ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY on the Kenai Peninsula. We have been so blessed with wonderful weather for construction this week. ..no sweatshirts needed here. The crews completed framing the interior walls today and started siding the exterior of the building this afternoon.

Bonnie continues to work on the flower garden outside the ACC Administration Building.

The first rows of half-log siding were cut and nailed on the rear of the counseling center today.

Kevin secures the pre-stained half-log siding to the exterior.

Jeff and Mike construct one of the last interior walls.

BUILDING HOPE through our labor. Constructing interior walls, including a staggered-stud approach to provide increased sound resistance in the office areas, continued to be the focus of construction today. Paint crews also worked the exterior siding more as the weather continues to be perfect for outdoor work. Jeff, Kirby, and Bob also helped MARC (Missionary Aviation Repair Center) build several landings and a stair in a new warehouse that will assist Samaritan's Purse in their efforts.

Jeff helping with a suspended ceiling, several landings, and stairs at MARC (Mission Aviation Repair Center).

Sue, Cheryl, and Debbie serves today's breakfast of Eggs Benedict prepared by Mike.

MORE EXTERIOR WALLS were on the agenda today along with finishing the retainers for the basement egress windows. The good weather has also permitted workers to make good progress on bench staining both sides of the wood siding. The roof trusses are scheduled to be delivered late Thursday afternoon.

THE FOOD is great! After an outstanding catch by a group of our guys last weekend (see the photo below), we enjoyed some delicious fresh halibut on Monday evening. Tuesday evening, Mike and Debbie Baker prepared a tasty pasta dinner for everyone. And tonight we celebrated Susanne Borgeson's birthday with a "mountain high" cake courtesy of her husband.

Mike, Kyle, Art, Dick, Jeff, Bob, and the Captain.

THE FIRST 50-foot 2x6 wall was erected this morning at 8:30...hallelujah for these walls of hope.

THE FIRST MORNING provided a rhythmic challenge of determining what needed to be accomplished and who would complete each task. That rhythm was well established within a few hours as our construction leads orchestrated various projects for the available groups.

THE TEAM gathered at the construction site for a brief time of dedication, prayer, and song this morning. A completed foundation and subfloor allowed us to get a jumpstart on construction of the exterior shell this week.

A brief service of dedication is led by Keith Hamilton (right), President of ACC, who is accompanied by his wife, Director of the New Hope Counseling Center.


The Forest Park team along with Debra and Keith Hamilton pause for one last photo before the Monday construction begins.

PASTOR PAUL led the team in devotions during breakfast on our first day of construction. Sharing from the book of Nehemiah, he noted that those involved in "the build" had a mind to work to build walls. The walls we would begin building today would help break down other walls--abuse, hurt, and pain--and provide new hope for students seeking God's healing touch.

Pastor Paul talks with Alan Finifrock, who helps coordinate and manage many details of our two weeks on campus.

The Forest Park team was served breakfast at 7:30 to begin their first day of "building hope" as volunteers to construct the new counseling facility at Alaska Christian College.

The team receives their orientation during breakfast in the Peninsula Conference Center.

Construction crew leaders review last minute notes with Al Nelson on Monday morning before departing from the conference center to the nearby work site.

THIS MORNING shortly before 2 am the last of our team rolled into Soldotna...the land of the midnight sun.

A FEW GUYS scheduled some serious halibut fishing before construction begins tomorrow morning. Mike, Kyle, Jeff, Dick, Art, and Bob left the Peninsula Conference Center at Alaska Christian College at 5:00 this morning to meet their charter boat in Homer.

VOLUNTEER CREWS last week were able to complete the subfloor of the Forest Park New Hope Counseling Center. We will begin the 2x6 framing tomorrow morning.

SEVERAL GROUPS from our team of 31 people leave from Gerald R. Ford International Airport today and will meet up later this evening in Soldotna, Alaska. The last group should arrive in Anchorage around 9:43 pm and plans to take the 3-hour van drive to the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska Christian College. The land of the midnight sun will allow for a scenic journey even this time of day. Please pray for the team as they travel today and prepare for the first week of construction.


View Larger Map

Hundreds enjoy the final potato bake for the Alaska Challenge.


Sue and Joel prepare the dessert trays.


Brian enjoys some additional fuel between services.


Brad and Steve dish out macaroni and cheese plus the chili topping.


Skye decides dessert can't wait any longer.


Denny and Nancy team together on moving the broccoli out.


Bob piles on some fine fixin's atop the bake potatoes.


Jeff and Joy relax in front of a good meal.


Dick helps with the clean up following another successful potato bake.

Dick Borgeson welcomes Katherine Rae Francher, Alaska Christian College graduate, who is now the first native Alaskan female to attend the United States Naval Academy. Members of the Alaska Challenge Team welcomed her at a potluck gathering last Saturday evening. During the worship services Sunday morning, Rae shared her powerful testimony of God's miraculous impact on her life during her time at ACC.

THE MISSION AUCTION on Saturday, March 7, provided more than $16,000 in proceeds to help not only the Alaska Christian College project, but to provide support for the middle school students' work week in Muskegon and the high school students conference in July.

The two hour silent auction and enchilada/taco dinner was followed by a live auction at 6:00 p.m. in the church gymnasium. Nearly 70 local businesses provided generous support of the auction. Scroll through some of the photo highlights of the evening.

Thank you to all those who have supported our mission trips.