Venetie, Alaska

So we are here! (have been for almost 3 weeks) We just got the internet at our house a few hours ago and this is the first time I was able to sit for a minute. Let's start where I left you... on our way to Venetie.
It was a rainy day the day of our flight and I have to tell you it was a pretty scary ride. Only for me though. Everyone else loved it! The mountains and rivers we passed were all beautiful! We flew about 200 miles and passed one village (which we stopped in)! When we got here we were shocked to see Mr. Stathis (the principal) in a brand new Toyota Tacoma. It's nice. We went from the little gravel air strip straight to our new home to put our bags down. They were, after all, getting wet. And who do you think followed us in the door but a fat little mouse! We live in the old school building (more details to come). For those of you who helped us pack all up and saw how far in advance we shipped our things will be shocked to know that it took about a month for some of those things to arrive! We got here and had the clothes in our suit cases and the perishable food we brought with us from Fairbanks! *sigh* We ate eggs and spinach for 2 days. Mr. Stathis brought us over a few slices of bread, butter, cheese, oil, and salt. Thank God for that man! We got a few boxes (some of which had food in them!) two and a half days later! We have not known hunger like that before nor do I think will we ever again. We have now received almost all of the boxes we sent ourselves; but during that time we have twice run out of food (practically), toilet paper twice, and diapers once!!! And wouldn't you know God has come through at the last second EVERYTIME! For those of you who know the sermon on the mount... it has taken on a whole new meaning for us. We have learned that worrying is not going to get cash or supplies here any quicker...only God. And even if He waits literally until the last second we are taken care of! Better than most people around here too. We are one of four or five buildings that have running water. The people here are mostly Gwichin Athabascan Indian (note from Joe: they call themselves Indians, so I'm not being insensitive). They are subsistent livers (they live off the land... hunting, fishing, etc.) And they are some of the nicest people I have ever met! I love it here. The weather is wonderful (in the high 60's low 70's most days), the people are amazing, the rhythm is so much slower, and the view is what I would call breathtaking. I am so very thankful that we were allowed this experience!