356 Louise Lane
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone 907-479-3779, cell 907-322-8807
zerbe@alaska.net

Greetings from Nome, Alaska!  

Things have gone to the dogs here in Nome.  It’s the end of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Like life’s race, it can be grueling at times, but if the race is run correctly and by the rules, we can all be winners.  That’s one of a few things I would tell people as I would give them a John and Romans pamphlet.  

I flew the plane from the Seattle area to Fairbanks, and then the next day went to Nome. The weather in Nome was so grim that no commercial planes landed and a large helicopter crashed with tourists on the trail, but I was carrying the answer to life’s race to the Iditarod finish line, and I was the only plane that made it in. I was Nome’s hero for a day. Actually I’m used to counting seals, walrus, and polar bears from 100’ above the frozen Arctic Ocean, whereas airline captains and passengers are not.  How boring to be an airline pilot!

 We thank all of you who were so kind to us on furlough. We had good meetings everywhere. Somebody said there are two ways to travel--first class and with kids.  We were first class this time around. 

 There is a very busy season ahead of us with a hangar to get up, camps and retreats, airplane annual inspections, work teams, VBS’s, and Christian Sportsman’s Club activities, guests in the guest house, missionary flying, church services in Manley Hot Springs.  Then there is catch up mechanic work on the 1958 Chevy dump truck, Bobcat, and a mini-van with an engine to rebuild.  Of course, yard work, house repairs, finishing my book, getting the back up generator running, putting salmon in the freezer, and feeding my face--all these things--take more time than this summer has to offer. There will be no dull days, only expensive ones.

   We thank each one of you for your faithfulness to us each month and the special gifts for the hanger, construction, etc.  One church has already promised to help a few Alaska Native teens fly to camp this summer by sending $150.00 each for camper fees.  Sponsoring even one camper is very helpful.  Let us know if you would like to help with this, too. 

Faithfully yours,

Les Zerbe
Les and Jane Zerbe

SOURDOUGH SAM SEZ: