God is Good! All the Time!

Love in Christ,
Pastor John and Kim Piepmeier
"Mission Service Corps Missionaries"
On Top Of The World In Kiana Alaska
Our Eskimo names: "Qayaaqpaq and Ayagiaq"
P.O. Box 145 Kiana Alaska 99749
(907) 475-2126
 kjpie@inutek.net
www.kianabaptistmission.com

Hello from the top of the world,

 

August, September, and October newsletter. 2008

 

I will start off by saying sorry that I'm late getting out this newsletter, things have been very busy as usual.

 

I would like to ask all of you prayer warriors to please lift up in prayer Kiana and the Northwest Arctic region there are so many of our people here that are bound to their sin and many are in jail and families are in turmoil, we need a great revival, we need people getting right the Lord, truly having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Please pray diligently for that revival.

 

On August 15 Alexis, Kim and I all flew to Seattle the North American Mission Board (NAMB) brought all the missionaries from the Northwest region together in Seattle.

 

It was truly a great time of fellowship with missionaries some we already knew and many that we didn't know, there was training offered with many breakout sessions to choose from, there was wonderful singing and great fellowship also. We truly had a great time, I don't want to forget to tell you the food was great too.

 

This was the first time for Alexis to be out of the state of Alaska, she also had a great time seeing the sights of Seattle and shopping but also NAMB took the kids each day and had different activities planned for them.

 

Alexis also had a plan, she wanted to see how many hours she could stay in the pool each day, she likes water as much as a fish.

 

Some of our youth have started doing puppets for the younger kids during Sunday school that is working out real good. Zack and Jennifer are really being a blessing to Kim and I they are working with the youth and the children's Sunday school, they also have been discipling many of our young people.

 

Zack has been doing a wonderful job leading our worship and playing his guitar every Sunday. He also will fill in and preach whenever I need him too.

 

August 25 Zack and Jennifer found out that they would be able to work at the school Jennifer took the job as a special needs and Zack has practically been a full-time fill-in he has been a teacher, he's been an aide, he's been a cook, his been a janitor, I think maybe the only job he hasn't been at the school is principal.

 

Some really good news is our friend Ted got out of jail on August 28 and is serving out some paroled time in the Anchorage area, he is doing very well, it is so neat to see how God is blessing his life as he stays focused on the Lord and serving Him.

 

For those of you that maybe don't know Ted he is a native man from Kiana, and over the years Kim and I have become very close with Ted. I have been telling him for years now that God is going to use him, at first he would almost get mad and say no that's not God's will for my life, but now he knows it is true and is seeking how God wants him to serve and is surrendering to the Lord's will. I tell you all this because I would ask that you please pray for Ted and that God gives him clear leadership in how he can best serve the Lord.

 

My man Ted is a real good speaker, God has blessed him with many gifts and talents, for sure he is a Real Deep Thinker... LOL Ted

 

September brings the caribou migration.

 

Zach, Jennifer, Alexis, and Mark a counselor from school and I went out in our boat looking for caribou. We found a small herd not even a half-mile from town I was the only legal hunter in the boat and had some gun trouble I had not even shot the gun this year and yes I know you're supposed to shoot your gun and make sure it's ready before you go hunting but by the time the caribou were gone there was only one caribou down and Alexis was bawling her eyes out for that caribou but later she had no problem and helping cut it up and put it in the freezer. Later on, Zack and I had a men's day out in the boat and we harvested three Caribou that day, so right now our freezers are pretty full from the Summers salmon and sheefish and now Caribou, we will be looking for a moose later on.

 

For all you that don't know, hunting for caribou up here in the Arctic is not really hunting it's more about harvesting, everyone is allowed to take five caribou a day, every day.

 

Kim has started a (WMU) on Tuesday nights and is having some pretty good turnouts they been making prayer shawls and learning how they can help missionaries. They collected and sent a donation to a Christian boarding school overseas called the Ricks Institute.

 

We would like to get some in-home Bible study groups started, we thought we had the first one setup but the night it was to begin I believe Satan stuck his ugly head in and was able to get it stopped for now.  We all know Satan will not be victorious at least not for long. So I would ask you to pray that we would soon be able to get a in-home Bible study group started her in Kiana.

 

But in the meantime we have been getting a group together on Thursday nights along with the Friends Church and singing, the pastor from the Friends church and Zack both play guitars and we've been having a wonderful time worshiping the Lord.

 

We had a funeral on September 22 a man that had died with lung cancer, he leaves behind a wife and children and many friends. Please pray for the family.

 

The Alaska Baptist convention had its annual convention at the end of this month and Kim and I both needed to go to doctors so we planned our doctor visits around the convention. Kim was having dental surgery the same surgery she had done earlier this year but it wasn't successful and she had to have it redone. 

 

The periodontist want her to stay in Anchorage for two weeks and since we flew down to Anchorage using a companion ticket I had to stay there also. The doctor said that she has healed up real good this time, so hopefully there won't be a third time.

 

We did have a great time at the state convention, there was a commissioning service for international missionaries first time ever held in Alaska it was really neat seeing these missionaries being commissioned for the service of the Lord internationally.

 

My medical report didn't turn out quite as good as Kim's. I found out that the bottom disc in my back is completely gone, so my doctor has ordered an MRI for me on November 5 and I will also have a procedure done to my knees on the 5th, 12th, and 19th of November it's a new kind of a lubricant that I have never tried before I can't tell you it's real name but it's nickname is chicken grease. LOL There will be three injections in both knees and they need to be a week apart. So I'll get to spend some more time in Anchorage in November, Oh boy, and of course my doctor tells me for my knees and my back that I need to lose weight lose weight lose weight, okay already, like I didn't know that. LOL

 

We got home from Anchorage on October 5 and Kim left for Missouri on October 6, she calls this trip her Grandchild fix. By the time she gets home on October 28 she will have spent time with all 14 of our grandchildren and did we tell you that Sarah is going to give us our 15th grandchild in February. It is really hard sometimes being away from our family but we made the commitment to follow the Lord's leadership in our lives and we know it's better to be in the Lord's will than our own.

 

So far in the month of October we have all been getting ready for winter. No snow yet, but our temperatures have been from 20 above to 2 below. The river is mostly frozen over with only a few open areas.  On October 5 the ice on the river was ready for the first nets to be set under the ice to catch Whitefish which is a winter delicacy, people here like to dry, cook or eat raw after freezing and partially thawing the Whitefish.

 

My friend Roger tells me that his net was the first one under the ice this year and the first time they checked their net there was 120 Whitefish. It is real interesting to see how to put out the net under the ice. Everyone has their favorite spots. It’s started by sticking a post in the ice and making a big enough hole for the net to go through the ice and then going at a down river angle about 15 feet  make a smaller hole and someone from the big hole runs rope in the river and with a poll from the smaller hole someone tries to fish the rope out of the river,  do that again and again until getting however long the net is and then set another poll in the ice so when pulled the net down under the ice it can be tied off again.  So when the net is checked the  net and loosen the rope that the far end and pull the net out at the big hole and remove the fish from the net and then pull it down again and tied off a usually checked the nets twice a day. Hope I didn't bore you with all of this information.

 

NEWS FROM ZACK AND JENNIFER

Zack and Jennifer have a beautiful view of the Kobuk River from their cabin east of town where they see Moose almost every day. Sunday they told me they saw five Moose with two big bulls fighting.

 

Jennifer and I thank the Lord every day for the opportunity to serve Him in the evangelization of the Northwest Arctic region. We have seen the Lord work continuously in our lives as well as in the lives of those around us. A lot has taken place in the Greer family in the past couple of months and we continue to thank the Lord for his faithfulness to provide for our needs. We continuously thank Him every day for how He always speaks to us through His word. Jennifer and I were on our way home from Kotzebue this month when the Lord reminded us of this passage in Lamentations.

 

 "But this I call to mind, and therefore I hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion ,' says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:21-24.

Never forget that the Lord is our strength and our hope. Our hope comes in Him and when we attempt to find hope in our own abilities, talents, or God given gifts we bypass the strength that comes from the vine. God is our true vine, our source of love, mercy, and faithfulness. He is our portion and therefore we will hope in Him and in Him alone.

 

Thank you for your prayers that spur us on.

Zack and Jennifer Greer

 

http://www.greersonmission.blogspot.com/

 

Here is an update from John’s brother, Jerry.

Good morning,
We are having some really great weather here now, right around 70s during
the day and 50s at night.  It's perfect weather for us geocaching nuts. 
Looks like I'll have to use some of this weather to get a little yard work
before winter sets in.  
I had another CT scan last week and a follow-up with my Oncologist
yesterday.  We found out the mass in my right lung has grown a little since
the previous scan two months ago.  This isn't what we wanted to hear but it
is not a definite indicator of cancer either.  I don't  seem to have  any
physical symptoms of cancer.  My doc suggested I go back to the Mayo Clinic
and let them do a workup on me, he thinks they will be able to provide a
better idea about what is going on in my lung. We agree with his
recommendation so he is arranging an appointment for me, probably later in
November.  As always, I know God is in charge and this will all work out
according to His plan. 
Enjoy His blessings, and keep praying,

Jdp

 

Here is an update from John’s sister, Jackie

I'm so excited - because the procedures to come will not be nearly as involved as the transplants I have had before.  They do want to get fresh cells from Jean Ann - lucky her!!  Although the procedures will not be bad for her either - she's so willing.  I ask her, first, before I gave her the information " how much do you love me"?  She said well it depends!!HA  She will go through some pre-testing then we will both go to the hospital - her to give cells and me to get them. Sounds as if they will get all set up fairly soon.  We hope so.  They call the procedure, for me, a Boost.  I'm so happy that they don't have to take my immune system down as they did with the transplants.  Means I should continue to feel good and get stronger.  Thank you, thank you, for all your prayers - I love all of you - I pray for all of you – Jackie

 

CHRISTMAS

If you are sending Christmas items, please send in enough time for our Christmas program/party on December 14^th. Thank you for all who are participating in this mission need.

 

Needs:

 

We are in a real need for snacks for kids

We are starting a fund for a new hot water heater: $1400

 

Please pray for Pastor John Forrester and family

Please pray for Kobuk, Shungnak, Ambler, Kiana, Noorvik, Kotzebue

Please pray that the Lord will continue to give Kim and I the health, wisdom, strength, finances to continue serving the Lord in the Northwest Borough of Alaska.

Please pray for the Lords will to be done in our children's lives and their families.

John Jr. and Shellie, Mikey. 

Sarah and Wes, Hannah, Abbi, Leela, Seth, and baby Mary due in Feb.

Jana and Greg, Kylie, Kaycie, Gregory and Kelsey

Jesse and Tish, Shelby, Haley, Austin, Katelynn, Haileigh, Damon.

 

We have opened up a trust fund, “John and Kim Piepmeier Kiana Baptist Mission Trust Fund”. We are doing this so that the work will continue here in Kiana, even after we are gone. If anyone would like to donate to this fund, you can send checks to the Alaska Baptist Convention 1750 O'Malley Road Anchorage Alaska 99507.

 

Please pray for our friend, Ted.

 

Thank you to those who have partnered with us to help pay utilities

Thank you to all of you that have helped with providing needs from the "Ways You Can Help" page.
Thank you to the many who have sent us letters, cards, and e-mails, supplies, Wal -Mart gift cards, and love gifts along with their prayers.
Thank you to the ones who continue to support us and pray for us

 

God is Good! All the Time!

Love in Christ,
Pastor John and Kim Piepmeier
"Mission Service Corps Missionaries"
On Top Of The World In Kiana Alaska
Our Eskimo names: "Qayaaqpaq and Ayagiaq"
P.O. Box 145 Kiana Alaska 99749
(907) 475-2126
 kjpie@inutek.net
www.kianabaptistmission.com

Hello from the top of the world,

 

August, September, and October newsletter. 2008

 

I will start off by saying sorry that I'm late getting out this newsletter, things have been very busy as usual.

 

I would like to ask all of you prayer warriors to please lift up in prayer Kiana and the Northwest Arctic region there are so many of our people here that are bound to their sin and many are in jail and families are in turmoil, we need a great revival, we need people getting right the Lord, truly having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Please pray diligently for that revival.

 

On August 15 Alexis, Kim and I all flew to Seattle the North American Mission Board (NAMB) brought all the missionaries from the Northwest region together in Seattle.

 

It was truly a great time of fellowship with missionaries some we already knew and many that we didn't know, there was training offered with many breakout sessions to choose from, there was wonderful singing and great fellowship also. We truly had a great time, I don't want to forget to tell you the food was great too.

 

This was the first time for Alexis to be out of the state of Alaska, she also had a great time seeing the sights of Seattle and shopping but also NAMB took the kids each day and had different activities planned for them.

 

Alexis also had a plan, she wanted to see how many hours she could stay in the pool each day, she likes water as much as a fish.

 

Some of our youth have started doing puppets for the younger kids during Sunday school that is working out real good. Zack and Jennifer are really being a blessing to Kim and I they are working with the youth and the children's Sunday school, they also have been discipling many of our young people.

 

Zack has been doing a wonderful job leading our worship and playing his guitar every Sunday. He also will fill in and preach whenever I need him too.

 

August 25 Zack and Jennifer found out that they would be able to work at the school Jennifer took the job as a special needs and Zack has practically been a full-time fill-in he has been a teacher, he's been an aide, he's been a cook, his been a janitor, I think maybe the only job he hasn't been at the school is principal.

 

Some really good news is our friend Ted got out of jail on August 28 and is serving out some paroled time in the Anchorage area, he is doing very well, it is so neat to see how God is blessing his life as he stays focused on the Lord and serving Him.

 

For those of you that maybe don't know Ted he is a native man from Kiana, and over the years Kim and I have become very close with Ted. I have been telling him for years now that God is going to use him, at first he would almost get mad and say no that's not God's will for my life, but now he knows it is true and is seeking how God wants him to serve and is surrendering to the Lord's will. I tell you all this because I would ask that you please pray for Ted and that God gives him clear leadership in how he can best serve the Lord.

 

My man Ted is a real good speaker, God has blessed him with many gifts and talents, for sure he is a Real Deep Thinker... LOL Ted

 

September brings the caribou migration.

 

Zach, Jennifer, Alexis, and Mark a counselor from school and I went out in our boat looking for caribou. We found a small herd not even a half-mile from town I was the only legal hunter in the boat and had some gun trouble I had not even shot the gun this year and yes I know you're supposed to shoot your gun and make sure it's ready before you go hunting but by the time the caribou were gone there was only one caribou down and Alexis was bawling her eyes out for that caribou but later she had no problem and helping cut it up and put it in the freezer. Later on, Zack and I had a men's day out in the boat and we harvested three Caribou that day, so right now our freezers are pretty full from the Summers salmon and sheefish and now Caribou, we will be looking for a moose later on.

 

For all you that don't know, hunting for caribou up here in the Arctic is not really hunting it's more about harvesting, everyone is allowed to take five caribou a day, every day.

 

Kim has started a (WMU) on Tuesday nights and is having some pretty good turnouts they been making prayer shawls and learning how they can help missionaries. They collected and sent a donation to a Christian boarding school overseas called the Ricks Institute.

 

We would like to get some in-home Bible study groups started, we thought we had the first one setup but the night it was to begin I believe Satan stuck his ugly head in and was able to get it stopped for now.  We all know Satan will not be victorious at least not for long. So I would ask you to pray that we would soon be able to get a in-home Bible study group started her in Kiana.

 

But in the meantime we have been getting a group together on Thursday nights along with the Friends Church and singing, the pastor from the Friends church and Zack both play guitars and we've been having a wonderful time worshiping the Lord.

 

We had a funeral on September 22 a man that had died with lung cancer, he leaves behind a wife and children and many friends. Please pray for the family.

 

The Alaska Baptist convention had its annual convention at the end of this month and Kim and I both needed to go to doctors so we planned our doctor visits around the convention. Kim was having dental surgery the same surgery she had done earlier this year but it wasn't successful and she had to have it redone. 

 

The periodontist want her to stay in Anchorage for two weeks and since we flew down to Anchorage using a companion ticket I had to stay there also. The doctor said that she has healed up real good this time, so hopefully there won't be a third time.

 

We did have a great time at the state convention, there was a commissioning service for international missionaries first time ever held in Alaska it was really neat seeing these missionaries being commissioned for the service of the Lord internationally.

 

My medical report didn't turn out quite as good as Kim's. I found out that the bottom disc in my back is completely gone, so my doctor has ordered an MRI for me on November 5 and I will also have a procedure done to my knees on the 5th, 12th, and 19th of November it's a new kind of a lubricant that I have never tried before I can't tell you it's real name but it's nickname is chicken grease. LOL There will be three injections in both knees and they need to be a week apart. So I'll get to spend some more time in Anchorage in November, Oh boy, and of course my doctor tells me for my knees and my back that I need to lose weight lose weight lose weight, okay already, like I didn't know that. LOL

 

We got home from Anchorage on October 5 and Kim left for Missouri on October 6, she calls this trip her Grandchild fix. By the time she gets home on October 28 she will have spent time with all 14 of our grandchildren and did we tell you that Sarah is going to give us our 15th grandchild in February. It is really hard sometimes being away from our family but we made the commitment to follow the Lord's leadership in our lives and we know it's better to be in the Lord's will than our own.

 

So far in the month of October we have all been getting ready for winter. No snow yet, but our temperatures have been from 20 above to 2 below. The river is mostly frozen over with only a few open areas.  On October 5 the ice on the river was ready for the first nets to be set under the ice to catch Whitefish which is a winter delicacy, people here like to dry, cook or eat raw after freezing and partially thawing the Whitefish.

 

My friend Roger tells me that his net was the first one under the ice this year and the first time they checked their net there was 120 Whitefish. It is real interesting to see how to put out the net under the ice. Everyone has their favorite spots. It’s started by sticking a post in the ice and making a big enough hole for the net to go through the ice and then going at a down river angle about 15 feet  make a smaller hole and someone from the big hole runs rope in the river and with a poll from the smaller hole someone tries to fish the rope out of the river,  do that again and again until getting however long the net is and then set another poll in the ice so when pulled the net down under the ice it can be tied off again.  So when the net is checked the  net and loosen the rope that the far end and pull the net out at the big hole and remove the fish from the net and then pull it down again and tied off a usually checked the nets twice a day. Hope I didn't bore you with all of this information.

 

NEWS FROM ZACK AND JENNIFER

Zack and Jennifer have a beautiful view of the Kobuk River from their cabin east of town where they see Moose almost every day. Sunday they told me they saw five Moose with two big bulls fighting.

 

Jennifer and I thank the Lord every day for the opportunity to serve Him in the evangelization of the Northwest Arctic region. We have seen the Lord work continuously in our lives as well as in the lives of those around us. A lot has taken place in the Greer family in the past couple of months and we continue to thank the Lord for his faithfulness to provide for our needs. We continuously thank Him every day for how He always speaks to us through His word. Jennifer and I were on our way home from Kotzebue this month when the Lord reminded us of this passage in Lamentations.

 

 "But this I call to mind, and therefore I hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion ,' says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:21-24.

Never forget that the Lord is our strength and our hope. Our hope comes in Him and when we attempt to find hope in our own abilities, talents, or God given gifts we bypass the strength that comes from the vine. God is our true vine, our source of love, mercy, and faithfulness. He is our portion and therefore we will hope in Him and in Him alone.

 

Thank you for your prayers that spur us on.

Zack and Jennifer Greer

 

http://www.greersonmission.blogspot.com/

 

Here is an update from John’s brother, Jerry.

Good morning,
We are having some really great weather here now, right around 70s during
the day and 50s at night.  It's perfect weather for us geocaching nuts. 
Looks like I'll have to use some of this weather to get a little yard work
before winter sets in.  
I had another CT scan last week and a follow-up with my Oncologist
yesterday.  We found out the mass in my right lung has grown a little since
the previous scan two months ago.  This isn't what we wanted to hear but it
is not a definite indicator of cancer either.  I don't  seem to have  any
physical symptoms of cancer.  My doc suggested I go back to the Mayo Clinic
and let them do a workup on me, he thinks they will be able to provide a
better idea about what is going on in my lung. We agree with his
recommendation so he is arranging an appointment for me, probably later in
November.  As always, I know God is in charge and this will all work out
according to His plan. 
Enjoy His blessings, and keep praying,

Jdp

 

Here is an update from John’s sister, Jackie

I'm so excited - because the procedures to come will not be nearly as involved as the transplants I have had before.  They do want to get fresh cells from Jean Ann - lucky her!!  Although the procedures will not be bad for her either - she's so willing.  I ask her, first, before I gave her the information " how much do you love me"?  She said well it depends!!HA  She will go through some pre-testing then we will both go to the hospital - her to give cells and me to get them. Sounds as if they will get all set up fairly soon.  We hope so.  They call the procedure, for me, a Boost.  I'm so happy that they don't have to take my immune system down as they did with the transplants.  Means I should continue to feel good and get stronger.  Thank you, thank you, for all your prayers - I love all of you - I pray for all of you – Jackie

 

CHRISTMAS

If you are sending Christmas items, please send in enough time for our Christmas program/party on December 14^th. Thank you for all who are participating in this mission need.

 

Needs:

 

We are in a real need for snacks for kids

We are starting a fund for a new hot water heater: $1400

 

Please pray for Pastor John Forrester and family

Please pray for Kobuk, Shungnak, Ambler, Kiana, Noorvik, Kotzebue

Please pray that the Lord will continue to give Kim and I the health, wisdom, strength, finances to continue serving the Lord in the Northwest Borough of Alaska.

Please pray for the Lords will to be done in our children's lives and their families.

John Jr. and Shellie, Mikey. 

Sarah and Wes, Hannah, Abbi, Leela, Seth, and baby Mary due in Feb.

Jana and Greg, Kylie, Kaycie, Gregory and Kelsey

Jesse and Tish, Shelby, Haley, Austin, Katelynn, Haileigh, Damon.

 

We have opened up a trust fund, “John and Kim Piepmeier Kiana Baptist Mission Trust Fund”. We are doing this so that the work will continue here in Kiana, even after we are gone. If anyone would like to donate to this fund, you can send checks to the Alaska Baptist Convention 1750 O'Malley Road Anchorage Alaska 99507.

 

Please pray for our friend, Ted.

 

Thank you to those who have partnered with us to help pay utilities

Thank you to all of you that have helped with providing needs from the "Ways You Can Help" page.
Thank you to the many who have sent us letters, cards, and e-mails, supplies, Wal -Mart gift cards, and love gifts along with their prayers.
Thank you to the ones who continue to support us and pray for us

 

God is Good! All the Time!

Love in Christ,
Pastor John and Kim Piepmeier
"Mission Service Corps Missionaries"
On Top Of The World In Kiana Alaska
Our Eskimo names: "Qayaaqpaq and Ayagiaq"
P.O. Box 145 Kiana Alaska 99749
(907) 475-2126
 kjpie@inutek.net
www.kianabaptistmission.com

Hello from the top of the world,

 

August, September, and October newsletter. 2008

 

I will start off by saying sorry that I'm late getting out this newsletter, things have been very busy as usual.

 

I would like to ask all of you prayer warriors to please lift up in prayer Kiana and the Northwest Arctic region there are so many of our people here that are bound to their sin and many are in jail and families are in turmoil, we need a great revival, we need people getting right the Lord, truly having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Please pray diligently for that revival.

 

On August 15 Alexis, Kim and I all flew to Seattle the North American Mission Board (NAMB) brought all the missionaries from the Northwest region together in Seattle.

 

It was truly a great time of fellowship with missionaries some we already knew and many that we didn't know, there was training offered with many breakout sessions to choose from, there was wonderful singing and great fellowship also. We truly had a great time, I don't want to forget to tell you the food was great too.

 

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