ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A friend of ours heard about our "journey of faith, fisher, forests, family, friends and fun" and suggested we set up a Blog. A what? So here we are....on the road again with Bocahontas and Buba. Blessed with the freedom of time, we were inspired by two of our favorite causes. So we organized a road trip to Alaska which should not only be fun but also an opportunity to spread the good word about The Fisher Houses , The Orthodox Christian Mission Center/Programs and some of our National Parks. We are participating in a 2 week Mission in Tyonek, Alaska with the OCMC group in June. Feel free to check out the planned trip on the calendar link. Caribou Cabins? Blue Moose? Tundra Lodge? and our soon to be "favorite" Motel 6. Any and all suggestions, prayers and good karma are welcome and very much appreciated....poor Buba, in a car with Pam for 5 months. Lions, and tigers and bears oh my! Toggle down to the calendar and see where we are over the next months. We ask for your prayers.

Grab yourself a cold one and come along for the ride. Enjoy and laugh along with us viewing the daily blogs which are archived on the left side of this page in chronological order. We started April 22- Happy Trails!

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

The Fisher House

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The Fisher House Foundation, through the kindness of donations received, provides "comfort homes" that are built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable America's military families to be together during extended treatment for serious illness or lengthy physical sessions....very much like the Ronald McDonald homes for families of children in a similar situation. We were first introduced to Fisher House while visiting Brooke Army Medical Center (Burn Center) in San Antonio. We were so moved by the dedication and love of the staff and volunteers that we returned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Currently there are 44 Fisher Houses (more in the works) and our goal is to visit all of them and spread the good word to family and friends. Please feel free to peruse their website for a detailed explanation about the Fisher House Foundation and programs. Perhaps you will be inspired by the work this group does on behalf of our Armed Forces.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official foreign mission agency of all the Orthodox Jurisdictions (i.e. Greek, Russian, Serb etc.) The goal of the OCMC is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ where it presently does not exist and to establish vibrant Orthodox Eucharistic Communities throughout the world. We have had the privilege and pleasure to admire the work of this organization (headquarters located in St. Augustine, Florida) for years and now that we are retired we have the blessing to participate. We are on the road to Alaska to join a Mission Team in Tyonek for a couple weeks to do some construction and teaching in an Athabascan Indian Village. "If I had a hammer"...you'll be happy to know I deep sixed the acrylic nails in anticipation of caulking and painting. :) Please take a peek at the OCMC web site for details on all of the programs they are involved with throughout the world. And do stop in to see Father Martin and his kind and loving staff when you are in St. Augustine! We will also be visiting family, friends and Orthodox Churches while on the road to share the marvelous work of the OCMC.

National Parks

Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system – the first of its kind in the world –have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect, and share, the legacies of this land.


People from all around the world visit national parks to experience America's story, marvel at the natural wonders, and have fun. Places like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so too are the hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems like Rosie the Riveter in California, Boston Harbor Islands in Massachusetts, and Russell Cave in Alabama.


The American system of national parks was the first of its kind in the world, and provides a living model for other nations wishing to establish and manage their own protected areas. The park service actively consults with these Nations, sharing what we've learned, and gaining knowledge from the experience of others.


Beyond national parks, the National Park Service helps communities across America preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities. Grants and assistance are offered to register, record and save historic places; create community parks and local recreation facilities; conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways.


We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to explore the ways we can help you preserve what’s important in your hometown.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Day 62 June 22 TNT AND EARTHQUAKE ROCK AND ROLL

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
The rain added to the slip slidy up on the roof demolition of the bell tower. What "boy" doesn't like tearing things apart? I reminded Buba, between his titanium knees and arthritis to take it easy up on that 3rd story bell tower...sure yeah. Then the fun started-an earthquake hit while he was up there....at first they thought they messed up and the bell tower was coming down due to their not knowing what in the hay they were doing...nope A real live earthquake hit Cook Inlet...5.7 and the epicenter was just 60 miles east of here....TIME FOR LUNCH! Check out the illustration from the Alaska Earthquake Center. All those colored boxes are earthquakes, aftershocks or tremors. My Indian friends didn't bat an eyelash "Pam we only get excited when it spills our coffee".
INDIAN CREEK HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Well, it made for interesting lunch time chatter to say the least....me? I was out riding to another Fish Camp with Pinky and Catherine (village lady) and meeting the folks. We visited Gwen and Crystal at the Indian Creek Health Department (elders, mental, alcohol counseling, clinic,dental). Crystal is a one woman band to the nth degree...she is the health aide who runs the clinic. Meaning she is the go to person for any and all ailments. Crystal has been doing this job for 4 years...talk about stress. Not much turnover here...the last guy had it for 19 years. If a person needs medicine she emails the symptoms etc. to the hospital in Anchorage and they help her diagnose and they prescribe the meds. She has her own med "vending machine". All done through the computer ...they send the script back through the computer directly to the vending machine. Unreal. Practical and a good way to dispense meds without a doctor. The doctor does visit bimonthly and the dentist quarterly. Any babies Crystal? No! We send the pregnant gals to Anchorage in their 36th week so they can deliver over there.


DEATH AND BURIAL PRACTICES
I asked about death and burial rituals. Unless an autopsy is required (then body is flown to Anchorage) the dead person stays in their home for a few days. No embalming. When it is "warm" they will pack the coffin with ice to keep the body during this time period (kinda like our wake). The Tyoneks used to make their coffins now for the most part hey order them form Anchorage. The local "Trooper" declares the person dead. On the 3rd day the village people take the person to the church where the dead person stays over night along with some family members, reading the Psalms. The funeral service is held after 2:00. They do not dig the grave until the day of burial because they do not want any bad spirits to get into the grave. When the last Chief of the Village died , a plane flew over the service 3 times counter clockwise in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. After the service they have a potluck dinner at the Tribal Center. They also use "spirit houses" over the grave. this where the persons spirit rests for a period of time to accommodate the spirit before it leaves. The family also covers their mirrors for 40 days.
P.S. YES, BUBA ENDED UP AT THE INDIAN CREEK CLINIC....SEEMS THAT THE DRYWALL GOT THE BETTER PART OF HIM....WE ARE TALKING A NICE CUT ON THE HEAD AND BLOOD RUNNING DOWN THE FACE. A BIT GORY. I GUESS HE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE MY OPINION OF THE CLINIC WITHOUT A SAMPLING...CRYSTAL TO THE RESCUE. HE LIVED!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 7:27 PM