Whirlwind.

It seems that there is just so much to update. I may tackle this in a few chunks...

So VBS at Grandview Baptist Church last week went quite well I think. We were mostly just helpers, but were really able to spend some time with the kids. We also really got acquainted with the Boomerang Express theme and materials that we will be working with the rest of the summer. I particularly enjoyed doing the motions to the songs, but whatever. I really connected with a little boy named Simon who apparently misbehaves quite a bit. Hopefully I was able to impact him. Please keep him in your prayers. After VBS in the evenings we just hung out. The guy I was staying with took us around Anchorage which was cool and we also got to go to a cook out and eat some Halibut. It was amazing. Jessica and I also hung out with our Kodiak friends and they cooked us our halibut that we caught, which was also pretty cool.

Throughout the week the rest of our team arrived in Anchorage. Mason, Gentry, and Elizabeth. We have all hit it off quite well and are already becoming a family. God has truly answered a prayer.
Unfortunately the couple who were supposed to be our coordinators this summer had to return to Florida, but I think that situation has now been resolved.

Anyway, after VBS on friday Brenda and David took us on the most beautiful and epic hike of our lives. It is a trail called Crow Pass in Girdwood about 30 miles south of Anchorage. It is a 26 mile trail that goes all through the mountians, but we did the first 3.5 miles up to a ranger cabin. This part is the climb into the mountains and it is pretty flat from where we stopped. It climbs about 3000 feet in elevation and was incredibly steep!! It was also the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Please check out facebook for pictures. We saw mountian sheep and amazing mountain scenery. When we finally made it to the top, the guys decided to free climb this small peak next to the trail. It was terrifying, but awsome. The slope was all loose shale that slid everywhere and then grass on the steep hillside. The view from the top was incredible. SO basically the coolest hike ever.

This past weekend we did two block parties. The first only had like 6 kids, but since it was our first time setting everything up, it was good practice. The second one was at Fairview Loop BC on Sunday. We went to church that morning where a missionary couple from Georgia spoke!! I got to visit with them after church. (Side note, the pastor at Fairview loops's dental hygenist is Sarah Palin's sister...) Then the block party was a smashing success! We are also pros at getting everything set up and broken down. We are working VBS at the site of the first block party, Pioneer Baptist Church in Wasilla, this week.
So far this VBS has been pretty good. The church is small so we only have about 15 kids, but it has been good. I am leading the music, teaching the kids motions and just making a fool out of myself.
On Monday (yesterday) we hiked another small mountain/hill called Bodenburg Butte. Only about 875 feet tall, it still provides a great view of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. You could see the Matanuska Glacier as well.
Today was pretty chill, we did some VBS prep and devotionals, but then Mr. Jim (one of they guys we are staying with) took us shooting. This has been something I have wanted to so since coming to Alaska and it did not disappoint. We did 3 different pistols. Some magnum something, my favorite. A PPK James Bond handgun, and an old western 6 shooter. He also had the twelve gauge shotgun. It was awesome.

I promise to try and update more often... things have just been super busy. Please continue to pray for the kids that are attending our VBS as well as that God would continue to work in our hearts to accomplish His will.

Kev