After an extensive and tiresome day of traveling, we finally arrived in Anchorage, Alaska. I met two of my fellow missionaries, Kari and Nikolai as I was boarding the plane in Newark. We bonded instantly and had lots to talk about during the long flight. When we landed in Anchorage, we met up with Fr. Michael Anderson and Ksenia. We were soon met by Fr. Mikel Bock, who coordinated the project to restore Eklutna. We proceeded to Eklutna where we got an overview of the week's project a briefing of our goals. The spirit houses, which had once been vibrant colors, were now faded with paint peeling off the houses and weeds and trees growing wildly. We sure had our work cut out for us.

After visiting Eklutna, we made our way to the Bunde's house. Eugene and Vasiliki Bunde were incredibly kind and gracious to allow us to stay in their home during our time in Alaska. We were greeted enthusiastically and given pizza, salad, and potato salad for dinner. After evening prayers, we retired for the night.

Friday, June 13, 2003 - Nikolai Pautov

We woke up at 8:00 AM on Friday morning, and following a very delicious breakfast provided by Eugene and Vasiliki, we arrived ready to work in the village of Eklutna. There the “spirit house” cemetery was waiting for us to begin renovations. Following morning prayers in St. Nicholas Church, we began to become acquainted with our week long project.

We met Fr.Yakov, priest of St. Nicholas Church, who gave us a tour of the cemetery and explained some of the history of the site. After preparing our tools, including colorful paint buckets, brushes, scrapers, and most important, bug repellant, we began our work. After working through the day, pausing only to stop for lunch, graciously made for us by Eugene and Vasiliki, we ended the day in the evening and returned to the Bunde’s home.

Despite our late return from a long day of work, Vasiliki had a warm and delicious dinner waiting for us, and Eugene was eager for us to experience some of Alaska’s beauty. Regardless of the late hour and thankful for the extended daylight of summer in Alaska, we quickly changed our clothes and went to see Hatcher’s Pass and Independence Mine. Although the sun continued to shine overhead, evening prayers were said just before midnight, on the hill of Hatcher’s Pass, shortly before returning to the Bunde’s house, where the beds were waiting for us.

Saturday June 14, 2003 - Kari Stewart

On Saturday June 14th we started the day off with more painting on the spirit houses. After our morning prayers we got to work, but the weather became threatening so our painting was cut short. Fortunately only a few houses ran from the ensuing downpour, and we cleaned ourselves up and headed to Anchorage for the rest of the day. We had lunch at a street cafe under a tent, did some traditional touristy shopping, and went to a street market before heading over to St. Innocent Cathedral for the vigil of Pentecost. At the vigil we were fortunate enough to meet Bishop Nikolai, a wonderful man to be sure. After vigil we had a late dinner in Anchorage before heading home to bed, so that we could rise early for liturgy.


Sunday, June 15, 2003 - Ksenia Babich

This morning, we traveled to St. Innocent’s Cathedral in Anchorage to celebrate Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost with His Grace, the Right Reverend NIKOLAI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska. The Liturgy was glorious, and with Kari singing in the choir and Fr. Mike serving, we truly felt a part of the service. After Liturgy, his Grace introduced us to the parish and was then gracious and posed for photographs with us.

After an extended breakfast, we decided that we wanted to get more work done at Eklutna, so rather than visiting the Alaskan Heritage Center, we traveled back to Eklutna in the hopes of finishing some more houses. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone at the cemetery when we arrived, so we weren’t able to finish any work. However, we did spend the afternoon eating dinner at a local park overlooking a lake with beautiful mountains, and spent some time with each other, getting to know each other and simply being together.

Monday June 16, 2003 - Kari Stewart

On Monday June 16th, we had our earliest day yet. We hopped into the car and sang all the way to Eklutna to warm our voices up for liturgy. The liturgy was served by Fr. Yakov and the Bundes joined us, it was a small lovely service. Fr. Michael led us in the choir and after liturgy Fr. Yakov blessed the icons that we had purchased as gifts for friends and family, as well as for treasured mementos from Alaska for ourselves. We then quickly got changed, had something to eat and got right to work. The weather was beautiful, sunny with a light breeze. We painted all day, stopping at one point for sandwiches with Fr. Yakov and his staff. We wrapped things up in the early evening and rushed home for a lovely salmon dinner with the Bundes. Eugene Bunde then took us to a glacier which was fortunately still open for climbers, due to the lengthy daylight hours. We hiked along a large portion of the breath-takingly blue glacier for quite some time. Although it was still completely light out, we headed home at 11:30, and on our way we saw a moose walking along the roadside. Fortunately she was not quite as interested in us, as we were in her, so we made it home safely, though tired from our long, productive day.

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - Nikolai Pautov

We woke up early, and after morning prayers and a delicious breakfast prepared by Vasiliki, we continued with our work in Eklutna, stopping only briefly for a quick snack during the midday. Late in the afternoon, after a full day of work, we headed to the Alaskan Native Heritage Center, to learn more about native Alaskan cultures. There we saw native dance performances and listened to ancient folk stories and fairy tales. I really liked the showcase of Alaskan Native hunting utilities and house tools. We returned to the Bunde’s home to be graciously taken on a picnic, in order to have fellowship with local Orthodox parishioners in the area. After a wonderful evening with a wonderful group of people, we went back to the Bunde’s House for evening prayers and get some sleep before another busy day.

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - Jamie Hoff

Our day began bright and early as we took our only day off from working in the cemetery to journey down to Ninilchuk to visit the Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church. The church was set majestically in the mountains overlooking a small community. Although we were unable to go inside, we were captivated by its beauty. Next we ventured to Kenai to visit the Holy Assumption of Mary Russian Orthodox Church. After pausing for some prayers, we took a tour of the church and were impressed to find actual photographs of St. Tikhon. They were truly a sight to remember. After a quick lunch, we made our way to the St. Yakov Orthodox Christian education center in Kenai.

Following Kenai, we concluded our day with a trip to Seward. There we went on a dog sled ride with actual dogs who are champions in the Ididarod, Alaska's most famous dog sledding race. We also played with husky puppies who were only 16 days old and gave suggestions for their names. Lastly we learned how to dress the dogs and mushers for sledding. It was truly a day I will never forget. I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to travel around Alaska and take in so many of the Lord's magnificent works!

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - Ksenia Babich