To all the Saints, Greetings!
First of all, please accept our apology, it has been way too long since we have put out a newsletter.
Needs
Well first of all, you remember that we had ATV problem. Both of our 4-wheelers broke down. Some people might ask why do we need a 4- wheeler or why do we need 2? The answer to the first question, why do we need a four wheeler, because that is the most economical transportation that we can use here weather providing. We use it to visit people, to go to the post office, and pick up supplies that you all have shipped or that we have ordered. We use it with the trailer to get the fuel that we need, so you see a four Wheeler is not just a toy for us but a real need. The answer to the second question, why do we need two 4-wheelers? The best answer for that is when one breaks down you still have one running. There are times where having two 4-wheelers makes life a lot easier.
It just so happened, that this time both the four-wheelers went out at the same time. The newest 4-wheeler, I had to send the engine out to a dealer to have it rebuilt. Shipping labor and parts cost $3000 and the 10 year old 4-wheeler I replaced with a new Honda Foreman. Cost of the Honda 4-wheeler, plus shipping was $6500.
We will need to start buying heating oil in September. We will use it through next spring. Cost is about 1200 gallons @ six dollars a gallon = $7200 which causes me to say I don't know how we'll make it with these expenses besides high electric cost, but I do know everything will work out for those who love the Lord. I also know the Lord will meet our needs.
So if you feel led to help these businesses, it would be greatly appreciated. Please make all checks out to Kiana Baptist Mission and designate for Honda expenses or utilities. Mail to:
Kiana Baptist Mission
P.O. Box 145
Kiana, Alaska 99749
March happenings.
On March 1st, we found out that a young woman from Kiana had been lost in the storm in Kotzebue and froze to death. Her funeral was on March 16. She leaves behind 6 children, one of them being a baby.
On March 3rd, I gave the newest member of our family shots and worming, Kim's little Chihuahua, Jippie.
On March 4th, I finally got help to work on newest 4-wheeler that had been broke down since December. Brad and I finally in May, after exhausting many other ideas found out that one of the timing chains had a few links broken causing a considerable amount of damage. Brad packed up the motor and got it shipped out for repair. I have the motor back now and installed in the 4-wheeler but still having a few issues that I haven't figured out.
On March 7th, Kim went back to Anchorage for some more medical issues. She saw her doctor and her dentist and was back home on the 12th.
March 16th, we had a funeral for a 15-year-old boy that have been accidentally shot. He lived in Anchorage, but his family was from Kiana.
On March 17th, Alexis went to Barrow for spring break to visit her family and came back on March 24.
On March 23rd, an elder Amelia black died in Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage. They brought her body back home on March 31.
On March 31, I gave Jippie another round of worming and another shot. Now I've given Kim and Jippie their shots. LOL
April Happenings
On April 1st, we enjoyed the fellowship of Zack and Jennifer. Zack deep-fried sheefish and we all had an enjoyable evening.
On April 3rd, another elder, Mary, died at home. She was Oomah to Amelia, Oomah, for women, means born the same year. Both women had colon cancer.
On April 6th, I went to Anchorage to have a EGD where they go down my throat and look at my esophagus. While the Dr. was looking in my throat, he did a minor procedure.
Also in April, Kim went back to Anchorage for more medical tests. She had it all set up for Alexis and I to join her a few days later in Anchorage. Alaska Airline had a special, that we took advantage of, and went to Hawaii. We visited friends while we were there and took a cruise around the islands on Norwegian Cruise line. Kim had gotten a really good deal on a inside room meaning one with no windows or a little cubicle. After she went to Anchorage, Norwegian Cruise line called me and said they had a special deal for me that I could upgrade to a penthouse with Butler service. The patio with the penthouse was bigger than the inside room we presently had for just $400 more. I said sign me up, Alexis and I did not tell Kim and she sure was surprised. This was only the second time Alexis had ever been out of Alaska, we had a wonderful time.
May Happenings
On May 7th, we were invited to join in with the senior dinner.
On May 8th, we had graduation to attend and Jennifer had promised the girls she would have a sleepover.
On May 9th, due to some cancellations, prom finally happened and we had a house full of girls with Jennifer and Kim doing makeup and hair to get ready for prom.
Also in May Zack and Jennifer got ready to go to Texas for the summer and to have their baby, which they did have their baby on July 15th! Jennifer and son are doing great and I think Zach is recovering nicely too! Ha ha
June Happenings
June brings in a busy month, time for spring cleaning. Kim did a lot of cleaning in the church, reorganizing. and we put some new shelving to help keep things organized.
Kim went to Missouri to spend Father's Day with her dad and mom, her brother came in from California, and her sister lives there in Missouri. They all got together for Father's Day. Her family hadn't been together like that for a long time. Kim got back home on July 1.
July Happenings
On the Fourth of July, our village always comes together. We play all types of racing games for cash prizes for everyone and plenty of food booths. We even have a parade. There were watermelon and cantaloupe for sale by the slice or whole. They gave Kim a really good deal, a small watermelon for $20 and the cantaloupe for $10.
Kim had been real busy getting everything ready for vacation Bible school that started on July 6.
On July 5, Donna Moorefield came from Hawaii to help us with VBS. She led the craft time and brought all the crafts with her! It was great getting to know her, and she was a great help to have here with us. She asked if she could come next year and we told her we would be delighted for her to help again. Donna and Kim also trying to talk their husbands into letting them take a mission trip to China next year, we don't know if that's going to happen, it will have to be a God thing.
There were 56 enrolled for vacation Bible school and one salvation. The children brought in $100 to send to the missionaries in Australia to help with their work in the Bush of Australia.
We had three extraordinary youth helping with vacation Bible school this year,Laura, Anne, and Shianne. They taught the music class and set up all the songs for family night, they also helped any other way that we needed them. They came early to set up and stayed after to clean up each day. Thanks a Million ladies!! Other helpers were, Barbara, Johnny and Evelyn. Those three were sick and couldn't come every day, but God was with us and helped us a long way every day. We had a great week!
Thank to all who prayed for VBS, sent snacks. and money for VBS. We could never do it without your support and prayers.
Right after VBS, Kim went to Anchorage for Dr. and Dentist appointments. She went to see her Dentist and had one cavity fixed and has to go back for a crown. She then went to her GYN and does not have to go back. Then she saw her M.D. for her diabetes. The blood tests showed that her numbers were great and she doesn't have to go back until January. The last she had done was a colonoscopy. The dr. discovered and removed 7 polyps. She will get a report in a few more days, but the Dr. seemed to think they are nothing and suggests a 3 year return for another test. All in all, the week went well and upon returning to Kiana, my oldest son met her in Anchorage and they flew home together. We are enjoying his week long visit.
While Kim was in Anchorage, we had a death in the village, a young man drowned. His father is in Anchorage in the hospital awaiting surgery on Monday. Please pray for this family.
John's sister, Jackie, is in the hospital. She is very weak and needs prayer. Also please pray for John's brother, Jerry, who has lung cancer.
Our native daughter, Alexis, will be back from her summer break. She will be coming back to us as a teenager. She had a birthday on July 18th and turned 13!
Zack and Jennifer's baby boy, Gavin, was born on July 15th. He weighed 6 lbs. and was 19 and 1/2 inches long. They have tickets bought to come back to Alaska on August 8th. When school starts back up, Kim will watch Gavin while Zack and Jennifer work at the school everyday. They will also be running the Youth Ministry, the worship service on Sunday, and Jennifer will teach a lesson on Tuesday nights when we have WOM. What a blessing to have them with us another year!
We would like to use this material for our children this Fall. Is there a church or individual who is led to help with this?
Please pray for:
the wisdom to serve God
for our families that we are so far away from
John and Kim in Kiana
Zach and Jennifer
John, Terri in Kotzebue
Paul and Glenda in Ambler
Brian and Debbie in Shunvnak
Luke and Sarah in Kobuk
please pray for our physical, mental, financial and spiritual welfare
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
