And so we begin . . . .

Most people probably think that the maximum impact you have on a mission trip is . . . while you are away on the mission trip. My husband has a different theory. He believes that the impact is actually threefold: before you leave, while you are gone and after you return. For example, while each team member has been preparing over the past months, he or she has talked to people about the trip. My conversations included everyone from the guy at Guitar Center who sold me extra strings to the massage therapist who keeps me strumming. After we return, many of these folks will be looking for updates on what happened. We get to tell them what God was up to while we were gone.

You, Faithful Readers, have a huge role in the second part. The impact isn't just what we physically do while in Kake. It is what you pray about while we are in Kake. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph.6:18) I have attached a prayer guide for you to stick to the refrigerator or tuck in your Bible to give you something each day to pray about while we are gone.

Today we ask for prayer for safe travels to Juneau. We fly first to Seattle, then to Juneau. On Friday we board a ferry to Kake--for 16 hours! Please pray for people of Kake. Pray for open hearts so relationships can be built, both with us and with Jesus. Please pray for our faithful (I don't mean that lightly) leaders, Stan and Gloria Bomsta. They have a passion for the people of Kake that has inspired our team.

Thursday, July 7th

- Safe travel as we travel to Juneau.

- For the people of Kake.

- For team members Stan and Gloria Bomsta.

Friday, July 8th

- For safety as we journey 20 hours on a ferry to Kake.

- For team unity.

- For team members Rick and Terri Albrecht.

Saturday, July 9th

- For safety and patience as we acclimate.

- For opportunities to share Jesus with locals.

- For team members Heidi and Dave Hove.

Sunday, July 10th

- For the team as we join in worship.

- For good communication between team members.

- For team members Steve and Diann Lindeman.

Monday, July 11th

- For the culture and sports camp.

- For the women’s Bible Study and Kid Zone.

- For team members Gabe and Melissa Kasper.

Tuesday, July 12th

- For the culture and sports camp.

- For health of team members to remain strong.

- For team members John and Megan Wutke.

Wednesday, July 13th

- For the culture and sports camp.

- For prayer walks and repair projects.

- For Team members Beth Kothe and Elise Schuenke.

Thursday, July 14th

- For the culture and sports camp.

- For the youth talk and Kid Zone.

- For Team members Emmanuel Brown and Micah Stohlmann.

Friday, July 15th

- For the culture camp celebration and sad good-byes!

- For continued growth of relationships with locals.

- For the community picnic event.

- For Team member Kaitlin Albrecht and Zach Howard.

Saturday, July 16th

- For safe travel and many sad goodbyes!

- For the people of Kake.

- For All Team members.