On this, my 7th trip, 10 people went with me. We took a little bit of Echos and shared it there at a women's event for True North Church. Afterwards, we spent the rest of our week there loving on people by giving out 50 dozen donuts in 9 degree weather, helped True North with some housecleaning chores, leading worship, loving on people, and prepared 60 gift and supper bags for the young women who work in 4 clubs in Anchorage. Delivering those gifts was the highpoint of our trip.
The most touching story was from the bouncer of one club. He walked us out, fighting back emotion he said, "You made a difference in the girls' lives tonight, you didn't come for me, but you made a bigger difference in my life." His wife was a dancer, as was his mom. He hates the clubs. But he has not been able to find a job that pays what he needs to support himself and his children. We asked if we could pray for God to give him a job where we could be joyful about and earn enough money. He was touched, we connected him to True North… and left feeling warm and bursting with joy at how God works through us. Every bit of chaos getting to Alaska, every bump in the road, every dollar was worth it all!
I want to share something that happened. It's all about how much God cares for us.
On Tuesday at 6:00 AM, I woke up gasping for breath. I've never had an asthma attack that left me unable to get any air or move. The sounds coming from my lungs woke up Bethany… even though she had earplugs and is a sound sleeper. She got the nebulizer started and literally saved my life. I began texting my son in law (a respirator therapist- how great is that for a woman with COPD!) who walked me through what to do. 3 breathing treatments and a lot of steroids later, I was breathing regularly again.
God used Bethany and Jacob to save my life. Both were calm and knew what to do. I was not afraid at any point because I knew that God was at work.
So I'll go back to Alaska!
