LOOK WHAT THE LORD IS DOING!
A glimpse of what God is doing in the Aleutian and Buvuma Islands!
Andrew & Karina Smith Family
Alaska Village Missions
Shepherd’s Heart International Ministry, Uganda
Serving with Global Outreach International since 2008
Picture: Port Graham Village, Alaska
This Christmas season, our family had a rare joy – we stayed home! We had fun hanging Christmas lights with Grampy & Grammy, pulling out instruments to sing carols, joining in our church’s packed candlelight service, and just being “flamily,” as our boys say.
The boys flew to Port Graham today to be in the village with the Teele Family. I hear they started chopping wood for a widow as soon as they arrived! Meanwhile, Andy & I are finishing business so we can enjoy our 18th anniversary.
We love to begin each year in God’s presence. I know that as we look back on all God has done in the past year, our hearts will be awed anew. In both Alaska and Uganda, we have seen that the fields are truly “ripe for the harvest.” While we marvel over God’s craftsmanship of the last year, we humbly seek His direction for the next. Every year we find that our Lord has a treasure prepared to share with us.
He is Emmanuel, God with us.
If you answer His invitation to enter
His presence, you will also be amazed!
He has a unique treasure prepared just for you!
This Thanksgiving, we had the joy of taking a team of students to visit the Teele family in Port Graham! We could not believe how the atmosphere of the village has changed in the past year! Last Thanksgiving, Teeles were just moving in. People were polite but very cautious.
This year, 15 youth showed up the first night for games and encouragement. The volleyball and basketball tournaments were a blast as villagers and the mission team played and laughed together. Church attendance has also tripled from 5 to 15, and growing! Each one on the team was able to connect with at least one villager in a meaningful conversation.
This is truly a work of God, defying expectations that friendships take years to develop.
Meanwhile, our hearts have been thrilled by each communication from our dear friends in Uganda! The SHIM family and ministry partners are walking hand in hand with Emmanuel, looking for every opportunity to make Him known.
Children’s ministry, teen programs, marriage conferences, evangelistic services… preceded by times of prayer and fasting with church leadership. No wonder God is working!
Richard & Prossy wrote, “This has been one of the most wonderful times we have ever had!” Danze Fred & Peace sent videos of their church celebrating on the property God has provided for their building. Ronnie & Stella watched with joy as their children, taught the Bible lesson during a family conference. Robert & Carol, together with Dr. Holt & Karen of Caring Hands, are organizing for a pastor’s conference at SHIM’s new facility on Buvuma.
“God with us,
Revealed in us,
His name is called
Emmanuel”
Prayer Requests for Alaska:
— The Fendleys have had nearly a month of cold temps down to -60*! Pray for their family’s water and septic systems to work as they help everyone else in the village!
— For Andy & I as we seek the Lord for His direction for our family and for how to best support His ministry in Alaska and Uganda.
Prayer Requests for Uganda
— Vision & Unity as SHIM leadership prays and plans for 2026 & beyond!
— Buvuma Island Pastor’s Conference and all other ministry events planned for this season.
— Presence of God within each family that is ministering to others in Uganda and Alaska.
To give toward the Smith’s ministry in Alaska
To give to SHIM’s ministry in Africa
For current updates on God’s work in Uganda