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 63 June 23 TYONEK MISSION OR UP ON THE ROOF

UP ON THE ROOF
Tearing down and keeping a bonfire of the old roof....how much more fun can a guy have? The guys are up and out early, back to the house for "Moose Soup" then back to the roof....with only 2 hours of darkness you can work late. Yesterday the plumbing went kaput....but they had some of it back up last night. We are all sharing the same shower. You can only imagine the pure fun that is for me. I know we are on the same team but 5 guys and 2 ladies using one shower ewwwwwww...I am a big believer in Clorox and Comet (leave it in there with me just in case I see something creepy I can spray it), put a towel on the floor of the shower then wear Buba's flip flops in there (shhhhh, don't tell him about those flops). Never mind get the water warm...more of the scalding or ice cold. Washing your hair is an invigorating experience these days. Oh and without the plumbing working properly we now have to feed the toilet tank. As in we use a pan to get the water to put in the tank so we can flush. How's that for earthy Bocahontas?

MAKING NEW FRIENDS
Catherine from the Village took Pinky and I around today to meet some of the elders. For the most part people keep to themselves in spite of living in a very close proximity to each other in the Village. One of my new friends, Elder William, shared that a lot of the young people are without GOD in their life resulting in a life a drift. He also explained about "hooch". No doubt alcoholism is a prevalent problem in this Village as it is in many Indian Villages. I asked William how? Why? He said the white man showed them many new "tricks"...this being one of them. I said "well just because a person drinks wine it doesn't make them a wino". Is it the DNA? Is it the lifestyle? This disease pervasive and prevalent and affects the whole family and community. It is heartbreaking. Is there no way out? Surely this problem has been studied and studied with money thrown at the problem. One of my new friends, Art, said 80% of our village adults have this problem. Does anyone know of any success with alcoholism programs in the Indian Communities??? How can I help them? Art tried to hold AA meetings but nobody attended. What can I do?

I wish I could stay all summer. There is so much to do and in spite of me not being the "craftiest" lady. Even my half baked efforts with the arts and crafts are appreciated by the kids. What do they do all summer? There really aren't any organized programs. They watch TV and hang out. Can't ride a bike (roads are all stones), no Scouts, no Vacation Bible School, no Park Programs, no summer camp...nothing but "fish camp" at the beach for the adults. Several kids come from Anchorage to visit their grandparents and relatives during the summer. The kids are quite polite and yearn for activity. I also noticed how they love the hugs and attention we give. How is the village preparing these kids for the future? Where do they get their personal vision and ambition and the strength to fulfill them? How do they get a personal vision of faith in themselves? How are they taught to be a productive and industrious members of their community? Where does education fit in here? The Tyonek Feasibility Report has a picture of THE church (yes St. Nicholas Orthodox Church) on the cover of the report? Why?

I also met the Doyan Rent A Ranger. The Tyonek Corp contracts with them to patrol for trespassers on their land. They look for people hunting and fishing on their lands without a Tyonek permit. They are here June and July. I asked "who would come way over here and bother this village and how would they get here by "accident?" " They fly in and some think it is their right to fish and hunt here. Some guides fly in the bear hunters and "accidentally" cross over to Tyonek property. What is tribal justice? The Tyoneks own a Hunting Lodge- their guest have shot 35 bears out of there this season. Other than the Rent A Rangers we are the only white people here.
Learn more about Tyonek, their long range plans, and the Tyonek Corporation at their website: http://www.tyonek.com/


HOW ABOUT THIS FOR A LITTLE GEOGRAPHIC MARVEL?

Alaska is 2 1/2 times the size of Texas

3,000,000 lakes over 20 acres in size (compared to Minnesota's 10,000 Lakes)

6,640 miles of coastline (longer than all of the U.S. states combined)

An estimated 10,000 glaciers (covering nearly 5% of the state)

80% of the volcanoes in the U.S.

39 mountain ranges containing 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S.


Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 7:48 PM