The Delp Details

Monday, May 22, 2006

Alaska Post #1




Some of you may know, but for those of you that don't, Joel and I are planning a trip to Alaska this summer with our church for a mission trip. We are totally pumped about this trip. You may be thinking..."A mission trip to Alaska?" "Yeah right!" Well, we kind of thought that too, but have found out in the last couple months that Alaska is a huge mission field, I mean huge!!

Our trip is set for July 29th through August 8th. We are going to a TINY city of 313 people called Elim. WOW, I thought Upland was small, but 313 people!! We found out that this town has no roads (as most towns in Alaska don't). This part of Alaska is called 'Bush' Alaska. We have to fly in and fly out since the only road is out the 'fish camp'. This is what the people will be doing the days they are there. They go to 'fish camp' and catch most of their fish for the year at this time. Our basic reason for going is to just bring encouragement and support to these people. We are also going to be working on the pastor's house as it needs a lot of work.
The statistics in 'bush' Alaska are absolutely out of this world.


The suicide rate of those in Alaska is 8 times the national average.

Alaskan natives make up 19% of the state's population, but 41% of the states suicides.

This obviously is just a huge problem. Some kids within the churches we have there have been making suicide packs and 3 kids have already died.

I will save more stats for a different post, but just wanted to keep you updated on what some of our plans are for the summer. Stay tuned for post #2!

PS-on the map of Alaska, Elim is located very close (a little East) of NOME.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Happy 4th Anniversary!





Technically, our anniversary isn't until tomorrow, however, we won't be around tomorrow to post, so I thought I would post today. It has been a fun, challenging, and exciting 4 years of marriage to Joel! It's been so cool to see our lives and our marriage develop over these last 4 years and I have enjoyed every
minute.


We have both graduated with a degree and continued on with another degree!
We have been to 4 countires together.
We have moved twice.
We have watched God move in amazing ways-knowing full well that it was nothing other than Him who has moved.
It is so great to explain to people when they ask how we met and our whole story to truly see the HAND of God in it. We both were called to overseas missions with different visions and God has woven them together to create one giant vision for His kingdom. We look forward to seeing all of our visions and our dreams, together with Jesus be fulfilled and to see the new visions He creates for us. Happy Anniversary Joel! I can't wait to see what the next 4 years have in store!

Saturday, May 06, 2006

UMMMM? Just thinkin...

Have you ever thought about what kind of legacy you want to leave? Maybe not too much, but lately I guess I have. I see a lot of people around me having children, knowing one day that this is probably where we will be someday too. Even not thinking about having kids, I think about what I want to leave behind once I am not here. Do I want to be the next Billy Graham? Maybe someone who gives elequent speeches like Martin Luther King Jr, maybe someone who changes a generation of Christians like Martin Luther. Maybe I could do great research in nursing and be a new Florence Nightengale.
You know what? I don't want to be 'like' other people. I am pretty happy so far with who God has created ME to be. I know God has plans for myself and for Joel. We have a pretty big vision on our plate right now. I don't want to leave the legacy that someone else has already left. I want to leave a 'new' legacy, the legacy Jesus has given to me to leave. I look forward to seeing what that is. Anyway, I was just thinkin...

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Happy Birthday to my MOM!

So, it is a couple days late, but I just wanted to dedicate a post to my mom! I know I have posted one of these pictures before, but I love it! My mom is one of the best women you will ever meet. She is fabulous! I am so proud and blessed to call her my mom and I am so very thankful for her. So this is for you mom! Happy 20th Birthday!!!!!
Love you very much!