Leaving Alaska to Minister in "LOWER 48" ......

FAREWELL, KOTZEBUE, ALASKA...FOR NOW

BY PAMELA RAE SCHUFFERT PRESENTING INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM FROM A BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE-

I am finally taking a much needed sabbatical rest from my labors in the Arctic Circle in Alaska. It has almost been a year since I came up here, and finally my hurting body has cried "ENOUGH ALREADY" to the incoming cold  we are now experiencing.

Frankly, I have not planned on leaving for a break, but my hands and arms have been developing excruciating pain, resulting in no sleep at night. Talking to locals, I found this is common among locals due to the cold and weather factors. But for me, it has started to create the beginning symptoms of crippling and debilitating arthritis.

OUCH!

I discovered about a month ago that pain was creeping in as the winter weather approached, to the point where I had to inform my friend Lisa here that I would have to consider relocating and could no longer help her in the capacity I have been helping her with the children in her home, due to these sad symptoms emerging. We tried everything, even buying new kitchen appliances so I would not have to use my hands so much for cooking, etc. But nothing helped.

And so, with great regret and sadness, I will be leaving here, flying out soon to the "LOWER 48" to stay with friends and find out what great mission the Lord Jesus has planned for me NEXT. But I take with me warm memories of the wonderful Inupiaq people here in Kotzebue, and the unsung heroes of Kotzebue who are able to remain here in these challenging circumstances and make a difference.

Several kind and generous people sent up boxes of QUALITY BIBLES to distribute among the children and teens. I have already distributed some, but the others I have turned over to Brother LANCE KRAMER, who has a burning passion to reach out to the children and teens here in ministry.

I frankly had no choice: my flight unexpectedly leaves this week-end! (The person purchasing my ticket never warned me it would be so soon...) And so I will not be here long enough to finish final distribution of the Bibles. 

But it is also good that I am leaving at this time, because of the increasing effects the cold is creating for my health problems now. Everything is frozen here now, and people are just waiting for the first real snowfall to get out their SNOWMOBILES and have some fun in the winter wonderland here!

Brother Lance and Corina Kramer

When I told Brother Lance Kramer and his wife Corina that I regretfully had to leave before the fierce Arctic winds and cold made life even more miserable for my hands and arms, I also informed him that I had some wonderful Bibles sent up by my great readers, that he could now distribute to the kids here in Kotzebue. He was SO EXCITED! 

These are quality expensive Bibles, and Lance simply cannot afford them at this time. He and his wife both recently lost job positions, putting them in great financial crisis. But ministry to children and teens remains foremost in Lance's life and his wife as well. And so, I was happy to turn over these wonderful donated Bibles to Brother Lance and Corina. He will know exactly how to make good use of these priceless treasures among his people here.

Please continue to support Brother Lance's vital outreach to these precious Inupiaq people and children. He needs your help!

http://americanholocaustcoming.blogspot.com/2011/12/meet-lance-kramer-man-of-god-with.html

Pray for my safety in this challenging trip and transition, and my flight of faith and I launch out into the GREAT UNKNOWN. I am sure glad Jesus knows where He wants to send me...because I really don't! I am praying and seeking His wisdom at this time, and planning to temporarily stay with friends in the Pacific Northwest. First stop: Montana to visit friends to pray over this region for PEACE and NON-VIOLENCE should martial law erupt throughout our nation.

Thank you ALL, my readers, for  your love, prayer and support for me in ALASKA and the ARCTIC CIRCLE! I could not have made it through this difficult year without you!

-Pamela Rae Schuffert

(Note-My NEW temporary mailing address is: Pamela Schuffert, C/O P. O. Box 2212, Columbia Falls, MT 59912)

The Amazing Eskimo Kids of Kotzebue, Alaska!

Kotzebue, Alaska is a very special place, filled with amazing people. I am always meeting people with incredible tales to tell, and skills and talents that never seem to end. The longer I am here, the more Kotzebue reveals it's hidden treasures from among it's people.

One group that continually amazes me are THE KIDS OF KOTZEBUE. I have encountered them repeatedly through Lisa's precocious son, 17 year old Solomon. 

Solomon loves Jesus His Savior! And Solomon also loves his local high school, filled with committed teachers from all over America who have come to dedicate their skills to helping the kids of Kotzebue fulfill their dreams and goals in life. He is actually on his way to becoming valedictorian in the high school this year, by God's grace. 

Both the school superintendent, Norm Eck, and the principal, Mike Lane, are doing an amazing job alongside the teachers in transforming the gifted kids of Kotzebue into junior dynamos of learning, intellectual prowess, various skills, and perfecting their talents further through shop and music classes.

Solomon gets along great with these village teens. Full of life, humor, mischief and amazing talents, it is always a special night for us when Solomon invites his friends over for my special treats of moose pizza and brownies.

This past Saturday night, Solomon invited the gang over for pizza and ice cream and brownie cake. Actually, it was his brother Adam's pre-birthday party we were celebrating. But the word got out in the village, and soon we had a houseful of Solomon's friends over to help Adam celebrate!

Laughter and smiles and fun conversation filled the living room. But then, Solomon pulled out an electronic keyboard that the school loaned him so I could teach him piano. And one by one, these amazing teens sat down behind the keyboard and began to play with skill and finesse that they never told us about before!

Then, they all started to sing. One young man, Levi, pulled out his cell phone and played a Gospel song he had downloaded, and everyone started to sing, even raise their hands to praise God! They replayed that song again and again, and they all sang that song for the longest time. It turned into a Gospel music night! 

Here is the song Levi played for us, that got all the kids praising Jesus. It is really an old southern Gospel song speaking of repentance and being baptized and turning to Jesus Christ:

That did it. 

Solomon and I have now decided that every Saturday night will be GOSPEL MUSIC AND PIZZA NIGHT for the amazing kids of Kotzebue! Prayer and Christian testimony and ministry will always be included.Also, we want to soon have Christian movie night with edifying Christian movies that will minister to them. (They have no movie theater here in Kotzebue. Hmmm...maybe that is a good thing after all!)

What a wonderful way to do Christian outreach to these precious young people...right in our home. I love it. Solomon is learning how to minister to his friends and to pray with them, or to take them to Brother Lance Kramer for prayer and deeper counseling at his home.

Pray for these amazing KIDS OF KOTZEBUE. They have a tough challenge before them, survival in the Arctic Circle. Life skills for them include learning how to hunt and fish, hunting on a perilous ocean for whales and seals and walruses, mushing dogsleds or riding snowmobiles over the snow and ice. But God seems to favor these people, and has poured all kinds of talents, skills, beauty and grace into these precious children.

As in every other community across America today, these youth have their struggles with alcohol, drugs, and the temptations that assault young people daily in today's world. 

But with Jesus Christ as Lord of each one of their lives, they can experience victory in every area and soar to overcome to achieve great things in their world and for the glory of God. Bringing life and hope into their lives through proclaiming Jesus Christ to them is the greatest gift we can give to uncertain youth today in a dark and perilous world we live in.

I so desire to be a part of what God is doing here among the Inupiaq people of Alaska and the Arctic Circle. Pray for them, pray for me and our success in reaching into their lives with the love of God and the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives for His glory. 

-Pamela Rae Schuffert reporting from Kotzebue, Alaska

One More Critical Need....A COAT FOR THE ARCTIC!

CARIBOU HORN AND TURQUOISE CROSSES

FOR MY READERS

 

By Pamerla Rae Schuffert presenting investigative journalism from a Biblical Christian perspective-

 

www.AmericanHolocaustComing.blogspot.com

 

I looked at my only coat the other day (below) as I thought about the brutally cold winter we soon face here in the Arctic Circle. It was an old five dollar coat at a thrift store back in NC. It was fine for the mild NC winter. But I marveled that I actually made it through last winter in the Arctic with it...but only narrowly.

I could not even go out in the cold weather and wind for over two months, when the temperatures were up to -70 below zero, day after day, with howling winds accompanying the frigid temps. I had to remain shut in our apartment here in Kotzebue, for lack of adequate outdoor winter clothing.

I am totally used to living on a missionary shoestring budget, sacrificially and on very little. But I finally realized that if I am going to get out of the home to go and minister to local people this winter, I MUST have more adequate protection from the cold and the wind in the Arctic Circle. Already our temps are dipping into the 20's at night.

The inupiaq Eskimos here are smart! They have lived here for thousands of years and known how to survive the cruel Arctic winters. They are the world's greatest PARKA MAKERS! I would watch out the window as the local people would cruise by on the snowmobiles in bitterly cold winter weather...NO PROBLEM! I remember envying them as I shivered internally...actually afraid to go out many days.

Whether purchasing a locally made parka, or purchasing the hides to make my own, or purchasing a specialty Arctic expedition down coat designed for this specific need,  I simply do not have the funds to invest in this urgently needed survival clothing item at this time without your help. I have special protective goggles for my eyes, special insulated boots, gloves that I made out of sheepskin, warm woolen socks...thanks to previous support from a few concerned readers.

But the great need for a special protective coat remains! Eskimo Parkas here cost about $1,000 or more, and the arctic specialty coat I located costs $750 or so online. Either way, it will require funds I simply do not have at this time without your support.

I prayed about this and...

I have decided to craft primitive Caribou horn and turquoise crosses on leather cords,  and to give one to everyone who sends me financial support to get my winter coat for this year. 

Brother Lance, the mighty hunter and evangelist to his people here in Kotzebue, sold me come caribou horn, and I obtained some turquoise for inlay. Long and cold winter months are an excellent time to spend indoors working on crafts and gifts here in Alaska.

I am hand crafting these turquoise caribou horn crosses now for my readers who want to support me in this urgent need for a coat. They are custom made for you per your order and gift of support. Of course, no two are exactly alike!

Contact me if God lays this need on your heart, and I will get your caribou horn/turquoise cross out to you in appreciation for your compassion and caring!

Custom orders and designs also available as long as supplies remain in stock. US Postal Money orders or personal checks ONLY, please~ (Suggested donation of $30.00 to cover cost of cross plus shipping.)

-Your "frozen chosen" sister in Christ up in the Arctic Circle,
~Pamela Rae Schuffert

SEND ALL REQUESTS AND SUPPORT TO:

Pamela R. Schuffert
PO Box 106
Kotzebue, AK 99752-0106

Email:jesuschrist4ever@live.com