The morning started with a 6:30 AM wake-up and a quick  jaunt downstairs to eat a breakfast of oatmeal. A short devotion is always in order and this day would be no different. It was time to walk the hilly, polished-ice roads up to the school to teach eager young minds reading and music. After a few hours of hearing the children shout songs with glee and some time teaching one student who was struggling in reading it was time to head home. The laundry still needed to be washed and hung on inside lines (it was too cold outside) and the sermon needed to be prepared for Sunday. The work often stretched until 11 PM or sometimes even later. No this was not a new teacher or a young energetic pastor, it is a day in the life of Joyce Smith who is now 85 and living in the small village Ouzinkie, Alaska.

Joyce wasn't always considered the tough Alaskan woman that we see today, but instead was a child who was always rather sick, mostly from her severe asthma. Born in 1917, the oldest of 6 children, Joyce never had time to slow down. There was no time to be sick because of the responsibility she held as the oldest child for all of her siblings. Some doctors wondered if she would live to see adulthood but she seemed to just grow out of it. In 1933 while in high school she met Norman Smith and secretly admired his Christian faith but could not seem to get his attention until 1936 when they were both Sunday school teachers. Joyce was away for a short time and Norman realized he really missed her and that maybe she was the one he was supposed to be doing his ministry with. Norman courted her for two years and they were married in 1940.

Larsen Bay’s canneries during the 1950s where Joyce spent much of her time during the early years of her ministry. The Evangel was usually dry-docked during the winter in this area

The first few years were particularly difficult trying to make ends meet but Norman was called to enter the ministry so in 1945 with two kids and no money he began his undergraduate studies and worked towards his Bachelor in Divinity from Berkeley Baptist Divinity School (now American Baptist Seminary of the West). Joyce recalled that they would get so low on money that they would check the trash of Safeway for outdated food. Their house was near an orchard and times would get tight enough where she would mostly eat apples that day. It did not matter because there was always joy in their house.

In 1950 a call was put out for someone to pilot a boat program in Kodiak, Alaska and Norman agreed to try it for his summer break. He had to help rebuild an older boat including the engine but she was soon afloat and was christened the “Evangel”. He quickly fell in love with the area and over time became a skilled captain. Joyce, however, was not entirely convinced of this calling. She felt called to work in the Christian camping ministry but knew she needed to support her husband. The following summer, Joyce and the family joined her husband and they lived in Baker Cottage in Ouzinkie. Joyce was to work as an aid to Mary Setzecorn in caring for the orphan children who lived in Ouzinkie. Mrs. Setzecorn quickly decided that Joyce needed to be with her husband to see the work that needed to be done on the Evangel so she took care of the three Smith children on top of her orphanage responsibilities, as well as being the public health nurse for the area. Joyce was quickly put to work and brought together a Vacation Bible School for Old Harbor and played organ for the many church services that were held right on the boat.

	The Evangel pulling into the docks at Harvester Island.

As they returned back to California to finish seminary, Joyce was excited about the possibility of ministering in Alaska but her heart was still in Christian camping. The seminary years were an important training time for Joyce. She often typed Norman's papers and studied all of the material with him even though she was not attending school but she knew it was important to have a firm understanding of the faith she had based her life on. Graduation came sooner than seemed possible and in 1952 Joyce was packing her house to move up to Alaska. She was sure Alaska was truly her family’s calling but she still felt led to work in Christian camping.

The family moved into an old tarpaper shack with no electricity or running water in Larsen Bay. Mail came by boat twice a month and groceries were sporadically delivered but were usually purchased in town for the entire winter. May through September was the busiest time of the year, with the Evangel ministering to all of the small communities of Kodiak as well as the remote canneries. Joyce realized this first summer that she was not misled when she felt called to the Christian camping ministry. She simply realized that the Lord was calling her to firmly establish one in on Kodiak. The year before a group had gotten together out at an old US Army base north of town. It was definitely a bit rustic with everyone bringing his or her own food and utensils but it was a beginning.

Joyce (in back with glasses) during one of many Vacation Bible School sessions. This one took place in a warehouse in Larsen Bay

The following year saw the camp move to Long Island where another old army post had been. Windows were brought from town as well as an oil stove to cook the camp's meals on. The staff was completely made from volunteers and the camps were usually ten days long. The camp taught the children the message of Jesus Christ in a simple way that everyone could understand. Many of the children had never been taught about the Bible or even what Christianity was and they were amazed at what God had done for them.

The camp continued for three years at Long Island when in the summer of 1956 Joyce was informed that they could not use Long Island because it had been leased to a cattle company. Joyce was not sure exactly what to do but she knew that if they had faith that God would provide. Even two weeks before camp was to start, there was still no where to have it and talk of canceling the camp for the year came up, but Joyce was unwavering in her faith that God would provide. The next morning an amazing story came to light. During World War II the military had built an army post on Woody Island but had accidentally built it on the old Kodiak Baptist Mission property. Not wanting to interfere with the war effort the Mission had kept quiet on the matter, waiting until after the war was over. It had taken 11 years but the government finally admitted that they had made a mistake and deeded all of the buildings to the American Baptist. Camp had a home but less than two weeks to transform old military buildings (that had not been used for eleven years) into a working camp. Using all volunteer labor the work was done. The old dining hall had unfortunately collapsed the previous winter under the tremendous snow load so two apartments had their walls torn out and were transformed into a new dining hall. A plumber could never be found so for the first year there were two toilets in the middle of the dining hall where the old apartment bathrooms had been.

	Joyce playing the old pump organ which was on the Evangel

It was quite a blessing for Camp Woody to finally have a permanent home but the Smith family was also to get a new home. In 1958 after 6 winters and one more child in the old tar paper shack in Larsen Bay they were offered Baker Cottage in Ouzinkie to be their permanent base. There the kids could go to school (although there was no high school) and the house would have electricity and running water. A chapel was added in 1952 so they could have church right downstairs in the house. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to hold church services right in their home. They began many children’s clubs and probably most importantly Joyce started a kindergarten because the town had none.

Joyce originally planned on just teaching her own children kindergarten but when she saw the need in the community she decided to open it up to everyone. This simple gesture of goodwill started a 42-year tradition of teaching kindergarten in Ouzinkie. By the time Joyce retired as the town kindergarten teacher in May of 2000, she had taught some of the grandchildren of her first students and in all that time she had never been paid for all her work. By the time the students finished her class many were reading at a 2^nd grade level and it was rare that the students didn’t completely make it through the first grade reader. She gave a lot to the students and expected the students to give a lot in return.

Joyce playing the organ recently in the Baker Cottage chapel

Joyce also immediately became the Community Health Practitioner. It is a tradition she would carry for 35 years. She had no formal medical training when she started but quickly learned from reading nursing books and attending classes occasionally offered by the state. Joyce did the usual duties one might expect of giving shots for school children and working on the occasional injury but she also felt compelled to go to the elders of the village and check on them when they could not come to her. Every week she would make her rounds and visit those who were shut in. Even after she retired as the public health nurse she continued to visit several of her older patients who were well into their 90s because they refused to see anyone else.

	The Evangel pulling into dock

Every summer was a wonderful time for the Smith family because it meant that the Evangel would come out of dry dock and their adventures would begin again circling Kodiak. Every village needed to be helped in different ways. Sometimes it was simply basic medical care and compassionate words that were needed. Other times Joyce would hold an impromptu Vacation Bible School. The time was not only spent teaching the children about Christ but many times the mothers of the children would join the class and be just as interested as the children. One time the cannery store in Karluk closed down and the store donated all of the left over food to the Kodiak Baptist Mission in town. The Smiths loaded the Evangel with dry goods and headed towards town. There was scarcely enough room on the boat to squeeze up to the pilothouse. The Evangel was simply there to serve the communities of Kodiak and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ any way that was needed.

Norman and Joyce continued taking the Evangel around Kodiak in the summer and ministering to the people of Ouzinkie in the winter until 1965 when the American Baptist felt that the small communities could be better served by missionaries flying in and out of the villages. The Evangel was sold and Norman tried flying into the villages but was never met with much success. The Evangel was a floating church and it was often difficult to find places to meet without it. Although it was sad for Norman and Joyce to see this chapter of their life together close they knew there was much work to be done in Ouzinkie and with Camp Woody. One door closing always opened three more in Joyce's life that God would use to minister through her.

Pastors Norman and Joyce Smith in the pilot house of the Evangel where they spent much of their ministry together

The Smiths continued to minister for many years. Joyce was still teaching kindergarten and acting as the Community Health Practitioner. She helped with all of the clubs that were at the mission house. Norman did many odd jobs such as running the village water and electric. He was a watchman for the school and store. In October of 1996 as he brought the mail into the post office, Norman collapsed from a heart attack and died instantly. Many people expected Joyce to leave the small village and live with family. All of her children had left the village and at the age of 78 she had to decide how she could best minister now without her husband of 56 years at her side. She quickly came to the conclusion that Ouzinkie was her home and the people were her family. The Ouzinkie Native Corporation adopted her as one of their own and she was given all of the rights and privileges of a Ouzinkie tribe member.

The American Baptist ministers of Alaska felt there was one more thing that she needed to fully lead in the service of Christ. In 1997 Joyce was ordained as a minister in the service of Jesus Christ. She was given credit for one year of seminary for every fifteen years of service and was awarded the equivalent of a Masters of Theology degree. Joyce continued to minister in Ouzinkie until the September of 2002 when she took a bad fall and compressed several vertebrae. She lost feeling in her hands and feet but she has been diligently working through physical therapy in Oregon to regain the strength and feeling that she once had. She recently told me over the phone, “I need to get back to my home. The people of Ouzinkie need to always hear the message of Jesus,” and with Joyce we pray that she will be healed.

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Last year, Jay Hollman, from Oak Harbor, WA, and Jerry Hollman, from Walland, TN, returned to Kodiak for their high school reunion and had to stop by the Mission. They were Mission kids from 1942-1953. The visit to KBM was a chance to visit and relive old memories. All their memories of the Mission were good.

According to Jay: "My brother, Jerry, and I are thrilled to be back here; glad to hear KBM has broken the strangle-hold of the state's control and can manage the facilities as God's mandate tells you to. We are so impressed with the love and friendship of Trevor. Thank God for his Christian life and his willingness to serve and be used by the Lord."

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Heather Norton doing the slip and slide

Summer Day Camp is right around the corner. Because of the school year in Kodiak, camp will be starting on June 2 and ending August 22. We currently have 14 counselors, but are needing a few more. We are specifically looking for someone to teach the horsemanship camp plus some who are willing to help out until the end of August. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be, you can get the information off our web site (Summer Counselor Information) or contact Day Camp Director, Heather Norton (info@kodiakbaptistmission.org). Please keep the following counselors in prayer as they prepare for the summer: Emily Farmer, Indiana; Heather Cook, Iowa; Julianne Clark and Ashlee Edge, Kansas; Kristie McMurray, Michigan; Adam Corbe, Ohio; Michael Slade, Pennsylvania; Savannah White, South Dakota; Brittany Oliver, Washington; Nathan Lee and Kelly Legg, West Virginia; RonDeLu Garshwiler, Evan Jones, Daniel Lee and Cherie Woitel, Kodiak; and Heather Norton, Director. If you, or your church, would like to sponsor a counselor, please contact Heather Norton.

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Every working morning the bell tolls eight times calling the faithful to the little basement chapel to begin the day in prayerful study and worship. The faithful are the staff, volunteers, and interns whose lives have been directed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ at Kodiak Baptist Mission in Kodiak, Alaska. It is our conviction that this morning ritual is vital in assuring that it is God and God alone that is steering this Mission.

Kodiak Baptist Mission has, in recent years, undergone miraculous changes firstly, under the leadership of the Reverend Evan Jones as Executive Director. Now he is the mission chaplain with his son, Trevor Jones, serving as Executive Director.

In December we dedicated the communion set that Ben Carr crafted and presented to the Mission. It took nearly two years to dedicate the set, for we were determined to have Ben here for the dedication.

“The set means something special to me, for it is the work of God and human hands,” Pastor Evan said. “Only God can grow a tree. Ben took a small portion of the tree and crafted a very special set for our chapel. About two years ago I asked Ben to make a set and sure enough, one day in the mail, came a package with this one of a kind, handmade set.”

When Walt Schmidtman came on his yearly sojourn to the mission, he asked why communion wasn’t served. The reply was that we, too, are anxious to initiate the service, but our sincere wish is that Ben would be present for the event.

	Ben Carr at the dedication ceremony

Walt commented, “During the morning worship, I am always reminded of my good friend Ben Carr. Ben is also a regular volunteer here. Ben not only has a talent for music, but also a love for wood and has an ability to craft that wood into beautiful works of art. I do not know how Ben came to be inspired to create the beautiful communion set that is always present on the vestibule at morning chapel, but I have admired the set for two Septembers now and was anxious to see it used for its intended purpose.”

Late in September 2002, we were awakened to news that drove every one of us at the Mission to his knees before Almighty God. Our beloved Chaplain, that vessel of clay that God has shaped and used in such a mighty way to turn this Mission away from a drifting piece of real estate funded by the State of Alaska into a Christ-centered place of service for many, serving hundreds of Alaska's families with food bank, day camp for Kodiak children, Christian pre-school, and numerous activities with school districts large and small all over Kodiak Island, Rev. Evan Jones was struck by a cancer that threatens his very life.

Walt contacted Ben, and they made plans together to return to Alaska in December. We had the most beautiful and meaningful communion service. There in the little chapel that has come to mean so much to all of us, we had a special service dedicating the set and serving communion for the first time. The bread was made according to the Fellowship Bread of the Old Testament. The expectancy of our group made it a truly remarkable service where God’s presence permeated every individual. It is awesome when the Almighty God, Sovereign of the Universe comes to meet with His people. May this set be used for years to come and always help us to “REMEMBER” the Savior.

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Two girls ready for school with their new supplies

During 2002, many generous churches and organizations donated school supplies to help children in Kodiak. Those supplies were handed out to children whose families were registered with our Food Bank. When we were done giving to our registered families, we reached out further into the community. Teachers and schools were contacted, “Do you have children who may have been missed through our program, but are still in need of supplies?” The answer was a resounding YES! Teachers came and collected for students who could not afford supplies. Some may have been new to Kodiak, their families may not have learned of the Food Bank or because they were new to the country may not have known they were eligible for our services.

When we exhausted those students we contacted the OSA, Officer’s Spouses Association on the Coast Guard Base. Each year the OSA takes Christmas presents to each of the remote villages located on Kodiak. The Coast Guard Helicopters provide their airfare. We asked if they would be willing to take supplies to the villages and disperse them to the schools. They were thrilled to have the opportunity to share our abundance with needy families in the villages. They gave the supplies to principals of the schools who then made them available to families who needed supplies for their children. Notes from the school children expressed their appreciation for the exciting gift.

The program was so successful that we would again like to request school supplies to these children. Our economy in Kodiak continues to deteriorate. Each month we find more families coming in because they cannot make ends meet. The fishing industry, which employs most of the parents we serve, is in dire straits. Work is sporadic at best, and often families will go several months without steady employment. When it is time for school to start they will face a huge burden to buy the supplies their children need for school.

It would be truly a blessing if we could again provide school supplies for these children. Donations can include notebooks, notebook paper, markers, crayons, pencil boxes, backpacks, child size Fiskar scissors, Elmer’s glue and glue sticks or rulers. We have approximately 185 school-aged children registered in our program. Any combination of supplies would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to send supplies, we can also purchase supplies at Wal-Mart with donated funds.

Supplies should arrive Kodiak no later than July 15, 2003 so that they can be assembled and ready to give to students receiving services through the Food Bank.

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KBM has been offered a technology grant from the Alaska Baptist Education Society. This is a $5,000 matching grant of new monies. For every dollar that comes in, they will match it up to $5,000, which gives us the potential for $10,000 worth of new technology. The money received from this grant will go towards the purchase of a video projector for use during day camp and during the winter with Immersion Institute and other groups. We are also looking at upgrading our entire computer network system in the office and after school program. If you would like to donate to this, send a check to Kodiak Baptist Mission specifying that it is for “Technology Fund”.

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We are in the eleventh hour of taking applications for work groups for the Summer of 2004. If your church is interested in giving time to help with the ministries and construction of the Kodiak Baptist Mission, please contact us or check our web site as soon as possible to receive an application. We must receive the application by June 15, 2003 to be considered for summer of 2004.

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I recently had the privilege of being invited to speak to our American Baptist Churches in Kansas and Nebraska for 17 days in March. I had never been to either of the states before so I was not sure what to expect but I was truly made to feel like I was returning home. So many people opened their churches and homes to me and generously supplied my every need. I realize that I was sent to inspire churches to support the Mission more and I hope I helped but I was inspired by the dedication of the churches of the Central Region not only to missions but also to their own communities. It was wonderful to meet with old friends who had been to Alaska whether in work groups or as summer counselors and to renew acquaintances. I talked to many people about coming to volunteer full time at the Mission and I was encouraged with how many people were ready and willing and just needed the call to come. Although I did miss my family, I knew I would miss the Heartland as I boarded the plane to return to Alaska. There are so many people that I really should thank for warm welcome I received on my trip and all of you know who you are so instead I will just thank one person: Kathy Brown. She did such a tremendous job of pulling a 17 day tour together without a single problem. She is an asset to your region and was a great person to spend a few weeks with. Finally, my hope is that the many churches that I visited would continue to pray for us here at the Mission and that those who are feeling called to volunteer would seriously consider moving forward in this direction. Christ’s Blessings Be Upon You,

—–Evan J. Jones, II

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Pastor Evan Jones' last MRI showed no further growth in the tumor. He is just completing a round of chemo and has had a few minor problems with a slowed immune system like a cold and pink eye. He still has three chapels each day and loves to work with the children. Anne is managing his meds (and him) as only she could do. Anne and Pastor Evan spent two weeks in Hawaii, which they tacked on to a trip to UCLA to confer with their managing physicians.

Cara Dingus reports, “I got out of the hospital after five days of chemotherapy on Sunday and was able to put in a full day’s work on Monday and Tuesday, which I’ve never been able to do before. Today I’m off to a meeting at the hospital about starting a support group. I’m enjoying the speediest recovery from a treatment yet and feel all the blessings of spring that much more.” Please pray for wisdom and direction for Cara and her doctors regarding decisions which need to be made related to future chemotherapy.

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