the summer was dedicated to serving the Lord at Kodiak Baptist Mission. With each day came new challenges and new successes. Lovina created a pricing system and always had the store in tip top shape (not an easy task). She came to love the people that entered the doors of the Thrift Store and they loved her. Lovina showed what it meant to be a blessed servant of God and we at KBM are thankful for the time she spent sharing that with us.

One’s identity in Christ is vital and great measures must be taken to keep that identity safe, secure and available to share with others.

The vital ministry of the KBM Thrift Store continues as we enter this fall and winter season. We are in need of someone to carry on the great work and ministry Lovina helped carry on. Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest.” The Lord has blessed KBM with a great harvest and we continue to pray for the workers to continue His work.

If you are interested in serving the Lord at Kodiak Baptist Mission please contact our main office at (907)486-4126.

Jack’s Story

Jacks is a troublesome dog. He lives at KBM and is known as the “Mayor”. He doesn’t try to make trouble. Trouble just kind of follows him around waiting for a chance to assert itself. He looks like a beagle with a few extras thrown in to mellow out the package. He is at home anywhere. He will even take his own walks.

He is low maintenance in many ways. He does, however, have some problems that are irksome at best and life threatening at worse.

He’s a beagle so I guess we can’t fault him for chasing rabbits. He loves to keep the furry creatures hopping. He chooses the worst possible times to conduct this business. Like on the way to the top of Pyramid Mountain in Kodiak. When you’re nearly to the top someone asks, “Where’s Jack?” Far down the mountain Jacks can be heard in a place where no man could get to, chasing his quarry. When exhausted and you finally reach the bottom of the mountain, you must begin the ceremonial calling of Jacks. Jacks does not respond to pleas to come home. Jacks does not respond to threats: “Jacks we’re going.” Finally, after an hour of waiting, you leave worried about what happened to Jacks and spend a night dreaming of Jacks being eaten by a bear. The next morning you return to the spot where he was last seen. No Jacks. A Military policeman stops by to see if you need help. “Well, yes, I’ve lost a dog.” “A little beagle,” the cop questions. “Why, yes, how did you know?” “We just picked him up trotting down the road looking for a ride. He’s in the brig right now.”

You hurry to the brig hoping to arrive before the animal control guys and there is Jacks like he owns the place, being pampered by the MPs and looks at you with an accusing look that says, “You left me. If it weren’t for the kindness of strangers who knows what would have happened to me.”

Or like on Woody Island when Jacks goes for a walk with you but is soon diverted by his other interests. You can hear him bay for a mile in the quiet woods. Then suddenly, you hear a terrible bellow. It has “I am in trouble,” in every note. You notice it is not moving through the woods any longer but is stationary and insistent that you come immediately. You run to the barking and in the distance you see Jacks in the ice. He has learned a great lesson for all hound dogs. Rabbits may pass safely over one half-inch ice. Beagles cannot. He is about in the middle of one of the salt lagoon’s arms. Desperately you try to get something to him or to beak the ice so he can swim free. Nothing works. Anne connects with him from the other side of the arm. You run thru the woods dragging a discarded hatch cover. Anne is in the water up to her waist frantically pushing everything to Jack so he can get out. He is too tired. He says with pathetic hound dog eyes, “Come and get me.” I strip down and walk in the frigid water, not knowing the depth. Finally at my chest level, I can grab him. He is hypothermic. He’s been in the water for about 45 minutes. I take my t-shirt and try to dry him then wrap my warm winter coat around the soggy shaking dog and hug him to give him all my body heat. I realize it’s a little cold for me out here in the nude. I quickly get my clothes on and the three of us make a forced march back to the camp forgetting my best pair of w

oolen socks hanging on a tree.

Or like today, I sit to write an article for the paper and here comes Jacks. Fresh from the pasture sporting a big smile anxious to share with me whatever it was that he recently was so fortunate to find to roll in. He has a variety of scents that he likes. Dead salmon, in season, is always nice. The scent hangs low and is powerful. There are no tell tale signs and unsightly smears on your back. But in the winter one must content oneself with whatever is at hand to achieve the proper olfactory response. Warm horse manure is great. Stop writing. Dog in tub. Strawberry shampoo. Dog wishes to leave tub to shake off excess water. Careful not to use a good towel or Anne gets mad. The tub’s a mess. Anne just cleaned it. Clean tub.

Why have a dog? And the worse thing of all, he isn’t even mine. He belongs to my brother-in-law, who at this very moment is in some warm place. I can think of no good answer, except that there is a certain bond that has grown between Jacks and me. I don’t know whether it is love or not. But it is close.

Can a man really love a dog? Who knows? Can God really love a man? Why bother. But time after time, he comes searching for me. Sometimes I am bellowing for help. Sometimes I am not even smart enough to know how much trouble I am in. but he comes, taking off the royal robes and getting in the cold water with me. Cleansing me time and again from all the stink that I think is so attractive. There is nothing to say in the face of such mystery, except, “Thank you.”

Jacks went to be with the Lord this summer after a very full life of chasing rabbits, taking walks and bringing joy to so many people.

Derby Dreams

Excitement, anticipation, and a lot of work faced a group of 5^th and 6^th graders as they entered Soap Box Derby camp. Their task for the week was to construct Soap Box Derby cars that would compete in the annual race that coming Saturday. Trevor Jones, KBM’s executive director, led the camp as he guided the students through the construction process and worked side by side with them. Cole Christiansen was one of these students. Mechanical things captivated him, so building a car was right up his alley. He was highly motivated and worked diligently each day.

Soap Box Saturday came quickly and kids from Kodiak joined together to race their newly constructed cars down a make shift track (a public road, with a big hill, a few potholes, but blocked off). Excitement stirred as each child prepared for their races. Names were called, cars were placed into the blocks, and helmets were secured as each child entered their car and waited for the count down. Soon after the gun sounded and the cars battled down the hill, as they dodged potholes and flew to the finish.

Each KBM competitor did a great job, but it was Cole Christiansen who stole the show. He received first place in the stock division, which granted him not only a trophy but a trip to Akron, Ohio to race at Nationals and be on national television.

While in Akron, Cole made a dynamic showing, placing 9^th overall. The local newspaper in Akron was captivated by Cole from Kodiak and even wrote an article about his derby story.

Kenneth Christiansen, a commercial fisherman, said his son received no help from the family in assembling his used soap box car. Cole put it together at the Kodiak Baptist Mission, which assists kids with derby desires. His father, who spends long stretches at sea, didn’t know that Cole had an interest in the sport until after the boy had won the Kodiak qualifier.

When Cole returned from Akron he visited KBM to show off his trophy and give us a thank you card. It was great to know the Mission could help a young boy pursue his interests and have many great memories to take with him. It was a true blessing to see this story unfold and know the Lord made each element possible for Cole and Kodiak Baptist Mission.

Kitchen Blessings

First I would like to recap this past summer for my cooking ministry. I was blessed to provide food for many workers who ministered through various maintenance and construction projects. I also had the opportunity to provide food for 17 Summer Day Camp staff members who sacrificed their summer to work with the children.

As summer began I was a bit concerned with finding enough people to help in the kitchen, but the Lord provided the help as I needed it. Drew North served alongside

me once again and I was blessed to have my grandchildren for a couple of weeks. The Lord also provided His faithful servant Dawn Pearson from Rhode Island. She arranged the dates to be here, which ended up being the time I was most in need. I felt the Lord leading me to do ministry in the village of Karluk, but was unsure how I would work it out with the busy summer schedule. Dawn came the week before I left, was oriented in the kitchen, and left the day after I returned. If you hear the call of God on your life accept it immediately, don’t wait. God will take care of all the details. Obedience always gets blessings. John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me NIV , John 14:15 "If you love me, obey my commandments NLT

God also provided the workers to begin on the exhaust system in the Pavilion kitchen. A new firewall was installed according to the building codes and now we are faced with: installing tile or stainless steel on the wall, putting in the exhaust system on the roof, and then having the Ansel extinguisher system hooked up and certified. While many of these projects will be tackled next summer it has been a great blessing to see work move forward. I once again thank-you for all your prayers and partnering with me on this wonderful journey. I pray that He will richly bless you all, and that His light may shine upon you in all that you do.

KBM Will No Longer Receive Your E-Mails!

Kodiak Baptist Mission has changed their e-mail address. If you would like to contact us through e-mail, please go to our website at kodiakbaptistmission.org.