For the economically élite Alaskan there is Alyeska. For the rest of us there is the Service High School hill (of death)! That’s where you’ll find Anchorage’s ethnically diverse and “equipmentally” challenged gathering for their own version of the winter olympics on any given winter weekend or holiday! The only medals given during these games are the hard-earned scars, cuts and bruises borne by the mighty conquerors of the Service High School hill (of death)!
Now I, like other responsible-non-conquering-coffee-bearing adults, was observing the international sledding gauntlet from the top of the hill and mentally preparing for the eminent emergency room visits from head, back, arm and/or leg injuries. My team, consisting of my two sons and their Bulgarian buddy, was taking on the hill with all the passion of true Olympians, but with none of the critical motor skills. In the unmarked lanes to our immediate right and left were the Japanese and Russian immigrant family teams. The Japanese were more subdued in their high-tech approach to the hill while the Russians were down right ruthless, conquering every bump and jump in their old-school plastic toboggan sled with bolted in guide ropes. The Hispanic, Pacific Island and Hmong disc-sled teams were far off to the right flank, so I couldn’t get a good feel for their strategies, but I do know that they were watching us… plotting… scheming. So in an attempt to learn about my team’s sledding competition, I decided to linguistically go underground and to strike up a conversation with the Russian speaking but non-coffee-bearing team captains in the lane next to us. The team leader was Sergei (who came to the U.S. 10 years ago), assisted by Olga, (who arrived just two months ago), and just like my team, their team consisted of three fearless boys.
I had no expectations in getting acquainted with these two people but Sergei’s and Olga’s stories really took me back as they opened up to me. I still have a million unanswered questions to ask them. Sergei and Olga just happened to meet out on the streets of Anchorage but it was in a most unusual way. Sergei is a small business owner who is employing several Slavic immigrants in a very necessary and reputable business operation. Olga came to Anchorage on an invitation to work as a nanny but, for her, everything fell apart upon her arrival and within a month she literally found herself holding up a “WILL WORK FOR FOOD” sign on an Anchorage street corner. Anyone who has lived in Eastern Europe or Russian Asia can tell another Slavic person from a mile away and that’s how Sergei noticed Olga… from a distance… on a street corner… desperate… begging. You know, it’s not often that a non-English-speaking, 21 year-old Ukrainian girl shows up in Anchorage begging for work and food on a street corner. This picture itself represents brokeness…broken plans, broken relationships, and perhaps a broken life.
As Olga took her turn on the beat up plastic toboggan, Sergei and I swapped phone numbers. We both smiled as Olga laughed, jumped and screamed her way down the hill (of death). I think we both sensed that she was long overdue for good memory like this. As of this moment, I don’t know anything else about Olga or Sergei but I do know The One who does and I do know The One who restores broken lives. We all departed on extremely good terms and I have an open door to meet again with Sergei, Olga and their sphere of Slavic friends.
Now I’m standing on a different relational hill and looking down it. I know that the Creator of all sledding hills has opened a lane for me and my family to share His love with Olga, Sergei and their circle of influence. I’m wondering just how He would have me navigate the bumps and jumps while demonstrating the heart of Christ to these image bearers of God? I’m sure that this hill will be a wild ride with laughing, crying and memories! Hang on tight and pray with me for an eternal victory! While you’re at it, why not join in the adventure? This week, be on the look-out for how you, too, can demonstrate Christ’s heart. There is no lack of opportunities!
Comments? Questions? Want to get involved in ChangePoint’s outreach ministries? Give me a holler at (907)646-4880 ext 236 or e-mail me at jimc@changepointalaska.com
Posted by jimcapaldo 
