Follow the missionary journey of Glenn and Susan Anniskette as they travel a 17 state – two month ministry tour.
By Susan Anniskette
After Portland we made it to the great state of Washington where we were able to attend the Great Northwest Praise and Prayer Conference in Longview, Washington.
As soon as we walked into the church we saw the Larry & Kathleen Allison (who I knew in Texas about 25 years ago) who are now pastoring in Olympia, WA. We reconnected with the Poolers, who pastor Roseburg, OR and Tim & Paula Cowdell who are pastoring in La Pine, OR. It was also good to connect with the Wetmore’s who pastor in Kennewick, Washington. We also say the Harris’ (Overseers of the Great Northwest) and Brother Tygart, Missions representative for the area. Bishop Isaacs preached an incredibly encouraging message and there was a great altar service.
While visiting with the Cowdell’s after service we found out that God has done some miraculous things in their lives. They had gone to Oregon to see about her Dad and while they were there Bishop Harris offered them a church in La Pine. This was an independent work that recently came into the Church of God. The Cowdell’s didn’t have a place to live or furnishings, but when they checked on a local home the landlord not only rented them his private vacation home, but GAVE them all the furnishings in the house right down to the silverware in the kitchen drawer! The church is growing and God is supplying every need. Hallelujah!
The next leg of our journey took us to beautiful Alaska. On the plane to Alaska I sat down I told the young man next to me and introduced myself and promised I would try not to bother him since he was reading. I did apologize a few times for slapping him with my coat. When we landed we engaged in a little conversation about where we were from. He and his Mom (sitting in front of me) were from Utah (and he said he was not a Mormon – no religion at present) and were coming to see the aurora borealis. I told him we were missionaries. Before I left, I leaned over and said, “you know it’s not all about religion, don’t you?” He grinned and said yes. I said, “It’s about your personal relationship with Jesus.” He said, “I know.” I finished by saying I wouldn’t be much of a missionary if I hadn’t said that. I didn’t want to preach at him. He said he wished all missionaries felt that way.
Pastor Joe Perez picked us up at the airport after midnight. The freezing air took my breath away. I’ve never experienced air that cold before (I’m from Florida). Snow is everywhere and piled high! Daylight savings time made things a little harder the next morning, but we had church morning and evening. The cold did not seem to slow anyone down even though the temperature is in the teens. Pastor Joe cut a path between the parsonage and the church to make it easier. Thank the Lord there’s sunshine in the state. They have to go through a lot of darkness in the winter. The revival went well, praise the Lord!
I was able to minister to the ladies before the last revival service. I spoke about Being Aware and we had a great prayer time.
I can’t help but tell you about one of the women from Nenana. Her name is Nancy Jones and she is the webmaster for our webpage. She used to live in the woods about 17 miles from town in a cabin with her husband and boy. She killed a bear at close range one day. She had a pistol in one hand and a rifle in the other and was ready to use both. She killed the bear with the powder gun and then cut off his head!
Seeing the Alaskan Pipeline, dog sleds races and International Ice Sculpting Shows and the Aurora Borealis made Fairbanks a very interesting city.
Point Barrow, Alaska was our next stop. Pastor Dave Matthew’s daughter was on the flight with us and we didn’t even know it until she said something. Pastor Dave picked us up and took us to the Airport Inn. It was around minus 30 outside and we had to crack the window because the inside temperature was so hot.
The revival in Barrow was incredible and was extended a few days. The power of God moved mightily and 20 were baptized in the local high school swimming pool during the last service. I just heard that the pilings have been put in place for their new church building. Praise God!
I tasted muktuk (whale meat) for the first time in my life. It has an interesting flavor and was served raw. I saw many beautiful parkas, they even loaned us one to wear while we were in town. We saw wild caribou and polar bears (they call them blondies here) up close and personal on a visit with Arraga Tours. Someone built a real igloo and I got to go inside of it.
I met with about 30 of the ladies on Saturday. They brought caribou stew along with some other delicious dishes. A lady from Alaska Airlines showed up thinking this was a different meeting and stayed until prayer time and proved to be a BIG blessing to us when it was time for us to fly out.
Hopefully, I’ll finish up this summary next week. Stay tuned.