Merry Christmas 2008
Greetings from John, Kim and Alexis in Kiana, Alaska!
This is our 10th winter here!
Here are the highlights for 2008:
There have been 22 salvations and 3 baptisms this year; and a total of 138 salvations since we came in 1999.
A 12 year old native girl from Barrow, named Alexis, has been living with us since last May. She is a
delight to us and we enjoy her. We don’t know for how long, but we will teach her as long as the Lord allows
her to be in our lives.
A young couple from Texas, Zack and Jennifer Greer, came to live in Kiana and help us with the ministry. They have been here since June and plan to stay until school is out in May. Their plans are to go and be missionaries in Africa. Please keep them in your prayers and to pray for a couple to come and take their place. Their web site is: http://www.greersonmission.blogspot.com
We had a team come from “The Crossing” at Birchwood, Alaska to do our VBS. They did an excellent job and we hope to see them up here again. We also had a work team from Texas. This team dug up the dirt to get to the septic tank to see if there was a problem and there was. The pipe wasn’t even connected to the tank. They fixed it and we are praying that we don’t have any more troubles. They did many other jobs while here.
Janelle, Matilda, Eva and I were able to attend the first “Collide”, which was held in Honolulu. We enjoyed working with John and Charlene Vaughn at the Kalihi Baptist Church. We painted lines in parking lots, picked up trash, played with the children, and passed out VBS flyers. We did find time to go to the beach, too! There were several from the church that are interested in coming to Kiana next summer.
We were able to attend the Evangelism Conference, WOM Celebration, and the State Convention this year. John will continue serving on the State Executive Board during 2009.
In December, we performed a musical with the children entitled, " Operation Baby King” We are so thankful to those who provided and shipped their items early for Christmas, as it takes an average of 3 weeks to get boxes here. The Christmas party for our kids and youth was held on December 14th. Pictures will be posted on our website: www.kianabaptistmission.com.
In our native village of 400, Satan has many strongholds, but through prayer, we know it can be broken. We have seen change in some of our people through the prayers of so many and know God is still working in the hearts of many more. Satan's strongholds can be broken, as some have come to repentance and professed Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Please pray for these brothers and sisters that want to change, but satan’s strongholds are so powerful. Please pray they can be broken once and for all. We have made many new friends, met brothers and sisters in Christ, and prayer partners through emails, letters, cards, phone calls, and visits. Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Our support and funds from the North American Mission Board and from Alaska Baptist Convention are continually being cut. Our personal support will be cut by $400 a month starting in January. This will continue with a $100 dollar a month cut for 6 more years and then there will be zero support.It takes all of us to do the work in Kiana.
All things are possible with God and we need your continued prayers for us and the ministry God has called us to as we too have struggles we deal with. We are so thankful to all who have sent items during the year for "our kids" and us. It's such a blessing to know how many of you are praying for us.
Please continue to pray for us to have wisdom, strength, and good health as we serve in Kiana, Alaska.
We pray that your holidays will be blessed and that you will have a wonderful New Year in 2009.
Love in Christ,
John and Kim
