Carl & Darlene Oehlert Lilienkamp told us about their work last summer with the Alaska Mission for Christ at our regular meeting on May 9. They helped 400-500 volunteers get from the airport to a place to stay while they learned more about the Alaskan natives before going to the villages to help in various ways. Most went to work with the Athabaskan tribe which is probably the largest group.
Then the Lilienkamps returned in January for about three months to live among the native people. They experienced temperatures up to 50 below zero, while they worked in schools and churches. They saw a lot of the wild life(the state has about 40,000 brown bears and 2000 black bears but the moose cause more injuries to people than the bears), some of the 14 mountain ranges, 3 million lakes, and some of 50% of the world's glaciers.
They helped with funerals that lasted 3 days when the grieving family gave gifts to those who were a part of the deceased's life and fed all the guests. The final meal on the 3rd day was moose head soup(the natives received special permission the harvest moose for funeral even out of season). Where they stayed there was the utmost respect for the tribes' elders. Alcoholism is rampant in AL. Dog sledding is a large part of the Alaskan culture and there is lots of dog sled racing beginning in March. They said if you have the time it is worth driving to Alaska.
Lilienkamps were introduced by club member Fauneil Bennett.
