Sunday Blessings

Once the summer season got rolling here at the ranch, Ronna & Blair came up with the idea to have an informal church service in the office on Sunday mornings to accomodate Christians who are here only temporarily and have no home church in the area. I liked the idea right off the bat, but never realized what a blessing it would become. About the same time, the other campground host couple and Ian and I were coming up with our work schedules of 3 days on, 4 days off. No one really had any preferences, so Ian and I volunteered for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. That way, I could attend the church service since I'd be in the office anyway.

The following Saturday, flyers were delivered to all the campers, cabins and suites, announcing the church service at 9:30 the next day. I got to the office about 9:15, and was introduced to Conrad, the preacher, and his wife Margene, as well as Justin and Bethany, who would provide the music. Justin plays the guidar and sings while Bethany sings. She is from a singing family known around this area for their contribution to gospel music. Justin appeared to be in his very early 20s, wore shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops, shaved his head bald, and wore the greatest smile you've ever seen. Later in the service he said that he is in training to go on a mission to China next year. He is learning to preach, be a music director, and everything else he'll need to spread the Gospel over there. Bethany was also dressed extremely casual, and was equally friendly. Conrad, around 5'8, with thining gray hair and a trimmed gray beard, also possessed a great smile and friendly, comfortable personality. His wife was a bit on the quiet side, but equally soft and kind.

Justin asked me to be in charge of keeping the hymn's songs going on the screen by pressing the "forward" button on the computer as the songs got to the end of each phrase. I learned my job quickly and was happy to contribute in this simple, but necessary way. It was so much nicer than having to deal with a hymnal, finding the right page and keeping our noses in the books. Looking up at the screen allowed time to also look outside and consider the words we were singing.

As the guests of the ranch arrived, they took a seat either on the over-stuffed couch always in the middle of the office, or on fold-up chairs Blair had placed around the room. As each Sunday service grew, more chairs were added, until one Sunday a couple weeks ago every chair that could possibly be squeezed into the office was taken.

On the first Sunday Conrad asked each of us to introduce ourselves, say where we're from, and what brought us to the Diamond M Ranch. It was intersting to hear each other's stories, but the most intersting was Conrad's himself. He was raised in a preaching family and gravitated to that life himself. He and his wife have been for years involved with evangelizing, and recently became part of the Arctic Barnabus organization. They provide help for preachers who live in remote villages of Alaska, preaching to the Native Alaskans. Preachers are only human and being so isolated wears on them just like it would on anyone. That's where Arctic Barnabus comes in. They provide relief, counseling, assistance, guidance, and anything else needed by preachers called to live out in the middle of no where, in an unfamiliar culture.

Conrad and his wife Margene had prayed as to what direction their lives were to take, and the next thing they knew, they were in Alaska. They were thrilled, not only because they felt it was a true calling to be here, but all their children and grandchildren had made their way up here over the past years, so their family would be together again. In Alaska, of all places. (I can understand why they would be so happy even so far away, as if both my kids and all my grandkids were together in one place, you know I'd be there, too, no matter where it was.)

The services always began with 2 or 3 songs, lead by Justin and Bethany. Sometimes they were joined by Ian, a young man who played a large drum that sat on the floor between his legs and reached up to his waist. (Of course, as soon as I was introduced to him, hearing his name, I had to ask him about it. His father's side of the family came from Scotland, but he doesn't know what part, and he's never been there.) From my position by the desk and within reach of the computer, I had a view of the Kenai River Flats through the large glass windows of the office. Beyond the Flats, bits of the Kenai River were visible, the city of Kenai beyond, the snow capped mountains in the background, pointing to the sometimes blue sky above. (Even on overcast days, even on rainy days, the view was God-given beautiful.) Always, either the Bald Eagles or sea gulls would put on a show outside, relaxingly gliding through the air, sometimes chasing each other, quietly or screechingly. A couple times I got caught so up in the natural beauty that I was late in hitting the "forward" button and the songs were delayed a few seconds. Justin really got "into" the music, swaying with his guitar, sometimes taking a hop or two, tapping his feet, shuffling with the tune. It allowed us all a freedom to feel the music and the message in it, and I noticed nearly everyone, my self included, swaying with the music.

Each Sunday Conrad preached on a different aspect of God's personality, using the Bible as a refrence point. It was always interesting, but I must admit I found myself far too often looking out the window and enjoying the reflection of God's personality instead of listening as intently as I should have. There is such a natural beauty here, in a surreal way. Even on the "warm" days, with the sun shining bright, the green of the river flats reflecting off the sparking river, the mountains on the horizon with the snow covering the top halves just seem out of place. If someone had painted the picture, I'm sure anyone would have critized the snowy mountains surrounding a summer day. But, here in reality, you just can't help but be drawn to it, wondering in awe at the majesty of it all. I remember asking Ronna a while back if she ever finds herself taking the view from her home for granted. She thought a moment, and said no, she still to this day likes to spend time on their viewing deck, just admiring God's hand at work, and finds nothing more relaxing than the peace and quiet it offers.

After Conrad's message, Justin led us in a couple more songs, and Conrad closed the service with a prayer. The campers, guests, and emploees, after a few words with each other, left to start their day fishing, sight-seeing, or relaxing. I'd go to the desk, look at the reservations for the day, and start my work day. It was a nice way to start a Sunday.

Tomorrow will be the last service in the office. The campground's population is a quarter of what it was in July, due to the fishing cycles. Conrad and Margene are commited to more traveling to "the bush" where they are needed by other preachers. Ian and I will be leaving the ranch on Tuesday to continue our Alaskan adventure elsewhere. I'll miss everything and all the people at the ranch. It's been a lot of different, amazing experiences. One of the things I'll miss most, though, are the Sunday morning church services in the office. They were a true blessing and seemed perfectly fitting in this setting of natural wonderment.