The body of Christ.

Many, many organizations and individuals came together to make this trip happen.

Of course, we were the Fitz Family, and Bob Lenz was speaker, and his organization Life Promotions was the one that organized the trip from our end.

In Alaska, Arctic Barnabas was the ministry that organized the trip.

Megan and Jessica who work with Covenant Youth of Alaska, came along on the trip to be another more local connection (in their involvement with their ministry they have done multiple trips to the Bush for summer camps and youth gatherings), and also because CYAK received a large grant from ...some sort of state board. The board on suicide prevention, maybe? I should know this. Anyway, this grant was for the school assembly part of this trip. It was really the only way that this trip would have been possible. Although, to be fair, I'd have to add that sentence after just about every piece of this puzzle.

Our pilots flew were from the organization MARC, Missionary Aviation and Repair Center. They fly missionaries and ministries at about a third of the cost of a normal chartered flight. They are able to do so because they do "Repair" work, they are (or some of them are?) mechanics who work on airplanes of various other airlines. They also do fundraising for this ministry, and of course, these highly trained pilots and mechanics could be making much more money working for another organization.

MARC does have planes that they own, but the one we used was a bit bigger than the ones they have, and it belongs to Samaritan's Purse, an organization that also does a lot of ministry to the Alaskan bush.

Of course, each pastor and church at every village provided us with meals and a place to stay a long way.

With almost all of these organizations many people contributed their time and resources so that these things could take place.

It seems appropriate now for me to thank the people who helped me personally go on this trip. Debbie and the rest of the office at Life Promotions for making the machine work that puts people out on the road. Wes and my Mom for watching Charlotte for me while I was away. The grand folks who bought my Christmas cards. The very, very kind folks who contributed financial gifts to the Fitz Family.

I really appreciate it. And so do many, many other people.

Thank you.