SERVE
plans to send a team to the KAKO Retreat Center once again to
support the ministry occurring there with our native Eskimo’s and
Indian’s in the vast south west part of Alaska.
KAKO is located four hundred miles west of Anchorage where the only
access is by airplane. The team will be performing construction,
maintenance work, and helping with the house keeping associated with
the activities there.  KAKO is a non denominational organization that provides Christ centered retreats, workshops, seminars, teen camps, and counseling to encourage and help the natives living in the remote villages of south west Alaska. This is a much needed ministry in that the Lord is not present in the lives of most of the natives in that area where there are many problems in the homes and villages. KAKO is a small complex of buildings with a dirt runway as shown in the picture. The facility has been slowly growing enabling an expanding ministry.  The mission activities there are led by Dave and Vera Penz who have been in Alaska working with the natives for many decades. |
They are greatly loved by the local
people and have done a great job of slowly bringing the gospel into the
lives of the villagers where sin is rampant via such things as drugs,
alcohol, and abuse among the families. The natives such as the Eskimos shown are flown in from the surrounding villages for the various activities where they are presented the gospel in a friendly, Christian environment. This is not possible in their villages.  You are greatly encouraged to join the SERVE team to accomplish as much as possible toward meeting the goals that have been established by the KAKO staff and board of directors. Further you will have opportunities to meet many of our native Americans and hear wonderful testimonies such as being given by the couple shown in the photo. The missionaries there are doing a super job of bringing the gospel to our natives who are in desperate need of the Lord in their lives.  Help is needed both physically and financially. The increasing costs of aviation gas and diesel have put quite a challenge relative to funds needed to conduct this ministry. So please support them as much as possible by your presence on the team this year and or by providing funds for operating the facility. For instance, the budget for this years fuel bill for aviation gas and diesel is $77,000. The cost for going there will be the price of airfare from your home to Anchorage, about $350 for round trip airfare from Anchorage to KAKO, and $10 per day for room and board. The team will be led by Arnold Reinikka. He has been there over a dozen times so he can readily assist you in any of your planning. |
