31 years ago . . . and NOW!

Have you ever been to the North Pole? I HAVE . . . North Pole, Alaska, that is! Thirty-one years ago, I was here, right in this very spot. I came with a group of young people (1978 International Youth Corp) and this trip forever changed my life. During the preparation for this journey (I had never flown before, and traveled mostly in Florida and Alabama), I learned that God has a design for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11) . . . and His thoughts for me were going to take me away from the comfort of home I had always enjoyed. While here, I learned His thoughts were for my good . . . even if they were completely different from my own ideas and dreams.

Thirty-one years ago, I had no clue God was leading me to Africa, but I knew He led me to this place to show me He would be with me . . . no matter where He called me to go. It was 3 years and many prayers later before I found myself in Nigeria . . . the first stop in God's road trip of life for me. . . but it all started right here. . .one year after graduation from Troy State University, with no clue what God had in store.

How did I get back to Alaska? Yep . . . deputation! The preparation began in my mind over a year ago when we learned our schedule for travel. Alaska . . . I have always wanted to return, and God brought us here. "Us" would include my husband, and Candra (our 17 year old daughter). Melinda (our 20 year old daughter) was missing . . . in Calgary, Alberta visiting her Uncle Henry and family. On my first trip, I never imagined the great things God had in store for me, if only I would "seek Him FIRST" (Matthew 6:33).

Thirty-one years ago, our group visited Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Seward. I was blessed to return to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and also several places I had never been before. I found pastors and saints who were here . . . way back then . . . still faithful and loving God today. My greatest joy was sharing these new experiences with the family God blessed me with.

Having Candra with us was special . . . she always brings such joy. . . and reminds me how GOOD God is . . . for He gave us the heritage of children. Melinda and Candra (and Jim too) have heard stories of Alaska for many years, and here we are . . . making new memories together in the place God spoke so clearly to me thirty one years ago . . and NOW!

NOW I can praise Him for listening to His voice, obeying His call, and bringing me . . . thirty-one years later . . . back where my missionary journey began.

Leaving a Mark . . .

Missionaries spend their lives working to leave a mark . . . something that remains when they are not physically present . . . something that will encourage and sustain those whose lives they touched. . . something that will grow and flourish, even as the people grow.

Getting ready for deputation was difficult this time (deputation #6 for the Poitras family) . . . especially for Candra. She came to Ghana when she was 3 years old, and has completed her schooling (K-5 through grade 12) right here. . . most of it in this very house. Candra plans to travel with her Dad and I for the first portion of deputation (until August). She will attend church services where people ask questions and hear talk about Ghana and Africa, knowing that when we return there, she will remain in the US.


The packing is almost done . . . but school isn't . . . so working in the hallway, on the floor, near where my desk was . . . that's the closest Candra could get to her classroom/school situation. It was not easy to prepare for leaving Ghana while doing school, but she tried really hard . . . and finished half (2 semesters) of grade 12. That included all of her Bible courses (Genesis & Revelation), Economics, US Government, a Life Study course, and the first half of Physics, English (including grammar, vocabulary, and British Literature), and Analytical Geometry. Enough said? Candra will be working to complete the last three subjects (2 more terms of English, Physics and Analytical Geometry) while deputizing.

The first missionaries to Ghana (Robert Rodenbush family) had one son. 30 years ago, Robbie carved his name in a tree somewhere in the city of Accra. We have seen that tree, and those letters grew as the tree got taller. In our front yard, is a tree given to Robbie when he visited the house, and had his picture taken beside the tree, where his name is still embedded. Before leaving Ghana to live in US, Candra carved her initials while Allanah Sisco (younger MK who has lots of years remaining in Ghana) watched carefully.

Our girls left their mark in this country in many ways. . . with Bible school students, pastors and wives, children of all ages, and their ex-patriat friends. In years to come, this tree, in the front yard of the house where they lived most of their school years, will bear the reminder that God used their lives to touch many others in the 14 years they spent here.

I pray the work we are doing will leave its own mark, and that many more lives will be touched with the love and blessing of knowing Jesus through our ministry. . . just as our girls left their mark. May our influence and leadership grow and continue to flourish through the years . . . until Jesus calls us all Home to live with Him.