To God be the glory for the restoration of a piece of property, boarded-up buildings, hundreds of pieces of cars and trucks and dilapidated trailers. Beginning in September, 2004, it has all been changed into a clean, warm home for the homeless men of the Kenai area. Over 800 men have been housed here.
There have been thousands of volunteer hours gone into rebuilding what has become Friendship Mission. Donations from individuals, churches and businesses in the form of time, supplies and monetary gifts have made this possible. This summer a residence for the director has been completed on the property. It was two years in the building, but it was worth the wait. And there is no debt owed on it.
We know we won’t remember everyone that has contributed to all this work, but we want to try to acknowledge as many as possible. The churches that have been involved are First Baptist Church of Port Nikiski, North Kenai Chapel, Lighthouse Community, New Hope Christian Fellowship, Nikiski Nazarene, Kenai Christian Church, Kenai Bible Church, New Life Assembly Church, College Heights Baptist Church, Soldotna UMC, 3 churches in Louisiana, Lost Creek UMC of Stillwater, OK. Christ is The Answer rescue mission in Melbourne, Florida.
Some of the businesses are Miller Sheet Metal Company, Spenard Building Supply Scout Lake Construction, Big G Electric, Hansen Roofing, Ken Pugh Construction, Chumley Construction, Norris and Sons, Robert Peterkin Company, David Block, Alaska Road Runner, Toad, Merkes Construction.
There have been work teams over the years. World Changers came 2 years, a VIM team from Stillwater, OK has come 8 years, a team from Australia, Youth groups from Rabbit Creek Church, Anchorage Grace Church, Nikiski Football Team, Kenai Christian, College Heights, New Life Assembly and the Alaska National Guard.
From the beginning there have been individuals that helped us get started. Dale Dolifka, Jane Stein, Janice Tuter and Marian Nickelson helped to get us organized. Then came the physical work: Al Johnson, Richard Syvrud, Charlie Papp, the men’s ministry of Kenai Christian, Mike Sounart, Phil Smith, Kim Hobeck, Mark Johnson, Mike Carroll, Braxton and Brenna Cox, Scot and Annie Peek.
There have been many people who have contributed to the spiritual wellbeing of the residents. Bob Thraves, Larry Harvey, Al Howard, Dick and Donna Weaver and Roy Moore have held Bible Studies for 8 years. Others that have been faithful to give of their time to teach Bible lessons are Pete Miller, Phil Volk, Bill Miller, Dick Hultberg, David Hall and men from the Mennonite Church. Others that served were Wayne Floyd, John Permenter, Gib Veal, Rich Zifko, Darrell Lathrom, and John Seaman.
All these people have made a tremendous contribution in doing the Lord’s work at Friendship Mission.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors of Friendship Mission
