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.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day 66 Friday SCHOOLS OOOOOOOOOOOOUT FOR SUMMER!

Keith takes a break from roof duty and has a little chat with his girlfriends. The girls are beyond adorable. So full of curiosity and hugs. However when teen years show up issues surface with school. Some go to boarding schools around the state. They can choose to do this (the state pays for the schooling as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement) or they can stay home in the village for school. Many drop out before finishing high school...I have heard various drop out rates-from 70-85%. This is beyond a travesty not only for the child but for the Tribe and Community and the State as well.

Back in the 40's, 50's and 60's (until Molly Hootch Case) young natives were required to attend Boarding schools with the idea to assimilate into the general population and get the education that the villages didn't have the resources to provide. The Molly Hootch decision required the State to provide education in the respective villages (if there were at least 25 kids/students in the village). The folks of Tyonek were not very enthusiastic about their local school. Tebughna school is K-12 with 46 or so students with a student to teacher ratio of 10:1. The teachers are provided housing across the street from the school and I can only imagine what this might be like for a young person living in this fairly isolated situation (no Macy's, no Starbucks, no Movie Theater, no professional sporting events, dating let alone weather conditions etc). I asked if any of the teachers were Native? Nope. Who would take on this type of a job? Why? How long do they stay? What are the results they are achieving? How involved are the parents? The tribe as a whole? What is the advantage of going to school in the village or going to the boarding school? I heard mixed opinions of the boarding schools (depending upon the particular boarding school). Is not going to boarding school a backlash to the old days of being made to go to boarding school? We have learned with other minority groups (actually just people in general) that education is a ticket to moving on up and being a productive member of society. What is the commitment of my friends the Tyoneks with regard to education for their children? All of this quitting school and dropping out surely doesn't serve the child or the Tribe.....Tyonek Parents "wazzup?"
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 12:05 AM