Well, shoot. Just when I'd planned to blog everyday in Brevig Mission, the Internet at the church went down.
About three days later it still wasn't working. Then I found out there was one computer with free Internet at city hall. Which almost always had a line. And the one time I did use it, there was a swarm of children around me asking questions. And I was almost late for Bible school.
So I have no daily blog report to you from Brevig, I'm sad to say. But I do have some closing comments.
Every year is different: different group dynamics, different Bible stories and some different kids. Every year is the same: Brevig folks are eager to welcome us, I notice how the kids have grown, and we build relationships old and new.
This year, almost 80 kids registered for VBS. We had 50-60 most days, though some came and went. We did VBS from 2-4 pm (four days) and this year added Teen Night from 7-9 pm (three nights). This made us busy but increased the "quality time" spent with Brevig people.
The team of folks from Anchorage (and my brother) was just amazing. They made crafts, acted out Bible stories, sang songs, led games and just loved those kids in Brevig. Many hours of free time were spent entertaining the kids. We took turns in groups cooking, cleaning and leading devotions. And we learned to live together even though there were 11 people sharing two empty bedrooms (and some living room floor space).
My highlight this year was truly the teens. I was delighted that they actually came to the teen nights and asked for more time with us. It really wasn't so much about the programming we did. We merely created opportunities and structure for community and the teens used it to engage others and themselves.
One night, we invited two teenaged drummers (Travis and B-Boy) to drum and the girls to dance. (Some boys dance too). It's called "Eskimo Dancing," and the dances connect with traditional activities like building an igloo, ice-fishing, hunting walrus and welcoming friends. Each time I visit, I find a sacred space in the pounding of those drums and their hauntingly beautiful chants. There is poetry in the dancing, those graceful flowing motions that connect thier present reality to their past ancestors.
I met Travis (one of the drummers; he's 18) four years ago when I first came to Brevig. He was so much shorter and so eager. He would follow us around the village, ask a dozen questions, tease us and visit until the wee hours. Now, he's a man and a leader among his peers. I felt a swell of pride to see him dance, drum and chant with authority.
Everything slows down in the village. That's perhaps what I love best. We are there primarily to just be, just be with people and with each other. The mystery of God's spirit unites and sustains us. I don't get as worried or anxious in the village as I do at home. I wonder what this means.
For next year, I have a vision. Based on conversations with Pastor Brian, I'd like to involve Brevig residents (especially the teens) in the planning and leading of VBS. This could be done over email, in a spring visit to Brevig, or in a planning meeting once we arrive and before VBS starts. I'm excited to see this increased ownership and partnership grow.
Enough for now. Thanks for keeping the people of Brevig in your prayers.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Brevig Mission, Day 1
Hello from Brevig Mission, Alaska, just under the Arctic Circle. This is the first of a series of blogs about the Central Lutheran Church (and friends) trip to lead Vacation Bible School for a week in this Inupiat native village.
This is the third year Central has taken the trip. It's my fourth year, as I went with Amazing Grace Lutheran in 2004.
Our team this year consists of 11 people: Joyce, Shannon, Marilyn (a guest from St. Andrews' in Eagle River), Lawrence, Donovan, Merri Lynn, Lisa N, Ted, Karen, and Jay (my brother who lives in the OC, California. He thinks this is really cold!)
Let me tell you how we got here. First, we flew Alaska Air to Nome, each checking group luggage (food, crafts, supplies) as well as personal luggage. We bring all our own food and stay in the church parsonage with Pastor Brian Crockett.
We arrived in Nome on two separate flights yesterday (Saturday, July 12). It was raining and blowing sideways. We saw the sights of Nome (storefronts and the museum). One of our members (Donovan) found out he was actually related to the host at the museum...small world!
We lunched at Airport Pizza, a great all-around dining establishment. Their feature is that they take orders from villages and will put a piping hot pizza on the next plane so villagers can dine on their fare. Yum!
We drove to Teller from Nome, a 60-mile drive along mostly gravel roads. Though the clouds settled low, we could still see lush green hills and clear, flowing streams. Merri Lynn points out that many of the rolling hills remind her of Iceland. Along the way, we saw a herd of reindeer and one lone musk-ox. We also saw fishermen catch salmon at a stream. We only stopped briefly at the creek at Wooley Lagoon, where on sunnier days, I've seen Pastor Matt (from Nome) drink right from its clear waters.
Landing in Teller, we thought we'd stay overnight there. But the parsonage was full of construction workers building the village's new clinic. So, we hopped in Pastor Brian's Lund aluminum boat with outboard motor and he took the first load of folks across to Brevig. He dropped off Joyce, Merri Lynn and Marilyn at a fish camp where he'd left his Honda (ATV) and Joyce drove it (fast!) back to Brevig town site. The rest of the boat (Lawrence, Donovan and Pr. Brian) boated all the way to the town site. There were also three Brevig villagers whom Brian dropped off at fish camp. The 7-year-old boy hopped out of the boat, grabbed a fishing pole and almost immediately caught a salmon.
Brian eventually came back for the last three (Shannon, Jay and me). We were wondering if he'd ever return! We had a chilly but pretty boat ride over to Brevig. This year, we all wore lifejackets. The folks in Brevig almost never do. However, I'd just done a funeral for a man who drowned on the Kenai because he didn't have a life jacket. So we wore the PFDs.
In Brevig, we were greeted by folks fishing on the beach and a musk ox hide hanging from the outside of the church. I got to drive the Honda to the beach and back to haul luggage. I had forgotten how to drive it (and Lawrence got to learn for the first time!) so the kids showed me how. Very humbling!
Inside the church, women were decorating for a wedding to be held today (Sunday) at 2 pm. We hope to be invited but won't insist :) We asked a little girl whose wedding it would be. She said, "My mom and dad!"
Our evening ended with a great chiil supper (thanks Joyce!) and evening devotions.
This is the third year Central has taken the trip. It's my fourth year, as I went with Amazing Grace Lutheran in 2004.
Our team this year consists of 11 people: Joyce, Shannon, Marilyn (a guest from St. Andrews' in Eagle River), Lawrence, Donovan, Merri Lynn, Lisa N, Ted, Karen, and Jay (my brother who lives in the OC, California. He thinks this is really cold!)
Let me tell you how we got here. First, we flew Alaska Air to Nome, each checking group luggage (food, crafts, supplies) as well as personal luggage. We bring all our own food and stay in the church parsonage with Pastor Brian Crockett.
We arrived in Nome on two separate flights yesterday (Saturday, July 12). It was raining and blowing sideways. We saw the sights of Nome (storefronts and the museum). One of our members (Donovan) found out he was actually related to the host at the museum...small world!
We lunched at Airport Pizza, a great all-around dining establishment. Their feature is that they take orders from villages and will put a piping hot pizza on the next plane so villagers can dine on their fare. Yum!
We drove to Teller from Nome, a 60-mile drive along mostly gravel roads. Though the clouds settled low, we could still see lush green hills and clear, flowing streams. Merri Lynn points out that many of the rolling hills remind her of Iceland. Along the way, we saw a herd of reindeer and one lone musk-ox. We also saw fishermen catch salmon at a stream. We only stopped briefly at the creek at Wooley Lagoon, where on sunnier days, I've seen Pastor Matt (from Nome) drink right from its clear waters.
Landing in Teller, we thought we'd stay overnight there. But the parsonage was full of construction workers building the village's new clinic. So, we hopped in Pastor Brian's Lund aluminum boat with outboard motor and he took the first load of folks across to Brevig. He dropped off Joyce, Merri Lynn and Marilyn at a fish camp where he'd left his Honda (ATV) and Joyce drove it (fast!) back to Brevig town site. The rest of the boat (Lawrence, Donovan and Pr. Brian) boated all the way to the town site. There were also three Brevig villagers whom Brian dropped off at fish camp. The 7-year-old boy hopped out of the boat, grabbed a fishing pole and almost immediately caught a salmon.
Brian eventually came back for the last three (Shannon, Jay and me). We were wondering if he'd ever return! We had a chilly but pretty boat ride over to Brevig. This year, we all wore lifejackets. The folks in Brevig almost never do. However, I'd just done a funeral for a man who drowned on the Kenai because he didn't have a life jacket. So we wore the PFDs.
In Brevig, we were greeted by folks fishing on the beach and a musk ox hide hanging from the outside of the church. I got to drive the Honda to the beach and back to haul luggage. I had forgotten how to drive it (and Lawrence got to learn for the first time!) so the kids showed me how. Very humbling!
Inside the church, women were decorating for a wedding to be held today (Sunday) at 2 pm. We hope to be invited but won't insist :) We asked a little girl whose wedding it would be. She said, "My mom and dad!"
Our evening ended with a great chiil supper (thanks Joyce!) and evening devotions.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Four weddings and a funeral
Actually it was just one wedding but it always feels like more.
I did a wedding and a funeral last week, both for people I'd never met. This is a strange thing.
I was on-call for Alaska Native Lutheran Church, with whom we share this building. Pastor Karen Sonray was on vacation, as was my senior pastor Glenn, so it fell to me.
It feels good, actually, to be with people in life passages. It's one of my favorite things and I've heard other pastors remark similarly.
It's also odd to be in peoples' intimate spaces when you've never met them before. Much of the time before the events starts with introductions and trying to figure out who goes with who. The sermons aren't as good because they don't come out of genuine relationship. The time mingling afterward is a little awkward; I'm glad for my collar which makes it obvious to everyone why this unknown person is still floating around drinking punch.
So what's the point of this blog entry? Mostly just to say that now that I've been at Central for almost three years, I forget the pleasure of the networking and relationships I enjoy here. I take it for granted that I know stories, family connections, dreams, fears and disappointments. I don't know these when I put on the collar for another congregation.
So to the folks from Central who read this: we know each other. We have walked through challenges and good times. Some of you have known each other for decades. Decades! I'm thankful for our sister and brotherhood in Christ...it's very, very good.
I did a wedding and a funeral last week, both for people I'd never met. This is a strange thing.
I was on-call for Alaska Native Lutheran Church, with whom we share this building. Pastor Karen Sonray was on vacation, as was my senior pastor Glenn, so it fell to me.
It feels good, actually, to be with people in life passages. It's one of my favorite things and I've heard other pastors remark similarly.
It's also odd to be in peoples' intimate spaces when you've never met them before. Much of the time before the events starts with introductions and trying to figure out who goes with who. The sermons aren't as good because they don't come out of genuine relationship. The time mingling afterward is a little awkward; I'm glad for my collar which makes it obvious to everyone why this unknown person is still floating around drinking punch.
So what's the point of this blog entry? Mostly just to say that now that I've been at Central for almost three years, I forget the pleasure of the networking and relationships I enjoy here. I take it for granted that I know stories, family connections, dreams, fears and disappointments. I don't know these when I put on the collar for another congregation.
So to the folks from Central who read this: we know each other. We have walked through challenges and good times. Some of you have known each other for decades. Decades! I'm thankful for our sister and brotherhood in Christ...it's very, very good.
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