NEW SEND North Campaign!

Acts 1:8 Campaign

two projects advancing SEND North’s vision of Making Northern Disciple-Makers

Project #1: The Starr Center

In 2019, SEND North purchased a property in Anchorage, to be named The Starr Center.

We are raising funds to renovate this property in 2021. Total need: $450,000

Leading and Supporting – SEND North has fulltime ministry in 22 communities across Alaska and Northern Canada. The hub of this ministry is our Logistics and Support office and this staff will be located in The Starr Center.

2. Serving the Community – Anchorage is home to people groups from all corners of the world. SEND North has a growing diaspora team who will use The Starr Center for ministry events to engage our neighbors.

3. Collaborate Together – The Starr Center will include office space to be use by other ministries in Alaska.

4. Stewarding the Ministry – The Starr Center property has extra commercial space with long-term tenants. This will generate income for SEND North which will help moderate missionary fees.

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Project #2: The Bonanza

Purchase a used aircraft and equip it for safety and all-weather use. Total need: $300,000

Total need: $300,000

As SEND North’s ministry grows, we need a second Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft to be based in Fairbanks, AK. We are raising funds to purchase and equip this aircraft. Key advantages:

Increased speed and range for all-season use (the Bonanza is 40% faster than our current aircraft in that region)
Increased fuel capacity for longer direct flights
Safe and reliable transportation to the communities where SEND North missionaries live and minister

The Acts 1:8 Campaign total need $750,000

Please check out our campaign webpage:

www.send.org/acts1-8

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Spring Folio: a season of renewal

I’m so happy to offer this new study…

Spring Folio: a season of renewal

This seven-part study for the spring focuses on the theme of renewal and the topics of wisdom, listen, trust, embrace, beauty, compassion, and opportunity.

Each topic begins with Scripture and a devotional, followed by “Renewal in Process” activities, lectio divina verses, and a Scripture lesson to ponder.

Additional pieces include: watercolor paper and pencil, lectio divina instructions and corresponding pages for each topic, a watercolor notecard and envelope, an Organizing a Prayer Journal card, a Spiritual Rhythm Practices work page, Resources page, and perforated Scripture cards.

The Spring Folio could be completed in one week or over several weeks. It is also a relevant companion for Holy Week.

The folio is printed on watermarked fine linen 8.5×11 white paper, in black and green ink. It is presented in a clear envelope folder with a button closure, and is shipped in a bubble mailer.

The Spring Folio is offered by pre-order to ship March 4-16, 2019.

Please let me know if you have any questions. It’s been my privilege to work on this project for you!

~Natalie

View the study HERE

See, Hear, Share: Missions in the North

Read any travel magazines or literature and you’ll find listed the many advantages of traveling to new places. Lists will include benefits such as challenging oneself, learning about the world, expanding one’s perspective, building and strengthening relationships, and experiencing new opportunities.

But what if your travels were for expanding your Kingdom perspective?

What if your journey led to a better understanding of what God is doing in the difficult places of this world?

SEND North conducts SURGE trips primarily for Chruch leadership throughout Alaska and northern Canada every year. On a SURGE trip it is possible to catch a glimpse of God’s story in the North as told through personal interactions with our missionaries on the field.

It’s a comprehensive experience that provides a chance to gain first-hand understanding by seeing, hearing and sharing in village life while visiting various northern communities.

For more information, please contact Steven Hall shall@send.org

This Christmas would you like to help our SEND North missionaries share the love of Christ with those throughout Alaska and Northern Canada? Click here:

SEND North Christmas Project

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NEW Advent Devotional

I’m so excited to offer my Advent devotional . . .

Reflections: an Advent journey

Here are some specifics:

Reflections: an Advent journey is an unbound collection of 25 devotionals for December 1^st-25^th,and includes:

Cover Page
Introduction
Lectio Divina notes
Dec. 1 – Dec. 25 page for each day:
- Scripture
- a short devotional
- a prayer
- evening reflection questions with space to write your thoughts
- plus four Lectio Divina note pages

The leaves are hand-cut fine ivory parchment paper, printed in black ink, held together with ribbon and a handmade tag, packaged in a clear cellophane tape-resealable bag.
$14.00 – includes shipping

They can be purchased here: SimpleNoteShop

May God bless you as the holidays approach!

~Natalie

Great Alaska Sporting Clay Classic of Texas

GREAT ALASKA SPORTING CLAY CLASSIC

of TEXAS

IN MEMORY OF STEVE TACCONELLY

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Westside Sporting Grounds

10120 Pattison Rd, Katy, TX 77493

Registration open:

http://2018tx-gascc.eventbrite.com

A Few Words From Our Volunteers…

This summer we had lots of volunteers in Alaska, helping SEND North.

Have you ever thought about volunteering for a week? Here’s what some of our volunteers from this year had to say . . .

In the tiny classic book, The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection – a 17th century monk tells us to know God, to truly be in His presence, one must seek a continual conversation with God, in small and big tasks, in all that we do. And that’s what we did as we had the chance to serve and care for missionary families by feeding them at the SEND North annual conference in Anchorage. Through thousands of small tasks, we found God present and had unbelievable joy serving together.

~ Tony, SEND North volunteer

The food team had a marvelous, joyful, stretching, fantastic experience. It was a beautiful time. To God be the glory – any good that came out of the kitchen was with his blessings!!!

~ Debbie, SEND North volunteer

What a privilege and a blessing! We all came away with a better sense of the ministry of SEND North and how to pray for its missionaries—kids, teens and adults.

~ Marilyn, SEND North volunteer

As we return to normal life this week and prepare for the next busy season of our lives, I realize none of us will ever be the same, because of this trip. We anticipate seeing the unfolding of God’s design over time, and are incredibly grateful for each person who prayed, gave, sacrificed, planned, prayed, hosted, drove, prayed, cooked, cleaned and prayed. We praise God for His provision and sustenance and allowing all of us to be a small part of His plan.

~ Alta, SEND North volunteer

It’s not too early to start planning for next summer! We’d love to talk to you about opportunities that might fit. Contact us at:

shall@sendnorth.org

All For Him,

Steven and Natalie

Called to Faithfully Serve

How does one judge the “success”

of a short-term mission trip?

Our Alaska teams were blessed with walking alongside and supporting missionary families who work in remote and difficult situations in North America. One team, of which I was a part, wrote and hosted a Vacation Bible School – type program for the children of the families, while our partner team planned and prepared the food for an entire mission conference. There was nothing glamorous or earth-shaking in what we did. In fact, some moments were repetitious, tedious, and tiring.

Some part of me wants glamor, excitement and attention-getting stories to tell. But search as I might, I don’t find anything in the Scriptures about seeking glamor on a mission trip.

Success is more often measured in small, repeated steps rather than great, sudden leaps. Did we make a difference to the missionary families? Did they make an impact on us? Are our eyes and hearts more open to the need in North America? Is the Gospel being advanced because of this trip? Is God glorified by these efforts? Assuredly, yes, on all accounts, but measuring such kingdom work is outside our abilities. We are called to serve faithfully each day, to love God and His body, to make disciples regardless of location or position. He will bring the results, and we may never see them on this side of heaven.

On Friday, we were able to take a short hike to see a glacier. Along the way, we saw a burbling stream, and several small waterfalls cascading down steep rocks, results of the melting ice mountain in front of us. As I think about the question, “how does water carve rock?” I ponder that sometimes it happens gradually and continually, and sometimes it happens suddenly and drastically. I think God’s work happens in similar ways. Sometimes, we see a person whose life has been shaped by the “drip-method” of faithfulness over years, and other times, we see someone who’s had a dramatic turn-around. While both are valid, in our culture of measuring and counting “results”, it’s easy to overlook or dismiss the long, slow, patient methods God uses.

Guest post by SEND North volunteer Alta Johnson

Camp Flying

Imagine your first ride in a small airplane when you are only two weeks old and going home from the hospital!

That’s the only way to travel home to a village in 86% of the villages in Alaska.

Now, you are old enough to go to Bible camp and, again, the only way to get there is by small plane. SEND North helps to transport camp kids to three different Bible camps in interior Alaska serving three distinct areas.

Brooks Range Bible Camp (BRBC) is north of the Arctic Circle and brings in children and teens from surrounding villages.

Kokrine Hills Bible Camp (KHBC) is on the Yukon River, children and teens traveling there by boat and airplane from several villages along the rivers.

Tanalian Bible Camp (TBC) is located in Pt. Alsworth by Lake Clark and serves a wide area: south to Bristol Bay and into the interior on the Kuskokwim River. Children and teens fly in on small airplanes.

For many village kids, Bible camp becomes a safe place to hear the gospel and be encouraged to accept the Lord as their Savior. It is an environment where they can grow in their faith and they look forward to returning year after year.

How might you partner with SEND North camp flying as we work alongside Bible camps in Alaska? For more information about flying a child to camp or SEND North, click HERE.

~ by Jane Casey, SEND North missionary

SEND North

SPOTS STILL OPEN!!! The Great Alaska Sporting Clay Classic of PA/NY

Team and individual spots

still open!!!

Shoot clays and support missions!

Please forward link to your friends and family!!!

1st Annual GASCC of Pennsylvania/New York

Sat., June 2, 2018
Rock Mountain Sporting Clay
Susquehanna County, PA
Register here:

gascc-northeast.eventbrite.com

PULL!

Since 1937 SEND North has been sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ to the people of the remote areas of Alaska and Northern Canada. Today SEND North continues the effort of Making Northern Disciple Makers throughout the Far North. Join us on Saturday, June 2nd for the Great Alaska Sporting Clay Classic of PA/NY at Rock Mountain Sporting Clay in Susquehanna County, PA. This fundraising event includes a great day of sporting clays, fellowship and food. Come support the ministry of SEND North and be a part of this great event!

For more information about SEND North please visit sendnorth.org.

Calling all Pennsylvania and New York shooters: your Great Alaska Sporting Clay Classic is here!

1st Annual GASCC of Pennsylvania/New York

Sat., June 2, 2018
Rock Mountain Sporting Clay
Susquehanna County, PA
Register here:

gascc-northeast.eventbrite.com

PULL!

For more information about SEND North please visit sendnorth.org.

Great Alaska Sporting Clay Classic of SC

5th Annual
GASCC of South Carolina

Fri., April 13, 2018
The Clinton House

Clinton, SC

Five Year Anniversary!
$5 Unlimited Mulligans
Gun Raffle

Listen for Steven’s interview
and our GASCC radio spot on
Greenville’s HIS Radio 89.3

Schedule for the Day
9:00 am Check-in and Breakfast
9:30 am Welcome/Safety Meeting/Group Photo
10:00am Shotgun Start
12:30pm Lunch/Awards/Gun Raffle

*** The GASCC is almost full! We could still take 2 teams and 2 individual shooters. Let us know if you or someone you know is interested!

Registration: gascc-sc.eventbrite.com

Need more information? Contact Steven Hall at:

email: shall@sendnorth.org
phone: 907-320-0158

Steering Clear of Regret

Today I am writing at the Lifeway Women‘s site:

https://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2018/03/05/steering-clear-of-regret/

Blessings!

~ Natalie

I’m Ready for Some Real Information (aka: How to fill out a Get Started form)

So . . . you’ve been praying about missions and are considering the options in front of you:

How can you be involved?

Where should you go?

How can you connect with an organization?

Maybe you’re ready to hear about specifics, more details about the organization, the field, and possible opportunities.

It’s time to Get Started.

For this example, we’ll use SEND International’s home page (our mission organization).

1. By clicking on “Find Opportunities” under GO, you can begin the simple process of finding out more information about specific opportunities. Refine and choose by type of opportunity, duration of time, country/field or ministry type:

2. Here’s a list of current needs. After learning a bit about each opportunity, you can pursue more information about your particular interests by clicking “Get Started”:

3. From here, you’ll be asked your country of residence and then on to a brief questionnaire. This simple five-minute form asks basic questions about your background and interests:

4. After submitting the form, you will be contacted by someone who will answer your questions, explain opportunities and help clarify the path toward a good fit for your calling.

It’s a simple process!

Happy exploring,

Steven and Natalie

Send International website: https://www.send.org

The Extraordinary

“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business: charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.”

~ the Ghost of Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Stop for a Moment . . .

Buy gifts

Pick out tree

Decorate house

Plan party

Mail cards
Planning and shopping and baking and traveling . . . who has time for anything else? My December is packed! How about yours?

But what if, in the midst of all our busyness, among the wrapping and bows, the cookie platters and Christmas postage, the twinkling lights and fragrant wreaths, there is a higher calling during this season?

On that first Christmas, the world was busy in its routine. The shepherds were performing the same watchful job they’d done for weeks, day in and day out. The inn was filled with travelers, the owners trying to keep the excessive census crowd under control. Mary and Joseph were ending an exhausting journey, joining with other Roman citizens in the census count. Who needed one more thing?

And then . . . the extraordinary happened.

Mary and Joseph had to find shelter, a place where their sweet baby and the Savior of the World, could be born. A simple stable.

The shepherds, working in the fields, were startled out of drowsiness, then terrified by celestial beings bearing an earth-shaking message. They fell to their knees.

The wise men, studying thousands of years of prophecy saw a star, began planning a pilgrimage. They departed.

Busyness surrendered to the extraordinary.

Jesus came because mankind was His business. He was about the business of love and charity, mercy and forbearance – not a to-do list.

Still today He summons us . . .

Stop.

Take in the extraordinary.

Respond in love and obedience.

Be about the business of our Lord.

The Savior of the World comes!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ~ Luke 2:11

A very Merry Christmas to you all!!!

~Steven and Natalie

Guest Post by Emma Hall

I’ve been thinking about seasons a lot lately, about how there is continual change and rhythm in nature. I think these thoughts have been brought about by the mere fact that I live in a place that really has four seasons. That and because I think fall is the clearest season of all. Fall is the season that happens overnight while you’re sleeping. You go to sleep in green and wake up in a magnificent array of orange and yellow and red. While a midnight snow can wake you up with its brilliant white, snow’s radical fall can always melt, but the yellows and oranges of the leaves don’t return to green for a very long time.

The thing about seasons and rhythm and nature’s way of allowing it to happen is what gets me. I’ve never seen a tree turn to God and ask to remain green for a bit longer. I’ve never heard a tree moan and complain about the loss of its foliage and color. Nature has a way of allowing the seasons to happen, and she always adjusts; bears eat and prepare for sleep and the chickadees know to eat more – gaining weight will keep them warm throughout the colder days and nights. The acorns fall and the squirrels know what to do (the trees share without a selfish thought). The crops change and the apples come in, the pumpkins grow and the ground adjusts accordingly.

I want that rhythm. I want to know and understand that change is inevitable, necessary, and good. It may not always feel good (the cold always takes time to get used to), but without all of the seasons, we miss out on so much of God’s creativity. I want to be in rhythm with God’s seasons in my life; I don’t want to miss out on His creativity.

~Emma

For Reflection . . .

Ecclesiastes 3:11a
“He has made everything beautiful in its time . . .”

“But change doesn’t feel scary anymore, not like it used to. It seems like I no longer view life as a slipping away but a slipping toward.”
Jennifer Dukes Lee

Evidence Not Seen – A book review

Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War I

A book review

“More than ten years ago I began to write the story of my experiences during World War II for Bruce and Brian, my sons. I wished them to know, if ever difficult circumstances came into their lives, that their mother’s God is still alive and very well, and His arm has never lost its ancient power!” – Darlene Deibler Rose

In 1937, Rev. Russell Deibler and his new wife, Darlene Deibler, landed in New Guinea to begin their missionary work there. But their service together was short-lived. When World War II reached the island, they were sent to separate Japanese work camps.

Darlene Deibler Rose (she remarried as a widow) shares the story her life during that time in Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II. For almost four years, Rose suffered in the labor camp at Kampili: disease, bombings, torture, terror. She endured unspeakable things, yet she chose to share them with the world, not as evidence of the cruelty of people, but as a testimony to the faithfulness of God.

I found the book both difficult to read (because of her honest retelling of the cruelty) and difficult to put down (because her story is so compelling). Many are familiar with Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. And while I expected this book to be similar, I found that it was mostly not.

Rose has her own story to tell and it differs from Ms. Ten Boom’s in both setting and experience. However, like The Hiding Place, the reader gains much, feels much, when reading Rose’s account. Rose affirms God’s faithfulness in the darkest of circumstances and leads us down a path lighted by forgiveness and unconditional love for all people. She does not treat her trials lightly; to do so would minimize her dependency on the Lord. But she has her sight set on eternity, and through her story so honestly told, she offers glimpses of eternity to her readers.

And these glimpses are a most extraordinary offering to the world.

Evidence Not Seen is a wonderful read and highly recommended.

~Natalie

The Gift of Summer Camp in Alaska

It’s summer and kids across the US are gearing up for camp – even in Alaska! It’s an incredible thing for a remote village kid to leave his/her isolated and often spiritually dark village, get on a plane, and fly out to a week-long positive experience at camp: swimming and singing and sports and campfires. And then there are the counselors – the people who pour into these kids’ lives, harnessing their energy and attention for a week of truth-giving. They speak about God’s love, planting seeds that will build this generation into one that knows God. These campers have heard. They have seen. They have experienced.

How incredible to sponsor a child’s camping experience with a travel scholarship!

SEND International has a way for you and/or your family, Sunday school, or small group to create a fundraiser for the purpose of sending kids to camp in Alaska.