Serving on Two Village Trips Hearing my experiences as I started my Internship.
Volume 18 | Issue 4 November/December 2022
By Marilyn Moore
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Hello, I am Marilyn Moore from Golovin, was a heartbreaking trip, it was so worth it to walk alongside Alaska. My first introduction to Covenant Youth the community and grieve together. We built relationships of Alaska (CYAK) was through Bible Camp with the community members, helped formulate a plan in Unalakleet. I reconnected after high school of action, and were there for encouragement and care. through Aarigaa Ministries and am now a CYAK intern. Going into this trip, I did not know what to expect. I had I work with my supervisor, Caleb, in programming and never been on a team for an emergency response to suicide young adult outreach. My internship includes; helping before, let alone in one of my home towns. One of the with programs, retreat planning, outreach in Anchorage, a most challenging parts of being a community member was monthly potluck at the Aarigaa House, liaison to ACC, and working through the emotions with friends and family. village outreach where needed. With the CYAK staff, great I connected and built relationships with many kids I had mentors, and another intern by my side, I feel prepared, never met before and reconnected with family members cared for, and ready to serve. I had not seen in years. While there, our team provided a prayer walk throughout the village, and several dinner nights, After a typhoon hit many rural villages in Alaska, while joining the community in different events already my home being one of them, I asked Byron if there was any happening. We opened the library for arts and crafts, board support we could offer. He created a pathway for me to start games, coloring, and friendship bracelet making. We hosted my internship through a trip to my home village. CYAK an Elders and Adult talking circle with coffee and pastries assembled a small team including James Ventress, Josephine on Saturday morning. This time was great for the elders and Daniels, and myself. Friday we hosted a stew dinner and adults to have a space to reconnect game night for all the youth. It was a huge success! We and hear each other. We hope also created a safe space to process the storm and their “Being in this there will be more connection feelings. Many students shared that “it was scary” and “I internship has between the generations in need new floors”. They expressed how their parents felt helped me months to come. and how it affected their home life. One way was having grow mentally, to use boots in the house as the floors were contaminated Being in this internship emotionally, with sewer water and oil. Some also expressed their has helped me grow mentally, families’ needs due to several of their houses being lifted professionally, emotionally, professionally, and off the ground and moved. After James and Josephine and spiritually.” spiritually. I am continuously left, I provided a couple of extra game nights for the challenged and encouraged elementary and middle school students. On the last day professionally by going out of my of my trip, I organized a time for the high school and young comfort zone, dipping my toes into administration work, adult students to have a small devotional and talk about and having hands-on ministry experience. This internship school, life, the storm, and other personal things. I feel this has opened up many opportunities to help serve others, time of having a space to connect and build relationships serve other communities, and help with self-development. I went well. am learning tools on how to love and encourage myself and others. Being in this internship has been an answer to prayer. Another trip I served on was the Elim Emergency I am so excited to discover the vision, call, and purpose God Response Team due to another teen’s suicide. Even though it has planned for me.
PRAYERS & PRAISES
Bible Camp
YAR
Elim
What a summer! We had so much fun being back together in Unalakleet. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Can’t wait for 2023!
What an encouraging time together with the young adults! And fry bread! Continue to pray for them as they seek the Lord in their daily lives.
The Lord shows up even in heartbreak. We were blessed to support Elim in another loss. Please Keep Elim and the other Villages in your prayers!
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA PO Box 203356 Anchorage, AK 99520
Please consider a Year End Gift to CYAK!
To read more, visit: www.cyak.org/ministry-updates
CYAK Interns We are so excited to have two year-long Interns for 2022-23. They will be helping in the office, with worship, and with outreach. If you have the opportunity to meet them, please introduce yourself and get connected! Marilyn Moore and Keola Finau
A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults A ministry of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
When you give to the Mission Fund, you make it possible for us to take teams out to the villages to care for and walk alongside them. Please consider partnering with us! Quyana, thank you.
www.cyak.org/donate
Website www.cyak.org Email info@cyak.org Phone 907-222-1432