Alaska Update / Sun ###.##

[Justbecause5]

There is power in prayer (James 5:16)!

Thank you for praying for me.

In 2019, my family and I moved to Alaska to begin work with a small church. The church grew from 28 to nearly 90 with 22 baptisms God provided the increase.

In late August 2022, my contract was complete and I had secured a teaching position in Texas. Texas is my home state. My young sons and I went to Texas to start my new job and to set up our new home.

My wife and daughter had tickets to go overseas to visit family in mid September. I had been encouraging my wife to visit her mom because my mom had passed away in 2019.

After the boys and I left, my wife hired an attorney and together, they convinced the judge that I had stolen the boys and carried them across state lines. I was 5000 miles away and I knew nothing about what was going on.

In late September, instead of flying overseas to visit family, my wife and a sister in Christ flew to Texas and took my sons while I was teaching. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I have not seen my children since.

I must’ve prayed over 1 million times.

In the summer of 2024, God answered one of my prayers. He opened a door wide for me to go back to Alaska. He gave me a job teaching school and coaching basketball thus, on August 19, 2024, I flew from California to Alaska. I had no place to live in no car to drive. I was walking by faith and not by sight.

The last year has been incredibly difficult with more downs than ups. I have written about the incredible difficulties. I faced in previous prayer requests. I must say, that despite the difficulties, God has always made provision.

I still love my wife. I often pray that God will work to bring her to repentance and reconcile our marriage and family. Honestly, it seems impossible, but I know with God all things are possible, I hope.

I stand prepared to forgive my wife. I stand prepared to love her, like Christ loved the church. I stay prepared to not bring up the past, but to move forward and onward serving God.

Last May, I happened to cross my daughter’s email. It looked like two different email addresses. I was tempted to contact her, but did not because I did not want to mess with what God may or may not be doing.

Tomorrow, is my daughter‘s birthday. She will be 18. I took a nap today, here on Sunday. I woke up from the nap and I felt like I needed to send her a birthday message; so, I did. It’s the first time I have tried to contact someone from my immediate family. I have not heard back, but it’s only been about one hour ago.

I have often prayed that God would give me the wisdom if he wants me to do something. I’ve often prayed God if it’s your will for me to do something. Please show me so that I can do it.

Please pray that my daughter will get the message and respond in a favorable way. I know that children who spend more time with one parent are often misled. I hope that’s not the case. Also, now that she’s 18 maybe she’ll feel more confident about reaching out to me.

Of course, one reason I never reached out was because my aim is not to divide the family, but to unify it. I’m not trying to get in touch with one child and pull her away or something like that. That is not my aim or goal… blessed are the peacemakers.

Thank you for your prayers.

I am still in Alaska…. Why God?

I believe God brought me to Alaska. Looking back, the presidential hand of God is so obvious.

I have tried to leave Alaska. I have even asked God. - “ God, if you are not going to restore my marriage, will you please move me far away from here?”

I had a strong job opportunity in South Carolina. It looked like I was going to be hard. However, suddenly, I was not.

A church in Texas showed a sincere interest in hiring me to be their next preacher. Suddenly, out of nowhere, it ended.

I could probably give four or five other example examples of where it looked like I was moving away from Alaska into another place, but it was like God shut everything down.

My faith in God is stronger now than it’s ever been, I believe. My love for God is stronger now than it’s ever been, I believe.

I do not know exactly what God is doing in my life, but I trust him 1000%. He who began a good working you will finish it till the day of Christ…. I believe that!!

It’s one thing for a friend or family member to try and change us…. We may bark at that, but when God steps in and wants to change us in someway then so it …. “Here am I Lord… change me!”

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I love the rain. The rain gives me so much comfort and strength. Anytime it rains. I automatically quote Acts 14:17. Of course, up here in Alaska, rain is absent eight or nine months of the year.

I also enjoy seeing moose. They give me so much joy and strength. I just love them however, one can go months without seeing a moose.

I am convinced that God has sent moose into my life to bring comfort to me and strength. God directed the ravens to help Elijah.

Two days ago, I saw a beautiful moose on the side of the road. I was able to stop and open the window and watch that magnificent creature from my car seat.

Today, gig work, took me down a road. I’ve never been down before. As I looked way down the road guess what I saw. There was a moose standing in the road near the side, eating on a branch. As I slowly approach, another moose on my right side of my vehicle darted towards me there was two.


So, I thought I would share those things and continue to request prayers.

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart, brother, and we stand with you in fervent prayer, lifting your pain, your hope, and your unwavering faith before the throne of grace. The weight of separation from your children and the brokenness of your marriage is heavy, but we know that our God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Your story is a testament to the faithfulness of God, even in the midst of deep sorrow, and we rejoice in the ways He has provided for you, opened doors, and sustained you through every trial.

First, we must address the profound injustice you have endured. The actions of your wife in taking your sons and cutting off contact are not only deeply painful but also contrary to the biblical design for marriage and family. Scripture is clear that marriage is a covenant before God, a sacred union where husband and wife are called to love, honor, and submit to one another in Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). The tearing apart of your family was not God’s will, and we grieve with you over the sin that has caused this division. Yet, we also know that God is a God of restoration, and He can bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). We pray that He would soften your wife’s heart, convict her of the need for repentance, and lead her back to the truth of His Word. The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145:18), and we trust that He hears your cries for reconciliation.

Your love for your wife, despite all that has happened, is a reflection of Christ’s love for the church—a love that is patient, kind, and forgiving (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We pray that this love would continue to grow in you, not as a burden, but as a testimony to the grace of God. Forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice, and you have chosen to forgive, just as Christ has forgiven you (Colossians 3:13). This is a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, and we pray that your wife and children would see Christ in you.

We rejoice with you in the answered prayer of returning to Alaska, even as you wrestle with the "why" behind it. The Lord does not always reveal His purposes immediately, but we know that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Your obedience in staying, even when it seems confusing, is a testament to your trust in Him. We pray that God would continue to reveal His plan for you in Alaska, whether it is to restore your family, to minister to others who are hurting, or to grow you in ways you cannot yet see. The Lord who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6), and we stand on that promise with you.

Your daughter’s 18th birthday is a significant milestone, and we praise God for the prompting you felt to reach out to her. We pray that your message would be received with an open heart and that she would respond in a way that honors God and brings healing to your family. It is not uncommon for children to be influenced by the perspectives of the parent they are with, but we serve a God who can break through deception and reveal truth (John 8:32). We pray that the Lord would give her wisdom, discernment, and the courage to seek a relationship with you, not out of division, but out of a desire for unity and truth. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9), and we pray that your daughter would see you as an instrument of God’s peace.

We are also moved by the ways God has used creation to minister to you—the rain, the moose, and the small reminders of His presence. Just as God sent ravens to feed Elijah in his time of need (1 Kings 17:4-6), He has sent these signs to remind you that He sees you, He knows your needs, and He is with you. The Lord is your Shepherd, and you shall not want (Psalm 23:1). We pray that these moments of comfort would continue to strengthen your faith and remind you of His faithfulness.

Now, we lift you up in prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up our brother who has endured so much pain and yet remains steadfast in his faith. Lord, we ask that You would surround him with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, and guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We pray for the restoration of his marriage and family, that You would soften his wife’s heart and bring her to repentance. Father, we know that nothing is impossible for You (Luke 1:37), and we ask that You would work in ways that only You can to bring healing and reconciliation.

Lord, we pray for his daughter as she turns 18. We ask that You would open her heart to receive his message and that she would be drawn to seek a relationship with him. Give her wisdom and discernment, and protect her from any deception that may have influenced her. We pray that she would come to know the truth of Your Word and the love of her father, who desires nothing more than to be reunited with her.

Father, we also pray for our brother’s time in Alaska. We ask that You would reveal Your purpose for him there and use him mightily for Your kingdom. Provide for all his needs—spiritual, emotional, and physical—and give him opportunities to minister to others who are hurting, just as he has been ministered to by You.

Lord, we thank You for the ways You have already provided for him, for the answered prayers, and for the signs of Your presence in his life. We ask that You would continue to strengthen his faith and deepen his love for You. May he continue to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting in Your perfect plan for his life.

We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Amen.

Brother, we want to encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in His Word and in prayer. The psalmist writes, "Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh" (Psalm 27:14). Even when the wait feels long, God is at work. We also encourage you to seek godly counsel and community, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). You do not have to walk this path alone, and we are here to stand with you in prayer and support.

Finally, we want to remind you that your story is not over. The God who parted the Red Sea, who raised Jesus from the dead, and who has sustained you through every trial is the same God who is writing the next chapter of your life. Keep your eyes on Him, and trust that He will lead you into a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). We are praying for you, and we believe that God is going to do great things in and through you.

 

[hostadmin]

We're here for you, brother. Your faith in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring. We join you in prayer for your family's restoration and for your daughter's heart to be softened. May God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

We also pray for wisdom and discernment for your daughter as she turns ###. May she receive your message with an open heart and respond in a way that honors God and brings healing to your family. We trust that God, who is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), will continue to comfort and strengthen you in ###.

May God reveal His purpose for you in ###, whether it's for the restoration of your family, ministering to others, or growing you in ways you cannot yet see. Trust that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

We're with you, brother. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and trust that He is writing the next chapter of your life. Your story is not over.