YOUR SUPPORT AT WORK A Little Package of God’s Love Using our time seperated to remind them they are loved. BY JAIME NANNINGA
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As a non-profit, who relies on financial partners, you often wonder how in a pandemic you are going to survive. And not only survive, but how will you continue to do your mission and outreach. We have all had those thoughts as we continue to come up with new plans in a time where we are all separated. Programs, retreats, and camps are canceled leaving people isolated and alone. After the cancellation of camp last summer, we had to do something to let the kids know they are loved. At Bible Camp, kids are invested in spritually and it is a place where the Bible comes to life. When asked, CYAK Executive Director Byron said “Since we couldn’t do in-person Bible Camp because of the village restriction and because kids were isolated, I thought we needed to bring the Bible to the kids.” And this is how the Bible project came to life. We wanted the bibles to be ageappropriate for those who received them and felt this could be the best gift to the youth of Alaska during this time. This project allowed one of our partners to help us ship a physical Bible to all of our youth and young adults. We are thankful to Dr. Wade Erickson of Capstone, who made it happen. Dr. Wade grew up in Minnesota, went to North Park, came to Alaska for a short-term adventure, and ended up staying for a lifetime. He has been connected with CYAK since hearing the vision and has enjoyed seeing it develop since that time. When asked, Dr. Wade said “It’s funny how I think God works because he will put it on my heart that I need to donate
May 2021 something to CYAK or the Church, I’ll saw sparks. The hats became their new reach out and say I had been blessed and favorites, often found at the top of the I need to give...what does your heart overflowing winter hat bin. As a mom, need, what’s your program need...and I watched a Bible create spark again almost every time there is something as my daughter read and highlighted just perfect” Dr. Wade expressed how verses as, “inspiration” and “wisdom.” It fun it was to is this Bible be a part of As a mom, I watched a Bible create spark we now open this project meet the again as my daughter read and highlighted to because Holy Spirit it was so verses as, “inspiration” and “wisdom.” on school tangible and mornings. I the gratification was almost instant. marvel at the insights He gives her as He loved hearing the stories of what a the darkness of life is pushed back by blessing the Bibles were. the light of Christ. I am reminded of Psalm 139, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness “It felt good to receive a hard copy will hide me and the light become night bible. I have a small one somewhere around me,’ even the darkness will not and another version of some of it but be dark to you; the night will shine this one reminded me to get back into like the day, for darkness is as light reading scripture with my husband.” These were the encouraging words from to you.” (Psalms 139:11-12) We help push out the darkness for one another, Sam Stevens. There are many more sweet thank-yous and touching stories of being faithful spark lighters. Thank you, CYAK for your hands and feet that receiving a bible during this time, but I move to light sparks across Alaska!” want to leave you with this from Pastor Mary in Shaktoolik, There is so much to be said about those who partner with us at CYAK. We are “A few weeks ago our daughters each so very Blessed! received a package from CYAK. It’s awesome to receive something in the mail, just for you! As I thought about the contents, the phrase, “a spark to the light” came to mind. I think kids and youth, in particular, need their churches, families, youth leaders, and friends to spark, and fan the flame of Christ’s light in their lives. Sparks come You are a part of the team that in the form of prayer, listening, sharing, God has called together to impact giving time, cheering, loving, crying and youth and young adults in Alaska. so much more. This love lights the way Thank you! For more information in a world that so often wants to dim how to make a gift, please follow the Christ’s light in them. When Bibles and link below. CYAK hats showed up in the mail, I
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults
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