Memories of a Dear Friend - Rev. Joyce Smith

A few days ago, Linda and I had the distinct privilege to say good bye to a dear friend, who had so faithfully, and for so many years, served the Lord along with her late husband, in the Kodiak Island village of Ouzinkie. Special memories were remembered about Joyce Smith by the Ouzinkie people. Norman and Joyce Smith came to Alaska in 1952, and first lived in the village of Larsen Bay on the west side of Kodiak Island. That was the year "the mission" was built in Ouzinkie. The Smiths would travel around the waters of Kodiak Island on a mission vessel called the "Evangel". They eventually settled in Ouzinkie about 1957. The previous year Norman and Joyce started a Christian Camp on Woody Island, called "Camp Woody".

In August of 2006, a frail but spirited Joyce, at age 88 attended the 50th Anniversary of the camp. Some of the words she shared at that gathering, reflected on God's Sovereign will for the camp, but more so of her dear friends in Ouzinkie. "Whatever God plans to do, cannot fail". At the "Celebration of Joyce Smith", a few days ago, we heard how much the people of Ouzinkie were going to miss their lifelong "friend", "teacher", "healthaid", and "pastor".

The word "Ouzinkie" I'm told is a Russian word meaning "narrow". Probably reflective of the 'narrow' passage of water between Kodiak Island and Spruce Island, where the village of Ouzinkie is situated. With even a deeper spiritual meaning, it now seems with Joyce's homegoing, that the 'narrow' way to Heaven that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7:13, will be lived on by those who will follow in her footsteps.

Linda and I have loved going to Ouzinkie and seeing our many friends there. We share these few pictures of Joyce and scenes in the village to remind us to pray for God's will, and future ministry among the people.

If you would like to travel to this village and get a feel for what the Smith Family has meant not only to this village, but other villages around Kodiak, visit the Journey's of the Evangel on Kodiak Island at http://tanignak.com/Evangel%20Index%20Page%20web.htm

It's called unguwatet asiyaturtut - "Hearts Going Towards Wellness"

During the month of September 2006, approximately 50 or more people will gather on Woody Island Alaska, to attend Kodiak's first, "Hearts Going Towards Wellness" Conference. That is the literal meaning of the Alutiiq words unguwatet (oong oo watet) asiyaturtut (azee ya dook tut). Participants and leaders will gather for five and a half days, to learn about the deeper inner healing that can take place from the woundedness and brokenness of our past, that can affect us today. Twelve Teaching Topics from the "Journey Guide" manual, Personal Stories by the "story tellers", and Small Groups, is the format. Local and other leadership from off the island will spend three days prior to the HGTW in training. Prayer is such an important foundation to the success of this conference, which will be attended by people from Kodiak and some of the villages around Kodiak Island. The dates are Sept 20-25. I will try to add some color by way of photos from the conference when it is over.