December/January 2007-2008 Newsletter
Dear Brethren,
Here are the events and opportunities for the months of December/January 2007-2008 here in Kiana.
December 1st John traveled to Noorvik for a funeral of an elder. Some of her family lives here in Kiana. December 7th, there was a funeral held here in Kiana of a young woman. We are close with most of her family. Another funeral was here in Kiana on December 14th. The last funeral in December was December 18th and this young woman left 6 children behind. Please pray for these families as they continue to miss their loved ones.
Many of you may know or heard of us talk about Sylvia Tuckfield. She has grown up to be a wonderful Christian young woman attending the past 3 years at Alaska Christian College in Soldotna. She met a Christian young man there and they were married at the College on December 13th, 2007. His name is Jimmy Andrew. They came to Kiana on December 15th and stayed with us until we left on the 22nd to spend Christmas with our family. Jimmy and Sylvia took care of the house, Moka, and did the Sunday Services and youth group. Jimmy plays the piano also. It was such a blessing to have them and we pray that the Lord will bless them as they continue to serve God and grow in their marriage.
Before leaving on the 22nd, we had our annual Christmas program. The children performed, “Bethlehem Gulch”. Vickie worked with them for several weeks and they did a great job. They also had a cast party at Vickie and Ed’s house on the 21st. The school Christmas program was held on December 19th. We enjoyed the children’s singing and skits.
On December 20th, the Friends church in Selawik burned to the ground. Please pray for the rebuilding. We understand that it may have been caused by the furnace. This month there was a big fuel spill. With fuel already being so expensive, this is really a hardship on everyone.
We arrived in Kansas City on December 24th and headed to our daughter Jana and her family in Oak Grove. We all went to church that night and then made the rounds to see Christmas lights. The next morning, the children came to get us up for Christmas morning. What a blessing to see our daughter read the Bible that morning to everyone. Our oldest granddaughter, Kylie, said we should pray and tell Jesus Happy Birthday. She offered to pray, it brought tears to our eyes with and filled out hearts with joy to listen her prayer at 9 years old. Then the presents began to be opened. We had homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Before long, we were getting ready to go to Excelsior Springs to be with more family, dinner, and gift exchanges. Later in the afternoon, we headed back to Jana’s where we got together with all our children and grandchildren. Sarah drove up from Texas with her family. What a delightful day we had. It was the first time we have spent Christmas with family since 1998! God has surely blessed us.
Jimmy and Sylvia left Kiana on December 26th and Tim Stevens arrived from Arkansas to fill in for the rest of the time we were gone. Tim has been here many times and knows the routine. It’s such a blessing to have someone that has been here so many times that we don’t have to explain every little thing to him and what it’s like running things in the Winter. But, there is still plenty of opportunity to have mishaps with the machine, right Tim and Woody? Tim plans to be back this summer for 2 weeks. He likes to fish and gather berries for us.
New Years Eve was spent at my sister and her husband’s house with my brother and his wife and our parents. My dad did fall asleep before midnight, but it was only a short cat nap. We all took pictures and then went to bed. The next morning, my brother and his wife left to head back to San Diego. After lunch, we went to John’s sister, Jean Ann and her husband’s home. John’s brother and other sister and spouses met us there. Also, some nephews stopped by. We spent the afternoon visiting before returning to Jana’s.
Some of you know of Brian and Debbie Love who served in Shungnak. We got a phone call from them and they were at her parent’s house just a few minutes from Jana’s. We had a short, but good visit, especially with Brad, the good ole Bart.
Between Christmas and New Years, my parents, their children and spouses, grandchildren and spouses, and great children got together for the first time in many years. My parents had a photographer come and take pictures in their home. Can’t wait to see them!
John headed back to Alaska on January 7th. I had to stay longer because I was getting bridge work done. John took me to the dentist twice before he left. The temporary wouldn’t stay in. So, on my third visit, the bridge didn’t fit. The dentist had to start all over, shots, grinding, templates, and said for me to come back the next week. Meanwhile, I went to Texas to spend a few days with Sarah and her family. As you all may know, Sarah lost a baby before Christmas and had a DNC. Then she got an abnormal pap smear, then 2 biopsies, and on February 4th, she will have the “Leep” procedure done to get rid of the pre-cancerous cells. Please keep this in prayer. While I was in Texas, I met and had lunch with Ron and Beth Wells. They are planning on coming to Kiana the week of Valentines to do ministry. Sarah and her family were so sharing while I was there, they all had the stomach flu and gave it to me, too. Sarah and I went to a mall one day and I got my glasses adjusted. I had just gotten new frames in Kansas City, the previous week. While they were adjusting, they accidently broke off the nose piece. They called to Dallas to find the same frame and had it overnighted and we went back the next day. It all worked out!
I headed back to Kansas City on January 16th. Jana’s husband, Greg, picked me up at the airport. We were sure praying on the way home as it was snowing and the roads were very bad. Some of you back there may remember that. Jana took me to the dentist the next day to get my bridge fitted. After that, we met some family and friends for lunch. We visited some other family, too, while in Appleton City.
January 18th, my trip began back home. I got to Anchorage that night and stayed at the Mission house. The next morning, the pastor and his wife drove me to the airport. The plane flew up to Nome, but couldn’t make into Kotzebue because of bad weather, so we went back to Anchorage. The next day, same time, I tried again. We flew to Nome, weather was bad in Kotzebue, we went back to Anchorage. Another flight, left that night, so I tried for the 3rd time and we made it! Praise God. But, it was too late to get the bush plane to Kiana. I sure wanted to go home. An elder couple from Kiana was on the same jet as me. I asked them if they would want to split the cost of chartering a plane and they said yes. So, we made to Kiana that night! It was sure good to get home.
Since being home, we have seen 2 Moose in our yard. We know how much you enjoy seeing Moose in Alaska, Vernice. Wish you could have been here. We also have a friendly fox that loves to tease Moka.
I am working on knitting a baby blanket for the new grandbaby on the way. Jana is due in June, the sonogram tells us it’s a girl. We are looking forward to having another grandchild! I plan to go to visit later in the year.
January 28th, we are planning on going to Anchorage for the Evangelism conference and John has an Executive Board meeting after wards. We plan to be back on Saturday, February 2nd. John’s birthday is February 1st!
If anyone has time, please send Valentine Candy, priority mail. We have plates, cups, decorations, napkins, and candy bags, but no candy or treats for the kids.
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.
Please continue to pray for Jerry who has lung cancer , he presently is at Mayo, and for Jana who has Grave’s disease and is pregnant
Thank you to those who have partnered with us to help pay utilities
Thank to those who have worked to get us stove oil for the winter
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!
Please continue to pray for :
NFL: NEW FOUND LOVE – This is a new Christian Club at school led by students for students.
All the things mentioned in the newsletter
Us to have wisdom, strength, and health to serve here
For our children, grandchildren, and family
For revival in the Northwest Arctic Region
For John Forrester and family who are pastoring in Kotzebue
For Paul and Glenda pastoring in Ambler
For a pastor in Kobuk
For a pastor in Shungnak
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
