Are you feeling called to serve?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: What is the program UALC will be presenting?

A: The mission is to share the love of Christ with the people of Quinhagak by offering VBS and the First Team Basketball Program in partnership with Alaska Mission for Christ.

Q: What is the cost?

A: The cost includes all airline flights, hotel accommodations in Anchorage, airport transfer in Anchorage, continental breakfast at the hotel, your food while in Quinhagak, and trip cancellation insurance. The cost is $1400-1600 depending on flight prices and Anchorage sightseeing activities.

Q: When is the mission trip?

A: July 16-25, 2007. The application deadline is March 15, 2007.

Q: Do I need to be an experienced VBS teacher or basketball player-- what will my role be?

A: All skills/gifts are needed for the mission trip from those involved in music, crafts, teaching, basketball, coaching, administration, cooking, servant heart, and prayer needs. Not only is there a need for a traveling team, but also one at home to help prepare for the trip and pray for the team.

Q: What type of sleeping/bathroom facilities will we have?

A: The team sleeps in various class rooms of the school. Each team member needs to bring his/her own sleeping gear, i.e. air mattress, sleeping pad. The team uses the restrooms/locker rooms in the school.

Q: What will we be eating there?

A: The team ships/takes its own food. Team members take turns preparing very basic lunch-type meals and cleaning up.

Q: What do I pack for the trip?

A: A complete packing list will be provided well in advance of the trip. You will take long pants, golf shirts T-shirts, sweatshirts, tennis shoes, shorts for basketball, along with your personal toiletries. Your total luggage must weigh 40 pounds or less.

Q: What are the special needs or circumstances we need to be aware of?

A: You need to be flexible throughout your trip. Water can be scarce, and the team sometimes has to haul water to the school from a water processing plant in the village (about ¼ mile away). Our transportation around the village is walking on gravel roads. Fresh foods are not available and special diets are very difficult to accommodate. Customary medical care is distant. Open your heart and mind to serve the Lord and you will be blessed beyond whatever you can imagine.

QUINHAGAK:

Q: Where is Quinhagak?

A: It is on the Bering Sea in Southwestern Alaska approximately 71 miles SW from Bethel.

Q: How large is it?

A: The population is 600 people of all ages.

Q: How do we get there?

A: The team will take will take a flight from Columbus to Anchorage then Alaska Airlines to Bethel. Small commuter planes will fly the team on to Quinhagak.

Q: Do the people in Quinhagak speak English?

A: Yes, they do. They also speak their native Yupik language.

Q: What are the people like that we will be meeting and serving? (The Yupiks)

A: They are 90% native Eskimos and are very friendly. Only 10% are over 62 years old. The Elders welcome us with open arms to reach and teach the younger generation about the love of Christ.

Q: What is the Yupik background and faith history?

A: They are primarily fishermen and have a fish processing plant in the village, which is quite active in the summer. The Moravian Church was established in 1893, but participating membership is low.

Q: Do the people of the village leave very often and how?

A: Yes, they do go to other villages by commuter flights. There are no roads in the vast tundra. They do travel some of the shorter distances by snow mobiles in the winter.

Q: What kind of weather will we have?

A: In July the average high is 62 degrees and the average low is 48 degrees.

Q: Does the sun set there in the summer?

A: The sun sets between 12:30AM-1:00AM and rises again in about 3 hours.

Q: Are the mosquitoes really big?

A: Yep! It is highly recommended that you take bug repellant with DEET.

MISC:

Q: Are there shopping areas and quick food restaurants?

A: There is very little shopping in Quinhagak, but you will have some time in Anchorage. There are no fast food restaurants in the village.

Q: Is there any free time when we are in Alaska?

A: There is a morning of free time in Anchorage prior to going to Quinhagak, and a day at the end of the trip.