“When Dreams and Callings Collide: Serving in Fairbanks, Alaska”

Before this trip even began, my heart was torn. Going to Alaska had been my dad’s lifelong dream. He passed away two years ago, and when the opportunity to lead this mission came, I felt a deep conflict—was I going to fulfill his dream, or was this God’s call for me?

I wrestled with the Lord, pouring out my heart in prayer. In His tender way, He reminded me that it’s okay for my calling to hold space for my father’s dream. That honoring my dad’s memory while walking in obedience to Him could be an act of worship. “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). That trip became a beautiful merging of both—an adventure in ministry and a step in healing (in many ways!). 

I had the blessing of leading this team with AJ. From the moment we arrived, Fairbanks opened its arms wide and surprised us at every turn.

We were joined by 21 amazing participants from First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle, Illinois. Our time in Alaska was packed with service:

At the Food Bank, we packed 8,000 pounds of food – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done” – Proverbs 19:17.

With the Red Cross, we helped move and organize their new offices.

At the Fairbanks Rescue Mission, we helped raise $3,000 through a garage sale and selling tickets for the hot springs and ice museum.

At The Door (a homeless shelter for kids ages 6–17) – we organized their garage, ripped out carpet, installed flooring, painted a shed, rooms, and fence, mowed grass that was literally shoulder-high, and prepped the property for a critical grant inspection.

At the Pioneer House, we shopped with elderly residents and went berry picking—honey-berries, strawberries, raspberries (“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” – Psalm 71:9).

And somewhere in between, we saw moose… and even tasted moose!

This trip wasn’t just work—it was laughter until our bellies hurt, late-night talks, hard labor side by side, and moments of prayer that moved us to tears. We stayed at a local church, worked alongside the people of Fairbanks, and saw firsthand how God’s love can heal, restore, and ignite faith.

The participants amazed me. They grew in boldness, in willingness to serve, in faith that could move mountains. They prayed over strangers without hesitation, they stepped up without being asked, and they lived out the gospel with joy “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” – Matthew 5:16.

I saw God move in us and through us, calling people deeper into their faith and bolder in their obedience. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” -Ephesians 3:20.

Alaska itself was breathtaking—a place of simple beauty and deep need. Its tight-knit community reminded me of the way God designed us to live: connected, caring, present.

  My heart came home both broken and full—broken by the needs we saw, full because of the way God met those needs through willing hearts and willing hands.