Kotlik Ministry 2005

Lattis and Sharlotte spent a week, in late October and early November, in Kotlik with Pastors Jimmy and Maggie Okitkun and the congregation of Kotlik Assembly of God. Lattis taught the Local Church Leadership Development Series to the church and did one-on-one mentoring with the Okitkuns. Also, Lattis taught one of the VBTC courses while in Kotlik. Sharlotte added to the discussions and training through personal insight and spent time in relational ministry with the ladies of the church.

The best part of this trip, however, was simply getting to know Jimmy, Maggie, and the rest of the wonderful people in Kotlik. Jimmy and Maggie, along with others in the congregation, spoke volumes of insight into the Campbells' lives and Lattis and Sharlotte gained so much knowledge on this trip.

Kotlik is located on one the offshoots of the Yukon River (Kotlik River) as it makes it way to Norton Sound which is about 5 miles away. Kotlik is located about 500 air miles from Anchorage and is only accessible by air or sea. The population of Kotlik is predominately Yupik and the people of Kotlik basically live a subsistence life style (living off of the land and the sea).

There are no automobiles in Kotlik and there are boardwalks everywhere due to the mud and tundra conditions.

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Grant air provided travel aboard the small aircraft above Kotlik as seen from the air	"Air taxi" from the Kotlik landing strip - it is about one mile to the church

Kotlik Assembly of God church building	Jimmy and Maggie Okitkun are giving excellent leadership to this church

Pastor Jimmy leading worship Worship team - Jack Okitkun II, Jack Okitkun III, Jimmy Okitkun	Lattis teaching Some of the congregation

Sharlotte ministering/Sharlotte learning to play the bass	Some of the "Kids of Kotlik"

Pastor Jimmy ministering to the children	Going home from school

View of Kotlik from the Church building	View, from the Church building, of river and ice net fishing

River front boardwalk	Jimmy, like many others in Kotlik, hunts seals Above are his harpoon, his spear, and his spear thrower

Fish and seal are a staple part of the diet in Kotlik. Above is a seal and some fish in Jimmy's smokehouse. Also, some drying fish along the boardwalk.	Jimmy stands beside a seal skin taken in the summer - Maggie stretched and cured the skin

These are seals in the yard and along the boardwalk next to the church Seal oil is rendered and used in cooking and as an additive in or on food	Jimmy showed Lattis and Sharlotte how to stretch a net under the ice and catch fish

Here are some of the fish caught - the big one (a white fish) was eaten for dinner that evening	Some of the prices in Kotlik The milk is specially processed and has a shelf life of about 8 months unopened and costs $2.89 per quart Regular milk is $15.00 per gallon

Typical scenes in Kotlik	Maggie showed Sharlotte some of the mukluks her mother had made

Wood is brought to Kotlik during flooding seasons on the river - it is collected and stored as seen above for easy access during heavy snow	Many people have steam baths (saunas) which are fired with wood Water is poured over hot rocks to create steam

The church presented Sharlotte with a beautiful handmade parka	Frozen tundra between Kotlik and Emmonak

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