The Beginning

This week was the official start to the working at Victory. For many that start a new job, there is a lot of learning the ins and outs of the daily job. This was true of some areas this week. But in reality there is a lot that will have to be learned and figured out along the way. And with a unique job at Victory, there is more than just PR work that will be done during my time here.

To start off my work here, there was a simple shaking off the dust by putting together a slideshow that will run on a loop for the fundraiser banquet next week. Once I remembered what I needed to do, it became an afternoon project. Other projects had me reworking our name tag template so it works across all the campus computers, and is able to be worked and printed by anyone from pro to novice.

The actual work week actually started with sitting in on the CCCA conference hosted at Victory. I chose to sit in on CCCA president Gregg Hunter's talk(s) on "Branding" and "Tell You Story". This got a lot of gears turning on some project ideas that will take some time to develop and get out. Time was also spent meeting with various camp staff from all over Alaska, as well as sharing resources, ideas and praying for each other.

Away from the PR/media work, there was learning the ropes of guest service duties. Since getting here, there have only been a handful of days that there hasn't been guests on the grounds. As one group leaves, another arrives. This is becoming the norm here as groups see the potential Victory has for hosting groups.

To add a little excitement to the start of my stay here, I decided to fulfill a promise made to friends back home. When a baptismal was cut into the ice, a few of us thought it would be fun to do a polar plunge. In reality, the water wasn't bad. Once out though, things started to ice up, so a toweling off was needed ASAP. It wasn't till after a shower that I noticed abrasions and cuts from jumping through a thin layer of ice and climbing out of the hole. This will need to become a tradition.

As things start to settle out at work and with life, I'll start to work on some fun updates. Many want to see what I do, as well as see how I live in Alaska. There are some Q&A's coming, as well as some videos. My goal in the coming months is to start to share what goes on behind the scenes at Victory, as well as the ins and outs of daily life here.

Thank you all for joining in on this adventure. There is a lot that is going on and much more to come.

- Daryl J. Howard

P.S.- With only having internet access at the main lodge, updates won't happen as frequently as I wanted. So be patient me.

The Long Road Home

On Monday at 4:45pm-ish... I pulled onto a snow-packed road. After leaving home around 7:30am, over 4,000 miles were travelled in 4 and 1/2 days. No mechanical issues along the way, though my battery died this morning. There were some issues with tie straps and weather. All in all, it was a very good trip. There was a lot to reflect on as I drove. Thank you all for your prayers and support on this trip. It was greatly appreciated. God's hand was evident during the trip. I hope to post some pictures and explain a little more about the trip. For now it is unpacking and getting settled in. God is doing amazing things, and I can't wait to see what He will do through me as I serve Him through Victory Bible Camps & Conference Center.

This adventure is about to begin. Stay tuned.

- Daryl J. Howard

Many Thanks

Thursday is the day. Packing is becoming bearable. I thought it would be much easier, but this was not the case as I dove into it. But things will come together before leaving for Alaska on the 20th.

With the overwhelming gratitude, support and cards from all of you, I can't respond to all of them before I leave. But this gives an opportunity to share with all of you the journey ahead that you have so graciously funded. I cannot wait to share all that God is going to do in the coming days of traveling as well as the work ahead at Victory.

Until then... thank you. And...

Grace & Peace,
- Daryl J. Howard

The Pressure Is Subsiding

The 20th is creeping up not so slowly anymore. It became a reality when I gave a two weeks notice to work. There are only two weeks of work, then a half week of final packing before the move. But there was one small thing that was causing a lot of pressure and stress. Now the stress is gone as one package containing my new passport came in the mail this week. Now I can safely cross the US-Canada boarder without any issues (hopefully). Can't wait to hit the Alaskan boarder and hear the friendly voice welcoming me back to the US, as well as "Victory Bible Camps... I went there as a kid."

19 Days to go.

Grace & Peace,
- Daryl

The 20th

February is going by way too fast for me. There is so much to get done before leaving for Alaska. But first, I want to thank the Community Alliance Church for allowing me to share on Sunday. It has been an honor serving you through the coffee shop and it was an honor be given time to share what God will have me doing in the very near future.

With it being February 20th, this makes 1 month till I roll out the driveway and make my way Northwest.  There is a lot of mixed emotions involved in this move. One side of me is very anxious to get back to Alaska and continue the work God has called me to, while the other side of me just wishes I could stay and continue my work in the youth group and coffee shop. There has been a lot time of searching the Bible and praying over God's will in this. It has been interesting at how God has continually affirmed me of this stepping out in faith.

At the end of January one of the teens in the youth group wanted to go to a free youth conference. So, a small group of us packed into my Kia sportage and ventured to the youth conference. During the second speaker I started chuckling at how relevant his message was to me. The main message shared how God will lead us when we are not comfortable and if we follow the Holy Spirits leading, He will equip us for the work ahead. One of the teens noticed my humored state and asked what was up. I quietly wrote "Alaska" on my notes and show it to them. They responded back with a nod and affirmed later how they now see why I'm going.

So here is the plan ahead.
March 20th is my planned departure, with March 24th-26th being my arrival days. I will officially be starting my work April 1st (no joke intended with the start date).

Continue to pray as I start packing and put the final plans into practice. Also continue to pray that funds come in to assist with travels and that God lays a hedge of protection on the journey ahead. The last time two times I drove up, God provided times to minister to individuals and to be ministered to. Pray that my eyes be open to God's work, and to be bold in following His leading.

Thank you all for standing beside me. This is really happening, and I am excited and thank God for having you all along with me on this.

Grace & Peace,
Daryl J. Howard

HM Update 018

The next edition of the HM Newsletter is in the mail and in the inboxes.
If you are not on the mailing lists, you can join in at an exciting time. Just click the subscribe button at the top of the screen after clicking the link. If you just want to download, just click the link, and scroll down for the option. Enjoy!

The HM Update 018

Grace & Peace,
Daryl J. Howard

WCBC Youth Group All-Nighter

Well, I decided to take a break from posting about Alaska and share about some recent events. Lately I have been trying to get the next update letter out to all of you, but that was put on hold by a hospital visit, being laid up while letting the medicine work and recovering from a fall.

Aside from all the latest hoopla, I had been riding a wave of excitement over the latest event the Warren Center Baptist Church Youth Group took part of. Sometime last year, one of the teens voiced that we should do an all-nighter. They usually go with another group, and with ROCC being our local ministry, they usually host one. But they voiced how they wanted to do one with just the youth group. With my background in camping ministry and running retreats, the gears in my head started turning and I soon had a few pages of notes with ideas. The task was quickly given to me, and the planning started.

In all of the process of planning the event, it was also decided that we could make a shirt for the youth group. But instead of going to a printer and getting a generic shirt, we went the fun route. The teens made a list of five things they wanted to see on a youth group shirt. The lists were put together to create another list of the most wanted ideas. These then were created into a design that we were going to silk screen ourselves. I dug out all my old silk-screening gear and went to work of getting it ready.

The design. Diamonds, Seagulls & Dirk... oh my.

The silk screen. "Official T-shirt" omitted due to sweatshirts being printed.

Time seemed to fly by. With the all-nighter set for the 29th, the days between Christmas and the event were a blur. When the start time happened, it happened! There was a lot of games that were played, we did make-your-own-pizzas, made out own shirts, played Family Feud, Gibberish, and much more. The night flew by (for me it did). Right and left games and activities were left out because of time. We even left out a movie and watched a shorter comedian video instead. But in the end they had a lot of fun.

Two highlights from the even came from different ends of the scale. The first is Gibberish. It's a game we play in Alaska that I decided to teach the youth group. It is a hectic game of charades and telephone. At 3am, it made for great laughs and confusion. This game will have to be done again.

Gibberish crew ready to go... so they thought.

The second highlight came from the teaching moments. We did three small messages throughout the evening to help bring out different truths. The first was an I Am Second video of The Robertsons from Duck Dynasty. (If you haven't visited I Am Second, do yourself a favor and check it out.) The second looked in Jesus teaching in Matthew 11:28-30. I tied ropes to my car and asked for a volunteer to pull it. After they couldn't we dug into this passage. The teens learned that when a yoke is taken up, it isn't just Jesus who carries our burden, but Him taking it with us. We then went further and showed what happens when we seek the help of others as well. The teen that had failed pulling my car asked some close friend to help him with his burden, and in no time the car was moving.

The third lesson came in the form of coffee. I used the process of doing a french press of coffee as a look into our lives as Christian. Every element had a spiritual connect: Freshness of the bean, consistency of the grind, quantity of coffee, quality of the water, time, etc. As I taught I went through the process, as well as showed and shared what happens when things aren't done right or when corners are cut. Don't worry, this batch turned out right.

The evening was a great hit, and already they want to do another. Sadly, I won't be around for it, but I am willing to pass on my knowledge to the next brave soul.

The "we survived" photo... or did they?

Sorry that there aren't many pictures. I was running the show, so my camera was idle.

- Daryl J. Howard