The HM Update 020

Ink and stamps purchased. Letters printed and folded. Envelopes addressed and stamped. The latest addition of The HM Update is out! Hopefully picked up by the post carrier tomorrow and sent to your mail boxes. As for those that get the e-mail edition... it should be in your inboxes! Then there are those that haven't subscribed. It's never too late.

In this edition:
Ministry update
Impact of the work
Summer wrap-up
New ministry opportunities
Answers to prayer
Prayer requests
... and more!

To read online or download, click the link below! If you like it, feel free to share!
HM UPDATE 020

More stories to come!

Enjoy!
Grace & Peace,
Daryl J. Howard

October Update

Hey Everyone,

After I get more ink in town this weekend, expect to see HMUpdate 020 being sent out. A lot has been going on here, and the letter just skims over it all. With summer now over, I have more time to post here as well. I'm working on some little behind the scenes stories, as well as some little "articles" I've been working on. Until 020 is out... enjoy the photos of Victory's transition from fall into winter.

Fall colors starting to appear

You know you have a good fall winter beard going
when it gets caught in your jacket zipper

Saying goodbye to Steven;
a great friend and brother in Christ

Fall around the cabin

Fall at Ranch Camp

A look at Victory from a new trail

I finally found some fall red! Wish it was maple trees

Victory in Fall from a new trail

PA we have whitetail deer in our front yard.
In Alaska, we have moose!

Moose sampling our selection of flowers

The cabin as October's first snow hits

Index lake as first snow sets in

Miracle Lodge blanketed in the first snow

More to come.

Grace & Peace,
- Daryl

Best Photos From 2014

We had a very green, but good AV team this year. It was an honor to watch their skill in photography grow. Here are the best of the best photos from summer 2014!

Adventure Camp resting on top of Lions Head

Counselors entertaining campers with a made up song

SALT enjoying their work

Camper showing off their craft project

Camper enjoying a beautiful day on the playground

Burgers on campout night are the best

Welcome to camp. Which camp are you?

Worship at it's best

A little time alone with God

Boating class lets campers explore the lakes

I think you are doing it wrong

Wall burning at Ranch Camp
Remembering decisions made in the week

Enjoying the teepees at Frontier Camp

The view from Ranch Camp

It's only water.
But it is COLD!

Advancing in CHA trainign

Rock wall fun!

A little archery lesson

A little welcome to camp

A little encouragement before riding lessons

Hope you enjoyed!

Hey Look... A Post!

I'm sorry for leaving you in the dark so long. With the time between posts, one would think the poster is either very busy or extremely lazy. I'm happy to share the latter comment is not true. This summer was the hardest yet; physically, mentally and spiritually. Lately I have been resting, trying to let my mind and body heal so I can cognitively write, as well as praying to make sure what is written comes out right for these posts and the next update letter.

There is a great joy in being able to see the impact you have made through your work. Over the many years of working at Victory, I have been blessed by God allowing me to see the impact of the work I do. Different summer staff serving at Victory shared how the work done in previous AV years impacted them. It was like seeing the video I made called "Doors/Legacy" being played out in front of me. This summer was very different. With the team of two to four AV members, and not enough gear for everyone, we didn't produce as much work as previous years did. Most of the work on my "to-do" list just didn't get done. I struggled with how God was using me and if I was even making any kind of impact. To be honest, I wrestled with the thought of AV team and publications even being part of my calling to Alaska. Away from the AV team, it was a different story. During week 1 and week 5, the band needed a drummer. During those weeks, it was a great honor and blessing to be able to play. Even with extreme exhaustion and lack of sleep during week 5, God gave me peace and refreshment when getting behind the drum set to worship Him.  

I never ask God to show me the impact made through the work He places me in. But it is always a joy and honor when He gives me a glimpse. Case in point, before sitting down to write the draft to this blog post, a camper from Victory came up asking if I was the drummer and the guy who sang morning songs to wake up those camping out. After saying yes, I was quickly introduced to the campers family. Out of the two weeks I played drums, this camper was there for one of them. Even with extreme exhaustion, God used an act of worship and the message he heard to impact a camper. It's a very humbling experience to meet campers in town. 

In the next week or so, I hope to get the next update letter out. Mentally I hit an exhaustion point that need some time to heal before being able to process and write the letter. My computer is loaded with drafts for the next letter. Looking over them, I'm glad I never sent them out. They are a mess. 

God is doing an amazing work here in Alaska, and at Victory. Pray for Victory as they go through a transition time, as well as the campers as they are now back in their home lives (either good or bad). Pray for those who made decisions this summer, and that they get connected to churches. 

Grace & Peace,

Daryl J. Howard

P.S. - More posts to come soon!

P.P.S. - Pray as I have a drum addition in a few hours!

The HM Update 019

Greetings,

Summer camp is in full swing here at Victory. The 4th of July marked the half way point for Victory Bible Camps 2014 summer season. The first three and a half weeks saw an exciting time enjoyed by the many campers that have attended so far. Many lives have been changed by the Word of God and the messages shared by the summer staff.

Due to slow internet and the need of firewalls to stop summer staff streaming online media, posting of the newsletter was hindered. For the last week I was delayed and had to wait till my most recent trip into town to upload the newsletter.

In this edition of The HM Update, you will find these points of interest.
- Weeks 1 - 4 of Summer Camp 2014- Life in Alaska- Projects associated with camp- Prayers & Praises- And more...Scroll to the bottom to find the download link.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and support. It is very much appreciated.Don't forget to visit The HM Update blog for up to date information and what is going on at Victory.

Grace & Peace,Daryl J. Howard

P.S. - If you visit Victory's Facebook page, you will find pictures posted weekly. It's a little glimpse into what is going on here during the summer, as well as a look at some of the work I do here at the ministry.

Victory Facebook Page

The HM Update 019

HMUpdate 019 Coming Soon

Unless you schedule time to work on projects, blog updates, etc; they will not get done. Even when you schedule time, it never seems t be enough to get what you want done, done. This has been the occasion as of late. After much labor, The HM Update 019 is in the mail for many of you. There are a few that I haven't sent yet as more must be included in the envelopes. When I can get an hour in, the letter will be turned to a PDF and posted for all of you online readers, as well sent to those that receive it via e-mail. Thank you for your patience.

- Daryl J. Howard

Summer 2K14 pt.2 (photos)

After some meds, a long nap and a nice cup of tea, I'm alert enough to post some more and to get some work done... and post pictures to go with the previous post.

So that freak winter storm we had...

Before the first steps out the front door

One of the counselors perplexed like me

The walk to miracle

Counselors stepping up to remove the snow

The road to waterfront

Swim tests anyone?

Index lake blanketed in sno

Lonely footprints

Not your typical summer staff photo

After the snow melted, it was back to putting together the waterfront.

Iceberg is back on the water... without the snow

Later in the week it was off to Hikes Creek.

My Eureka! tent. My home away from home

Early morning fire, boiling water for others

No one is up? Time for coffee

Well, I wish I could post more for you. Don't forget to go to Victory Bible Camp & Conference Center on Facebook. Photos and summer updates to be posted all summer!

Also, I hope to get a newsletter out as soon. Be on the look out for that.

Grace & Peace,

- Daryl